Air in water pump on the caravan
Submitted: Sunday, Nov 28, 2010 at 20:27
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On Patrol & TONI
Hi,
My question concerns the
water pump on my 3 year old Jayco Destiny.
Regardless of
water levels in the two tanks, full or low, the pump will often not stop because of air in the system.
The pump is not externally leaking
water, and all
water hoses show no
sign of leaks, but somehow air is entering the system and causing the pump to continue pumping after the tap is turned off, and while the
water is running there is a lot of air coming out of the tap. Naturally the pump cannot compress air and senses low pressure causing my dilemma.
Can anyone give me a clue what maybe causing this, IE seals in pump or something else?
Cheers OnPatrol
Reply By: Member - Christopher P (NSW) - Sunday, Nov 28, 2010 at 20:32
Sunday, Nov 28, 2010 at 20:32
you might want to see if there is a check valve in the line. a check valve will stop the
water from syphoning back into the tank.
Or if you do have a check valve, you made need to check the seals
AnswerID:
437196
Reply By: Member - Toyocrusa (NSW) - Sunday, Nov 28, 2010 at 20:34
Sunday, Nov 28, 2010 at 20:34
Hi Tony. Not sure if you have a shower. With
mine I have to bleed it at the front (kitchen) and back (handbasin) some times to get the air out. If you only have a tap at the front then I am not sure. Bob
AnswerID:
437198
Reply By: On Patrol & TONI - Sunday, Nov 28, 2010 at 20:38
Sunday, Nov 28, 2010 at 20:38
Thanks Chris & Bob
I will
check those things out.
Colin.
AnswerID:
437201
Reply By: Rockape - Sunday, Nov 28, 2010 at 20:39
Sunday, Nov 28, 2010 at 20:39
Mate,
if the non return valve is ok, which I doubt is your problem as when you turn the tap off that should hold the
water in the pump and stop it syphoning back and letting air enter.
I would look at a leak on the suction side of the pump, it may not leak when sitting but when you turn the pump on it can suck air. It may even be a seal in the pump.
Hope you find the problem
AnswerID:
437202
Follow Up By: newbies - Monday, Nov 29, 2010 at 21:59
Monday, Nov 29, 2010 at 21:59
I had a similar experience with my new (i.e. 2nd hand) Free Spirit in late July, but it was more to do with low
water level in the tanks and being parked on a side-slope (I think!). Pump ran on without stopping after
water ceased to flow out of the tap - must have been sucking air. Had to turn off the power to the pump. Seems as if the original owner also installed a Davey 2 litre pressure tank between the pump and the tap - designed to allow tap to run for 2 litres without the pump being switched on (e.g. to keep the noise down at night when in a caravan
park, etc).
However, I have another
water issue - the
drinking water tap (i.e. only draws from one tank and through a replaceable cartridge filter) only sends
water 'pulses' out, but at low volume on a continuous basis while the tap is 'on'. It sounds like a machine gun being fired - very disconcerting. As I am new to the caravaning game, is this a normal circumstance for filtered potable
water taps? The pump looks identical to the other one for non-potable
water supply. Any advice would be appreciated.
Mike
FollowupID:
708790
Follow Up By: Rockape - Monday, Nov 29, 2010 at 22:24
Monday, Nov 29, 2010 at 22:24
Mike, the accumulator or tank as you call it is designed to stop the pump constantly stop/starting. my
bore pump has an air bladder in the accumulator so the pump builds pressure to around 70psi then doesn't cut back in till around 50 psi (adjustable). What I believe is happening is you have no reserve when the pressure drops and the pump kicks in on low pressure.
If I remember correctly a sureflow pump sounds the same as you describe. Great pump but a little noisy. Put a pressure tank on it and I think it will fix your problem.
Have a good one
FollowupID:
708801
Follow Up By: newbies - Saturday, Dec 04, 2010 at 17:06
Saturday, Dec 04, 2010 at 17:06
Thanks Rockape. Works OK so I guess I'll get used to the 'pulsing' (or not use the
potable water tap when I can get good quality
water from the other 3 tanks). And there is no
hand pump, by the way.
FollowupID:
709405
Reply By: Notso - Sunday, Nov 28, 2010 at 22:19
Sunday, Nov 28, 2010 at 22:19
If it has a
hand pump in the line, it may be sucking air back through the
hand pump, won't show up as a leak as the pump is higher than the tank.
I ended up putting a shut off valve in the line.
AnswerID:
437209
Follow Up By: On Patrol & TONI - Monday, Nov 29, 2010 at 18:04
Monday, Nov 29, 2010 at 18:04
Hi Notso
I was also told this on a C/Van
forum. I bloked the
hand pump and hey presto problem solved. I liked your idea about a shut off, I will do that, so if needed the
hand pump is still available.
Thanks Colin.
FollowupID:
708725
Follow Up By: Notso - Monday, Nov 29, 2010 at 18:25
Monday, Nov 29, 2010 at 18:25
Yep, it seems to happen a lot with the
hand pump, I tried a non return valve in the line first but the
hand pump didn't like it, so the shut off valve ended up the only answer.
It's a cost saving thing by the builders, if they put the
hand pump on a separate line directly to the tank it wouldn't happen.
FollowupID:
708728