I need a little advice from the experienced Rhodes sailors with the
sink's water pump. I hear the motor trying to pump the water to the
sink, but there is no water moving through the hoses. I tried
tightening all of the hose clamps, but that didn't do the trick.
The problem started when we filled the water tank for the first time.
It had some water in it when it was delivered, and at that time, the
pump worked fine. Only when we filled the tank did the pump stop
working. This can't possibly just be coincidence, can it?
Any advice that you have in troubleshooting this is greatly
appreciated.
Thanks,
Ben Schultz
This one comes up all the time. Here is General Boats' reply:
Hear Ye, Hear Ye:
Enough owners seem to be going down for the third time with the water
on-demand system for us to throw a line to even non-General Boats
buyers:
Assuming that the pump and faucet are not broken, relocate your
pump at a level below the bottom of the water tank and with as
short a hose connection as possible. It is the introduction of air
into this part of the system that is fouling up the self-priming of
the pump. There is nothing wrong with the size or ratings of the
faucets and pumps used on the Rhodes. Just turn on the faucet of a
new Rhodes and be careful you do not sink the boat.
gbi
Here is MJM's now-famous reply:
"Commit falsetto on your sink flautist :`) and sometimes filling the
tank helps, but you still might need the falsetto :`) And maybe
falsetto curse all problems in life :`)"
When the tank is drained there is air in the pump and feed lines.
By creating a vacuum, you help pull the water into the pump and the
supply line. Sometimes a full tank helps, but not always. So...
the fast way: point the faucet up, turn on the pump and suck. It
comes up from the pump fast, so it only takes a second or two. You
have to get out of the way or you can get wet!
The less feeling-silly way: take the clamp off the supply hose under
the faucet and remove the supply hose, turn it on and suck; then put
it back on. The only problem is it takes a screwdriver and about
2-3 minutes do, vs. the fast way.
I have the water on demand system and have never had any trouble with
it. I always have water in my tank, even in the wintertime, and have
never had a problem. It never becomes air bound. Most owners up
north empty their tanks in the winter, and have a problem with the
pump in the spring. I lower my tanks so freezing water will have a
place to expand to. This has worked for me.
It seems to me you're in New Orleans, so none of this is an issue for
you. If the pump never again becomes air-bound, you won't have this
problem again.
Bill Effros
