Water pump!

Barstorm · 10-11-2016, 09:24 AM

This is the first time camping without full hook-up. When I turn the water on the pump sounds as if there is air in the line. The best I can describe what is going on is a machine gun effect coming from the pump. The water is there both cold and hot and is running fine. Just wondering if anything is going on?

bubbles · 10-11-2016, 09:28 AM

Yes. What is going on is that your pump is working. Not an issue.

Wobbles · 10-11-2016, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barstorm

This is the first time camping without full hook-up. When I turn the water on the pump sounds as if there is air in the line. The best I can describe what is going on is a machine gun effect coming from the pump. The water is there both cold and hot and is running fine. Just wondering if anything is going on?

Find the pump. Mine was behind a removable panel. Watch it with a flashlight as someone else runs some water. Look for an extra length of hose vibrating against something. If found you may want to shorten or secure it somehow.

If you do not see any hose vibrating consider remounting the pump to the floor with some sort of insulator. Members have used a a cut up mouse pad between the pump and floor. I did it and it has taken about 75% of the noise away.

search for "mouse pad" fix, in the forum search.

**bikendan** · 10-11-2016, 01:42 PM

Yep, vibrating water lines are usually the cause of the noise.
Ours were up against the veneer side of the cabinet.
Zip ties pulled them away and problem solved.

slamac · 10-11-2016, 01:57 PM

if the pump is making noise when you have all the valves closed it is sucking Air. if it only makes noise when water is running I agree with the other posts. Most likley hose or pump mounting issue

bubbles · 10-11-2016, 02:30 PM

The question was, is it normal? The answer is yes. That's the way these cheaper pumps operate. They pulse. If you can hear it loudly then the afore mentioned reasons is why.

5picker · 10-11-2016, 02:38 PM

I'd like to know a little more before I give the "all is normal" sign.

The OP said it makes noise (like a machine gun) when turned on.
That 'could' be normal.

The OP also said there is water at both hot and cold taps.
That is normal for sure.

What we don't know is, with the switch on and once the system builds pressure, (all faucets closed) does the pump shut off? If the pump continues to run and continues to make the machine gun noise... that is NOT normal.

dmac1951 · 10-11-2016, 03:14 PM

If possible put a couple of "loops" in the discharge line. This will help to reduce the oscillation on the supply lines. Also, get an accumulator. This will reduce the cycling of the pump.

Briorick · 10-11-2016, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barstorm

This is the first time camping without full hook-up. When I turn the water on the pump sounds as if there is air in the line. The best I can describe what is going on is a machine gun effect coming from the pump. The water is there both cold and hot and is running fine. Just wondering if anything is going on?

Yes, your pump appears to be working fine, and with you stating "this is the first time camping without full hook-up", I am assuming you may have never heard the real sounds that the water pump omits because of being on City water. Just an assumption.

For us, who don't use full hook-ups, this sound is very much the norm. Maybe not as extreme as you quoted. It's when we DON'T hear that pulsating sound...we need to worry.

But as others mentioned there are ways to offset the sound level of your pump vibration noises.

Also, there are times you will get air into your FW tank and it will take a few moments to get the water pressure running smoothly through your faucets. Just some fyi.

Barstorm · 10-12-2016, 07:09 AM

Thanks to all for the replies. Checked on a few things as mentioned in the replies and have come to the conclusion that the pump is acting normal. Just did not know that the level of noise was what it is. Thanks all, lines seem to be acting normal, little vibrations, not what I would call a problem. Water pressure is fine, so at this time I guess it was just myself, that thought there was a problem. As usual, replies came quick, thanks

5picker · 10-12-2016, 10:25 AM

Thanks for reporting back. It helps others down the line.

**Bama Rambler** · 10-12-2016, 11:59 AM

Just an FYI. Those are diaphragm pumps, so they pulse the diaphragm in and out in order to move water. The sound you hear is the mechanism that pulses the diaphragm.

They use this design because it will pump air (i.e. self priming) better than an impeller pump and it doesn't hurt them to run dry.

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