Fresh Water pump switch

[WillieT]

Just bought a 1997 245 Explorer with a 35 gal fresh water tank, sink and fresh water shower.  So far, I have not been able to get the sink or the shower to work.  The manual (the original manual is still with the boat!) says there is a "Fresh Water Pump" switch labeled on the dash, but there is no such label.  Any input would be greatly appreciated!

[RickK]

It may be wired "On" all the time and when you turn on the tap the pump starts pumping.  I don't think that is a very wise thing to do but it is possible.  I installed a 40gal FW tank and pump in my 230 and have a sw under the port helm seat to turn it on.  When on, the pressure builds and then the pump shuts off until I open the tap, where it comes back on to replace the lost pressure.  I like being able to shut off the circuit though.
Are you sure what each sw on the dash does?  I bet the pump is toast - they don't last forever.

[WillieT]

I have pretty much determined what all the switches do, except for one on the very starboard end, which glows with a red light when in the "on" position, but has no label.....

I found the pump and it looks fine, all the other pumps work, the boat has been garage kept and VERY WELL maintained, so I feel like the pump probably works.  I have not put a battery to it to test it yet.  

It does not appear to be hardwired to the battery or main box..... and so far, I can't match the wire colors to anything under the dash that is unaccouted for.....grrrrr

[RickK]

If you turn on the battery sw and the pump is wired so it's on all the time, you should hear it turn on to pump up the pressure and then go off. (Same thing would happen if you turn on a sw)  Do you have a raw water pump for livewell or washdown?  That would work the same way - should be able to compare the two pumps.
Have you tried putting some water in the tank and turning on the tap?

[WillieT]

I filled the tank and tried the shower and the sink, no luck.  When I crank the boat up, I don't hear the pump running.  The livewell/washdown pump works fine (but the seacock is stuck about 1/4 way open, so I don't get a whole lot of water).

This boat has only been on the water 5 times in the last 4 years, but the grand old fellow that owned her kept her in his garage, washed and cleaned her and pretty much checked all the operations at least once a week, all year long, but he did say he never used the sink or the washdown in the five years he owned her......

The 2002 Yamaha on the back of it only had fifty-six (yes, 56!) hours on it...

He also did not know how to operate the Radar or the depth sounder......so I have not been able to learn much from him about what does what....

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir? ... feat=email

[pete]

Wow,Willie looks like you found a beauty!Things to check on fresh water pump,switch for it may be marked as "aux" on dash,check connector at pump to make sure you are getting power to the pump and what switch,if any,controls it.if you are getting power to the pump,1 pump could be bad,2 pressure switch could be stuck,a couple of weeks ago mine wasnt working so I took it out and found that the pressure switch was just stuck,put it back in and works fine now,use any 12 volt source to test,I used a car battery and some jumper wires to test pump out of boat.Welcome and best of luck with your new rig.

[Circle Hooked]

The last switch on the right your talking about should be AUX,is on mine anyway.

[GoneFission]

Check the wire colors and match the colors to the switch.  Also just check the voltage to the pump - if it's getting 12 volts and not pumping, you probably need a new pump.  If there's no voltage, find the switch or check for a blown fuse or tripped breaker.  I can't believe Aquasport would not have a switch installed for the fresh water pump.

[RickK]

Boy, that boat looks pristine - nice find.  Might need to tap on the pump?

[seabob4]

In a freshwater system, if the system has a prime, then the pump will only come on for a second or two before the pressure switch cuts it off.  That is one scenario, although I doubt your system is full, so probably not it.  Of course, the pump could simply be shot, or, as Pete alluded to, the pressure switch float could be stuck in the upper position.  The way to determine this (and yes Rick, sometimes a little tap on the switch will free it up!) is to cut the positive lead from the pump motor to the pressure switch and run it straight to 12V, bypassing the pressure switch.  If the pump runs, the switch is the culprit.  Remove the switch from the pump and open it up, you'll see the float inside.  A good spraying of PB will free it up.

Your pump should be located on the port stringer behind the little access door aft.  Have fun getting it out...and then back in!  Little tip, remove the door and frame, gives you a little more access...

[WillieT]

Sorry Gentlemen, been out of touch for a couple of days

Well, thanks for the advice, found the switch (marked "Assy"), pump has power to it, no go, by-passed pressure switch as advised.....no go....pump shot...off to the marine store in the morning.....

Oh, btw, thanks for the tip Bob, taking the frame off did allow me to get my FAT head and one arm in the hole, making things much easier....(now if I just find that duck tape to get all this fiberglass out of my arm.......)

thanks again for all the help.....

[seabob4]

Sorry Gentlemen, been out of touch for a couple of days

Well, thanks for the advice, found the switch (marked "Assy"), pump has power to it, no go, by-passed pressure switch as advised.....no go....pump shot...off to the marine store in the morning.....

Oh, btw, thanks for the tip Bob, taking the frame off did allow me to get my FAT head and one arm in the hole, making things much easier....(now if I just find that duck tape to get all this fiberglass out of my arm.......)

thanks again for all the help.....

Is that a problem?

[DOCREED]

Sorry Gentlemen, been out of touch for a couple of days

Well, thanks for the advice, found the switch (marked "Assy"), pump has power to it, no go, by-passed pressure switch as advised.....no go....pump shot...off to the marine store in the morning.....

Oh, btw, thanks for the tip Bob, taking the frame off did allow me to get my FAT head and one arm in the hole, making things much easier....(now if I just find that duck tape to get all this fiberglass out of my arm.......)

thanks again for all the help.....

glass fibers in your skin is a badge of courage.