Fresh water pump recomendations?

WOW ! ! ! ! !

My Shurflo extreme series 5.7 went out 2 weeks ago.

Pump pumps fine, pressure switch won't let it shut off, it flows down to the slowest speed and then continues to run.

Apparently the newer models have an adjustable pressure switch.

I contacted Shurflo, and they advised me to take mine apart and turn the thing 1/8 turn clockwise.

There is a nut inside, I turned that with no results, however the true adjustment may be buried below the connection covered with silicone.

Absent that, I like the pump flow switch and I think I will add a pressure guage as well.

I'll post back the results of my next attempt on the adjustment.

RWS
 
I would be careful installing a non ignition protected switch on the DC power side of a freshwater pump if you have a gas boat. If the pressure switch can be located downline out of the engine room it should be ok.
Bill
 
I went through 12, yes I said 12, Shurflo smart sensor pumps in 3 years on my boat. That's an average life span of 90 days. All under warrantee but I still got real tired of them breaking and replacing them. I switched to a Parmax 4 and it's been going strong for 60 months now. YMMV
 
Yo! Shake n Bake! My Shurflo smart sensor pump died recently also. Did you use an accumulator tank with the Parmax 4?
 
Initially I didn't have an accumulator tank since the smart sensor pump didn't need one but I installed one a few months later and the setup works very well. I'm not entirely sure the accumulator tank made much of a difference. The difference in pressure fluctuation was barely noticeable.
 
Billy III, you're absolutely correct about concerns about ignition-protection on a gas powered boat. I'd completely forgotten about that! The pressure switches spark when they "make" and "break" so everyone be sure to have it located in an area where there won't be any gas fumes present, if you opt to go that way.
 
quote:
Originally posted by stmbtwle

Not sure if it'll work with that variable speed pump, but years ago I installed an external pressure switch from a plumbing store. I just installed a tee in the discharge line near the pump, and screwed the new pressure switch into the tee. Worked like a charm.

Click to expand...


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Thanks Steamboatwillie!

I'm a diesel, so the ignition protection was not an issue. The pressure switch works great! I have had an accumulator in the system for years so that keeps the pump from cycling too much.

A big plus on the pressure switch is that there are TWO SEPERATE adjustments on it - cut in and cut out.

Another great idea was to add a PRESSURE gusge to the system. This is a reccomendation for anyone who wants to monitor/improve his fresh water system.

An update on teh Shurflo 5.7

1. the factory rep who was e-mailing with me provided totally wrong information on my pump.

2. My pump was an earlier production run. There is no adjustment on the pressure switch. Shurflow rep insisted there was, however I have the photos to prove it!

3. I still carry the old 2.8 as a spare, however the 5.7 still pumps well. With the new well pump pressure switch, I'll keep it till it dies, then go back to the 2.8 if I have to or simply buy a DIFFERENT BRAND pump.

THANKS for the pressure switch idea !

RWS
 
Glad it worked!!

I think the expensive variable speed pumps are probably overkill in most cases.

In my experience sometimes a smaller pump works better than a large one. The large one is constantly kicking on off (or running at reduced speed), while a small pump just kicks in and runs till you close the faucet. If a big boat with several people and several faucets likely to be on at the same time I can see the need for a high capacity pump, but for 1-2 people chances are you'll only use one faucet at a time, so the little pump is plenty.

I've also found that the larger the accumulator the better the flow, too. I use a 2 gal "expansion" tank from the home store, it works great, pretty much eliminates "cycling", and costs less than a little plastic "marine" accumulator.
 
I agree completely with everything Willie had to say, except for Danny's case. Danny (Barren River) has a 70 foot Lakeview houseboat and needs a high volume, high pressure pump to handle all the fixtures on his boat.

For those of you who don't know Danny (Barren River), in addition to being a good contributor here on the board, he owns an indoor storage facility for trailerable boats in Glasgow, KY.

He is also an authorized Raritan Servicing Dealer. He covers southern Kentucky, from Lake Cumberland to Kentucky Lake, and northern Tennessee (Dale Hollow Lake) as well. Danny's a great guy, knows his boats, and he does really nice work! He keeps his personal houseboat on Barren River Lake, in southern Kentucky, thus his screen name, Barren River.

He has an Atlantes head in one of the bathrooms on his houseboat that also doubles as a night light! Ask him about it - maybe he'll explain it to you (I'm sworn to secrecy about how he did it)... But I know it's there - I've seen it!
 
i looked at mines...

the first one, 4 years old, electronic, serial 9090, does not have a pressure adjustment.,

the second and third ones, 2 and 3 years old, non electronic, serial 7541 and 7611 have a screw in the middle of the plastic cap to adjust the pressure
 
Thanks for the kind words Vic,,,going to install an Atlantes with a "night light" this Thursday on a houseboat on Lake Cumberland...it also has another purpose....just leave the lid up and any little gnats that come in the boat will be dead when you come back the next week, as they go to the light and drown...
 
I have replaced 5 or 6 of these 'Extreme' 5.7 pumps on our boat in the last 5 years. Three years ago they said they had the fix for the poorly designed pressure switch. Two weeks ago talked to Shurflo's engineer and he said they 'think' they finally have it figured out! Pumps made after July '10 have the new design. Surprise, after 2 weeks it's still working. They actually have great customer service and freely have replaced all mine under warranty. Or better yet, buy it at West and they'll exchange it as needed.

Jim
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top