Water Pump Was Left On

[joeshmoe]

Apparently, my wife bumped the switch and never noticed it. She was cleaning and tidying up with the A/C on and didn't hear the pump. Later, I went inside, saw the switch light on. Reached under the step and placed my hand on it. HOT! Real hot. Must have been running for a good 2 or 3 hours non-stop. I shut it off and and let it cool. Put some water in the tank turned and it on. Seems ok, except it seems to cycle a lot more often now. So, how much life was taken off of it? Should I go buy another to keep on hand just to be safe? It's almost brand new. Not much use at all.

Seems like a good reason to not completely drain the FW tank again

[joeshmoe]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
From my reading of OPs initial post......

Noticed switch light was ON. reached under stair (where water pump is in TC) and it (motor) was HOT
Pump was turned on accidentally with no water in fresh water tank ("Seems like a good reason to not completely drain the FW tank again")

Yes, sir. Correct.

bobndot wrote:

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.

Thanks, bob. I'll consider those.

[kohldad]

I wouldn't worry about. Have run pumps dry on multiple units, my father did it for over a week on his fifth wheel. Have only ever replaced one water pump and that was back in the 70s on my father's old Franklin TC.

Odds are if it is cycling with air purged and no leaks, it may have gotten a piece of trash in the check valve or it is sticking from the heat build up.

Following the parts diagram, you can easily take the pump mechanism apart to check the valve.

In regard to carrying a spare, I wouldn't as space and weight is too much of a premium. Not sure about yours, but if my pump did go out, it would just be an inconvenience since I can still get water from the drain valve at the back of my camper even with it on the truck. So it wouldn't ruin the camping trip until I made it to a camping store. Couple of wire nuts, two hose clamps, and two mounting screws so can change it on the road with "ease". (well as easy as I could at home).

[Old-Biscuit]

From my reading of OPs initial post......

Noticed switch light was ON. reached under stair (where water pump is in TC) and it (motor) was HOT
Pump was turned on accidentally with no water in fresh water tank ("Seems like a good reason to not completely drain the FW tank again")

[billtex]

Unless there is a leak somewhere in the system, leaving the pump "on" shouldn't do much of anything. Once the system is pressurized the pump will stop running.
We have left ours on overnight (late night bathroom run) occasionaly and it almost never cycles.

Did you have any leaks?

[ScottG]

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.

[Fiverwheel]

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

[bobndot]

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.

[joeshmoe]

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]

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

[joeshmoe]

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

[Old-Biscuit]

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

[pjay9]

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]

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?

[joeshmoe]

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.