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Noisy Water Pump

Our water pumps get a lot of complaints, especially about the noise level. This is really true in my Foretravel; it mostly originates in the Copilot seat.  :help:
 
I have purchased my new water pump, a Shurflo 4008-101-E65 (equivalent). It is supposed to be much quieter. because of the shape of the motor housing, it looks like I could easily use some of my left over insulation. It should be straightforward to wrap a piece around the motor and secure it with a couple of zip ties.
 
Has anyone done this? Are there any downsides? The only one I can think of is heat buildup, but I can't imagine that being a severe problem in that area.
 
Also, the mounting bracket appears to be a hard plastic. What would be good for putting between the plastic mount and the Foretravel floor?

I will appreciate any comments or advice anyone is willing to share. (If you are worried about your reputation, just send me a PM.)
 
Thanks,
 
Trent

Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385

Re: Noisy Water Pump

Reply #1 –
Trent,

My understanding is the noise comes from the pulsing of the pump hammering the water into the plumbing.  The fixes I have seen involve using flexible tubing loops between the pump and the pex and also rubber isolators under the pump mounting feet.  Don't think that the insulation around the motor will help much.  Newer pumps are designed to reduce the water hammer affect.

Rich
Rich and Peggy Bowman
2002 U270 3610 WTFS, build #5939--"Freedom"
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit 4xe
SMI AirForceOne brake system
PakCanoe 15

Re: Noisy Water Pump

Reply #2 –
Quote from: TulsaTrent –
I have purchased my new water pump, a Shurflo 2008-101-E65 (equivalent).
Our ShurFlo 4008 is very quiet - we can barely hear it running when in the bathroom (right above the water pump bay).  No complaints from DW.

I installed the pump using the furnished rubber mounting bracket.  I used 2 screws at diagonal corners and left a tiny bit of slack when tightening the screws, so the rubber "feet" are not compressed.  The pump "floats" on the feet and can move very slightly when running.

I used the "Silencing Kit" to connect the pump.  I also recommend the "Strainer" which is easily added when installing the pump.

Amazon.com: SHURFLO 94-591-01 Pump Silencing Kit: Automotive

Amazon.com: SHURFLO (255-313) 1/2" Twist-On Pipe Strainer: Automotive
As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Noisy Water Pump

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
I have not heard of a ShurFlo 2008 - do you mean you purchased a 4008?
Chuck,
 
You are right; thanks, I will correct my original message.
 
BTW I feel cheated: no rubber pads (although I did get the strainer).
 
Trent
Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385

Re: Noisy Water Pump

Reply #4 –
Quote from: TulsaTrent –
BTW I feel cheated: no rubber pads...
Your first post said ShurFlo 4008-101-E65 (equivalent).  Did you purchase a "genuine" ShurFlo 4008, or a "exact replacement" copy?
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Noisy Water Pump

Reply #5 –
Our pump makes noise while pumping but I like that as it's a reminder to turn it off. I never leave the coach with it turned on and also turn it off at night. The pressure tank gives us quite a bit of water with the pump off.

Pierce 
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Noisy Water Pump

Reply #6 –
I don't mind listening to my water pump, I don't mind listening to anything in the RV that is running properly.
I spend soooooo much time listening or thinking I hear something that ARE NOT running right hearing something run correctly is a welcome sound.
1995 U320C SE 40'
Jeep 4x4 Commander - Limited - Hemi
"The Pack"  Yogi and Diesel our Airedales -  Charlie our Boxer/Akita mix. Gone but NEVER forgotten Jake our yellow Lab.
NRA Law Enforcement Firearms instructor - Handgun/shotgun
Regional Firearms instructor for national Armored Transp. Co.

Re: Noisy Water Pump

Reply #7 –
I installed a ShurFlo 4008 in our coach last week. You can hear it running, but only when it's fairly quiet inside. This was a huge improvement over the noisemaker variable speed Flotec that would never completely stop running; a failure-prone design that would have gotten the axe much sooner, but I had to rule out a leaky tank fill valve first. I used Versilon polyurethane tubing to plumb the pump. Kind of pricey, but once you've used this stuff the hardware store tubing doesn't cut it. McMaster-Carr

BTW, Chuck, that is one sweet wet bay. I cleaned ours up, but it doesn't look that good. Impressive ^.^d

Greg
Greg & Cathy
2000 U320 4010 DGFE Build #5650
Had: 1999 Tradewinds 7370

Re: Noisy Water Pump

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
Did you purchase a "genuine" ShurFlo 4008, or a "exact replacement" copy?
It does not have a Shurflo label on it. I bought it from an Amazon seller, Qiilu. The item was called "Qiilu 4008-101-E65 Automatic Demand Pump Classic RV Pump 55 PSI 3 Gallons." The price was $46.59 +$4.15 tax for $50.74 total. The pictures showed the strainer and the two barbed hose attachments, and they were included. The model number was: NMDPP 42-G30-55-12. Their website now says it is not available. (The next lowest price I found on Amazon was $54.xx )
 
Trent
Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385

Re: Noisy Water Pump

Reply #9 –
Quote from: TulsaTrent –
It does not have a ShurFlo label on it.
I won't second guess your choice, but I did notice that the genuine ShurFlo pump is only $10 more. 

