MCDonald DuraMAC 17035R020PC1

To Next Page

DuraMAC

Water Pressure Booster System

Troubleshooting

8/18

17035R020PC1, 17052R020PC1, 17070R020PC2, 17040C035PC2, 17062C035PC2, 17078C035PC2

Purple Alarm Light

If the voltage drops below the recommended low limit, a Purple Alarm light

will be ashing. If the voltage then moves back into the normal range, the

Purple light will be illuminated (not ashing), indicating that voltage had

dropped below the recommended range during the cycle time.

Yellow Alarm Light

If the voltage increases above the recommended high limit, a Yellow Alarm

light will be ashing. If the voltage then moves back into the normal range,

the Yellow light will be illuminated (not ashing), indicating that the voltage

had increased above the recommended range during the cycle time.

White Alarm Light

If the voltage has been both low and high - a white light will be on. These Alarms can be cleared by pressing the reset button. Note: the

Alarm light will never stop the pump from running as it is only an indication that the voltage has been out of the recommended range

during cycling of the pump.

The alarm lights can also come on due to storms and lighting. If the pump is working properly, pressing reset will turn off these lights.

For the 120 volt control; the low voltage limit is 98 volts, and the high voltage limit is 140 volts. For the 230 volt control; the low voltage

limit is 195 volts, and the high voltage limit is 270 volts. When running the motor outside of these voltages, damage to the windings

can occur. Consult a certied electrician to correct voltage problems.

RED light on (or ashing) and pump will not start:

1. Start pressure set to high. Remove round cover on control and adjust start pressure dial 10 – 15 psi less than maximum boosted

pressure as shown on pressure gauge, and push RESET. This unit is factory set at 50 psi. If red light

faults still occur, turn down start pressure dial an additional 5-10 PSI. Then adjust air press in tank.

2. Water cannot ow through pump to build pressure. Make sure all valves are open and the check valve

is in the correct orientation.

3. If installed in a suction lift application, prime could be lost. Re-prime and check for leaks on suction side.

Push the RESET button, the pump will run for 5 seconds, watch pressure gauge to make sure that the

pressure is increasing.

4. Make sure all lters are installed after the pump, Change the lter cartridges regularly.

5. The water supply has been interrupted. The pump will automatically try a restart 15 minutes after a

failure. This will occur automatically 4 times, ashing one time for every failed restart, and then a

solid RED light will be on.

800.292.2737

FAX 800.832.9296

pumps@aymcdonald.com

aymcdonald.com

Voltage Alarm Light

STAND BY RUNALARM FAULT

RESET

SET 10-15 PSI BELOW

BOOSTED PRESSURE

PUSH RESET

START PRESSURE

C US

FLOW

PUMP STARTS ON PRESSURE

PUMP STOPS ON LOW FLOW

START PRESSURE INSTRUCTIONS

UNDER ROUND COVER

TO CLEAR A FAULT, CHECK FOR FLOW, THEN

DECREASE START PRESSURE AND PUSH RESET

AIR PRESSURE IN TANK SHOULD BE

2 PSI LESS THAN START PRESSURE

FOR INDOOR USE ONLY

15000PC1

DuraMAC

PUMP CONTROL

A.Y. M

Donald Mfg. Co.

120VAC 60HZ 10 FLA 60 LRA

WWW.AYBOOSTERS.COM

Patent

8,920,131

Need help?

Do you have a question about the MCDonald DuraMAC 17035R020PC1 and is the answer not in the manual?

Summary

Alarm Light Indicators

Purple Alarm Light

Indicates voltage drops below the recommended low limit, flashing or illuminated.

Yellow Alarm Light

Indicates voltage increases above the recommended high limit, flashing or illuminated.

White Alarm Light

Indicates voltage has been both low and high; cleared by pressing reset.

Red Light Troubleshooting

Red Light On - High Start Pressure

Adjust start pressure dial 10-15 psi less than maximum boosted pressure.

Red Light On - Water Flow Problem

Ensure all valves are open and check valve is correct; check for leaks.

Red Light On - Suction Priming Loss

Re-prime pump, check for suction side leaks, and verify pressure increase.

Red Light On - Filter Maintenance

Ensure all filters are installed after the pump and change cartridges regularly.

Red Light On - Supply Interruption

Pump attempts auto-restart 4 times; solid red light indicates failure.

Blue Light & Pump Operation Issues

Blue Light On, Pump Wont Stop

Check for low flow rate, system leaks, bypass valve, or jammed piston.

Pump Starts;Stops Without Obvious Use

Address small system leaks by reducing start pressure or trying alternate flow mode.

Pump Start & Pressure Troubleshooting

Green Light On, Pump Wont Start

Adjust start pressure dial and air pressure in tank for proper operation.

Pump Stops Above 80 PSI

Install a pressure reducing valve if incoming pressure exceeds pump limits.

Pump Wont Start, No Lights On

Verify power connection, GFCI circuit, and transducer cord for faults.

Pump Noise & Priming Issues

Pump Is Noisy

Ensure solid foundation, rigid piping, tight connections, and adequate water supply.

Pump Will Not Stay Primed

Check foot valve, priming, suction piping leaks, and suction lift limit.

