Forum Discussion

Calicajun's avatar
Calicajun
Explorer
Jul 08, 2015

12 Volt Water Pump Keeps Running

This has not been my week for trailer repairs, lot of little things to fix. So far the repairs I have made are working out fine but there is always that one item.

For some reason the water pump is not shutting off. It stays on just a little bit, not like when you open a faucet just a very low humming it never did before now. Also don't seem to have the water pressure I think the trailer should deliver. In fact the outside shower doesn't get more than a drop or two of water and that is both before and after replacing the shower valve unit (another repair story).
Can't find any leaks now after going through and tightening every fitting that could be found. Let the pump run for a few minutes to see if I could spot water building up somewhere in or under the trailer but found nothing. Didn't see any water build up the four days camping when connected to city water either. City water pressure is better than pump pressure but not a whole lot better.

Any ideas of suggestions. I hate the thought of having to take the trailer in to a RV service repair shop.

Thanks,
Craig
  • randot's avatar
    randot
    Explorer
    Jul 20, 2015
    Had the same problem, turns out it was a crack in the three way winterization valve allowing air into the suction side of the pump. I had already purchased an upgrade to the pump thinking that was the problem. Now I have a spare pump.
  • Calicajun's avatar
    Calicajun
    Explorer
    Jul 10, 2015
    :)
    We did it (forum members and me), the TT is working back to the way it is suppose to work. Water now comes out of all facets, the 12V pump now shuts off when it is suppose to when no water is running. Found that the no water problem was caused by the filter attached to the 12V pump. It had both debris and allege in the filter. The pump running all the time was cause by a loose fitting on the intake side of the pump. I was 99.99% sure I had tighten all fitting but this one was so loose that I don't know how it wasn't spraying water all over the place. Just have to watch out for that .01% next time.


    The fresh water tank now has no smell or taste to the water. Keeping the water fresh will be an on going project. Or maybe a lot more camping just to keep the water fresh.

    Added foil tape to the A/C ducts filling all the gaps and leaks. May not make a difference but it makes me feel little better about the A/C unit.


    Again thanks to all for the help,
    Craig
  • GMandJM's avatar
    GMandJM
    Explorer
    Jul 09, 2015
    Let us know what you find. We have a bet going:

    jhalf thinks it's the pump and I think it's something in the lines. :B
  • fallsrider's avatar
    fallsrider
    Explorer
    Jul 09, 2015
    myrvhasnotv wrote:
    My new TT had low pressure. It was plastic junk left in the lines from the build. Take off all the screens at the faucets and shower plus the low point drains and run city water to try to clean the lines.
    When I dewinterize in the spring, I remove the screens to flush out the antifreeze. I soak the screens in undiluted white vinegar for an hour or so to clean them, as well. For the two springs I have done this, there was a little sediment in the screens. The first spring was the worst, as I don't think the previous owner ever removed the screens.

    I use one of those Camco in-line water filters (that you attach to the hose bib at the camp site) both at the camp site, and at home when filling the fresh water tank. But sediment still comes from somewhere. Not a lot, but it is still there.
  • opnspaces's avatar
    opnspaces
    Navigator II
    Jul 09, 2015
    I'm with the clogged aerator screens on the faucets crowd. My brothers popup had the exact symptoms you described with the low pump that wouldn't turn off and no water flow.

    It's an easy fix and you don't even have to wait until tomorrow. Just walk over to the kitchen faucet, unscrew the screen out of the end of it and turn on the faucet. I'll bet you get a big whoosh of air and then your water flow will be back at that faucet. Then clean the screen and reinstall it and move to the next screen. It's an easy 2 minute job that you get to do standing up as if you were washing your hands. :)
  • rbpru's avatar
    rbpru
    Explorer II
    Jul 09, 2015
    My pump has a square 2" x 2" filter right at the input hose. It is little more than a wire screen to catch large chunks out of the fresh water tank.

    Almost all the faucets should have an aerator screen that can clog.

    I would be suspicious if I connected the city water hose with no regulator and still did not have home type flow out of the TT taps.
  • GMandJM's avatar
    GMandJM
    Explorer
    Jul 09, 2015
    jHalf just told me to add that the pump noise you heard might be a broken impeller "freewheeling". That would probably lead to no water at all though.

    And that your wife is obviously a very smart woman and that you should listen to her and get a water filter. :R
  • GMandJM's avatar
    GMandJM
    Explorer
    Jul 09, 2015
    Calicajun wrote:
    City water pressure is better than pump pressure but not a whole lot better.


    Using the city water line usually by-passes your water pump, and it's interesting that you have low water pressure on both city and fresh water.

    Sounds more like something restricting your water flow, which is why I asked about a filter or filtration system.

    If your water has a horribly foul odor, it could be you got something (sand/silt/algae) in your fresh tank that has clogged up all of the screens on your faucets and pump.

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