Shower issue

[Gulfsailor]

Aboard today I stepped into the head to take a shower. When I turned on the switch then opened the faucet, I got no water and heard the water pump cycle in 1 second intervals.

I go the galley sink, turn on the water...no issue...full flow. It looks like there are two fresh water pumps under the galley sink (one for the the shower and one for the galley sink).

Any ideas on what the problem with the shower is? It worked fine a few weeks ago.

Thank you for your input.

[pbyrne]

The second pump is for the shower/icebox drain if I remember correctly.  It's what runs when you use the power switch in the head.

If the water pressure pump is running every 1 second, it's trying to maintain pressure in the lines.  If you get no water, then I would check the strainer on the end of the faucet if you have one.  Especially if neither hot or cold work.

I had this exact situation on the galley faucet and it turned out the faucet strainer was full of crap.  Where it came from I have no idea, but it was enough to plug the strainer and block all water flow.

[KWKloeber]

More info

It it cycling on/off every second, continuously? 
Or what do you mean - mainly off, but ON for only a second? Or mainly ON but off for a second?
Different problems result in different symptoms.

Is the other pump on the potable water manifold or for the drain?

[Ron Hill]

Gulf : Look at the Plumbing Plan in your Owners Manual.
It looks to me like the line splits (a "T") from the an out put of the pressure pump. One line goes to the water heater and the other to the head sink. Another separate output line from the pump goes to the galley sink.  Make sure that you check all of the strainers!!

I'd take that head sink input line apart and check for a clog. 

A few thoughts 

[Gulfsailor]

Thanks all. I have a new pump sitting on my bench ready to install when I get back to the boat.

[rmjohns]

One thing on the head faucet / shower is there is an on/off push button on the faucet wand (If that's the right term). At the end of the wand is a lever to go from stream to shower, at the base of the wand is little push button that turns it on / off.

So you can get your hot / cold temperature correct, soak up, and then use the push button on the wand to turn off the water supply to soap, etc. 

You may have already been aware of this, but thought I'd mention it just in case, it's pretty hidden down there.

[Gulfsailor]

One thing on the head faucet / shower is there is an on/off push button on the faucet wand (If that's the right term). At the end of the wand is a lever to go from stream to shower, at the base of the wand is little push button that turns it on / off.

So you can get your hot / cold temperature correct, soak up, and then use the push button on the wand to turn off the water supply to soap, etc. 

You may have already been aware of this, but thought I'd mention it just in case, it's pretty hidden down there.

Arrived at the boat to install the new pump today and discovered that it was exactly what you described....the button at the bottom of the wand was pushed. I imagine one,of my grandkids did it while using the head.

Now I have a brand new fresh water pump I will put into inventory.

Thanks for your help.

[Ron Hill]

Gulf : Always check the obvious!!   FIRST

A thought

[rmjohns]

I notice your boat is the same year as mine. I had to replace the fresh water pump last year as it wouldn't hold pressure anymore. I probably could have rebuilt the pump side, but the electric motor itself was fairly rusty, so I just replaced it.

If your pump is the original, that's probably not a bad item to have in the spare parts bin.

Rob

[Gulfsailor]

Hi Rob, having had them go south before I thought the same thing.

I see you're in New Bern. We almost bought a home on the water in Oriental. Went there to check out a 52' Amel Super Maramu to do a two year sail and fell in love with that area.