samhain
Ontario
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Joined: 04/21/2011
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Hi all.
I have a question about water pumps.
Number 1. When you have water in your fresh water tank. Do you leave the pump on? Or just turn it on when you want to get some water.
Second, if you have the pump on, and you run out of water, does that damage the pump. Do you need to turn it off prior to draining the tank? Or make sure you run to turn it off when you realize you are out of water? Or maybe it doesn't matter?
If it helps, I have a 2011 21" KODIAK 220bhks by Dutchman.
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Macktee
Canada
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Joined: 12/19/2010
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If I'm not hooked up to CG water, my pump is on all the time. It is not a good idea to run the pump if the fresh water tank is empty, it could burn out the pump. I you are running low on water, your pump will let you know, then just turn it off until there is enough fresh water in the tank. Macktee
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Joy
Henderson KY 42420
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What Mack said.
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eric james
Sioux Falls, SD
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If we are at the camper the pump is on. When we leave, the pump is off. If you leave a pet in the camper turn it off. I've heard of pets accidentally turning on the kitchen sink and filling the grey tank and overflowing the tub. Yuck.
When the fresh water runs out, turn off the pump. It won't kill it to run dry for a while.
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Fire Instructor
Upstate (Albany) NY Area
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We turn the water heater and the pump off if we are going to be away from the TT for the day, but both are generally left on when we are around camp. We used to turn the pump off, but too many late night trips to the bathroom, where you had to come back to the main living area to be able to flush or wash your hands, and we stopped doing that....
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dbbls
Missouri
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I leave my pump on. It does not hurt the pump to run dry.
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Chuck&Gail
In the Colorado Mountains
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If we are not using it, it is off. Why risk a leak. Have heard of folks waking up to water all over floor from leak and pump running.
Water helps cool pump. If it runs very long without water, it will likely be toast.
Our water heater is only on when we need hot water. That saves everyone money.
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ExRocketScientist
Laurel, MD
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Some pumps can be run dry. Others can't. You would have to read the pump manual. You shouldn't leave the trailer empty without turning it off. All sorts of damage can happen if you develop a leak.
ERS
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aftermath
Washington State
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There is nothing wrong with turning off the pump when not using a faucet. If it gives you peace of mind then do it. We turn ours off when we leave the trailer and when we go to bed at night.
It does not hurt them when you run them dry. Many years ago I put my PU down for the trip back home and forgot to turn the pump off. I drained the water tank as I left camp and when it was empty the pump came on. 4 hours later I pulled in at home and heard the humming. Opened the trailer, turned off the pump and checked it the next day. Worked fine for the next few years until I sold it. It isn't something I would do if I had a choice but it didn't hurt mine.
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DavidP
Raleigh
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Water does not cool the pump; the impeller housing utilizes a sealed bearing. There is no harm in running the pump dry.
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