I am troubleshooting my new domestic water plumbing system I’ve recently installed on my NS36. I replaced pretty much everything from the tanks to the faucets, including the piping. No leaks anywhere, but I am having trouble with air getting into the system before the pump. I’ve gone through about 50 gallons of water so far and I just can’t seem to figure out why I’m getting air ahead of the pump.
I can run a faucet and it will sputter out water mixed with air, and then shut off the faucet and an air pocket will keep the pump running. If I jolt the system by turning it on and off quickly, it creates a rush of water into the pump and most of the time it will fill the pump and it stops pumping (ie - water pressure is reached). The next time I turn on the faucet I get the same problem. Things mostly work OK but I can’t figure out where air could be entering the system and causing the pump to run because of the air pocket. I’ve also made sure to run water through the whale pump so that it is filled with water, and the valve for the 3-way is set to the refrigerator drain.
Any ideas?
Bob Gehrman
NS36 #52 “Fortunate”
Greenwich Bay, Rhode Island
Could be air in a high point of the piping. If so it can take a pretty good flow to move it through. You might try removing the aerator/flow reducer from one of your sink faucets and open it full blast to see if it clears all of the air.
Bob-
I expect you have an intrusion. Nothing leaks water, but air… that’s different. I see from the photo you have one of those small filters ahead of the pump. In my previous boat, that didn’t seal well initially and that’s where my air got in… with very similar symptoms to what you describe. Also, it could be coming in from one of your connectors. They look like the “Shark-bite” type, which depend on an o-ring, if I am not mistaken. Water-tight, but not not always air-tight. I use crimper/rings for my PEX, as I don’t trust the Shark-Bite in the “moving” environment of a boat. Not that I’ve seen issues… I just don’t trust it.
Dan Weinstein
Look Farther 30C #205
East Greenwich, RI
I had a vacuum leak in my vacuflush head. It took me quite an awhile to find it. I learned this trick for an old salt. What I finally did was buy a can of cheap shaving cream and put it around the connections. The one that was leaking pulled in the shaving cream and made a hole.
Peter Farley
Knot in a hurry u30
Keyport NJ
Try inverting your screen filter. If air is getting in it will collect at the piping now. If you invert it, it will collect in the plastic bowl where you can see it. Not saying that’s it but it’s something to try.
I’m not sure if anyone mentioned this, but since you’re sucking in air, the problem has to be a vacuum leak somewhere between the pump and water tank. If it was after the pump, you’d see a water leak since those lines are under pressure.
Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA
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These are all great points. Thanks for all the suggestions. I’m now wondering if there’s simply a joint that didn’t catch completely on the unpressurized side and it’s up high near the pump. I’ll report back -
