(I searched around, but didn't see any specific topics on quiet water pumps on RV.net.) While out on a 18 day journey through Colorado, my wife said she'd finally had enough of the old original water pump. It sits right under the bed and I'm amazed it only took her 13 years to come to this point! I'm looking at the Flojet Quiet Quad, which is a decently review one on Amazon. It sells for about $78, but at CampingWorld they have the Flojet Quiet Quad 2, which seems to have better specs for about the same price (both free delivery).I have no idea what came original in this Rockwood, but she's right - it is annoying! :( (why we waited 13 years . . . I dunno!)Any ideas about this Flojet pump or other ideas?Thanks!

Some of the newer bypass pumps aren't too bad. Most of the noise comes from the plumbing vibrating against walls and what not.If you can isolate the water lines where ever they touch anything (pipe insulation works great) you can reduce noise dramatically. There are also "Quiet Kits" that add more flexible lines to the input and output and allow the pump to vibrate without transferring that to the harder pipes and anything they touch. Some even put foam or rubber pads under the pump.

ScottG wrote:Some of the newer bypass pumps aren't too bad. Most of the noise comes from the plumbing vibrating against walls and what not.If you can isolate the water lines where ever they touch anything (pipe insulation works great) you can reduce noise dramatically. There are also "Quiet Kits" that add more flexible lines to the input and output and allow the pump to vibrate without transferring that to the harder pipes and anything they touch. Some even put foam or rubber pads under the pump.x2. find the quitest pump you can, and do the above to further reduce noise. Most pumps now list a db level. FWIW a mid level pump isolated well can easily be quiter than a very quite pump mounted to a board with hard connection lines running against hard material.

There are many ways to quieten the pump, depends on what is causing it. Often it is the plywood surface it is sitting on. Try putting 2" thick piece of closed-cell foam under the pump. Length and diameter of intake hose matters - the shorter and wider, the better.My Flojet 03526 wasn't quiet. Shurflo Revolution 4008 was better. They all make noise. Only once I saw a quiet one: 12V Inline Centrifugal Pump. Could barely hear a sound in the video. The guy tried it in the US market, went to Dragons, - big mistake :). I used to watch this show sometimes, then lost interest. Episodes are heavily edited, questions and answers are cut and mismatched to make it more exciting. Main question they always ask - How much have you made in sales already. If the number isn't big enough they are not interested. Boring.

An accumulator tank will help with the noise by preventing the pump from kicking on as often. I installed a large one in the the same compartment as the water pump in the DP, very little plumbing to mess with that way. I'm having problems with where to install a large one in the 26' TT, may have to go to one of the small ones.Bill

ScottG wrote:Some of the newer bypass pumps aren't too bad. Most of the noise comes from the plumbing vibrating against walls and what not.If you can isolate the water lines where ever they touch anything (pipe insulation works great) you can reduce noise dramatically. There are also "Quiet Kits" that add more flexible lines to the input and output and allow the pump to vibrate without transferring that to the harder pipes and anything they touch. Some even put foam or rubber pads under the pump.Thanks. About 10 years ago I put the pump on rubber mounts and wrapped it and the plumbing from it in dense foam. That cut the noise maybe just 20% or so. Needless to say I was disappointed in my effort . . .

Whatsa Quiet Water Pump? | Good Sam Community

Almot
Explorer III
Jul 25, 2018
magicbus wrote:
The one the guy 2 campsites over has must be good because it's the only one I can't hear. :W

Dave

That must be quiet generators, not quiet pumps. I've "heard" about them :)

Seriously though, my loud pump was only loud in the trailer. Checked outside, with windows open, if it's loud enough for neighbors in the morning - no, wouldn't know it was running if didn't try to listen on purpose. It was getting louder when running the shower, - it has to work harder to push the water higher. Replaced it, anyway.
magicbus
Explorer II
Jul 25, 2018
TeryT wrote:
(I searched around, but didn't see any specific topics on quiet water pumps...
The one the guy 2 campsites over has must be good because it's the only one I can't hear. :W

Dave
Almot
Explorer III
Jul 25, 2018
My Flojet pump was same loud when I was holding it in my hands, disconnected from the floorboards and from the output tubing.
Surflo 4008 was quieter and different tone.

