Water pump lesson learned

BBQ Judge · 05-07-2014, 04:15 PM

While preparing for a trip today, after using the fresh water pump, it would not shut off, just kept running. I shut it off while looking for the problem. My first assumption was a water leak but none found. The flow rate was not strong so this led to the assumption of an air leak in the system. I checked the faucets were off, the connections between the fresh water tank and the pump were tight, and especially the winterization valve in the proper position. I just filled the hot water heater so I checked everything there. Still good.

Finally determined the problem. On my Vista, at the city water connection, there is a valve for city water use or fresh water tank fill. I had partially filled the fresh water tank and left the valve in the tank fill position (the hose was shut off at the house). Switching it to the city water use position (hose still off) allowed proper pressure to build in the system and the pump resumed normal operation.

I checked the owner's manual but this situation with the fresh water tank fill/city water use valve was not discussed so I thought I would pass along the information. Maybe I will save somebody an hour of frustration.

RickO · 05-07-2014, 04:21 PM

Thanks for sharing... and don't feel badly. You're certainly not the first to beat your head against a wall trying to figure this one out.

I've never figured out why the pump does this or where it might be pumping water either, but it sure does keep running when the city fill level in on "fill".

Rick

bruceisla · 05-07-2014, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickO

Thanks for sharing... and don't feel badly. You're certainly not the first to beat your head against a wall trying to figure this one out.

I've never figured out why the pump does this or where it might be pumping water either, but it sure does keep running when the city fill level in on "fill".

Rick

I don't have the plumbing drawing handy, but if I remember correctly, the pressure side of the pump is rerouting water back into the "fill" side of the tank.

RickO · 05-07-2014, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bruceisla

I don't have the plumbing drawing handy, but if I remember correctly, the pressure side of the pump is rerouting water back into the "fill" side of the tank.

So it's just circulating water back into the fresh water tank? Makes sense.

Rick

dnystrom · 05-07-2014, 04:45 PM

Yep that happened to me a couple years ago and now I got an extra pump!
Felt soooo folish...

bruceisla · 05-07-2014, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickO

So it's just circulating water back into the fresh water tank? Makes sense.

Rick

Yup ... I think it only occurs with the valve 1/2 way between positions (roughly).

BFlinn181 · 05-07-2014, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickO

So it's just circulating water back into the fresh water tank? Makes sense.

Rick

Maybe it's designed to turn the fresh water tank into a fish well. Check for trout.

AFChap · 05-08-2014, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bruceisla

Yup ... I think it only occurs with the valve 1/2 way between positions (roughly).

On mine it occurs if the valve is anywhere except FULLY to the "city fill" setting. On "tank fill", 1/2, or wherever else, the pump will continue running with weak flow from faucets.

JFNM · 05-08-2014, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBQ Judge

On my Vista, at the city water connection, there is a valve for city water use or fresh water tank fill. I had partially filled the fresh water tank and left the valve in the tank fill position.

Don't feel too bad! This must be a common de-winterization issue as just performed the same exercise!! I wrote I up here (Dry Water Leak) hoping to prevent someone from wasting the amount of time that I did!!

Ray,IN · 05-09-2014, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AFChap

On mine it occurs if the valve is anywhere except FULLY to the "city fill" setting. On "tank fill", 1/2, or wherever else, the pump will continue running with weak flow from faucets.

Mine too! Replacing the pump isn't hard or difficult, just embarrassing.

Especially when you do it in the middle of a busy rest-stop.

One of the best tidbits of information I ever received was to always carry a spare water pump.

jerichorick · 05-10-2014, 08:40 PM

Your in good company. If I had my pump on when I started to fill the tank the same thing would happen. It was a concern the first time it happened. I love happy endings. Thanks for the memories!

Dave & Jo's Winnie · 05-10-2014, 10:49 PM

Don't feel bad. Same has happened to me(more than once).

2005 34A Winnie Sightseer

AggieDad · 05-11-2014, 03:20 PM

Super piece of info. Our's is just 3 months old (to us), and I haven't yet needed to refill the water tank. So now I know.

Thanks!

n5pht · 05-11-2014, 03:34 PM

Yes - I had a Montana 5th wheel and experienced the same thing! My new class C does not have such a value - just separate connections for city and one for tank fill. A little more trouble but at least I won't leave it on tank fill again like I did before. Well, I better be care I could hook up the city to the tank by mistake and it would eventually really be full!!

Rendon · 10-13-2014, 07:23 PM

Newbie here traveling to MS, stopped for the night and had no water pressure and my pump ran nonstop! A little bit of research on this forum and yep, I had the lever on tank fill!

I've learned soooooo much from this forum. Thank you everyone!!!!!!!

jerichorick · 10-14-2014, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rendon

Newbie here traveling to MS, stopped for the night and had no water pressure and my pump ran nonstop! A little bit of research on this forum and yep, I had the lever on tank fill!

I've learned soooooo much from this forum. Thank you everyone!!!!!!!

Yup. Feels so dumb. But the up side is that you are smart enough to figure it out

. Won't be your last

time. Been on the road for several years now. I still have those moments. This is a great forum to get a helping thought or two.

Many happy trails to you,

Rick Y