crown head works w/ball out sugestion

[dalehollow]

first HBoat. has a crown head, sitting for a long time no use, I replaced the pump impellar, cleaned soft roted decake from the pump, after multiple try's, priming disconecting hoses, pumping from a bucket of every which way of pouring water in sucking water out the only way i could make the unit work was by removing the black ball, even after putting a new ball in still wouldnt work. Understanding it was there as you stated to maintain the prime, but even after a week or so off the boat it would still operate w/out needing to be reprimed,

Perhaps the spring was too strong, I understand some engineer put this ball in there for an impportant reason and it needs to be there, I cant feel any bur where the ball seats, is there a possibility Im getting the fitting holding the ball and spring in to tight I have only hand tight as it is?

 

[stmbtwle]

I'm thinking that when you install the ball you lose the water in the pump and the line and it can't get enough suction to open the valve. Try squirting some liquid soap into the pump, it will lubricate and seal it better and hopefully it'll pick up that first prime. After that with any luck you won't have any problem.

It's my understanding the ball is only there to keep the pump from losing it's prime. Probably the new impeller fits tight enough that it seals well and doesn't lose prime. If the above solution doesn't work I think I'd run it without the check valve. As the impeller wears (who knows how long) it may start losing it's prime, and then you'll need to address that problem again (maybe just carry a spare impeller).

I have a Jabsco head it has a similar pump but does not have the check valve nor is one recommended. I had a problem with it losing prime so I installed one. It got marine growth in it and leaked. I tried another, it stuck shut like yours does. Finally I decided to take the impeller out of the pump and installed a "remote pump" down by the water line. It works just beautifully and it's MUCH quieter!!! It's been installed for 2-3 years now with no issues.

Check out this thread for future reference: http://www.boatered.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=103898

 

[Vic Willman]

Dalehollow, if the base of the Crown Head is installed above the waterline of the boat, you don't need the ball and spring. If it's below the waterline, you do. A new impeller won't necessarily be all that is necessary - if the inside of the pump housing where the impeller spins, is rough and uneven - rather than clean and nice and smooth, the impeller vanes won't seal well enough to generate sufficient suction to pull the ball from its seat, and the housing will need to be replaced in additon to replacing the impeller.

See thread at the top, Raritan Crown Head - Spring Commissioning.