First off if this isn't the correct subforum I apologize. Anyway, I tried to do some searching on this and didn't see an answer. My question is about how my water pump runs. 2009 Outback 268rl with a never used fresh water tank and pump until we took possession of it last fall. We used it for the first time this week. The pump sounds pulsatile instead of continuous if that makes sense. It also seemed much louder than I thought would. The water pressure seems adequate. I've tried to figure out where it is mounted. I think it is underneath the camper. There doesn't seem to be an easy way to access it. And yes, I read my owner's manual but it doesn't tell me where it's located just that it's a SureFlo.Many thanks.

The pump is usually located in a cabinet or behind a panel.The pump is silent but can cause noise due to vibration of the pipes. There is a pump silence kit you can buy for around $20.If it is pulsing there is probably an adjustment screw in the head of the pump.

Does it run better with the faucet On all the way? Some pumps will cycle on and off to maintain pressure when the flow is too low to run continuous. Variable speed pumps usually just slow down as to not cycle like that.

The way you describe your pump matches how the pumps on every RV I've had sound and work.With one exception like SCVJeff above mentioned. If you have the faucet on all the way the pump should run continuously. If it's not then an adjustment may be needed.It will pulse when the faucet or shower handles are partially opened.

The water pump itself actually doesn't make much noise at all but due to inadequate installation is noticed as very noisy in operation because what little vibration the pump does make radiates out through the water lines connected to it and is amplified wherever these lines may contact the floor, walls, cabinet panels, etc. The key is to isolate both the pump itself and the lines, most particularly the output line. Shurflo's so-called pump "silencer kit" is actually quite ineffective as it consists of just two 3' long braided hoses but to effectively dampen pump vibration the output hose needs to be much longer. 15' will do in most applications, I used 25' and my Shurflo Revlolution is now so quiet in operation I had to add a light to the pump circuit so I'd know when it's running. :BSilent Water Pump Operation (pics & video).

the bear II wrote:The way you describe your pump matches how the pumps on every RV I've had sound and work.THIS.Many sound like a small jack hammer.I have never heard one that is silent. The noise can be worse if there is air in the lines. Purge them all to be sure, if you haven't already.Many are mounted at the back of a side storage bin.There are several threads on here about this already.

Water pump question | Good Sam Community

Sam_Spade
Explorer
Jul 23, 2016
SoundGuy wrote:
Point is, owners blame the pumps for all the racket when it's the installation that's at fault. ;)

OK would you kindly explain how an improper installation will CREATE vibration noise if there is none there to begin with; that is, the pump itself does not create the vibrations when it runs ?? If the pump does not create the vibration and noise, what DOES ??
Sam_Spade
Explorer
Jul 23, 2016
SoundGuy wrote:
It's the installation that makes all the difference.

You are the guy that's going to try and tell us that it is all in the pipes.....right ?? WRONG.

When you can hold the pump in your hand while it's running and it makes your arm numb up to the elbow after running about 3 seconds......IT IS THE VIBRATIONS IN THE PUMP THAT IS THE PROBLEM.

Anything that transmits that vibration to the body of the coach just amplifies the problem.

So yes, a dumb installation will make matters worse but to have a really bad situation you have to start with a noisy pump in the first place.
RJsfishin
Explorer
Jul 22, 2016
Mont G&J wrote:
The pump will be mounted above the fresh water tank.

Maybe some are, but every one I've ever seen is on the same floor plane as the tank, or below. IMO, above tank mounting would be a "wrong" installation, it would have to prime itself every time it runs out of water. On my Rexall the pump is 4 inches below the bottom of the tank.
skiles
Explorer
Jul 22, 2016
SoundGuy wrote:
The water pump itself actually doesn't make much noise at all but due to inadequate installation is noticed as very noisy in operation because what little vibration the pump does make radiates out through the water lines connected to it and is amplified wherever these lines may contact the floor, walls, cabinet panels, etc. The key is to isolate both the pump itself and the lines, most particularly the output line. Shurflo's so-called pump "silencer kit" is actually quite ineffective as it consists of just two 3' long braided hoses but to effectively dampen pump vibration the output hose needs to be much longer. 15' will do in most applications, I used 25' and my Shurflo Revlolution is now so quiet in operation I had to add a light to the pump circuit so I'd know when it's running. :B

Thanks. That link is quite helpful. Now I'm on a mission to find this pump. I must not have checked behind the correct panel yet.
SoundGuy
Explorer
Jul 22, 2016
SoundGuy wrote:
It's not the pump itself that's noisy but the installation which is almost always inadequate. Anyone can prove this to themselves by sitting any one of these pumps on their workbench and running it . . .

TechWriter wrote:
Which pumps have you tested?

Shurflo Classic (3 different units), Shurflo WhisperKing, Shurflo Revolution, ARTIS (which I now use for my Fresh Water Transfer Pump), Flojet (sorry, forgotten model #), and several utility 12 vdc water pumps. None made much noise to speak of on the workbench (other than what one would expect from any electric motor) but improperly installed any could rattle your teeth, even the so-called "WhisperKing". Point is, owners blame the pumps for all the racket when it's the installation that's at fault. ;)
skiles
Explorer
Jul 22, 2016
Wow! Thanks to all for the replies. That's some good information. Next time I have some AC on in there I'm going to do some more in depth searching for the pump location. There certainly seems like there is a vibratory component with the noise. My parents had boats growing up and I don't recall it sounding like it does in our camper.

I was thinking the pump would be easier to find since some people use it to winterize.

Again, thanks to all for the discussion/info.
TechWriter
Explorer
Jul 22, 2016
SoundGuy wrote:

It's not the pump itself that's noisy but the installation which is almost always inadequate. Anyone can prove this to themselves by sitting any one of these pumps on their workbench and running it . . .

Which pumps have you tested?

Yes, installation is crucial. I think the mounting surface and pump connections are most important. However, the pump itself also matters.

I believe most pump manufacturers recommend flexible pipe on a pump's input & output. However, as noted in other forum threads, some RV makers run PEX right into a pump. Bad mojo.

Also, to mount a pump, I'd recommend compression mounts like this:

Here's my water pump install.
2chiefsRus
Explorer
Jul 22, 2016
SoundGuy wrote:
2chiefsRus wrote:
not all water pumps are created equally. I just started a thread about DH replacing our pump with a new one that is MUCH quieter than the original.

Of course each water pump has it's own characteristics but put the two you have side by side on a workbench and you'll notice very little difference. It's the installation that makes all the difference.

that may be the case some of the time but in our particular case, we took one out and put the other in its place. DH says it is the internal mechanism on the new pump that is making it so distinctly quieter.
SoundGuy
Explorer
Jul 22, 2016
2chiefsRus wrote:
not all water pumps are created equally. I just started a thread about DH replacing our pump with a new one that is MUCH quieter than the original.

Of course each water pump has it's own characteristics but put the two you have side by side on a workbench and you'll notice very little difference. It's the installation that makes all the difference.
2chiefsRus
Explorer
Jul 22, 2016
not all water pumps are created equally. I just started a thread about DH replacing our pump with a new one that is MUCH quieter than the original. Look at my post for more information.

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