I went out and looked at our ShurFlo 4008 pump to refresh my memory.  Appearently my pump did not come with rubber pads as I posted up above.  Actually, the whole mounting bracket on my pump is made of rubber.  The mount is flexible, so very little of the movement or vibration generated by the pump is transmitted to the mounting surface.  I also added additional rubber pads (from my shop stash) under the mounting feet for extra noise insulation.

If your mounting bracket is rubber it should work fine.  If it is hard plastic, it might be a good idea to add some rubber pads under the feet before screwing them down.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Noisy Water Pump

Reply #10 –
Coming back to this subject, my coach has an Aquajet 5503-4v15-b636 pump.  It was pretty quiet and then we ran the fresh tank out of water.  When we got home, I threw 20 gallons or so in it, just to have some water in the tank and now I notice the pump is much noisier than before.  Watching the pump run, there is some aeration in the inlet screen filter.  I also found some plastic bits in the inlet filter, which I have cleaned out, but now I'm thinking maybe there's a restriction in the tank fitting?

I found the current Remco Aquajet 5gpm replacement for my pump online (REMCO PowerRV Series Aquajet 5.3 GPM Freshwater Pump | Camping World) and while reading the install/troubleshooting pages, I do see where it says the pump should have 2GPM gravity flow from the tank.  Since my tank level is fairly low, when disconnecting the line from the pump, there is no water coming out of my line.  Could this be my issue?

If so, I suppose just filling the tank some would provide some water to the pump and maybe the noise will stop.  The outlet of the pump already has a piece of hose (not hard line) which is supposed to help with the noise, and the pump is mounted on a bracket that is rubber mounted to the compartment floor.

Here's a short video:  http://youtu.be/tWAC8UDzjMw
Keith
2003 U320 38' #6197

Re: Noisy Water Pump

Reply #11 –

Not sure Keith but I would add more water and see if that makes a difference I'd also try to get the air out of that filter but an additional flow through the pump may do that for you. How old is your pump? They do age just like us.
I replace mine with a shurflo
Amazon.com: Shurflo 4048153E75 Electric Water Pump: Automotive
It's not the quietest pump out there but I like it I like to hear the pump run. I only run off pump and tank and being able to hear the pump tells me that there's a leak if I'm not actually using one of the faucets.

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
'99 U320 40 WTFE
Build #5462,
1500 Watts Solar 600 amp Victron lithium
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Hemi
Instagram bobfnbw
Retired

Re: Noisy Water Pump

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Journey, Roam, Explore –
Not sure Keith but I would add more water and see if that makes a difference I'd also try to get the air out of that filter but an additional flow through the pump may do that for you. How old is your pump? They do age just like us.
I replace mine with a shurflo
Amazon.com: Shurflo 4048153E75 Electric Water Pump: Automotive
It's not the quietest pump out there but I like it I like to hear the pump run. I only run off pump and tank and being able to hear the pump tells me that there's a leak if I'm not actually using one of the faucets.
Yes, we only run off the pump and I have to have a pump that I can hear cycle for the same reason.

Pierce
As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Noisy Water Pump

Reply #13 –
Quote from: Journey, Roam, Explore –
Not sure Keith but I would add more water and see if that makes a difference...
Yup, that's next.  I took the inlet off the pump today and blew some compressed air back into the fresh tank to clear any potential blockage.  I could see the bubbles in the fresh tank and it appears to be right at the top of the fitting, so there isn't much in there.  When I pull the coach out this weekend, I'll put a bunch in the tank and see what happens.
Keith
2003 U320 38' #6197

Re: Noisy Water Pump

Reply #14 –
I thought I'd follow up here as I found a major source of noise last week.  After installing the SeeLevel system and a new fresh water reel in the coach, I spent a little time checking for leaks with some cover panels off.  I found that one of the big noise makers in the water pump system is the Pex line coming from the fill reel under the black tank.  The black and gray tanks are on what look to be about 2" tall pedestals, and the line is run under them.  Where this line came out, it would vibrate with the pulsing of the pump and tap the basement floor and the side of the opening in the pedestals, which transmitted the noise to the tanks.  I simply stuffed a rag in that opening and around the Pex line and almost all of the noise went away.  You can see this at the bottom right corner of the attached picture.

Might be worth looking at if you are experiencing a noisy water pump as well.
Keith
2003 U320 38' #6197

Re: Noisy Water Pump

Reply #15 –
Simplicity - brilliant.

Re: Noisy Water Pump

Reply #16 –
FYI, years ago we removed all water compartment cover panels and don't have them anymore. Space can be used and we can see problems before they show up other ways. Important to catch leaks etc.