stormbytes
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Having recently purchased a '94 class-A Winnie, I'm not yet familiar with the sounds and function of RV water pumps. The previous (second) owner claimed she never used the water system -- shortly after the "as-is" purchase I came across two gashes in the holding tank so I wonder. The pump appears to be original; a ShurFlo 3.5 GPM. I repaired the tank, filled up on fresh water and fired up the pump.
While the pump appears to work and flow seems good, water comes in "bursts" and the pump seems rather noisy. At first I thought it was air in the system, but now I'm not so sure (I bled all the fixtures).
Is this normal? Should I replace the pump? I plan on mostly dry camping and prefer performance (pressure, etc) and if possible, a bit less noise. I've searched the forum for pump model recommendations and surprisingly didn't find very much by way of that. I'm mainly considering ShurFlo models.
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nypatnva
Amelia Ct Hse Va
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Shurflo is a good pump. Mine does the same thing when I prime it for the season. If your hot water heater is not full it will do that. I would live with the one you have. it sounds like you still have air in the line somewhere so let it run a little longer. It should clear up.
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SCClockDr
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We installed a Utilitech 2 Gallon Pump Tank so our pump operates more like a residential well pump. Pressure is more consistent & 2 flushes usually can be accomplished in the dark hours without the pump coming on.
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Dick_B
Palos Heights, IL USA
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If you open all the faucets does the water still come in bursts? If not I believe there is an adjustment on the pump that will change the pressure at which the pump cuts out. Call Shurflo's excellent service.
At low flow the pump may satisfy the pressure requirement quickly, cuts out, pressure drops, then the pump starts up again. Opening all the faucets puts the maximum demand on the pump so it may not be able to meet its pressure requirement and will keep running.
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Gjac
Milford, CT
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Mine recently started doing this. When I looked at the pump I noticed water/corrosion underneath along the split line and re tightened the bolts. This did not help but stopped the leak. I took it apart to clean it and reassembled it, same problem. At this point I knew that I needed a new pump which I ordered from Amazon.com $70 and free shipping. I then took the old one apart again and applied an adhesive/sealer on the flange and tried it again and it worked fine. Now I have a spare. I said all that to say this, if you know that you do not have any leaks in the lines you may be drawing air in along the split line which is easy to fix.
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ExRocketScientist
Laurel, MD
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nypatnva wrote:Shurflo is a good pump. Mine does the same thing when I prime it for the season. If your hot water heater is not full it will do that. I would live with the one you have. it sounds like you still have air in the line somewhere so let it run a little longer. It should clear up.
X2 on having air in the hot water heater. Once all of the air is out of the system it should behave.
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Old-Biscuit
Across the USA
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Shurflo 3.5 gpm pumps have a typical discharge pressure set for 45#.
Low demand (such as only one faucet open) will cause cycling of pump.
If I flush my toilet the pump will run continuously. If I open a faucet the pump will cycle. Two faucets it runs continuously.
Installing an accumulator tank will stop the short cycling.
There is an adjustment screw on the end of pump head to make minor adjustments to pressure switch setting. Clockwise to increase.......but no more than 1 1/2 turns MAX.
As for the noise.....lines vibrating against cabinet, loose mounting screws, over tight mounting screws, worn rubber mounts.
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stormbytes
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I have to correct myself. The existing pump is *not* a ShurFlo but a Flojet # 4406-143. I seem to have lost my head with all the pump model researching, packing and readying to hoist anchors.
I very much appreciate all the helpful insights and advice -- I too am inclined to think the water heater might be the cuprit. I've been sloppy about purging the system. I have no water hose long enough to reach my spigot. I've been running to and from the house, filling the fresh water tank bucket style.
This would be a lot easier to do with full hookups. I have to cast off in less then a week. I would have liked to have a properly working water system before then, but I guess I'll have to do it at a dumping station somewhere.
I've never actually been to one (first time RVing). Can I fill fresh water & dump at "most stations" (if the term even applies) ?
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dougrainer
Carrolton, Texas
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IF you purged the system on city water, then the Water heater is NOT a factor. Since the previous owner NEVER used the system, then the pump probably has dried out internal seals and the pump needs replaced. IF the pump pressurizes and shuts OFF when all faucets are closed, then the pump is defective if it then spurts when on demand. Doug
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stormbytes
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Doug -
Looking beyond city water (not available to me) for the moment:
With the fresh water tank about 15% full, the pump *does* pressurize and then shuts off. The water does come in spurts thereafter. I tried this with both hot and cold taps.
What does this say?
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