water pump surges while in shower

Bocephus · 07-25-2011, 10:04 PM

while i am running my shower, my water pump surges. it acts as if it builds up enough pressure, shuts off, then starts right back up again. it does this constantly while in the shower. is there something that can be adjusted to prevent this?

LadyWindrider · 07-25-2011, 10:47 PM

A house system on a well has a storage tank, that has an air pocket in it, to prevent pump surging. Air can be compressed, water can not, so the pump builds pressure, compressing the air pocket, and turns off, then the air expands, forcing the water out of the tank, until pump turn on pressure is reached. No with that said, RV's don't have a tank, or an air pocket. You can add one, search for accumulator tank. Available at places like camping world. Seem to remember some post on here where people have an accumulator.

**Herk7769** · 07-25-2011, 10:49 PM

Does the pressure fluctuate as well?
Could it be a small air leak in the suction line?
It would only suck air when running since there is no pressure in the line with the pump off; it might not even leak water.

Bocephus · 07-26-2011, 04:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by herk7769

Does the pressure fluctuate as well?
Could it be a small air leak in the suction line?
It would only suck air when running since there is no pressure in the line with the pump off; it might not even leak water.

yes the pressure does fluctuate. i should have stated that in my original post. that is the reason it is so annoying. there is constant "up and down" pressure coming from the shower head.

i do not experience this when using the bathroom faucet, kitchen faucet, or outside shower......only the main, inside shower.

**KyDan** · 07-26-2011, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bocephus

, my water pump surges. it acts as if it builds up enough pressure, shuts off, then starts right back up again. it does this constantly while in the shower.

Sounds like my last 3 trailers!
I put an accumulator in my 2nd trailer and it helped a little.
The pulses were a couple seconds further apart is all.
I didn't think the "improvement" was worth the time and expense to install
it so I don't have one in my current trailer.

When we're on water pump it means we're using water out of the fresh
tank and putting it into the gray tank so we take navy showers and the
pulsing doesn't last long

We figured it was part of the RVing adventure

Come to think of it the water pump on our friends house boat used to
do the same thing!

Boyd · 07-26-2011, 07:19 AM

If I don't have enough water pressure at the shower head my pump will surge. Try turning the knobs allowing more water flow.

Bocephus · 07-26-2011, 09:27 PM

it seems to do it no matter where i have the knobs (when at a comfortable temperature).

i was just out looking at the water system components in the camper. the largest restriction points seem to be at the feed line going from the tank to the pump and the filter housing. im not sure what kind of differential pressure there is across the filter, but im sure it plays a factor. i have the same filters in my house, so i took a new one out and tried it....it didnt make a difference. i know they make different micron rated filters. i wonder if it would help to install a filter that doesnt filter as well?

Boyd · 07-26-2011, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bocephus

it seems to do it no matter where i have the knobs (when at a comfortable temperature).

i was just out looking at the water system components in the camper. the largest restriction points seem to be at the feed line going from the tank to the pump and the filter housing. im not sure what kind of differential pressure there is across the filter, but im sure it plays a factor. i have the same filters in my house, so i took a new one out and tried it....it didnt make a difference. i know they make different micron rated filters. i wonder if it would help to install a filter that doesnt filter as well?

I think you're on to something there, keep us posted.

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