Water pump "pulses"

[rich85704]

I'm getting ready to hit the road in a week. Done a lot of spiffing up/fixing up.

Today I noticed that the fresh water pump runs perfectly when water is run at the kitchen sink and the toilet, but it pulses -- on for a couple of seconds, off for a couple of seconds -- when water is used in the bathroom sink or the outside "shower" by the holding tank drains. I didn't think to check the shower.

Any thoughts?

Rich

[rich85704]

Folks -- problem solved, at least for now. I took apart the bathroom faucet, removed the flow constrictor, put it back together, and all is well. The interior shower works fine, now, too, even though I didn't do anything to it. I haven't tackled the rear outside shower head, but I strongly suspect the same situation. I never use it, so it's not a high priority. I did haul out the documents for the pump, and was prepared to do scary things with an adjusting screw, but no need. And I learned about accumulator tanks, which I'd never heard of, but which show up in the pump documents as an option.

Thanks, all!

Rich

[Bobbo]

Mine did that while showering due to flow restricting shower head. Solved it by putting in a 2 gallon accumulator tank. Solved a second problem we didn't know we had. Now we can flush the toilet all night without the pump (under the bed) from coming on to wake up the spouse.

[Old-Biscuit]

I think OPs pump is cycling when USING the bathroom sink faucet and the outside shower....not cycling when everything is closed.

Pump stays running when using other faucets.

[Bordercollie]

I would first suspect that faucets in bathroom sink, shower or outside shower are not shut off or don't seal completely. Pump should stop cycling if system has pressure and pump is working properly. Check wiring of pump for loose/poor connections.

As a temporary fix, shut off pump!!

[n7bsn]

Surflo has a procedure to check and clear the "check valve". If this gets fouled it can cause this issue. I'm not going to post from memory, but you can check their web-site for help

[jauguston]

FWIW I installed a Shureflo 7 gpm pump recently and the instructions said if your system had a accumulator to disconnect it.

[DiskDoctr]

Just installed accumulator this month. Big difference.

Shurflo suggests pump cycle must be off at least 2secs during pulses. If not, turn the adjustment screw clockwise to achieve it, but no more than one turn.

If you search your pump model and shurflo, you should find this procedure.

[Randu]

Install a small accumulator tank and pulsating will be gone or minimized. Here's a picture Randu

[SDcampowneroper]

Pump pulses when on demand are caused be low flow . The pump pressures up to its high limit , then off to low. If your pump is short cycling, its doing its job based on your demand. Look for, remove restrictions in the flow.
If your pump is cycling without demand, then there is a leak or a faulty check valve in the pump. Dang thing! Woke DW up who thumped me awake to fix that }^<^€<<* !

[rich85704]

No ice maker. I'll check for clogged screens in aerators and flow restrictors.

[Don_McL]

ice maker?

[Old-Biscuit]

Aerator on bathroom sink can be clogging up
Outside shower (and probably inside shower) could have flow restricters in the hose or shower handle

[azrving]

You may still have air in the system.