Water Pump Was Left On

Old-Biscuit wrote:
My GF has a very acute nose......if she smells anything I have to find it/fix it otherwise I don't get any sleep.

Good side.......no odors in 5vr batteries are not boiling, propane doesn't leak, all vents work, all water barriers work, all seals work)
Bad side.......she has a nose like a blood hound

Surely, she must understand that these campers are constant work-in-progress. No matter how much preventative maintenance and repairs are done, errant odors and sounds are bound to sneak up at any moment.

wnjj wrote:
I went out to my shop one day to find the pump running. I had no idea how long but it had been weeks since I parked it. The tank was low, but not out and when enough water dripped from the faucet or evaporated it started up.

That was a few years ago and it still works but loses prime every time the camper is moved. I have to manually prime it using the winterizing valve. It could be just a coincidence.

Hasn't lost it's ability to prime but I'm not too concerned after all the replies. Really, what's the worst that can happen? It goes out and I end up replacing it anyway?

If I am correct: A pump with a rotating impeller would have wear issues from running dry and the transfered heat from the motor will have contributed to the issue. Ran in to this on many boats fresh water systems over the years. Get new impeller and plate and gasket. Clean armature too (see below).
AND use this type of pump as your back up...replace it with the diapram type, less problems in the long run.

With the newer style diaphram pump there shoudn't be an issue other than the armature and brushes may be a bit discolored/tranished which acts as a non-conductor and will impede smooth operation of the motor. this tarnish come over time and incidents like yours. It is easy to pull all of it apart, ususally pull of the pump head 3 to 6 screws then 4 long rod screws/bolts to slide out the armature use a very fine emery cloth to clean, maybe lube the bearings if you can and slip it all back together...Voila it works better! BTW clean the diapram while it is off too...soap and water should do the trick.
There you go. Which type do you have?

joeshmoe wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:
My GF has a very acute nose......if she smells anything I have to find it/fix it otherwise I don't get any sleep.

Good side.......no odors in 5vr batteries are not boiling, propane doesn't leak, all vents work, all water barriers work, all seals work)
Bad side.......she has a nose like a blood hound

Surely, she must understand that these campers are constant work-in-progress. No matter how much preventative maintenance and repairs are done, errant odors and sounds are bound to sneak up at any moment.

7 yrs. FT..traveling weekly.
No odors cause the stuff that keeps odors out works and a multi-stage charging systems maintains batteries so they don't boil

I think it is a diaphragm type. Stand by.....

Old-Biscuit wrote:

joeshmoe wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:
My GF has a very acute nose......if she smells anything I have to find it/fix it otherwise I don't get any sleep.

Good side.......no odors in 5vr batteries are not boiling, propane doesn't leak, all vents work, all water barriers work, all seals work)
Bad side.......she has a nose like a blood hound

Surely, she must understand that these campers are constant work-in-progress. No matter how much preventative maintenance and repairs are done, errant odors and sounds are bound to sneak up at any moment.

7 yrs. FT..traveling weekly.
No odors cause the stuff that keeps odors out works and a multi-stage charging systems maintains batteries so they don't boil

In other words, she "nose" better. You realize that you've placed yourself in this position, don't you? :B

Shurflo Revolution 4008 diaphragm pump.

Website says

The 4008 REVOLUTION™ fresh water automatic demand pump is super quiet, thermally protected and can run dry without damage.

GuessI shoulda looked there first. Oh well.


On to the next issue....

joeshmoe wrote:
Should I go buy another to keep on hand just to be safe ?

It's not a bad idea for the price of a backup pump to have on hand.

I spent more on gasoline having to drive out of the woods to go find a water pump than it would have been to buy both pump and regulator to have on hand.
A pump Flojet $45.00 and a regulator change-over valve
are two good backups to have.
You could always hold onto them to use on another rv down the road.

If your switch wsas hot I would think it prudent to check the wiring size. Sounds like too small wire!

If the switch was hot then it's the switch that is creating the heat - unless the wires were super hot (not likely).

The switches are cheap and often rated higher than they can carry for extended periods. It's also possible the switch has gone bad. If it got hot then I'd replace it.