Fresh Water Pump

Topic: Fresh Water Pump (Read 2295 times) previous topic - next topic

Fresh Water Pump

February 17, 2019, 06:45:42 pm

What is the best water pump to use for pressure on the fresh water system without having to use an accumulator tank.
John M.

Re: Fresh Water Pump

Reply #1 – February 17, 2019, 07:04:32 pm

John,we replaced ours with a Shurflo,will get the model but I talked to their customer service and there is no need for a tank,ours
works fine.

Re: Fresh Water Pump

Reply #2 – February 17, 2019, 07:12:07 pm

We also went with SureFlo. AquaJet is also a good choice.
SureFlo
jor

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Re: Fresh Water Pump

Reply #3 – February 18, 2019, 12:47:00 pm

Shurflo 4008 or 4048

Water Delivery | RV

Re: Fresh Water Pump

Reply #4 – February 18, 2019, 04:51:47 pm

Just replaced mine with a new Remco Aquajet 5.3 GPM unit.

Re: Fresh Water Pump

Reply #5 – February 18, 2019, 07:43:21 pm

Why would you not want an accumulator tank?? They really do save a lot of cycles on the pump, and that is what wears out a pump sooner than necessary. I put a larger than original in our coach and it really cuts a lot of wear and tear off of the pump. Have a great day ---- Fritz

Re: Fresh Water Pump

Reply #6 – February 18, 2019, 08:01:24 pm

We have a sure flow with no tank but I ordered a tank to add on (haven't done it yet) to avoid the surging of the pump on low flow. I don't like the system with no tank.

Re: Fresh Water Pump

Reply #7 – February 18, 2019, 08:05:48 pm

Reply to reply #5,less fittings,less leaks.

Re: Fresh Water Pump

Reply #8 – February 18, 2019, 11:55:38 pm

We have the Shurflo 4008 and later added a small black plastic Shurflo accumulator with a couple of flexible hose connections. Pump and accumulator is not fastened down. Seemed that a small accumulator helps, but is not required.

Re: Fresh Water Pump

Reply #9 – February 19, 2019, 08:53:47 am

Agree 100% with Barry. I installed a new 4008 pump, and removed the blue pressure tank. Tried it for a while, but not happy with the way pump had to run every time, the instant a water faucet was opened. Reinstalled the blue tank - now much happier. The pump works fine either way, but operation seems to be much more "relaxed" working in tandem with a pressure tank. Just a subjective opinion, of course.

Re: Fresh Water Pump

Reply #10 – February 19, 2019, 09:17:07 am

One other thought about pressure tanks. They may provide a secondary function of damping the pressure fluctuations in the hot water tank caused by the heating cycle. I have seen reports of RV owners having a problem with hot water dribbling out of the pressure relief valve on the water heater. Seems this can happen when the water heater is 100% full and there is no "air gap" in the tank. With a pressure tank, you probably don't need to worry about maintaining the air gap in your water heater. One less thing to keep you from kicking back and enjoying a cold one!

Go to the link below, and read down to the bottom of the very helpful article, where "air gap" is explained:

RV Water Heater Troubleshooting - Simple Maintenance Will Save You Money! -

Re: Fresh Water Pump

Reply #11 – February 19, 2019, 07:39:53 pm

May be a good idea to have a spare relief valve handy,they are not made to be opened and closed alot and may not reseal.

Re: Fresh Water Pump

Reply #12 – February 19, 2019, 07:51:22 pm

But, they can be found in most hardware stores. Not sure they would make my "top 100 parts" list.

Re: Fresh Water Pump

Reply #13 – February 19, 2019, 07:55:55 pm

I installed the new style Surflo. Added the tank back (PO took it out) Granted the pump ran less, but when it ran, it ran longer then just the short squirts when flushing.
Took the tank back out.Works way better IMHO.
Home depot sells the tank with no mounts $39.00. I have one if someone needs one.
Chris

Re: Fresh Water Pump

Reply #14 – February 19, 2019, 08:38:35 pm

Quote from: wolfe10 – February 19, 2019, 07:51:22 pm

But, they can be found in most hardware stores.

When I went hunting for a replacement valve, the local "usual suspect" big box stores did not stock a valve with 1/2" pipe thread. Seems most residential hot water heaters use a larger thread size. Having one on hand in a emergency situation may save you some time...or not...depending on local inventories.

