Pulsating Pump

[BandJCarm]

Cedar Creek 36CKTS. On fresh water and water pump today, the pump is going on/off/on/off and water is pulsating in the shower with each 1 second cycle. It does this with all water spigots. I can hear pump cycling on/off/on/off constantly.

Water is coming out ok, no stoppage, and the "high" part of the pulsating is about same water pressure as we have here on city water. DW is in shower and I can hear it going on and off constantly.

What's going on??

[Cypressloser]

I have no idea, but if it's not to difficult to access I would inspect the water pump and the sand screen first. I'm not familiar with your setup, if it's similar to ours try siphoning water from a bucket into the tank. These are just ideas to help you narrowing down potential problem areas.

[Bama Rambler]

What happens if you turn on multiple faucets at the same time?

It sounds like not enough water flow to keep the pump running, so it builds pressure and shuts off. Then because the faucet is running, the pressure drops and the pump immediately kicks back on.

I removed the flow restrictors from all our faucets and now the flow is enough that the pump runs continuously.

You could also try to adjust the pressure switch in the pump to see if that would help.

[owgpz]

That is normal based on what is "stock" in a rig. If you add a pressure tank like in a home on a well, then it will take out that annoying on/off behavior.

This is an example https://www.amazon.com/SHURflo-182-2...+pressure+tank

[BandJCarm]

Well duh.

I guess I thought that the pump would build pressure and turn off for a while before coming on again, even when water flow was constant.

Talk about 'newbie'. But we've been without a fresh water tank for many months (part of a long story, to be told probably next week), and have only used full hookups and city water so far. I put some FW into FW tank today because we're leaving tomorrow and I wanted a little to travel with. But I put in too much, so we started using it out of there instead of City Water for a while to drain some out. That's when I noticed the pulsating.

It does it on all faucets. It does it even if all are turned on simultaneously. Pump comes on instantly upon turning on faucet. Water flow is ok, just pulsates. Water flow at the outside faucet is 42 psi.

So that's how it works? That's annoying!

[5picker]

Typically that's NOT how it works if ALL the faucets are open.
That usually allows enough flow for the pump to come on and stay on.

As mentioned it can work that way if only one faucet is opened partially. (low flow)

You may have a pressure switch that is sensitive. Some of them can be adjusted (allen screw) at the pump.

As for the pressure tank... yes they do help even things out but typically when both shower faucets are wide open the pump simply runs constantly. Mine will short cycle once we get wet and turn off the shower head (trickles) until we open it again to rinse off.

[Bama Rambler]

As 5Picker said, it shouldn't pulse if more than one faucet is on. Unless you have a really big pump.

I'd try adjusting the pressure switch a little first and then add the expansion tank if needed.

[UT_Grandpa]

Ours did this until we put an accumulator tank in the circuit. It even makes a night time potty stop not turn on the pump for a quick flush or hand wash.

[BandJCarm]

OK thanks.

Pump pulsating is bad enough.........but the water also pulsates at all the spigots. Noisy AND annoying. Most of our camping is FHU, but we do use FW Tank (now that we have one) on occasion. I think something is wrong........but I'll be in the shop Thursday and maybe can ask about that too.

[NMWildcat]

If you have the original pump, they are usually junk. But regardless, they shouldn't constantly pulse. Upgrade it. That's what I did and am much happier with pressure and flow.

[BandJCarm]

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

If you have the original pump, they are usually junk. But regardless, they shouldn't constantly pulse. Upgrade it. That's what I did and am much happier with pressure and flow.

Didn't know that was an option or an issue! Thanks!!!!!!!!!

What kind did you get, recommend???

[dwjonesrm]

Originally Posted by BandJCarm

Cedar Creek 36CKTS. On fresh water and water pump today, the pump is going on/off/on/off and water is pulsating in the shower with each 1 second cycle. It does this with all water spigots. I can hear pump cycling on/off/on/off constantly.

Water is coming out ok, no stoppage, and the "high" part of the pulsating is about same water pressure as we have here on city water. DW is in shower and I can hear it going on and off constantly.

What's going on??

Check your owners manual on line (get brand and model number of pump) and locate the adjustable pressure switch. I have Shur Flow in my new motor home and had the same problem until I found out the problem...made a simple adjustment and now it works fine. No more pulsating.

[NMWildcat]

Originally Posted by BandJCarm

Didn't know that was an option or an issue! Thanks!!!!!!!!!

What kind did you get, recommend???

You would ask me that. I've slept too many times since I replaced it and I just don't remember. I actually went to CW and talked to a service guy I knew at the time and bought the one he recommended. Seems like it was around $75 about 5 years ago. I can't really see it too good unless I take my basement apart, but I think it says Shurflo. But of course the model # is on the other side. So an upper end shurflo.

[BamaBob]

Originally Posted by BandJCarm

OK thanks.

Pump pulsating is bad enough.........but the water also pulsates at all the spigots. Noisy AND annoying. Most of our camping is FHU, but we do use FW Tank (now that we have one) on occasion. I think something is wrong........but I'll be in the shop Thursday and maybe can ask about that too.

I tend to agree with NMWildcat, but you have a Cedar Creek and that is a pretty high end 5er. So I am wondering if your pump is defective? Are you still within warranty?

If you have to replace the pump yourself, I HIGHLY recommend the pump that came in our Berkshire:

https://www.amazon.com/Shurflo-40481...+rv+water+pump

No accumulator tank needed, it should be a 1:1 swap out with your current pump and, best of all, we get 55PSI when we are on our FWT!

[BandJCarm]

Thanks guys.

Still in warranty and will be in 'shop' on Thursday.........though for slide issues. IF they can fix the slides, everything/anything else is gravy.

[markb5900]

Originally Posted by BandJCarm

Thanks guys.

Still in warranty and will be in 'shop' on Thursday.........though for slide issues. IF they can fix the slides, everything/anything else is gravy.

Ad the pump to the list.
Sounds like a slight adjustment in the pressure switch. Since it is under warranty, let them do it.

[BamaBob]

Originally Posted by BandJCarm

Thanks guys.

Still in warranty and will be in 'shop' on Thursday.........though for slide issues. IF they can fix the slides, everything/anything else is gravy.

And...if they fix the pump, let us know what the problem was

[KyDan]

IF the shower was on full blast and the pump was pulsing I bet you
could tweak the pressure switch and make it stop pulsing.
Mine is on constantly if the shower is on full.
It didn't used to be.
I turned the pressure switch up one full turn -which didn't make any
appreciable increase in pressure- and the pulsing with a faucet or shower
on full stopped.
It took 30 seconds.
IF you have the right size allen wrench and can reach your pump this one
is easy peezy.

[BandJCarm]

Cockpit error! !

Cleaned out aerator on one spigot and pump works fine.

Need to clean out other 2 and maybe remove restictors, and all should be fine.

Sheepishly yours

Me

[Chief T]

Aren't there filter screens than can get clogged? Just a thought.