We have had as issue with our freshwater pump remaining on when it
shouldn't, and have tried all potential remedies we could find in the files on
this forum, but to no avail. Amel does not have a new one available for us
despite the same switch being used on both the 53's and 54's and possibly
beyond.
The pump, one way valve, and pressure cylinder are all working as designed,
so we removed the housing off the pressure switch itself, and initially fiddled
with the settings (by screwing both adjustment bolts in and out in different
sequences) which is pretty much a black art as we have no manual showing how to
set this mechanism (min pressure for pump to switch on and max pressure for
pump to switch off).
Having no luck with this today we took the entire mechanical switch apart
and on putting it back together now nothing works! Such is life!
A fellow Amel 54 cruiser here (previously owned a SM from new for 8 years)
informs me that he is aware that many other owners have done away with the
original freshwater pump in favour of the Jabsco freshwater pump, (without the
pressure cylinder) and actually prefer those allbeit they are slightly more
noisy. Aparently they provide a smooth flow even without the pressure balancing
cylinder.
With no suitable Jabsco pumps available here in Mauritius, I am looking at
temporary alternatives but thought there may be some wisdom in this group
about:
1) someone has a manual for this switch and could kindly send it to us at
svislandpearl@...; or
2) some of you may have encountered this problem before, and already made
step by step instructions on correct re-assembly/parts list, as well as
adjustment advice for the mechanical/electrical pressure switch to work
correctly; and/or
3) some of you have already converted to the Jabsco (or equivalent) pumps
and could offer some warnings and/or advice regarding max psi model to
purchase, as well as how you best plumbed it in.
In our usual style with backups for everything on Island Pearl II, I am planning
to both fix/replace the existing Amel supplied unit, and also add a
second "jabsco style" option with plumbing done so that we have a
quick flick over switch to use the other if either fails in future.
Fair winds & following seas
Colin, SV Island Pearl II; SM #332
Mauritius
svislandpearl.com
