Ok, so here is the deal. While boondocking, we only turn the water pump on when it's needed. The last two trips, the pump has built up enough pressure for multiple people to brush teeth, to wash dishes and the flush the toilet numerous times. After a while, we notice the pressure going down and run the pump. It will run for about two minutes and give lengthy pressure again. How and why?

sounds like your rv has a accumulator tank installed in the water system rv accumulator tank

Interesting!! I wonder whether someone installed an accumulator in your trailer. We put a small accumulator in ours -- it causes the pump to run less frequently, thus saving electricity. But it only holds about a quart. It sounds like yours holds a gallon or so?

I put one in our last TT that held a gallon. I was able to flush the toilet 18 times before running out of pressure!A two gallon would have provided even more time.It doesn't cause the pump to run less overall though. It only causes it to cycle less.

Accumulator tanks a great mod for those without one.

Learn something new everyday. Camper was new from the dealer and we never talked about an accumulator tank, nor have I ever heard of one. It's great for when the Littles get up in the middle of the night or we come in late since the pump is under the bunks.

Water Pump while Boondocking | Good Sam Community

shastagary
Explorer
Sep 04, 2019
sounds like your rv has a accumulator tank installed in the water system
rv accumulator tank
profdant139
Explorer II
Sep 04, 2019
Interesting!! I wonder whether someone installed an accumulator in your trailer. We put a small accumulator in ours -- it causes the pump to run less frequently, thus saving electricity. But it only holds about a quart. It sounds like yours holds a gallon or so?
ScottG
Nomad
Sep 04, 2019
I put one in our last TT that held a gallon. I was able to flush the toilet 18 times before running out of pressure!
A two gallon would have provided even more time.
It doesn't cause the pump to run less overall though. It only causes it to cycle less.
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Sep 04, 2019
Accumulator tanks a great mod for those without one.
badercubed
Explorer
Sep 04, 2019
Learn something new everyday.

Camper was new from the dealer and we never talked about an accumulator tank, nor have I ever heard of one. It's great for when the Littles get up in the middle of the night or we come in late since the pump is under the bunks.
Huntindog
Explorer
Sep 04, 2019
ScottG wrote:
I put one in our last TT that held a gallon. I was able to flush the toilet 18 times before running out of pressure!
A two gallon would have provided even more time.
It doesn't cause the pump to run less overall though. It only causes it to cycle less.

^^^^^ This.

The pump has a fairly high amp dray when it is running, but it's overall amp draw when boondocking is limited by the water supply. So it's total overall amp draw is not a big energy hog.. In fact it is far enough down on the list as to be insignifignant.
trail-explorer
Explorer
Sep 09, 2019
badercubed wrote:
Learn something new everyday.

Camper was new from the dealer and we never talked about an accumulator tank, nor have I ever heard of one.

But, there's no conformation your trailer has an accumulator tank until you actually see it. There could a bad check valve in the pump.
Boon_Docker
Explorer III
Sep 09, 2019
A bad check valve would do the opposite of what the OP explained. The pump would start up and shut down over and over again without any tap being turned on.
gmckenzie
Explorer
Sep 09, 2019
ScottG wrote:
I put one in our last TT that held a gallon. I was able to flush the toilet 18 times before running out of pressure!
A two gallon would have provided even more time.
It doesn't cause the pump to run less overall though. It only causes it to cycle less.

Yes, but it does mean you can turn the pump off when you go to bed, pee 18 times in the night and not have the pump that is in the cabinet next to the DW's side of the bed run in the middle of the night waking up the DW.

:)
CavemanCharlie
Explorer III
Sep 11, 2019
gmckenzie wrote:
ScottG wrote:
I put one in our last TT that held a gallon. I was able to flush the toilet 18 times before running out of pressure!
A two gallon would have provided even more time.
It doesn't cause the pump to run less overall though. It only causes it to cycle less.

Yes, but it does mean you can turn the pump off when you go to bed, pee 18 times in the night and not have the pump that is in the cabinet next to the DW's side of the bed run in the middle of the night waking up the DW.

:)

I'm a 55 year old man and I don't pee 18 times a night, maybe 3 times at the most if I'm drinking beer. If you do pee 18 times a night, see a doctor right away !!. (just kidding, I'm assuming that you were kidding too)