Jabsco 17820 Series Oil Change System, Reversible Pump, 5-Port Manifold, 3 Ball Valves

Overview

The Jabsco 17820 Series is a permanent oil change system for engine room installation, with a flexible impeller pump and manifold that connects to engine oil pans or transmission sumps. It is offered in 12V and 24V versions, and the shared system layout includes a bronze pump body, nitrile impeller, Buna lip type seal, and 1/2 in NPT full-flow ball valves.

This system is meant for boats where oil service needs to be cleaner and more controlled than working with a loose portable pump. The manifold is factory fitted with three ball valves for three oil reservoirs and can be expanded with two additional valves to serve up to five oil reservoirs. The reversing switch lets the pump remove used oil and then pump a measured amount of new oil back into the engine or transmission.

The 17820 Series measures 6-1/4 in high, 10-7/8 in long, and 10-3/16 in wide, with a weight of 9 lb. Its covered layout helps protect the valves from being bumped open, and the cover will not close unless the supplied valves are in the fully closed position.

Key features

• Permanent engine room oil change system for engines and transmissions that are plumbed to a central manifold.
• Flexible impeller pump with a bronze body, nitrile impeller, and Buna lip type seal for oil transfer service.
• Integral reversing switch supports pumping old oil out and pumping a measured amount of new oil back in.
• Three factory fitted 1/2 in NPT full-flow ball valves serve three oil reservoirs, with the manifold able to accept two additional valves for up to five reservoirs.
• Reversible permanent magnet motor complies with USCG 183.410 and ISO 8846 Marine ignition protection requirements.
• Covered valve area helps reduce accidental valve movement during normal engine room activity.
• Self-priming pump may be positioned up to 3 ft above the oil source when the installation layout requires it.

Variants

The Jabsco 17820 Series is offered in two voltage configurations so the oil change system can match the vessel electrical system.

The pump, manifold layout, body material, impeller material, seal type, valve size, dimensions, and general installation approach remain consistent across the 17820 Series. The voltage, amp draw, fuse or breaker size, and wire sizing requirements vary by variant.

• 17820-0012: Voltage 12 Volts. This version draws 10 amps and uses a 15 amp fuse or breaker, making it the 12V configuration for boats with a 12V DC engine room supply.
• 17820-0024: Voltage 24 Volts. This version draws 5 amps and uses an 8 amp fuse or breaker, making it the 24V configuration for vessels with a 24V DC system.

Installation and setup

The pump and manifold assembly can be mounted in different orientations, but a vertical installation should keep the motor from sitting below the pump head. That placement helps keep oil away from the motor if the shaft seal ever leaks.

Install the system where hose runs to the engines and transmission sumps can stay as short and straight as practical. Heavy duty reinforced Type A fuel hose is used for the oil connections, with permanent type end fittings similar to those used on onboard fuel or gas hose assemblies.

Electrical and system fit

The unit connects to an overload protected electrical distribution panel using marine grade stranded copper wire sized for the run length and the selected voltage model. The 12V version uses larger wire as run length increases, while the 24V version keeps #16 AWG wire across the listed run lengths up to 50 ft total circuit length.

For the 12V model, the listed amp draw is 10 amps with a 15 amp fuse or breaker. For the 24V model, the listed amp draw is 5 amps with an 8 amp fuse or breaker. These values are important when checking available panel capacity and planning the circuit before installation.

Use cases on board

This system fits cruising boats, sportfishing boats, and service-focused engine rooms where routine oil changes are handled onboard. It is especially useful when the vessel has more than one engine or transmission sump and the owner wants a fixed, labeled manifold rather than moving hoses from point to point during every service.

Maintenance and care

Warm oil flows more easily, so normal use involves running the engine briefly before draining to reduce viscosity. The pump should be switched off as soon as flow stops, and it should not be allowed to run dry for more than about thirty seconds because the flexible impeller can be damaged.

Sludge in the system can restrict flow and place extra load on the flexible impeller. Before any service work, close the system valves and turn off power to the pump so it cannot be started while the pump head, impeller, or seal area is being inspected.