Baitwell/Washdown Pump Recommendations

[86TrophyPro]

I've had to replace two Shurflo Pro-Blaster pumps within a three year period, the latest one, although a little over one year old had only been used one time.
Is there something out there that's more reliable without having to go to something too much larger in size since space and mounting can be a concern?

 

[BobP]

Are you using a filter on the inlet?

Where you there lat the moment it failed last time? If so, was the battery voltage low went it quit?

If you were there, did you touch the pump, was it hot or not?

Did fuse/breaker blow when it quit?

 

[Hookup1]

Pumps

You need two pumps - a livewell pump and a washdown pump. One for continous duty "flow" and one for intermittent "pressure".

For livewells the Rule cartridge pumps are your best bet. 3 year warranty. They do quit after a few years but they are redialy available and if setup right they can be replaced quickly. They make a livewell pump that was an outlet to allow you to share the tru hull with a washdown pump. Thats how mine is setup. I lost two Rule cartridge pumps this winter. One was a bad bearing the other just stopped. Rule had replacements back in a week.

The washdowm pumps are more problematic. They sit in the bilge area. The standard Shurflow Blaster (1 year warranty) will be trash in 3 to 5 years where its located on my boat. The problem is the metal housing. Shurflo does make a plastic housing washdown pump - the Extreme. It's pricy but has a 3 year warranty.

The brushes do hang up on these motors as well as the macerator pumps. A few careful taps with a hammer are in order before pulling it out. Careful because the magnets are ceramic. This may buy you a trip or two but the problem will be back.

You should dig into the last pump to see if you can find out how it failed even if you replace it. A year is a short time. Is the housing coroded? Shaft turn? Motor runs but doesn't pump? Motor bad? Was it used as a livewell pump?

 

[86TrophyPro]

Yes there's a filter,
no corossion, does not even hum,
worked fine about 8 mos ago??
It is set up so that it can be used as a livewell or washdown
but has not been used for the livewell at all, only washdown...and only once 8 mos ago.

 

[Hookup1]

Washdown pump

First check that you have power to the pump with a voltmeter across the leads if you haven't done so already.

There is a pressure switch on top of the pump housing that frequently goes bad. The ShurFlow pressure switches are off the shelf Cherry or equiv. microswitches that are readialy available. Johnstone Supply and Grainger (pn 6X291) has them for under $3.

If the pump housing is in good shape you may be able to repair it. Try tapping the end opposite the pump housing to jar the brushes. If you can get to the motor shaft try to turn it. You probably will need to open the pump housing to do so. Last resort pull the end off the motor and check the brushes. Hey - what have you got to loose?