Another SPUT - fried water pump
Just recovered from another SPUT (Stupid Pop-Up Trick).
Earlier this year, I filled the water tank at home for a trip. I turned the water pump on to fill the hot water heater so that I gain the extra 6 gallons of water (turn the pump on, open the outside shower hot water valve until steady stream comes out). It turned out there was a water hook-up at the site, so I didn't use the water in the tank.
Since we didn't use the water in the tank, I opened the drain valve to drain the water from the tank on the way home. But I apparently forgot to turn the pump off as I closed everything up for the trip home. Closed the tank drain when I got home, but forgot about the pump because the switch is hidden inside the cabinet under the sink.
Just before our last trip to the Black Hills, I again filled the water tank. Discovered the water pump switch on, and pump no longer working. No fuses blown. We made do during the trip fetching water from the spigot 50 yards away.
Pulled the old pump out, read the model number (Shurflo 4008-101-A65) and ordered a new one. $65 and a couple of hours later, new pump is installed.
At first I cross-threaded the inlet screen filter when moving it from the old pump to the new pump. This caused the new pump to suck air and not work. I figured it out when I removed the inlet filter and directly connected the inlet hose - pump worked great.
Also decided to install filter in the big water filter for our upcoming trip to Utah national parks, where water quality and availability can be iffy, especially this late in the year. Dealer never installed the filter into the canister, but made sure I had the wrench and filter.
Installation of the filter was wetter than I expected, even with pressure released. I made things much wetter by dumping the O-ring (unnoticed) into the grass when I dumped the water out of the canister, and then reinstalling canister with filter minus O-ring. Found the O-ring after cleaning up the puddles, and all is fine now. O-ring is something I want to add to spare parts carried.
FWIW, the camper actually tows better with the water tank and water heater full.
Enough of my learning things the hard way. I hope y'all can learn from my SPUTs.
Fred W
2014 Rockwood A122 A-frame
2008 Hyundai Entourage minivan
|