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thestarfinder's avatar
thestarfinder
Explorer
Jan 04, 2017

SHURflo pump over heating....

SHURflo smart sensor model#5900-0211...Manufactured date 6/21/2011... We are traveling for the next few days and at the end of the 1st day we are stopped for the night and with the pump switch on we had no water when trying to run water in kitchen...the gen set is running for about an hour(we have a domestic fridge) so we run the gen set to get it down to temp....
I went to the pump the pump body was VERY hot hard to touch....Turned switch for pump off....turned gen set off...put some ice on pump body to help cool it....tried it by turning switch on and running some water and it worked but sounded bad,but it worked and was still hot.......
Pump has cooled down and I retried it and it is working but dosn't sound right....
I don't know what would heat that pump up like that??
Any thoughts,Tom
Class A
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Jan 04, 2017
    It was running with no water. They are not really designed to run continuously.
    It should be ok.
  • thestarfinder's avatar
    thestarfinder
    Explorer
    Jan 04, 2017
    it had water...and yes it was on a long time(6 hours) but not running....it is working now but sounds different.....we will see...just not sure what would have caused to get that hot?Thanks
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Jan 04, 2017
    I have the same pump and have accidentally left it running dry twice for a total of more than 5 days. In both cases, when I discovered my error the pump was only slightly warm and has worked perfectly for years after that.
    These are hydrostatic pumps and wont be damaged by running dry.
    Some other failure mode has made your pump hot. Maybe a short in the windings, worn bearings or something else.
    It sounds like you'll either have to take it apart and figure out whats wrong with it or replace it. I dont think you can buy the same model new anymore though.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Jan 04, 2017
    ScottG wrote:
    I have the same pump and have accidentally left it running dry twice for a total of more than 5 days. In both cases, when I discovered my error the pump was only slightly warm and has worked perfectly for years after that.
    These are hydrostatic pumps and wont be damaged by running dry.
    Some other failure mode has made your pump hot. Maybe a short in the windings, worn bearings or something else.
    It sounds like you'll either have to take it apart and figure out whats wrong with it or replace it. I dont think you can buy the same model new anymore though.


    Correct......

    Run dry capable ----w/o damage or harm

    Motor is HOT due to:
    Low voltage/high amp
    Internal winding issue
    Bad motor bearings

    AND That model *Extreme Series was discontinued couple years ago due to issues

    Direct replacement is Shurflo 4048 High Flow Pump
  • wrgrs50s's avatar
    wrgrs50s
    Explorer
    Jan 04, 2017
    Mine was doing the same when we dry camped at the Nascar races and I just switched it off and on as I needed to run water and it worked fine through the week. I plan on replacing it but have not done any extended dry camping since.

    Supposedly, once the pump reaches its predetermined pressure the sensor is designed to break contact voltage, or ground, therefore it should not get hot because the pump is essentially switched off until the next time the water is turned on.

    Without knowing how to test it, I figure it's just a replacement in order.
  • thestarfinder's avatar
    thestarfinder
    Explorer
    Jan 04, 2017
    Thank you all for the great info.....I plan on replacing it at next stop in Tucson Az.....
    It has been off all night and is cool now and we have the gen set on for about an hour and just have been turning the switch on when needing water.....So I'm guessing the wiring needs to be tested to the pump.... Thanks again,Tom
  • haddy1's avatar
    haddy1
    Explorer
    Jan 04, 2017
    I don't recall the model numbers, but I think that you have a pump model that has been discontinued. It gets hot because the electronics are failing and tripping the internal thermal switch. I had a SF 5.7 that got so hot it melted some wires and a hose that were touching it.

    GET RID OF THAT PUMP ASAP, before you have some serious damage.

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