Rockwood Roo water pump overheating

dkkarl · 05-19-2019, 07:20 PM

This is my first time dry camping with my 2018 Roo 21Dk, Water pump is working normal, turns on turns off. Later it would not work, check pump and it was hot to the touch. Turned it off, let it cool down and would work normal again until it got hot again. The pump is a Artis PDS1-130-1240E. Anyone else have this problem? Is it electrical or bad pump?

jonshonda · 05-20-2019, 09:16 AM

Are you 100% sure the pump isn't running a lot more then you think? I always make sure the pump primes and I get good constant water pressure before I move onto another task.

dkkarl · 05-20-2019, 09:47 AM

No it's not running, it is primed.

jonshonda · 05-22-2019, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkkarl

No it's not running, it is primed.

Only think I can think of is that there is cavitation and running a bunch.

rockfordroo · 05-22-2019, 09:58 AM

Supposedly, it can run dry without damage:

https://www.amazon.com/WFCO-ARTIS-PD.../dp/B00N225I00

Not sure what you mean when you say it ran "normal." Normally it should only run when you ask for water. Once you shut off the faucet, it should raise the pressure in the system and then it should shut off.

If the pressure isn't rising enough to cause it to shut off, then you've got a priming and/or cavitation issue. Your pump should be set up to take a suction from either the fresh water tank or your anti-freeze (winterizing) port. There's probably a 3-way valve that allows you to choose which source you want. (Older units usually have a Tee, with a separate valve in each leg of the Tee.) Make sure the 3-way valve is fully set to the fresh water tank (handle in line with the line to the FW tank). If it's not, you could be sucking some air in from the winterizing port.

I'm attaching a "generic" plumbing pic that may help you.

ppine · 05-22-2019, 11:31 AM

Water pump operating normally should never overheat because it has water running through it. Not enough water flow, air in the system, bad impeller, running backwards, something is amiss.

TitanMike · 05-22-2019, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ppine

Water pump operating normally should never overheat because it has water running through it. Not enough water flow, air in the system, bad impeller, running backwards, something is amiss.

Water does not run through the motor so if there is inadequate air circulation around motor it could overheat.

Motors overheat as a rule for only two reasons. Excessive load or low voltage. Escessive load could be due to a combination of restricted flow and an improperly set pressure switch. Perhaps someone adjusted pressure shut off switch higher in order to overcome a restriction in output that reduced flow.

Water pump motors could run hot if used for extended periods so check around to make sure the pump motor has some cooling. There's often internal thermal protection that will shut off the motor when it's too hot. Now it's just a matter of finding the reason it's heating up.

To eliminate low voltage as a cause get out the multimeter and check battery voltage then voltage at the pump when it's running.

ppine · 05-22-2019, 04:01 PM

I like this TitanMike guy. Thanks for the thoughts.

kawboy01 · 06-29-2019, 08:49 PM

Ok, we just got back from a trip We wanted to know how much water we were using so at our last stop (electricity and water) we topped off our fresh tank, no city water connected, and with empty grey and black see how much we used. Well we too had an overheated pump motor. It does not run or make any humming noise once tap is shut off, it provides good pressure and flow so no apparent blockages or air. Sounds normal when it is running. We were washing dishes and no water...checked pump and the motor was very hot ( thermal protection kicked in) once it cooled it would start back up. Not sure why it would get so hot. Any suggestions?

TitanMike · 06-29-2019, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kawboy01

Ok, we just got back from a trip We wanted to know how much water we were using so at our last stop (electricity and water) we topped off our fresh tank, no city water connected, and with empty grey and black see how much we used. Well we too had an overheated pump motor. It does not run or make any humming noise once tap is shut off, it provides good pressure and flow so no apparent blockages or air. Sounds normal when it is running. We were washing dishes and no water...checked pump and the motor was very hot ( thermal protection kicked in) once it cooled it would start back up. Not sure why it would get so hot. Any suggestions?

Get out the multi meter and measure voltage at two points. First at battery and next at water pump when running.

If big drop in voltage at pump it could be that wiring supplying power to pump is too small.

Motors often overheat from low voltage.

kawboy01 · 06-29-2019, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TitanMike

Get out the multi meter and measure voltage at two points. First at battery and next at water pump when running.

If big drop in voltage at pump it could be that wiring supplying power to pump is too small.

Motors often overheat from low voltage.

Will do the voltage check, Thanks

You may also like: