Use of pump while connected to city water

[HomeOnWheels]

The pressure of city water is low. Will it hurt the water pump if I turn it on?

[Campster]

I could be wrong but the pump only sucks and pumps water from the water holding tank. i don't see how it will increase water pressure while using city water connections. In fact if your water holding tank is empty the pump would be sucking air and running dry which is probably not good for the pump itself. If you have a pressure regulator in line with your hose you might try removing it just watch out that the city water pressure doesn't rise to high for some reason.

[drc343]

No. It will not hurt the pump, just make sure you have water in the tank. I have had the problem at some parks low water pressure. Fine for sinks, I just turned on pump to take a shower with tank water. Remember pump draws water from tank.

[VinceU]

Originally Posted by HomeOnWheels

The pressure of city water is low. Will it hurt the water pump if I turn it on?

If shore pressure is connected and on, the pressure switch will read the shore pressure and prevent the pump from operating. If you attempt to operate the pump anyway, shore pressure will damage the suction non return valve and allow back flow into your tank. Plenty of threads on the forum about this. You can fill the tank, secure shore pressure an then use the tank and pump.

[HomeOnWheels]

Thanks all for the quick replies. It makes sense the pump only takes water from tank. I therefore filled it and switched on the pump. Of course I disconnected the city water.

[AquaMan]

Originally Posted by VinceU

If shore pressure is connected and on, the pressure switch will read the shore pressure and prevent the pump from operating. If you attempt to operate the pump anyway, shore pressure will damage the suction non return valve and allow back flow into your tank. Plenty of threads on the forum about this. You can fill the tank, secure shore pressure an then use the tank and pump.

Not sure this is entirely true. Would depend on the input pressure from the city water line. If the city pressure is higher than what demand for the pump is, it won't run anyway. The pressure switch/backflow preventer is always subjected to city water pressure, regardless if pump is on or not.


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[B and B]

Originally Posted by AquaMan

Not sure this is entirely true. Would depend on the input pressure from the city water line. If the city pressure is higher than what demand for the pump is, it won't run anyway. The pressure switch/backflow preventer is always subjected to city water pressure, regardless if pump is on or not.


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X2. I use the tank water and pump all the time at Rally's to have a decent shower.

[Mikegjax]

Originally Posted by HomeOnWheels

The pressure of city water is low. Will it hurt the water pump if I turn it on?

The RV operators manual states "do not" operate the pump while connected to external water source. As long as you turn off city water, not a problem.

[Witch Doctor]

Originally Posted by B and B

X2. I use the tank water and pump all the time at Rally's to have a decent shower.

does that work B&B ? I always carry a rain bird pressure gage with me to check the water pressure at the site. If under 55 psi I don't use a regulator. I know that's probably a bad Idea, just in case of a spike, but in reality I have never seen it go up once it's measured but it can. My system works best at that pressure of 55 psi. Your thoughts please?

[VinceU]

Originally Posted by AquaMan

Not sure this is entirely true. Would depend on the input pressure from the city water line. If the city pressure is higher than what demand for the pump is, it won't run anyway. The pressure switch/backflow preventer is always subjected to city water pressure, regardless if pump is on or not.


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Here we go again, post from today. This back flow has been going on since xxxxx was a child. Only when the pump is paralleled to shore water.

"have a 2013 Rockwood A127TH. Today, I came out to a park and hooked up the water line. About an hour later I noticed that water was flowing out from the fresh water tank inlet (located outside of the camper on the left side). I know for certain my fresh water tank was empty before arriving, but it's now full. Once I turned off the park's water line (eliminating that water pressure to the camper), the water is no longer flowing from the fresh water tank inlet, but the fresh water tank is still full. What is going on? I'm not losing water at any other point. Could this be an issue with the fresh water pump allowing water to pass from the city water line thru the pump into the fresh water tank?"


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[youroo]

Originally Posted by HomeOnWheels

The pressure of city water is low. Will it hurt the water pump if I turn it on?

If your City water Press is (Below) Water pump Press and you have F/W in your Tank,it is OK to have (Both On) at the same time! We have a Pump that puts out (55 PSI) and also a 5 Gallon Bladder pressure tank that Feeds constant flow to the system while on Pump so there is (Pressure) on the Water Pump check valve and the City Water check valve at ALL times! So City Water at anything Below (55 PSI) is NOT going to damage our check valve ! Youroo!!

[AquaMan]

Originally Posted by youroo

If your City water Press is (Below) Water pump Press and you have F/W in your Tank,it is OK to have (Both On) at the same time! We have a Pump that puts out (55 PSI) and also a 5 Gallon Bladder pressure tank that Feeds constant flow to the system while on Pump so there is (Pressure) on the Water Pump check valve and the City Water check valve at ALL times! So City Water at anything Below (55 PSI) is NOT going to damage our check valve ! Youroo!!

[A32Deuce]

Both on works if CG pressure is low. We had to run the pump at a CG we stayed at tis year. Sinks were fine but shower was terrible, turned on pump and you could take a shower. Pump works fine now!

[HomeOnWheels]

Originally Posted by youroo

If your City water Press is (Below) Water pump Press and you have F/W in your Tank,it is OK to have (Both On) at the same time! We have a Pump that puts out (55 PSI) and also a 5 Gallon Bladder pressure tank that Feeds constant flow to the system while on Pump so there is (Pressure) on the Water Pump check valve and the City Water check valve at ALL times! So City Water at anything Below (55 PSI) is NOT going to damage our check valve ! Youroo!!

Another gauge to bring?!
I suppose if the pressure is noticeably low, I can safely assume the pressure is below 55 psi and won't damage the pump?

[A32Deuce]

I replaced my city connection with one that has a built in regulator. Reason I changed was the new one is recessed not sticking out like the old. Also changed FW tank fill to one with a door.

[AquaMan]

Originally Posted by HomeOnWheels

Another gauge to bring?!
I suppose if the pressure is noticeably low, I can safely assume the pressure is below 55 psi and won't damage the pump?

A water pressure guage/regulator is something every camper should have!

[dogpa]

A32Deuce, where did you get the city water connection with the built in regulator? Was it a hard swap?

[A32Deuce]

dogpa, I used a Shurflo #7222 recessed city water inlet with pressure reduction. Removed what came on RV, used a grinding bit in a drill to increase opening then Dicor around the opening hooked up hose and attached to side of RV. Now it doesn't stick out and I don't need an external pressure regulator. Camping World, Amazon, or any of the other RV supplyers.

[dogpa]

A32deuce thanks much. I am not currently using a regulator and my "brand new" unit fresh water inlet leaks.
Dogpa