Liquid Electricity in my Water Pump

[O C Diver]

A few years ago, I replaced the water pump for the freshwater system in my boat and added an adjustable well pump switch. Unfortunately used the Chinese equivalent of the Square D switch. The switch developed a leak and the pump was making noises. Replaced the switch with a Square D and cleaned up some rust on the contact terminals.

https://www.google.com/search?q=squ...Ag&biw=360&bih=564&dpr=3#imgrc=npsqjhtA6L1G6M

New switch started leaking water, #$%@! Removed that one, carried it back to the store and got it replaced. Reinstalled it yesterday. It commenced to leaking shortly after the installation, WTF!!! After an exhaustive analysis, the switch is leaking out of the switch electrical terminals, inches above the switch diaphragm, WTF!!!



With the system pressurized I found the leak. The shaft seal in the pump went bad. The motor partially filled with water. The pressure pushed the water through the multi strand wire, inside the wire covering, past the heat shrink sealed crimp connector, and on to the switch contacts.



You can't make this stuff up. Have no idea how the motor still ran filled with water.

Ted

 

[Gabe n Em]

You must have pretty low ion water!

We had a satellite radio get fried after water traveled down the coax from the antenna on the fly bridge, through a loop, and into the back of the unit.

 

[High Wire]

Good thing it wasn't the washdown pump.

 

[Lepke]

Maybe Square D is made in China now.

 

[boathealer]

Man, that's some great sleuthing!

At an engineering-geeky-physics-level, it's actually pretty cool, albeit frustrating...

 

[O C Diver]

Maybe Square D is made in China now.

Maybe, but there was probably nothing wrong with any of the switches. I jumped to the easy conclusion. While the Chinese one appeared to be a close knockoff, the contactor wasn't anywhere near as good.

Ted

 

[rgano]

Water is danged sneaky stuff.

 

[menzies]

Water is danged sneaky stuff.

Yes, but it is consistent. Water will always find the lowest level!

 

[Ski in NC]

Seen a bunch of issues where water got pressure fed up the stranded wire. Causes all sorts of grief and not easy to troubleshoot. Worst ones were pressure/level sensors in pressurized tanks (coolant, etc) and a nicely sealed connector. Once the sensor leaked, the connector did not, so coolant got forced into the strands. Off it went to raise havoc.

 

[FlyWright]

Wow! Sneaky, that water is! Whodathunk?

Thanks for sharing.

 

[TowLou]

I've seen oil from a leaking pressure sensor being pushed up a stranded wire shorting out a computer before. Path of least resistance.

 

[Martin J]

Try one of these switches. This is what I used better than square D and fully adjustable.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07Q6WBNCV/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Got fed up of modern varible pumps and micro switches..

 

[KnotYet]

Try one of these switches. This is what I used better than square D and fully adjustable.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07Q6WBNCV/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Got fed up of modern varible pumps and micro switches..

I think O C Diver has already committed to his Square D switch,
but I just ordered one of those to replace my leaking air compressor switch.

So, thanks!