You may try same thing - disconnect the output, put some small bowl there, undo the screws, hold it in your hands off the floor. Don't put your hands on bare DC terminals, of course.
If noise disappears, you don't have to buy a new pump.
SoundGuy
Explorer
Jul 25, 2018
TeryT wrote:
So bottom-line is most on here feel the pump connections and how it's mounted have more to do with the noise level than the pump itself.

Guaranteed. Remove any of these pumps from an RV, run it on your workbench, and you'd be shocked at how little the pump itself makes. ;)
TeryT
Explorer
Jul 25, 2018
So bottom-line is most on here feel the pump connections and how it's mounted have more to do with the noise level than the pump itself.

Thanks everybody!
Trackrig
Explorer II
Jul 25, 2018
TeryT wrote:
Trackrig wrote:
An accumulator tank will help with the noise by preventing the pump from kicking on as often. I installed a large one in the the same compartment as the water pump in the DP, very little plumbing to mess with that way. I'm having problems with where to install a large one in the 26' TT, may have to go to one of the small ones.

Bill
Many of the pumps I've looked at say NOT to use an accumulator. And the space is really tight, so not sure where I would even put one . . . but you're saying it will help with cut-on frequency, not with noise, right?

Yes, it doesn't turn on near as often.

Bill
Rog___Nan
Explorer
Jul 24, 2018
We finally replaced original pump in our 22 year old unit. It was always loud and occasionally would belch even when nothing was turned on. kids got us a new Flo jet which was on sale at CW. Let me tell you pumps have sure come a long way in 22 years. The new pump is so guiet we don’t know when it is on. Great upgrade.
down_home
Explorer II
Jul 24, 2018
Pumps like our well pump and used in high end mhs. I looked up the information at one time but I have forgotten it. Not cheap but no vibration and insulation will get rid of any hum from the brushless motor. Vane type pumps I think is what they are called. A bit heavier and more room required but I remember, at the time, I had plenty of room. Maybe look at reinforcing mounting area.
TeryT
Explorer
Jul 24, 2018
BurbMan wrote:
Threaded connections on the pump are standard 1/2" IPS. Go to the home center and get a standard flexible faucet supply hose with 1/2" on each end and connect it between the pump and the output line (leave the input side alone). The hose will have a female fitting on both ends, so it will connect directly to the pump. Use a short brass nipple to connect the female on the new hose to the female on the output line. No tape or pipe dope necessary as these fittings have internal washers that seal against the edge of the fitting. Hand tight only, do not overtighten.

Turn the pump on and watch the hose vibrate like crazy! You are isolating the vibrations of the pump from the hard plastic PEX plumbing in the TT. This simple mod costs about $10 and will eliminate 90+% of your pump noise. Do this before you spend $$$ on a new pump.

I also added a 2 gallon accumulator tank because I had room under the sink by the pump. This means that you can flush in the middle of the night without the pump turning on, a big plus since yours is under the bed.
Thanks. And you know, now that you mention it, I think I did the flexible hose thing! (It was over 10 years ago so I forget.) When things cool off here in Phoenix, I'll hafta dig into the front compartment and see exactly what I did do back then!
TeryT
Explorer
Jul 24, 2018
ScottG wrote:
TeryT wrote:
Trackrig wrote:
An accumulator tank will help with the noise by preventing the pump from kicking on as often. I installed a large one in the the same compartment as the water pump in the DP, very little plumbing to mess with that way. I'm having problems with where to install a large one in the 26' TT, may have to go to one of the small ones.

Bill
Many of the pumps I've looked at say NOT to use an accumulator. And the space is really tight, so not sure where I would even put one . . . but you're saying it will help with cut-on frequency, not with noise, right?

You do not want to use an accumulator with a bypass of variable speed pump. It will circumvent the way the pump is designed to work and it will actually run more. An accumulator tank is great for the standard, single speed, non-bypass pump though, like the shurflow 3 GPM pumps so many RV's come with.
Wow - a pump mounted on a sponge (as per linked picture)! That looks serious and I never would have thought of that!