The DuraMAC™ Water Pressure Booster System is designed to enhance water pressure in residential and light commercial applications. It consists of a pump, a control unit, and a pressure tank, working together to maintain a consistent and boosted water pressure throughout a system. The system is available in several models, including 17035R020PC1, 17052R020PC1, 17070R020PC2, 17040C035PC2, 17062C035PC2, and 17078C035PC2, indicating variations in voltage, horsepower, and control features.

Function Description:

The primary function of the DuraMAC system is to boost incoming water pressure to a desired level and maintain it consistently. The control unit, manufactured by A.Y. McDonald Mfg. Co., is central to its operation. It monitors the system's pressure and flow, activating the pump when pressure drops below a set start pressure and deactivating it when flow ceases (indicating no demand). This ensures that water is delivered at a steady, elevated pressure, improving the performance of showers, appliances, and other water-consuming fixtures. The system is designed to be efficient, only running the pump when necessary, which helps conserve energy.

Important Technical Specifications:

The control unit operates on 120VAC 60HZ with a 10 FLA (Full Load Amps) and 60 LRA (Locked Rotor Amps) rating, suitable for standard household electrical systems. For 120-volt controls, the low voltage limit is 98 volts, and the high voltage limit is 140 volts. For 230-volt controls, these limits are 195 volts and 270 volts, respectively. Operating the motor outside these voltage ranges can lead to winding damage. The start pressure is adjustable, with a dial ranging from 0 to 70 psi, factory-set at 50 psi. The system is designed for indoor use only. The air pressure in the tank should be set 2 PSI less than the start pressure. The pump stops on low flow, ensuring it doesn't run unnecessarily.

Usage Features:

The DuraMAC system incorporates several indicator lights on its control unit to provide immediate feedback on its status and potential issues:

Purple Alarm Light: Flashes if the voltage drops below the recommended low limit. If voltage returns to normal, the light illuminates steadily, indicating a past low voltage event within the cycle time.
Yellow Alarm Light: Flashes if the voltage increases above the recommended high limit. If voltage returns to normal, the light illuminates steadily, indicating a past high voltage event within the cycle time.
White Alarm Light: Illuminates if the voltage has experienced both low and high excursions. These voltage alarms can be cleared by pressing the reset button. It's important to note that alarm lights do not stop the pump from running but serve as indicators of voltage fluctuations.
RED Light (on or flashing): Indicates a fault preventing the pump from starting. Common causes include a start pressure set too high, lack of water flow, or loss of prime in suction lift applications. The pump attempts to restart automatically 4 times after a failure (flashing once for each failed restart) before the RED light becomes solid.
BLUE Light (on): Indicates the pump is running. If the BLUE light is on and the pump will not stop, it suggests a continuous flow rate higher than 1/2 GPM, possible leaks in the system (toilets, humidifiers, water softeners, ice makers), a closed bypass valve, or a jammed magnetic piston in the brass control.
GREEN Light (on): Indicates the pump is in standby mode. If the GREEN light is on and the pump will not start, it typically means the start pressure dial is set lower than the incoming pressure.
RUN Light: Indicates the pump is actively boosting pressure.
STAND BY Light: Indicates the pump is ready to operate but not currently running.
FAULT Light: A general indicator of a system fault.

Maintenance Features:

The system includes several features and troubleshooting steps to facilitate maintenance and address common issues:

Reset Button: Used to clear voltage alarms (Purple, Yellow, White) and to reset the system after adjusting the start pressure or addressing a fault. Pushing the RESET button will cause the pump to run for 5 seconds, allowing for pressure verification.
Adjustable Start Pressure Dial: Allows users to set the desired start pressure. It is recommended to set this 10-15 psi less than the maximum boosted pressure.
Filter Maintenance: Users are advised to ensure all filters are installed after the pump and to change filter cartridges regularly to prevent flow restrictions.
Leak Detection: Troubleshooting guides emphasize checking for leaks in the system (e.g., running toilets, humidifiers, water softeners, ice makers) if the pump runs continuously or starts and stops without obvious use. A simple test involves closing the valve after the pump; if the pump stops, a leak exists downstream.
Priming for Suction Lift: For suction lift applications, users should re-prime the pump and check for leaks on the suction side if prime is lost. The pump will run for 5 seconds after a RESET, allowing observation of pressure increase.
GFCI Circuit Requirement: The control unit must be plugged into a GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) circuit, and wall power receptacles should be tested with a light or multi-meter if no lights are on.
Transducer Check: If no lights are on, unplugging the gray transducer cord, setting the start pressure dial to "0," and pushing reset (Flow Mode) can help diagnose issues. If a light comes on, customer service should be contacted.
Noise Troubleshooting: If the pump is noisy, ensure it is mounted on a substantial foundation, pipes are rigid, and all connections are tight. Noise can also indicate the pump is starved for water due to total suction lift or flow exceeding its capability.
Foot Valve Inspection: For pumps that won't stay primed, checking the foot valve for cleanliness, sufficient submergence, and proper placement (not in sand or mud) is crucial.
Pressure Reducing Valve: If the pump stops at a pressure higher than 80 psi due to high incoming pressure, a pressure reducing valve should be installed before the pump.
Magnetic Piston Inspection: If the BLUE light is on and the pump won't stop, the plastic magnetic piston inside the brass control should be inspected for jamming due to thread sealant or debris. Loosening the union nut and inspecting the piston to ensure it moves freely and springs outwards is recommended.

The DuraMAC system is designed for user-friendly operation and troubleshooting, with clear indicators and straightforward steps to address common issues, ensuring reliable water pressure boosting.