Water pump on?

sunnygirl01 · 05-22-2014, 02:38 PM

OK, so this may be a dumb question but do you have to have the water pump on when you are hooked up to a water supply? We don't normally put any water in our fresh water holding tank. We had the water pump on the other day and it started making this clicking noise. I hope we didn't burn it up. It is sad that we have had our camper for 2 years and we are still not sure of much. We just never have had any experience with them. :-/

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**Mr. Dan** · 05-22-2014, 02:42 PM

No, you don't need your 12v water pump to be on if you are hooked up to running city water.
No, you don't want to turn your pump on when you have no water in your fresh water tank.

grubbster · 05-22-2014, 02:42 PM

You do not need it on when hooked to city water. The pressure comes from the line. As a matter of fact you should use a water pressure regulator as sometimes the pressure can be so high it can damage your pipes.

Ford Idaho · 05-22-2014, 02:58 PM

I would go ahead and put some water in the tank now just to check the pump, you can drain it later.

sunnygirl01 · 05-22-2014, 03:01 PM

Thanks everyone. That is kinda what occurred to me...after the fact of course. We do have a water pressure regulator on our fresh water hose. The dealership made sure we didn't leave without one

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**dcheatwood** · 05-22-2014, 03:13 PM

I keep a few gallons in the tank all the time for use when traveling. Flushing, hand washing, watering the dog, etc. 5-10 gals.

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Iggy · 05-22-2014, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunnygirl01

Thanks everyone. That is kinda what occurred to me...after the fact of course. We do have a water pressure regulator on our fresh water hose. The dealership made sure we didn't leave without one

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It is always good to keep a little fresh water in the tank to be used when you are travelling and not hooked up to any power.
Toilet, sink, etc. I would put a small amount in the tank and run the pump to insure it will pump water.
Good luck

Brother Les · 05-22-2014, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunnygirl01

OK, so this may be a dumb question but do you have to have the water pump on when you are hooked up to a water supply? We don't normally put any water in our fresh water holding tank. We had the water pump on the other day and it started making this clicking noise. I hope we didn't burn it up. It is sad that we have had our camper for 2 years and we are still not sure of much. We just never have had any experience with them. :-/

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It is not the best for them, but RV water pumps can be ran dry for a little while. I believe that there is a safety switch on some pumps to shut them down if they over heat, do to a lack of water.
http://www.amazon.com/SHURflo-4008-1...productDetails

Quote:

can run dry without damage

**dcheatwood** · 05-22-2014, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iggy

It is always good to keep a little fresh water in the tank to be used when you are travelling and not hooked up to any power.
Toilet, sink, etc. I would put a small amount in the tank and run the pump to insure it will pump water.
Good luck

And the pump should turn off after it pressurizes the system. If it does not turn off after a few minutes, check for water dripping somewhere. outside shower, sinks, low point drain, etc.

sunnygirl01 · 05-22-2014, 05:31 PM

I must say...this forum, and you all, are the BEST!

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bubbles · 05-22-2014, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcheatwood

And the pump should turn off after it pressurizes the tank. If it does not turn off after a few minutes, check for water dripping somewhere. outside shower, sinks, low point drain, etc.

Not to confuse the OP. After your water system is pressurized, not your water holding tank (that's where the water comes from via the pump) the pump should turn off. And yes, (with no hookups and water in the holding tank) with the pump on is a good way to check for possible leaks (as verified by pump cycling and no demand at any faucets). Just a thought for a newby.

s2111 · 05-23-2014, 03:44 PM

Just to piggyback on the original, I'm new to RVing and don't know if I'm hooked into city water do I still need to run the pump to fill the hot water tank when I want hot water. Thanks!

Brother Les · 05-23-2014, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by s2111

Just to piggyback on the original, I'm new to RVing and don't know if I'm hooked into city water do I still need to run the pump to fill the hot water tank when I want hot water. Thanks!

Leave your 12v water pump off if you are hooked up to city water. The city water hookup does not go into your fresh water tank, it goes directly into the camper water lines. The 12v water pump has a check valve built into it to keep water from 'back flowing' into the fresh water tank.

**Terier** · 05-23-2014, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunnygirl01

OK, so this may be a dumb question but do you have to have the water pump on when you are hooked up to a water supply? We don't normally put any water in our fresh water holding tank. We had the water pump on the other day and it started making this clicking noise. I hope we didn't burn it up. It is sad that we have had our camper for 2 years and we are still not sure of much. We just never have had any experience with them. :-/

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When I was first starting out I also wasn't sure to turn it on or not with hook ups. My service department said it wouldn't hurt the pump but it would put extra miles on it.

Please feel free to post any questions you may have. This is a great place to get answers.

OldCoot · 05-23-2014, 04:33 PM

Best to keep about 5 gal in the fw tank for flushing, etc while on the road. Just make sure you turn the pump off while traveling in case a pipe breaks, someone leaves a faucet on, etc.

mzbrandi · 05-29-2014, 02:55 PM

Very good answers. I have read that you are not supposed to run the water pump while on city hookups. So, if I accidentally bump the pump switch on, what can happen to the pump?

Thanks guys.
Brandi

Brother Les · 05-29-2014, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mzbrandi

Very good answers. I have read that you are not supposed to run the water pump while on city hookups. So, if I accidentally bump the pump switch on, what can happen to the pump?

Thanks guys.
Brandi

Your 12v pump is 'set' to only run psi so high. If all of your units water lines are full of water (faucets shut off), the pump will 'feel' this back pressure and the motor will shut off and be on a 'stand by'. If you are on city water and you have your pump on, if you run water the pump may 'feel' a drop in the 'back' water pressure and come on and pump water out of your fresh water tank. When the faucets are shut off again the pump will 'stop', but it will be 'energized' and be 'ready' when the pressure of the line falls again. If you do this too much you will drain your fresh water tank and put stress on your 12v water pump. It will take a lot of weeks (months?) of this to really effect the quality of the pump, but it will wear it down over time.

OldCoot · 05-29-2014, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mzbrandi

Very good answers. I have read that you are not supposed to run the water pump while on city hookups. So, if I accidentally bump the pump switch on, what can happen to the pump?

Thanks guys.
Brandi

Doubt you will notice any adverse effects at all as the pump is designed to pump water and as for draining the fw tank, it won't pump much with you hooked to cg or city water. Don't worry about it.

mzbrandi · 05-29-2014, 03:46 PM

Cool. Didn't think you could break it that easily.

What a great place for answers.
Brandi

OldCoot · 05-29-2014, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mzbrandi

Cool. Didn't think you could break it that easily.

What a great place for answers.
Brandi

If you have decent city hook up pressure, I doubt if the pump would even cycle, at least ours never does and it is a 2012 model. On board regulator is set @ 50#

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