first time winterization

[hankenstein]

Hello All,
looking for a little advice. I am a first time RV owner, having bought a brand new Shamrock this past spring. Did not fill or use fresh water all season, only a little use in the bathroom. Upon preparing for winter, went to local dumping station to empty out, I filled the fresh tank in order to flush everything. Turned the pump on to flush toilet and such, but am not getting any water flow. When switching it on, I can hear it running, but don't want to leave it running for fear of damaging the pump. Is there something wrong or am I just missing the obvious?

[VinceU]

Originally Posted by hankenstein

Hello All,
looking for a little advice. I am a first time RV owner, having bought a brand new Shamrock this past spring. Did not fill or use fresh water all season, only a little use in the bathroom. Upon preparing for winter, went to local dumping station to empty out, I filled the fresh tank in order to flush everything. Turned the pump on to flush toilet and such, but am not getting any water flow. When switching it on, I can hear it running, but don't want to leave it running for fear of damaging the pump. Is there something wrong or am I just missing the obvious?

First step is you must pump out the system of air and it takes a few minutes of pumping. Shurflow the pump maker brags the pump can run "forever" dry. Reason being its a rubber diaphram design with no metallic contact. No wear, no heat no damage. You may also may be filling the hotwater tank 6 or 10 gallon, that takes time also. One other check, the pumps are often fitted with a winterization suction hose. If the suction is lined up to the AF hose the tank will not be able to furnish the water. Its locate where you hear it, not sure of your unit but can be accessed inside or outside compartment, based on unit design. I've had it both ways. Find the hose and follow it back to the pump, you'll come across the 3 way valve if fitted. You really should seach "winterize" or similar this forum for many more tips.

Part A is the easiest check, then B.

[hankenstein]

Didn't see any hoses, but I will check. Thanks for the tips.

[Triguy]

Let's see if we can narrow this down.

Is there a winterizing kit or valve on the pump that is set to winterize the system rather than draw water from the FW tank?

Is the hot water heater empty? An empty tank takes awhile to fill before you will get water at the faucets. If you don't want it filled, than make sure its bypassed correctly. If you do want it filled, than flip the release valve to let out air as it fills.

Is there enough water in the FW tank to be above the intake hose?

[hankenstein]

There is a valve on each line hot and cold, as well as one in between.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by hankenstein

Hello All,
looking for a little advice. I am a first time RV owner, having bought a brand new Shamrock this past spring. Did not fill or use fresh water all season, only a little use in the bathroom. Upon preparing for winter, went to local dumping station to empty out, I filled the fresh tank in order to flush everything. Turned the pump on to flush toilet and such, but am not getting any water flow. When switching it on, I can hear it running, but don't want to leave it running for fear of damaging the pump. Is there something wrong or am I just missing the obvious?

If you are not priming you most likely have an air leak on the suction side.
Check your fittings for tightness. Finger tight should be fine but make sure they are not loose at all.

[hankenstein]

Let pump run for five minutes.. Can hear water but nothing at tap. Am I just being impatient?

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by hankenstein

Let pump run for five minutes.. Can hear water but nothing at tap. Am I just being impatient?

Ah! Then it is filling the hot water tank like the others have said.

[hankenstein]

I will let it run a little longer then. Thanks for the help. Feel kjnd of dumb with all the questions. :-/

[hankenstein]

Continuing to run pump.. Still nothing. How long should I expect it to take?

[VinceU]

Originally Posted by hankenstein

There is a valve on each line hot and cold, as well as one in between.

Lost track of this thread for awhile, but I looked at your pic. Seems the inlet and outlet of the HW heater are closed and the hot to cold water bypass is open?? Thats fine, we're not filling the heater. I also see the pump and on the left side there is a small white capped filter or strainer. I cannot see however where that hose goes connected to the filter. That is where the suction hose will be connected in a tee format with valves blocking the tank suction and blocking the open ended hose probably with a plug. Question is, does the tee exist? If it does is it lined up to take suction from a jug or bucket? I'm attaching a picture of an aftermarket winter suction kit. In your unit it will be heavy 1/2" reinforced clear hose. It sure sounds like the pump is sucking air, you're showing water level in the tank correct. If this short suction does exist, make sure its valve is closed and the tank hose is open. Last option is pump is defective or we've seen it installed back wards! The filter is suction side of pump, its connection should lead to the FW tank, the other side will lead to pressure connections.

As I look at the pic again, could be your pump is in back wards. I see soft hose on the discharge pressure side and cannot see the suction side, however I see the hard tubing heading that way. The blue piping is normally higher pressure than the white/clear hose. Check that and see if the hard stuff is connecting at the filter. Shurflow the pump mfgr. show this on the inlet side of the pump, cannot verify till you confirm that detail, there is also a arrow on the case. If true close valves and turn pump around.
Only dumb question is that never asked. Anyway some things to check.

[VinceU]

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Forgot the pic