Author Topic: Bavaria 40: Loud fresh water pump (Read 3267 times)

Krumelur · « **on:** October 06 2021, 13:05 »

I would like to give my fresh water pump some treatment so it doesn't wake up the whole crew when someone washes their hands in the middle of the night.
Is there any advice on making it more silent or replace it with an alternative? It's located in the port aft head under the sink.

IslandAlchemy · « **Reply #1 on:** October 06 2021, 13:09 »

Take it off the bulkhead and put it on a "suspended" frame, of put it on a backing plate and put some foam between it and the bulkhead.

Krumelur · « **Reply #2 on:** October 06 2021, 16:53 »

Thanks - that would have been my first try, too. What I also hear is: they all are loud, it's mostly about how they're mounted?

tiger79 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 06 2021, 18:07 »

I've been wondering about this ever since I bought my boat, new in 2014. The optimum solution would be to relocate the pump to the cockpit locker, but the access to the pump is dreadful so I haven't bothered yet!

Yngmar · « **Reply #4 on:** October 06 2021, 19:06 »

Those multi-diaphragm pumps are all a bit loud. Ours came with rubber feet that absorb vibration (=noise) when used correctly (don't compress them flat by overtightening the screws). If they're mounted on a bulkhead that can vibrate a bit (not well supported), the noise will be amplified.

kavok · « **Reply #5 on:** October 06 2021, 19:54 »

There is not too much space to work near the pump

.I am thinking to the Mar.Co pump that is progressive pump depending from how much you open the water fawcet. So also less electric consumption. Mar.Co told me that the pump is no noisy, but they can not quantify.

Yngmar · « **Reply #6 on:** October 07 2021, 17:22 »

Friends have one of those Marco variable speed pumps on their boat. They were on the fourth pump after 3 years - kept failing, either water in the electronics or water in the motor. Wouldn't recommend. They gear pumps and quieter than multi-diaphragm pumps, but not exactly quiet either.

kavok · « **Reply #7 on:** October 07 2021, 22:39 »

Many thanks.

nightowle · « **Reply #8 on:** October 07 2021, 23:21 »

Isolating the pump with some sort of dampening material is what I'm about to do. But I did read somewhere that the noise is always perpetrated by the shaking of water lines affixed to cabinets. It may be worthwhile to use some closed cell plumbing insulation around the "pipes", as well.

MagicalArmchair · « **Reply #9 on:** October 09 2021, 22:36 »

Let us know how that goes and post up photos of how you do it. The noisy fresh water pump on Mirage drives the crew mad 🤣, so I would win lots of points if I solve that one.

Rampage · « **Reply #10 on:** October 18 2021, 16:53 »

Ours is mounted on a piece of engine insulation material (neoprene rubber, about an inch or more thick). The rubber is loosely mounted to the hull whilst the pump is fixed to it reasonably firmly by screws. It makes a noise but not enough to wake you.
That said, we also provide hand sanitiser for nighttime use rather than running the tap. Idea came from the Admiral who’s hearing is much better than mine…..

Krumelur · « **Reply #11 on:** May 05 2022, 08:38 »

I’m pulling out this old thread once again. I did as discussed and added some insulation between the pump and the screws attaching it. Not much of a change. The whole installation is still pretty loud and I think part of the reason are also the pipes close to the pump, as they seem to add some vibration and therefore make extra noise.
I think this situation is super annoying and there must be something better. Some low RPM pump? I don’t know.

Yngmar · « **Reply #12 on:** May 05 2022, 10:30 »

Check if the pump passes on the vibration to the pipes. Might just be a pipe somewhere rattling against a bulkhead, which creates a lot of noise. Secure the pipes or stuff a sponge in!

tckearney · « **Reply #13 on:** May 05 2022, 12:50 »

Fill the bowl with water before going to bed, should be suffice to wash your hands, that@s what I do. Simle fix.

SYJetzt · « **Reply #14 on:** May 05 2022, 13:21 »

Mounted my pump on a sheet of aluminium, glued a piece of soft PU foam (RG20/30) on the back side of the sheet and both to the bulkhead. Much quieter since then.

Joe · « **Reply #15 on:** May 07 2022, 12:21 »

If I start snoring nobody bothers about the pump

Clivert · « **Reply #16 on:** May 12 2022, 17:08 »

I recently ordered some engine mounts for R/C models which will totally isolate the new pump from the mounting board

Moodymike · « **Reply #17 on:** May 12 2022, 23:01 »

I would like to have further details, where did you obtain the RC engine mounts? If poss a pic of the installation would be good.

Clivert · « **Reply #18 on:** May 16 2022, 16:37 »

I looked on ebay r/c model car parts came across Rubbergiant who supply all sorts of bits.
They are simply a round rubber block ( like miniature car engine mount) with varying size bolts at either end.
I am waiting for my new pump to arrive later in the week so obviously not fitted yet.
When i have it all fitted I'll record the noise level and hopefully have some pics.

Clivert · « **Reply #19 on:** May 19 2022, 16:32 »

Further to the above, our new pump arrived with a much better design of mounting.
It has big rubber grommets going through the pump frame so that mounting bolts should not transmit any vibration.
I'll be fitting it next week. I'll post the results ( and photos hopefully )

Moodymike · « **Reply #20 on:** May 20 2022, 08:29 »

What manufacturer is the new pump?

Clivert · « **Reply #21 on:** May 23 2022, 20:38 »

Our new pump is the same Shurflo 2095-403-443 .
I will be fitting it at the weekend.
I will post the results.

Krumelur · « **Reply #22 on:** May 23 2022, 21:26 »

You don't happen to have a (sound) recording of the old pump compared to the new one?

Jeffatoms · « **Reply #23 on:** July 21 2022, 01:53 »

Not to be a contrarian, but I appreciate the noise from my pump. Given that our boat is 24 years old, when we hear that pump sound in the middle of the night with no apparent cause it has reliably indicated that we have sprung a leak somewhere in the PEX push-to-connect fittings. And each time we jump up, turn off the switch on the distribution panel, o back to sleep and deal with it later, thereby retaining the remaining water in our fresh water tanks as opposed to dumping it in the bilge and thus creating a secondary problem. So far we are four for four on our early leak detection system.