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

13 Replies

ScottG
Nomad
Jun 25, 2014
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.
turbojimmy
Explorer
Jun 25, 2014
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.
DiskDoctr
Explorer
Jun 25, 2014
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.

Forum Discussion

On-demand water pump?

13 Replies

About Motorhome Group

Related Content

Water Pump

On demand water heater and boondocking

On Demand Propane Hot Water Heater

Water Pump Failure Traveling To The Eclipse

On-demand water heaters