0121325 - Watts 0121325 - 1/2" LF1XL-4 T&P Relief Valve, Lead Free (150 psi)

Re: Fresh Water Pump

Reply #15 – February 19, 2019, 10:32:40 pm

I'm currently running a tank with my pump but I'm not happy with the pressure I get when opening the faucets. Also pressure gets very low before pump kicks in. I'll have to check the tank air pressure and make sure it's not leaking. Everyone thanks for the input. Maybe I'll keep the tank and upgrade the pump. To be continued.
John M.

Re: Fresh Water Pump

Reply #16 – February 19, 2019, 11:02:15 pm

Short cycling electric motors can build heat in the windings with inadequate run time. I replaced my accumulator tank because the bladder had a leak and it was waterlogged and not accumulating. As for the water heater the check valve on my constant speed pump won't allow for thermal expansion when the water heater starts up cold if the accumulator is waterlogged or way too small, and hopefully leaks out the relief valve. Variable speed pumps may not need or have a check valve as there is no accumulator (but my guess is it has one). Said another way if there no check valve on a variable speed pump with an accumulator the pump motor could be made to spin backwards as the accumulator now starts to push the water back to the fresh water tank and really pull inrush amps if it's still coasting backwards. You paid to pressure up the system. I kinda prefer the simple constant speed stupid pump/accumulator for these reasons. Just my 2 cents. Spare relief valve may make a trip more pleasant if it fails due to a check valve, waterlogged accumulator, closed inlet valve. And never exercise the relief valve as prudent, on a trip or if you don't have a spare valve. Cause when exercised they typically fail open. Most home or building inspectors won't touch releif valves for this reason.

Re: Fresh Water Pump

Reply #17 – February 20, 2019, 12:25:08 am

We use a small plastic Shurflo accumulator, bigger may not be as good. Also we buy Atwood part Temp-Press release valve. Pump worked ok without accumulator.

Re: Fresh Water Pump

Reply #18 – February 20, 2019, 12:29:39 am

Shurflo 4048 & 4008 are NOT variable speed. They do their low flow control feature with a spring loaded internal bypass that flows out back to in. We also plumbed Temp-Press valve to outside of compartment through the floor hole that the hot/cold/fresh dumping goes to the ground.at the hot/cold/fresh dumping goes to the ground.

Re: Fresh Water Pump

Reply #19 – February 20, 2019, 01:26:19 am

Barry that makes sense tiny accumulator to help dampen pump pressure pulses and absorb the expansion from the water heater would be a very desireable feature. Bypass would allow tighter control pressure regulation. Obviously it has a check valve on the inlet. Mistook varible output flow via bypass, as variable rpm.

Re: Fresh Water Pump

Reply #20 – February 20, 2019, 08:25:40 am

Quote from: Barry & Cindy – February 20, 2019, 12:25:08 am

Also we buy Atwood part Temp-Press release valve.

Available from Amazon for a better price than the link I posted above (Reply #14).

Amazon.com: Atwood 91604 1/2" Relief Valve: Automotive

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Re: Fresh Water Pump

Reply #21 – February 20, 2019, 09:43:51 am

John,

Suspect you already know this, but to check/pressurize accumulator pressure:

Turn off pump and shore water.
Open faucet to bleed off pressure
You will need a small screwdriver, standard automotive tire gauge and either bicycle air pump or other air source.

Remove the plastic cap from the tank valve stem.
Momentarily touch the tip of the screwdriver to the center stem-- just long enough to verify that you are getting AIR, not water out. If water, the accumulator is dead and needs to be replaced.

Correct PSI is pump CUT-IN PSI less 2 PSI. So for the old pumps with 25 PSI cut-in PSI, 23 PSI.

Re: Fresh Water Pump

Reply #22 – February 20, 2019, 04:56:05 pm

Thanks Brett! Will check the tank.
John M.

Re: Fresh Water Pump

Reply #23 – February 20, 2019, 05:56:18 pm

All that's needed is a vertical chamber in the pressure side of the line. A 3 in by 6in pipe with a tight cap will soften the pump pulse action. The pump may last longer and will make less noise and the shower will feel smoother.

Re: Fresh Water Pump

Reply #24 – February 20, 2019, 06:03:23 pm

Yup, a homemade accumulator.

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