T&T: Shurflo 5.7

[Larry N. Brown]

We see so many manufacturers and sellers who are bad apples that it's a
pleasure to narrate an experience I had with the Shurflo people.

When we moved aboard after Katrina, we quickly discovered that the (I think)
4.3 gpm VSM freshwater pump wasn't up to snuff and a T&T thread convinced me
the Shurflo 5.7 was the way to go. Oh, and the 3/4" PEX really helped too.
Last May, we began to notice erratic action by the pump and when I went into
the engine room to check it out it was sitting in a pool of water. I replaced
it with the old 4.3(I think) and disassembled the pump. There was a 3/16" tear
in the diaphragm allowing water to seep back into the motor housing. The motor
was still good but the computer control was inop.

Depco wanted a ton of money for the overhaul kit so I just figured I was out
of luck and ordered a new one from PPL, an rv place in Houston. About August,
thinking about how ratty that little pump was, I ordered another 5.7 from PPL
as a cruising backup.

First of this week I went into the engine room for something and noticed a
small pool of water around the pump. Hooboy, carefully felt around and the
pump was leaking. I replaced it with my spare and emailed Shurflo customer
service. Didn't hear anything until yesterday when I got an email from them
telling me they'd repair the first and second pump. I wrote back that we were
leaving on a cruise I couldn't wait. Meanwhile I'd given the motor to a
cruising couple who use it to power their autopilot.

Told this to the guy and he said those pumps have a 3 year warranty on them
and asked me my address. Long and short of it is he's sending me a brand new
pump for the first one that failed and a repair kit for the second one and a
spare kit for the third just in case.

Couldn't ask for more. Excellent customer service.

Now some observations, recommendations and questions. I observe that this is
an excellent pump and the most cost effective, powerful pump you can get until
you get into the Paragons but my AWG 10 couldn't carry the 30 amp startup
current. If you use this pump, make a routine leak inspection at the
intersection of the motor face and the pump from time to time. If you catch it
soon enough you can repair the pump without damage to the computer unit. If it
leaks,  go directly to Shurflo customer service online. The pump manufacture
date is printed on the unit and there's no question about it.

Now, I have a couple questions. (1) Does anyone on the list know of a design
flaw in the pump or the manufacture of the diaphragm? Supposedly running it
dry isn't a problem as the pump has an overheat circuit which will trip for
about 20 minutes. But (2) could running it dry fatigue the diaphragm causing
premature failure?

Regards,

Larry and Teri
M/V Cigano, 47' Prairie Sundeck Cruiser
Lying: Covington, LA
N 30 26.7
W 90 07.1