I'm preparing for my first trip in my newly-resurrected Allegro. It had been sitting for a very long time so I replaced the moldy freshwater tank fill tubes and sanitized the system. I noticed that with all faucets turned on at once, water slows to a trickle. I guess that's okay, because when do you have them all on at the same time for an extended period of time anyway? But, I also noticed that with just the shower on, the pump will eventually fall behind so that there's not enough pressure to feed the shower head. If I shut it off and let it build back up, it's okay again for a few seconds and drops off. Ditto at the other faucets.I also noticed that as pressure drops off, it sputters like it's getting air from somewhere. I don't have any leaks that I can find where air would be introduced to the system.So....are these symptoms of a weak/dying pump? They're cheap enough to replace, but I don't want to swap it out and find that I have the same problem.

Do a quick search for accumulator or expansion tank on this site and you'll read about similar issues and the solution (hint, accumulator)The air sputtering can be low water in tank, pickup tube not on bottom of tank, h/w tank has air in it, leaks, outside shower head, etc.

DiskDoctr wrote:Do a quick search for accumulator or expansion tank on this site and you'll read about similar issues and the solution (hint, accumulator)The air sputtering can be low water in tank, pickup tube not on bottom of tank, h/w tank has air in it, leaks, outside shower head, etc.Thanks. I'll search on that.Water tank is full, HW tank was purged, no outside shower head. I guess I could have a leak somewhere. It's an old rig so the plumbing isn't terribly complicated. With the faucets off, the pump will build pressure and shut off, so I don't think there are leaks.

I would ask myself if I would ever be turning on every tap in the RV at the same time. If you have enough pressure for one or two at the same time then your probably good to go.However, if you need more volume or pressure for an extended period of time (like taking a shower) then and accumulator tank is not going to help. You need a better pump. I would suggest one of the variable speed "Sensor" pumps (don't use an accumulator tank with those) for high volume and smooth flow.

Upgrade to a more GPM (gallons per minute) pump. Or check your filters for being plugged. More likely the latter.

I would check the screen filter on end of pump also.

On-demand water pump? | Good Sam Community

DiskDoctr
Explorer
Jun 25, 2014
Do a quick search for accumulator or expansion tank on this site and you'll read about similar issues and the solution (hint, accumulator)

The air sputtering can be low water in tank, pickup tube not on bottom of tank, h/w tank has air in it, leaks, outside shower head, etc.
turbojimmy
Explorer
Jun 25, 2014
DiskDoctr wrote:
Do a quick search for accumulator or expansion tank on this site and you'll read about similar issues and the solution (hint, accumulator)

The air sputtering can be low water in tank, pickup tube not on bottom of tank, h/w tank has air in it, leaks, outside shower head, etc.

Thanks. I'll search on that.

Water tank is full, HW tank was purged, no outside shower head. I guess I could have a leak somewhere. It's an old rig so the plumbing isn't terribly complicated. With the faucets off, the pump will build pressure and shut off, so I don't think there are leaks.
ScottG
Nomad
Jun 25, 2014
I would ask myself if I would ever be turning on every tap in the RV at the same time. If you have enough pressure for one or two at the same time then your probably good to go.
However, if you need more volume or pressure for an extended period of time (like taking a shower) then and accumulator tank is not going to help. You need a better pump. I would suggest one of the variable speed "Sensor" pumps (don't use an accumulator tank with those) for high volume and smooth flow.
2ndhom
Explorer
Jun 25, 2014
Upgrade to a more GPM (gallons per minute) pump. Or check your filters for being plugged. More likely the latter.
rvten
Explorer
Jun 25, 2014
I would check the screen filter on end of pump also.
turbojimmy
Explorer
Jun 25, 2014
Didn't know there was a filter....off to check that now!
2010Liberty
Explorer
Jun 25, 2014
also check the screens on the faucets. Leave them off and run water through the system. use caution as they will spray everywhere on full flow.
turbojimmy
Explorer
Jul 24, 2014
So I checked the input on the pump and there's no screen. I didn't check the outlet so I need to do that.

Went "dry camping" this past weekend and left the pump on the whole time. It would run for about 2 seconds every half-hour or so. This was particularly annoying at night since the pump is under the bed in the back bedroom. When flushing the toilet, air would come out first then water. Faucets seem to work normally, but they'd vent air more quickly than the toilet I'd think. I looked everywhere for leaks but I didn't find any. Logic would dictate that a leak somewhere would cause the pump to run occasionally, right?
fcooper
Explorer
Jul 24, 2014
I think there is a check valve on the inlet of the pump to prevent back flow. If that valve leaks slightly, the pump will come on to build pressure again.

On some trips, mine runs the 2 seconds every 30 minutes, and then sometimes it works great without cycling. I think some trash in that valve could cause the cycling. When it's doing the cycling thing, we just turn off the pump at bedtime.

Your lack of sufficient flow in the shower leads me to believe it may be time for a new pump, but of course I'm guessing.

Let us know what you find.

Fred
oldchief7155
Explorer
Jul 24, 2014
You do have a small leak somewhere for the pump to be kicking on. I concur that a new higher GPM pump is probably in order.

A new Oxygenics shower head will also amaze you. About $25.