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Old 07-26-2017, 09:41 PM   #1
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Boondocking and Water Pump Operation

When boondocking the water pump will run for about 2 seconds every 15 minutes. I have no known water leaks. Assuming the water pump is repressurizing the system. Maybe a leaking check valve?

What is considered normal? What have others experienced?
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Old 07-26-2017, 09:49 PM   #2
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Yeah, I'd suspect the check valve leaking backwards if you can't find any water leaking out anywhere else. I don't boondock, so I can't speak to what's "normal" for the pump needing to repressurize.
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Old 07-26-2017, 09:52 PM   #3
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When boondocking the water pump will run for about 2 seconds every 15 minutes. I have no known water leaks. Assuming the water pump is repressurizing the system. Maybe a leaking check valve?

What is considered normal? What have others experienced?
Not normal. There has to be a small leak somewhere. Mine, in our new and older TT's only cycled when water was used, otherwise the system stayed pressurized.
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Old 07-26-2017, 09:54 PM   #4
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Agree, likely the check valve if you can't account for any drips/leaks.

The system can actually stay pressurized for days or longer, so you won't hear the pump run "ever" ... until you demand more water.

Probably worth fixing, the pump has a nice current spike at startup, so it will eat your battery over time as you have reported.
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Old 07-26-2017, 09:55 PM   #5
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We camp without water hook up and use our pump exclusively it has never run except when running water. Water is ether leaking or draining back.
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Old 07-27-2017, 11:16 AM   #6
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We camp without water hook up and use our pump exclusively it has never run except when running water. Water is ether leaking or draining back.
You never use city water hookups??? That's pretty amazing!! We don't drink it-- have a hot/coldwater dispenser for that. But my FWT holding 40 gals is depleted in less than a day.
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Old 07-27-2017, 11:46 AM   #7
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You never use city water hookups??? That's pretty amazing!! We don't drink it-- have a hot/coldwater dispenser for that. But my FWT holding 40 gals is depleted in less than a day.
And there you go! The difference between Camping and Glamping.
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Old 07-27-2017, 11:49 AM   #8
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You never use city water hookups??? That's pretty amazing!! We don't drink it-- have a hot/coldwater dispenser for that. But my FWT holding 40 gals is depleted in less than a day.
That's a tremendous amount of water to use in less than a single day!
Wow!
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Old 07-27-2017, 11:54 AM   #9
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[emoji16] not when you have 3 women late teens daughters and dw showering and washing their hair every night. And THAT'S the difference between an enjoyable camping experience and pure hell!!
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Old 07-27-2017, 11:59 AM   #10
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[emoji16] not when you have 3 women late teens daughters and dw showering and washing their hair every night. And THAT'S the difference between an enjoyable camping experience and pure hell!!
LOL!
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Old 07-27-2017, 12:00 PM   #11
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That's too funny.

I've camped and glamped.
When it's just me, I'm a boondocker by nature.
Or let's just say I'll take the campsite with a VIEW over the one with full hookups.

But, if my daughter and the grandkids are with me, it's the other way around. They're worth it, of course, but they don't know what boondocking means. lol

I'm boondocking this week.

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Old 07-27-2017, 12:33 PM   #12
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@Snakebitten, that sure is a pretty site!! where is it?? We have only ever used hookups twice. Love the freedom of boondocking.
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Old 07-27-2017, 01:03 PM   #13
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Just west of Cody Wyoming on the banks of the Buffalo Bill Reservoir. $17 per day
The full hookup sites are all reserved MONTHS in advance.
The boondocking sites are empty all day and get a bit full at supper time.
It's an awesome place. And Cody has everything you could possibly need. Including a coffee bean roaster who knows what he's doing.
I chase sunsets and sunrises and brew my own espresso. Finding fresh beans just insures the perfect experience.
Come on over and I'll pull ya a shot!
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Old 07-27-2017, 01:48 PM   #14
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Cool Air

Is the pump coming on 'n off intermittently for a long period e.g. a couple days, and then settles into 'normal' operation?

You may have air in your lines that will eventually purge out. This happened to me for a couple days after a fresh water tank fill after dewinterizing.
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Old 07-27-2017, 01:49 PM   #15
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Have a 2017 Sunseeker 2430S Class C and the pump runs every few seconds too. Where would I find the check valve?
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Old 07-27-2017, 02:12 PM   #16
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If your water heater is hot when you turn it off, as it cools the water and the air space in the water heater contract. The residual pressure will go down, and the pump will run for a second or two to build pressure back up.

This mimics a slow leak. If you are boondocking and don't have a hose connected to the city water connection, if a check valve is leaking, eventually water will start dribbling out the city water connection.
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Old 07-27-2017, 02:16 PM   #17
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[emoji16] not when you have 3 women late teens daughters and dw showering and washing their hair every night. And THAT'S the difference between an enjoyable camping experience and pure hell!!
Hell sounds like more fun than you're having.
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Old 07-27-2017, 02:22 PM   #18
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"I chase sunsets and sunrises and brew my own espresso. Finding fresh beans just insures the perfect experience.
Come on over and I'll pull ya a shot!"
Now you're talking!!! We'll take you up on that sometime!! We love our espresso! Our home kitchen is all decorated with coffee, antique bean grinders, 50# coffee bags etc.
Our friends have camped in Wyoming, and raved about it like you. Can't wait to make it up there.
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Old 07-27-2017, 02:35 PM   #19
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[emoji16] not when you have 3 women late teens daughters and dw showering and washing their hair every night. And THAT'S the difference between an enjoyable camping experience and pure hell!!
Well that sucks !!! let them use all the water then make them stay a few days with no water they will learn to ration real quick . I've done it and so have a few other dads I know .

My water pump will run for a quick second every now and then . I think turning the hot water heater off and on has something to do with it . I also think sometimes trapped air will cause it . I'm paranoid so I switch my water pump off when I know we wont need it or gonna be out of the camper for a while . I know a guy that had a sink plumbing failure and pumped 40 gallons of water all over the inside of his new trailer.
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Old 07-27-2017, 07:16 PM   #20
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I've found that the pump may cycle once or twice during the night as the water in the hot water tank cools and contracts. We turn the hot water tank off at night to avoid CO entering the open window above the tank and setting off the alarm. Constant recycling is a different matter and probably a leaking check valve as noted above.
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