I'm preparing for my first trip in my newly-resurrected Allegro. It had been sitting for a very long time so I replaced the moldy freshwater tank fill tubes and sanitized the system. I noticed that with all faucets turned on at once, water slows to a trickle. I guess that's okay, because when do you have them all on at the same time for an extended period of time anyway? But, I also noticed that with just the shower on, the pump will eventually fall behind so that there's not enough pressure to feed the shower head. If I shut it off and let it build back up, it's okay again for a few seconds and drops off. Ditto at the other faucets.I also noticed that as pressure drops off, it sputters like it's getting air from somewhere. I don't have any leaks that I can find where air would be introduced to the system.So....are these symptoms of a weak/dying pump? They're cheap enough to replace, but I don't want to swap it out and find that I have the same problem.

Do a quick search for accumulator or expansion tank on this site and you'll read about similar issues and the solution (hint, accumulator)The air sputtering can be low water in tank, pickup tube not on bottom of tank, h/w tank has air in it, leaks, outside shower head, etc.

DiskDoctr wrote:Do a quick search for accumulator or expansion tank on this site and you'll read about similar issues and the solution (hint, accumulator)The air sputtering can be low water in tank, pickup tube not on bottom of tank, h/w tank has air in it, leaks, outside shower head, etc.Thanks. I'll search on that.Water tank is full, HW tank was purged, no outside shower head. I guess I could have a leak somewhere. It's an old rig so the plumbing isn't terribly complicated. With the faucets off, the pump will build pressure and shut off, so I don't think there are leaks.

I would ask myself if I would ever be turning on every tap in the RV at the same time. If you have enough pressure for one or two at the same time then your probably good to go.However, if you need more volume or pressure for an extended period of time (like taking a shower) then and accumulator tank is not going to help. You need a better pump. I would suggest one of the variable speed "Sensor" pumps (don't use an accumulator tank with those) for high volume and smooth flow.

Upgrade to a more GPM (gallons per minute) pump. Or check your filters for being plugged. More likely the latter.

I would check the screen filter on end of pump also.

On-demand water pump? | Good Sam Community

crasster
Explorer II
Jul 24, 2014
One of two solutions. Either upgrade your pump for more GPM, or do it the cheap way (like me) and get a water saving shower head.

This one is worth EVERY penny.
Click Here

This uses way less water and makes for a great shower. Keeps more hot water in your tank and/or you can take longer showers.

Seriously I think that showerhead tripled how much I like my RV shower. I bought mine when they were $8 years ago. Still have them in both my RV and home. No regrets! :)
Gjac
Explorer III
Jul 24, 2014
In two of your posts you describe air coming out first before low flow of water this leads me to believe the pump is sucking air into the top part where the rubber diaphragm is. If you look real close where the parting plane is and see some corrosion you probably have a leak there. I am assuming it is a Sure Flow pump? If so you can remove the bolts and clean the diaphragm it is probably black anyways and may be torn(if torn you can replace it)and reseal with silicone adhesive along the parting plane.
turbojimmy
Explorer
Jul 24, 2014
Gjac wrote:
In two of your posts you describe air coming out first before low flow of water this leads me to believe the pump is sucking air into the top part where the rubber diaphragm is. If you look real close where the parting plane is and see some corrosion you probably have a leak there. I am assuming it is a Sure Flow pump? If so you can remove the bolts and clean the diaphragm it is probably black anyways and may be torn(if torn you can replace it)and reseal with silicone adhesive along the parting plane.

Yes - air first. It is a Sure Flow pump. I'll check that out.

Forum Discussion

On-demand water pump?

About Motorhome Group

Related Content

On-demand water heaters

On-demand water heaters – do they work?

Feedback on current on-demand hot water heaters

Cummins Water Pump

Nautilus iw60 on demand tankless hot water heater wiring