First time in about 6 months dry camping and using the water pump this weekend. Last time we dry camped last Fall, it cycled on and off when not running the water which I know is not unusual.This past weekend it produced a constant humming/whining sound but didn't cycle on and off unless we ran the water. So annoying that we kept it turned off unless we were using the water. When we got home and connected to AC power, the hum/whine did NOT happen and seemed to behave fine for a while (cleaning up, adding water to the black tank, etc...basically using all the water before final draining before storage) and then sounded like it was running constantly. Louder than the hum/whine while dry camping.Am I going to be in the market for a new water pump soon? Trailer is a 2003 and I am pretty sure it's the original pump.Thanks!

Pump cycling ON/OFF (over a short time period) when not using water means there is a leak. Pump is an ON Demand pump..........meaning pump should only come on when system pressure drops. So a small leak will cause pressure to drop...pump comes on/pressure comes back up/pump turns off until leak causes pressure to drop again.There should be NO noise unless pump is actually running otherwise the pump/motor are not doing anything.Pump running constantly & loud was probably due to low water level in fresh water tank---losing suction (when you were home)Hum/whine could be due to a faulty check valve in water heater outlet or the one in city water inlet.

I think it is time for a new pump. To keep it from doing late night "burrup" noises, Shurflo sells an accumulator tank, and I'd recommend replacing the pump and adding the tank. That way, when pressure varies, the pump will not need to short cycle, as it will run to pressurize the lines and the accumulator tank.

Thanks...pulling from both responses:Old-Biscuit wrote:Pump cycling ON/OFF (over a short time period) when not using water means there is a leak. Pump is an ON Demand pump..........meaning pump should only come on when system pressure drops. So a small leak will cause pressure to drop...pump comes on/pressure comes back up/pump turns off until leak causes pressure to drop again.There should be NO noise unless pump is actually running otherwise the pump/motor are not doing anything.Pump running constantly & loud was probably due to low water level in fresh water tank---losing suction (when you were home)Hum/whine could be due to a faulty check valve in water heater outlet or the one in city water inlet.I've seen the reference to a small leak before...haven't been able to find anything, although I wonder if the water heater relief valve could be the culprit. It feels rough and corroded/calcified when I open the relief valve when draining the water heater. (Trust me don't unscrew the plug on a pressurized water heater...learned that the hard way, but at least it was cold water :E) I've noticed it sometimes drips, but had not made the connection.I thought the same about low water level and suction, but at the time the water was still well above the line to the pump.mlts22 wrote:I think it is time for a new pump. To keep it from doing late night "burrup" noises, Shurflo sells an accumulator tank, and I'd recommend replacing the pump and adding the tank. That way, when pressure varies, the pump will not need to short cycle, as it will run to pressurize the lines and the accumulator tank.I've thought about the accumulator tank before...although I was looking at the larger Watts expansion tank that has been posted in several threads. Wasn't sure I'd have room for that tank, so am glad to see that ShurFlo makes a smaller one. Might go that route even if I don't end up replacing the pump.Thanks...I'll start with the water heater relief valve and go from there.

I helped with a water pump that just made a low humming noise when nothing was running. If I remember correctly one of he faucet aerators was almost completely plugged and the line was full of air. Can you get a good flow out of every faucet and the both the inside and outside shower? It might be worth taking a look at before you spring for a new pump.

opnspaces wrote:I helped with a water pump that just made a low humming noise when nothing was running. If I remember correctly one of he faucet aerators was almost completely plugged and the line was full of air. Can you get a good flow out of every faucet and the both the inside and outside shower? It might be worth taking a look at before you spring for a new pump.Thanks! Haven't specifically noticed decreased flow from any of the faucets, but I'll check them all to make sure.

Water pump dying? | Good Sam Community

bigorange
Explorer
Mar 23, 2014
Update: replaced the water pump today and also added the flexible tubing to help quiet things. So far very pleased. Better pressure, quieter, no whine/hum, and only comes on when necessary...not in between when water not used. I guess the old pump was also the source of lost pressure.

Next will be an accumulator tank to decrease pump cycling when only a little water use. :B
Stefonius
Explorer
Mar 19, 2014
bigorange wrote:
I wonder if the water heater relief valve could be the culprit. It feels rough and corroded/calcified when I open the relief valve when draining the water heater. (Trust me don't unscrew the plug on a pressurized water heater...learned that the hard way, but at least it was cold water :E)
I learned that lesson last October. Drained the water heater, but forgot to depressurize it first. I shot ten gallons of high-pressure cold water directly into my crotch. It hit me so hard that I was wet from chin to ankles. I spent about five minutes hobbling around holding my naughty bits and wincing in pain.

I should mention at this point that it was about 30°F outside, it was dark and I had about 45 minutes of setup to go before I could dry off and change my clothes.

DW thought it was hilarious.
bigorange
Explorer
Mar 19, 2014
mlts22 wrote:
I think it is time for a new pump. To keep it from doing late night "burrup" noises, Shurflo sells an accumulator tank, and I'd recommend replacing the pump and adding the tank. That way, when pressure varies, the pump will not need to short cycle, as it will run to pressurize the lines and the accumulator tank.

Looking at the accumulator tank, is there any advantage to the Shurflo tank vs Watts or some other larger tank that I've seen on other threads and seems to be about the same price as Shurflo? 1-2 gallon vs 0.7 liter listed on the Shurflo. More capacity seems like it would be better as long as I have room for the tank near the pump.

Thoughts?
bigorange
Explorer
Mar 19, 2014
GaryWT wrote:
Now what is up with the water heater, do you get hot water?

No issue with water heater other than the dripping relief valve (which my just be doing it's job..unclear at this point) It does feel corroded or calcified when I open the relief valve. Will start by replacing that and go from there.
Haulinhazmat
Explorer
Mar 18, 2014
I have a 2004 RV and in 2009 I replaced the switch in the surflo pump worked till this month when I replaced the pump. The switch cost $3.00 and the pump cost $79.95. When a switch goes bad it can make some strange sounds. Sometimes the pump won't start, sometimes won't stop, sometimes they make a humming sound. Just something to check.
bigorange
Explorer
Mar 18, 2014
Caveman Charlie wrote:
I'm confused. The title of your thread says "Water Heater Dying" And, then you ask about the water pump? Did you maybe type something in wrong?

Oops...sorry for the confusion. Definitely talking about the water pump. Edited the title. Thanks for pointing that out!
Caveman_Charlie
Explorer II
Mar 18, 2014
I'm confused. The title of your thread says "Water Heater Dying" And, then you ask about the water pump? Did you maybe type something in wrong?

If your talking about the pump and it pumps too often and makes funny noises it is possible that the rubber diaphragms in the pump are going bad and leaking. You might want to just go get a new pump. There relatively cheap and in most cases easy they are to change.
GaryWT
Explorer
Mar 17, 2014
Nothing wrong with shutting it off when not in use. I have only used my pump to winterized and it was plugged in.

Now what is up with the water heater, do you get hot water?
bigorange
Explorer
Mar 17, 2014
I did think it was strange that the humming sound went away when plugged into AC power...any ideas why that would be the case?
bigorange
Explorer
Mar 17, 2014
opnspaces wrote:
I helped with a water pump that just made a low humming noise when nothing was running. If I remember correctly one of he faucet aerators was almost completely plugged and the line was full of air. Can you get a good flow out of every faucet and the both the inside and outside shower? It might be worth taking a look at before you spring for a new pump.

Thanks! Haven't specifically noticed decreased flow from any of the faucets, but I'll check them all to make sure.

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