Variable speed water pump

[scgck]

Greetings all,
We would like to upgrade the fresh water pump in our R27 to a variable speed pump.
Our previous vessel had one and we liked it much better than the noisy constantly cycling pump which is installed in the Ranger. I believe it was manufactured by Surflo.
I would love to hear from anyone who has done this upgrade and which pump you used.
Thanks,
Chris R27 OB

 

[SJI Sailor]

We installed a Johnson Pump 10-13329-103 Aqua Jet Flow MSTR Pump 5 GPM, 12v https://a.co/d/evhftHK and have been happy with it. Easy installation in our C30 and it has had no problems for 2+ years so far.

We also added a small accumulator tank at the same time, 0.5 liter if I recall correctly, which was the only one that would fit easily. The pump claims not to need one, but we went ahead anyway.

The combination has been great -- much, much quieter and with smooth water flow.

 

[mlanger]

We also added a small accumulator tank at the same time, 0.5 liter if I recall correctly, which was the only one that would fit easily. The pump claims not to need one, but we went ahead anyway.

The combination has been great -- much, much quieter and with smooth water flow.

What is the purpose of the accumulator tank? What does it do?

I also don’t like the constant cycling of the pump that comes with the Ranger. I’m from an RV background and had ShurFlo pumps in all of my past rigs. But I don’t think I ever had an accumulator tank.

 

[scgck]

Thanks for the reply.
That one was on the list and it’s good to hear some positive feedback as some of its reviews aren’t great.
An accumulator in the system , depending on its size, should prevent the pump from cycling as much and smooth out water flow. The variable speed pumps are advertised not to need accumulators but it can’t hurt.
Thanks
Chris
R27 OB

 

[knotflying]

We also added a small accumulator tank at the same time, 0.5 liter if I recall correctly, which was the only one that would fit easily. The pump claims not to need one, but we went ahead anyway.

The combination has been great -- much, much quieter and with smooth water flow.

What is the purpose of the accumulator tank? What does it do?

I also don’t like the constant cycling of the pump that comes with the Ranger. I’m from an RV background and had ShurFlo pumps in all of my past rigs. But I don’t think I ever had an accumulator tank.

The accumulator is similar to the pressure tank on a home well. It has a diaphram and holds additional water. The diaphram holds the pressure as the water is used. However, at some point it needs to get the water replaced and "charged" up. Then the pump will turn on and fill it. Basically you avoid the on/off of the pump while using water.

 

[mlanger]

An accumulator in the system , depending on its size, should prevent the pump from cycling as much and smooth out water flow. The variable speed pumps are advertised not to need accumulators but it can’t hurt.

Thanks for this info. Again, I come from an RVing background and had a variable speed pump in every rig I owned. No accumulator and it did work fine.

 

[dbsea]

+1 on the Johnson 5gpm variable speed pump + accumulator, but I'm using a much bigger 5-gallon accumulator:

https://www.prowaterparts.com/store/pro ... ductID=703

My accumulator is located way aft in the engine compartment where the generator would be (C30). There's a pex T off the line that goes to the cockpit freshwater shower that fills the tank. My water pump runs very little which I like, basically to refill the accumulator tank. I still have some minor complaints with the noise of the Johnson pump, but it's ok. My buddy has this Marco pump, and it's insanely quiet by comparison, but also 3x the price:

https://www.fisheriessupply.com/marco-u ... 164-622-15

 

[DMD3]

Been thinking a lot about this. Curious how effective accumulators are when the existing Johnson pump does not appear to have a hysteresis setting (different cut in/out settings)like is typically found on most residential well pump / tank applications with pressure switch.

We are new Tug owners and I’d really like to reduce cycling if possible.