Water Pump Problem

[mtngal]

My water pump is much louder than it was before I did something really dumb... ......A couple weeks ago I had to empty my tanks to get a certified weight for registration. So I ran what little water was left in my fresh tank down the sink and toilet, of course using the water pump. Also had the generator and AC running...which are loud. Well, I didn't realize right away that the water pump was making a heck of a racket trying to pump, dummy, clearly the water level must be too low for it too operate properly. Now it's working, but MUCH louder than before the 'incident'. I am using it minimally this trip and am hoping to limp by with it until I get back to Texas with Roadtrek dealers/service available. Any ideas or experience you can share before I take it in will be greatly appreciated!!!!

[VickieP]

I really don't know anything about it, but I would suggest if it is somewhere where you could take a peek at it, let it run and see if anything had jarred loose. It's possible that the running without water made it shake more than normal and however it is fastened (mounting screws or something) could have shaken and wallowed out or backed out. Just a thought, sorry I couldn't help you more.

[Cedar518]

I agree with Vickie on this one,... check for it being loose first.

[mitch5252]

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RV water pumps are supposedly notoriously loud. Go over to rv.net and search loud water pump and noisy water pump. Ours is unbelievably noisy and has been since day one.

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[AlmostThere]

Don't have a solution but wanted to throw in something that was recently told to me.
When using the gen. or plugged into power you DO NOT turn on the pump to get water. Something to do with always keeping the water heater with water?
Ok, seasoned RVers. Is this correct?

[WickedLady]

Almost There: Doesn't make sense to me. Unless you are hooked up to water there is no other way but to pump it out of your fresh water tank.
By the way, I PMed you.

[AlmostThere]

Sorry, I forget to check for PMs. I was going to camp in Kelso this weekend and see if you wanted to meet me there, but as it turns out I'm needed to help drive my grand-daughters and their soccer teams to a rally halfway to Astoria tomorrow. Also league bowling has started up.
I believe you are a member of a Cascade camping group? Do they meet up every month or how does that work. I might see about doing that if you recommend them.
Lenora

[mtngal]

Pump update.....no loose connections, it's solid, but still growling, instead of it's original purr. I read everything I have (no much) and seems
like it might be possible to rebuild insides. As long it's actually working I will let it go, even though it does sound more like a generator than a water pump! Thanks for the suggestions.

[WickedLady]

Diana: Pump repair instructions @ http://www.ehow.com_7774_repair-rvs-water.html
Hope that helps.

[avalen]

Don't have a solution but wanted to throw in something that was recently told to me.
When using the gen. or plugged into power you DO NOT turn on the pump to get water. Something to do with always keeping the water heater with water?
Ok, seasoned RVers. Is this correct?

that doesn't exactly sound correct, or I could be reading it wrong, but here goes...
I'm plugged in to shore power and I've got water hooked up all the time, however,
my book says if I have low water pressure I can turn the pump on to get better
pressure like if I'm taking a shower or doing the dishes. When I'm hooked up to
water, it does keep a small amount in the tank, so if the water gets turned off
in the park, which does happen from time to time for repairs somewhere, I turn
the pump on to utilize the water thats in the tank and I can flush the toilet.
Does that make sense?
edited to add...I don't keep the pump on, I only turn it on when I want to use the
water, like when I flush the toilet, after its flushed I turn the pump off.

[AlmostThere]

I just asked another RVer down the street the question and he said that if you are hooked up to CG water, there should be sufficient pressure. The pump is to pump the water from the holding tank when not hooked up.
I didn't use the pump all the while I was at the state park and I had water, albeit not a terribly strong flow.
I think I need to go purchase the RVing for Dummies book.

[mitch5252]

I just asked another RVer down the street the question and he said that if you are hooked up to CG water, there should be sufficient pressure. The pump is to pump the water from the holding tank when not hooked up.
I didn't use the pump all the while I was at the state park and I had water, albeit not a terribly strong flow.
I think I need to go purchase the RVing for Dummies book.

Lenora, I just thought of this - but do you have a water pressure regulator? Need to get one if you don't.

I learned a LOT from the Beginner's Forum on rv.net.

And Happy Sunday Morning, by the way!

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[Bethers]

When using the water pump - it's highly recommended you only turn it on when you need to use it, then turn it off again. It's not recommended that you leave it on for when it's needed. As to it being loud, I wouldn't take it in for repair for that - as long as it's working.

Lenora, yes, when hooked up to water, you don't need the pump - however, IF you are someplace with low water pressure, if you turn it on (and have water in your holding tank) you will increase your pressure for a shower, for example. And there is nothing wrong with doing this. I don't, but I know many (especially men) who do that. We have low pressure here and that makes for a stronger shower for them as water is coming from both sources at the same time.

But, hooking up the generator or electric has nothing to do with the water pump - and if you don't hook up the water line, but are plugged into electric, you'll still need to use the water pump.

Also, with this forum, I'm not sure anyone needs the rv for dummies book - I've looked at it - suggest you find a copy and glance through it rather than purchase. Just my 2 cents on that. Most you probably already know now.

[sharon]

Diana, could be that you did indeed pump your tank dry and maybe damaged the pump a little. Could also be that when you pumped it dry you got a lot of air in the lines and sometimes it takes a long time to work all of it out. I wouldn't necessarily take it to a Road Trek dealer, if it quits any rv or trailer supply and repair can change it out for you, the pumps are pretty standard in any rig and there's only 2 or 3 manufacturers. If it's easy to get to, they're really simple to change out....water connection on each end, in and out and an arrow on the pump that tells you which way to connect. (Just look at the old pump and hook up the same way) Easy electrical connection, they're 12V, so should be black to black and red to red. Just turn off your house battery before proceeding. Easy peasy.....IF it's easy to get to.

Sorry Lenora, have to disagree with whoever or wherever you heard or read to not use the water pump when on genny or shore power. The water pump is 12V, same as your lights, so shouldn't make any difference what you use. I almost always use my water pump when hooked to shore power unless I'm there for a while, say a week or so. Just to lazy to drag out the water hose when I'm overnighting somewhere, and always use it when I'm drycamping and using the generator. When I'm traveling I usually have at least a half tank of water in case I get stuck somewhere w/o water (got stuck in a truck stop for 2 days because of wind once, sure was glad to have the water!!), or need it for whatever reason.

[AlmostThere]

I think I finally got my mind wrapped around this issue! Thanks ladies!
Beth, I felt the same way about spending the $$ the Dummies book. I might check my library to see if they have a copy.

I did do the hot water heater trick when camped. i turned it on 15 mins before I needed hot water, then turned it off again, even though I was on shore power. I just didn't see the need for it to be continually heating.

The place where I took my rig to get the AC/furnace checked out will winterize for me. He said they also check the anode in the water heater and all the water lines. Is this generally all part of that service?

Oh, and yes, I do put on a water regulator.