Next message: Dan Stone: "Re: T&T: Boat Insurance - Aaarrgghhh"
Depco came thru again. I really like this company. I had regular problems
with the aft air conditioner for months. I had blown everything out and felt
I had checked everything to no avail. I was beginning to think the March
500gph pump was getting tired per the advice of most people I discussed this
with. The main symptom was poor water flow, causing the unit to labor. I
called Depco just checking prices and ran it by the sales rep. He launched
into a complete discussion of things I ought to check before buying a new
motor. He first said to pull the motor, pull off the wet end and check for
cavitation damage to the impeller. He says that is pretty common if mounted
too shallow on the boat, poor hose connections etc. Cavitation will slowly
wear down the impeller blades and reduce water flow. Then he said check for
the obvious obstructions. Finally he said to make sure I blew out the small
stainless pipes running into the motor. He said the motor is water cooled
and if those pipes clog up it can cause the motor to run hot and make you
mistake a tired motor with one that is actually not receiving cooling water.
Long story short, after pulling down the motor I found some pebbles lodged
in the port leaving the impeller housing. After cleaning that up, it ran
like a new motor. I filled a bucket and timed it and it moved the equivalent
of 480gph, close enough. I still wasn't pleased with the water flow after
installing it back in the boat. I finally pulled the plumbing off the thru
hull and using a bottle brush was able to knock some growth off the inlet to
the thru hull on the outside of the boat. That had to have just happened in
the last couple of months as it was clean in the Bahamas. That opened
everything up like a fire hydrant. Finally, and for the first time, the aft
a/c unit is pulling the amps it is supposed to, and no longer trips
breakers. Just in time for fall......<G>
So.......the other day I needed to order a new pump/motor for my forward
Jabsco head, and without hesitation I called Depco. I ordered the
replacement and a spare, and I also ordered a spare macerator. I paid for
regular shipping and had it all the next day. The total price was
competitive with Defender, other than having to pay shipping and Florida
sales tax.
Dan Lanier
Gulfstar 43 Danali Star
Lying Vero Beach Florida
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