water pump

Ariel1989 · #1 (**permalink**) 04-19-2008

Hi everyone, I purchased a catalina 27. My water pump won't turn on. I checked voltage at the panel. voltage at the pump, turned the switch on at the panel. Nothing happens. Can anyone help me with this problem. I am new to sailing...HELP

denby · #2 (**permalink**) 04-19-2008

Welcome aboard Ariel,

With the switch on is there volts at the pump or load side of switch? If not there may be an inline fuse, look at the wires.

US27inKS · #3 (**permalink**) 04-19-2008

With the switch on, test for power and ground at the pump. The easiest way is to put a meter on the power and ground wires at the pump. You should have battery voltage with the switch on. It's important to have the pump still plugged in when you test this. A corroded wire may be able to pass the voltage but not the current. With the pump still plugged in, it will pull enough current to knock the voltage down if it's a corrosion problem. I use pins to probe into splices if something is hard wired.

If you have battery voltage, then replace the pump. If not, you'll need to find out if the problem is power or ground. Don't just assume the problem is on the power side.

I've got to get on the road to the lake, someone help him out with voltage drops if he needs it.

Faster · #4 (**permalink**) 04-19-2008

You say you have voltage at the pump... Give the pump and sharp rap and see if it comes on... If it does then the pressure switch is sticking. It's a simple matter to pull the switch apart, clean up the diaphragms, ports and spring and reassemble it. If you tap the pump and it doesn't come on I'd still pull the switch apart and look into that.

BarryL · #5 (**permalink**) 04-19-2008

Hello,

For some reason, it seems common for the on demand fresh water pumps to fail. I have replaced two of the PAR / Jabsco pumps. Fortunately, they are cheap and easy to replace.

The second time it occurred to me to install a higher quality pump. Unfortunately (or is it fortunately?), if I install the same pump the wiring and mounting lines up, so I just stick with it.

Barry

FairfieldSupply · #6 (**permalink**) 05-26-2008

Just food for thought. On some Jabsco pumps if the pump sits in a very humid condition for a long period of time a film builds on the commutator and depending on the pump, try to spin the motor by hand a few times to reestablish contact between the brushes and the armature. Don't rush to condemn the pump when it can be repaired. Even though the Jabsco pumps say they have sealed motors condensation can still build in the motor under the right conditions.