We have a 2000 16'. Bought it in the fall, but it had already been winterized, so we didn't use any of the water-related things. Today, on our first big trip, I filled the tank, got the air out of the lines, and flipped the switch for the pump. I figured it would take a bit to pressurize and then shut down. Well, it didn't. I shut it off for fear of burning it out. Help. Should it be running like that? Do you run the pump only when there is water running?
Fri, 04/03/2015 - 19:17
#1
Water pump
Your RV Water Pump works by pumping water from your fresh water storage tank into your water lines. The pump operates for a few seconds (up to a minute) until it has pressurized the water lines inside the RV and then automatically shuts itself off, when you turn on the faucet (or flush) the pressure in your water lines is reduced and the pump automatically turns itself on until the lines are pressurized again.
You were wise to turn off your pump, obviously you have a problem.
The first thing I would check is the in-line filter. This filter is usually located just before your fresh water supply line enters the pump, but it can be located anywhere between your tank and the pump. Remove the filter and clean it out.
The next thing to check is for a shut-off valve located between the tank and your pump (not very common, but possible).
Next, I would check to see if air is getting into the water line between the tank and the pump, make sure the line did not freeze and developed a crack somewhere, also, check the connections, be sure the clamps/fittings are tight (if it were me, I would probably replace the supply line and clamps/fittings anyway).
Check to see if water is actually getting to the pump from the fresh water tank. If not, figure out why (plugged hose, kinked hose, something is sitting on top of the hose, etc.)
Last thing to try, attach a hose directly to the pump and stick the other end into a bucket of water, if the pump sucks water from the bucket and pressurizes your lines, your pump is working, if not you need to repair or replace your water pump.
Water pumps can be repaired by replacing the "Pump" section and re-using the motor from the old pump. However, replacing the pump gets you a quieter pump and the latest pump technology (i.e.: run-dry will not hurt the pump).
Be sure to let us know what was wrong and how you fixed it.
Happy Scamping !!!
As Always,
Happy Scamping !!!
Thank you so much for your detailed explanation and troubleshooting checklist. We are in Kentucky for a week, so I should have time to work through the system to determine the problem.
i think I'm going to LOVE this forum!
Dodie B.
I started through the checklist starting with the filter. Clean as a whistle. As I was checking for kinks, etc., I turned on the pump so I could watch the water leave the pump. The line had a lot of air in it. So, I figured the problem was the pump or the line before the pump. Long story short, we realized that when we tried to fill the tank with a hose, that the hose pressure was too great to fill that little cup without 'flooding' it so the water couldn't get in the tank. The end result...there wasn't enough water in the tank. When we filled the tank slowly, it filled right up. We opened the hot water faucet, pumped the water to it, and within a minute or so, the pump kicked off. Everything has been working just fine since then.
thanks again. It was a great tutorial to really understand the plumbing!
Dodie B.