Self-priming electric water pump for camper trailer

Paul,

I'm using several Shurflo 2088 auto pumps about the ute. They are largish and have a flow rate of 10.6 litres per minute. There are smaller models, the Nautilus 100 and 105 models that are half the size and deliver 3.7 litres per minute. All self priming and have check valves to prevent flow back. Available at caravan RV accessory stores like Carac. $60 or thereabouts should see you with one in the hand. I'm sure the other brand Flojet will have similar models at similar prices as well

Cheers Mick

Hi Paul,
Here is a link to one on ebay which will do the job nicely.

Caravan pump

Note that you cannot just fit one of these pressure controlled pumps into the line to the hand pump. You will need a seperate line and a tap fitting at the sink on a seperate line for these. Better still do away with the manual one altogether and replace it with this setup.
You may well be pleased you did.

Cheers, Bruce.

We use this one with our Long Ranger dual water/fuel tank in the car to bring the water up to a faucet mounted at the rear of the drawer system. We use a switch to turn it on. I didn't want to rely on an automatic function so I use the switch all the time.

Pump: Jabsco PAR-MAX 2.9 Automatic Freshwater Pump

Phil

Hi Paul have installed this one under our jayco outback its a 12v whale pump also have a non-return valve under the sink controlled by push button switch.

Hi Paul
I use the Whale pump also and if you mount it at the outlet (if it is on the bottom of your tank) you don't need a primer. Have left both hand pumps in place and fitted a switch at the sink. Works great.

Paul,

Just a couple of things to consider.

When adding the electric water pump, you don't actually place it in line.
You need a Y piece.
The bottom of the Y is the feed from the water tank.
One of the branches goes to your existing hand pump and the other to the electric pump.
Also, ensure you have an isolating switch for the electric pump so that it is not "on" all the time. You should only switch the pump circuit on when you wish to use the electric pump, otherwise leave it off. A fuse to protect the circuit should also be included, close to the battery end.

Hi Paul.
I used the whale as well.Put it in line under the sink with a switch level with the sink.Sometimes loses its prime after an extended time without use but a few pumps of the hand pump has it fully primed again.When turned on it just pushes the hand pump up.
cheers Graeme.

The whale pumps (& others like them) are often a submersible pump which means they should ideally be mounted in the tank, or if outside, they should be located below the minimum water level. There is no need to prime them in this situation as gravity will keep the pump primed.

I'm using a ShurFlo (or FloJet?) self-priming automatic pump in my car because having connections below the minimum water level could lead to leaks, & if I'd used submersible pumps, I'd have had to use 3!

I priced them locally and they all seemed to be around $180+ locally but I managed to get one from Amazon.com delivered to Oz for less than half that. I think it's around 10-11L/min which would probably be a bit much except that I've got it controlled with a tap so you just turn it on as hard as you want/need it.