shuflo water pump failures & theford portaloo spare parts

Submitted: Friday, Sep 23, 2016 at 09:46
ThreadID: 133481 Views:3126 Replies:7 FollowUps:1
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Ok had bit of a quick search no real joy.so killing two birds one stone here

Folks camper has a shurflo water pump mounted underneath chassis accept it gets dust aroudn it but not easily damaged by rocks sticks etc.

original one failed seems to have been the diaphagm unit, now naturally once i go away for awhile (one week today) replacement unit has packed it in. I know the unit has 12 month warranty but get feeling this will be a constant issue due to it location or build quality isn't what they used to be.

Anybody have similar issues as I am having ?

2nd issue hauled the porta loo out for dealing with natures business seems unit got caught against door frame as result the t handle that opens up the sliding plastic gate knife valve has broken off - so now i have a hole straight from seat into waste tank and well tad on nose -anybody ever replaced these parts individually or it a replace whole unit or tank ?
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Reply By: MEMBER - Darian, SA - Friday, Sep 23, 2016 at 11:13

Friday, Sep 23, 2016 at 11:13
You could expect these pumps to last for many years....but, as usual in the 'modern times' the electrical gizmo end (pressure sensing switch) is usually the first part to fail;, while the rest of the pump (what we actually want them to do...pump !) is fine ! My first one lasted for ages ....the second one is still happy after a couple of years....both have been mounted inside, under the sink, in a foam lined box*....little road vibration, no dust or stones etc. .....maybe give your new pump the same 'holiday'....a cozy stress free location ?.....(most can be mounted in any orientation - with a few John Guest unions and some tubing from the RV shop, all sorts of setups are possible ).
*(resting loose in a foam lined box, the pump is very quiet when running).
AnswerID: 604580

Reply By: Malcom M - Friday, Sep 23, 2016 at 12:36

Friday, Sep 23, 2016 at 12:36
Have two of them mounted to water tanks under the camper.
No problem with thousands of K's of corrugations and dust.
You could always carry spare parts...
AnswerID: 604583

Reply By: member - mazcan - Friday, Sep 23, 2016 at 13:20

Friday, Sep 23, 2016 at 13:20
Hi Dean
do you have an inline filter fitted between tank and pump this is important to stop any silt getting into the diapham and pump valves
you haven't said in what way it has failed
is it failing to pump it could be a faulty electrical connection? blocked filter if fitted?
or failing to build up stand-by pressure and switch off
if its failing to pump and if its not electrical problems if it
hasn,t got an inline filter it could be clogged with sediment in the valve /diapham housing
its not hard or rocket science to dismantle and clean the parts
if it wont switch off there is a leak some where in a joint causing it to continually lose pressure and run
your lack of imformation makes it hard for anyone to know and advise
I have done my best hope it is cheers
AnswerID: 604587

Follow Up By: Dean K3 - Friday, Sep 23, 2016 at 18:04

Friday, Sep 23, 2016 at 18:04
Appears to be electrcial fuse is ok though had bit of a play underneath wiggled wires etc and with previous unit this worked then eventually failed with faulty solenoid. so i am guessing similar.

If there are filters installed inline I can't reconise them I'd expect them to be inline bit like a irrigation fitting type of unit - and nor do folks use one of those inline filters when fillign up either, so I might follow that issue up when i get back to big smoke anything out bush pay premium for same thing.

having it installed internally would be next to impossible to retro fit, alternative maybe use a ip64 electrical box with outlets for hoses to pass through and keep dust out much as possible. I had this idea prior with original unit butwas out voted on the idea

portaloo can buy storage tank as complete unit but by time one pays freight within few $$ of a complete new unit -as is usual case
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FollowupID: 874380

Reply By: Member - Blue M - Saturday, Sep 24, 2016 at 18:59

Saturday, Sep 24, 2016 at 18:59
Dean, I have one in my van in the dusty cupboard.
It has a filter on the inlet pipe.
In the plastic bowl is a mesh filter. I have cleaned our several bits of black plastic and other gunk.
I guess not are all the same but here is a pic of the pump and filter

AnswerID: 604618

Reply By: swampy - Sunday, Sep 25, 2016 at 13:44

Sunday, Sep 25, 2016 at 13:44
hi
Internal bypass pumps tend to last a little longer . They smaller pumps are typically available in both versions . Basically reduces the effects of water hammer and its damaging pulsations . This is dependant on application .

The pressure switches fail for no apparent reason . I have had a good run out of them on commercial spray tanks .

All the basics filter cleanliness
no leaks on pressure side
no long distance to prime
good voltage under load to pump at least 12.0 volts
etc etc
AnswerID: 604636

Reply By: Nomadic Navara - Sunday, Sep 25, 2016 at 15:01

Sunday, Sep 25, 2016 at 15:01
The water problem - There is no need to replace the whole pump, Look here to see if parts are readily available. If it is muck in the water that has been destroying your pumps then there are filters here that you may be able to employ.

The dunny problem - Whether you can fix it or not depends on whether parts are available or not. Here is a selection of available parts.
PeterD
Retired radio and electronics technician

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AnswerID: 604639

Reply By: Dean K3 - Friday, Sep 30, 2016 at 18:47

Friday, Sep 30, 2016 at 18:47
currently on the road so access been intermittent . replacement holding tank is priced so buying whole new unit is just as economical .at least thats what gossip is from from thetford


water filter might assist but i suspect case of location is more a issue, however upon return get a few filters and see how it holds up.
AnswerID: 604783

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