Filling Fresh Water Tank While Water Pump Runs

[S.Rodimus]

My understanding is that when this valve is in the "Tank Fill" position, if the water pump is powered on it will just run constantly because it senses low pressure in the lines. So to avoid that we should have the pump off when filling the fresh water tank.

What about a situation -- for example -- where we are remote camping in a location without hookups, but a water truck comes around at various intervals to fill fresh water tanks. If we're in the rig when they show up, we can of course just shut the water pump off. But what if we're not there, and forgot to turn the pump off before we left .... is there any danger of equipment damage if our water pump is running the whole 5-10 minutes it takes to fill the fresh water tank?

(We are assuming for this question that the water tank guy doesn't know he can -- or just fails to -- turn off the water pump using the button in the water center.)

 

[be happy]

The value you showed is for filling the fresh water tank. When the hose from the source to the unit is hooked up and you want to fill the fresh water tank you would turn the knob to fill tank. Once the tank is filled turn the knob back to normal for operation. If you are using water from the tank I would turn the pump off until you are done filling. Once filled turn back on. Now if you are using water from source to coach leave the pump off.

Personal opinion is I would not let anybody do anything to my coach without me there. Your water guy has to have a hose to go from the truck to camper. Then needs to turn the value to fill tank. On my unit the only way to know the tank is full is from the lighted pannel in unit, so hows the water guy to know.

If you are gone why not just turn the pump off. The aspect owners manual chapter 7 really covers the issue.

https://winnebago.com/Files/Files/Winnebago/Resources/OperatorManuals/Operator2007/07Aspect.pdf

 

[S.Rodimus]

The value you showed is for filling the fresh water tank. When the hose from the source to the unit is hooked up and you want to fill the fresh water tank you would turn the knob to fill tank. Once the tank is filled turn the knob back to normal for operation. If you are using water from the tank I would turn the pump off until you are done filling. Once filled turn back on. Now if you are using water from source to coach leave the pump off.

Personal opinion is I would not let anybody do anything to my coach without me there. Your water guy has to have a hose to go from the truck to camper. Then needs to turn the value to fill tank. On my unit the only way to know the tank is full is from the lighted pannel in unit, so hows the water guy to know.

If you are gone why not just turn the pump off. The aspect owners manual chapter 7 really covers the issue.

https://winnebago.com/Files/Files/Winnebago/Resources/OperatorManuals/Operator2007/07Aspect.pdf

Sorry to sound facetious, but we know what the valve is for and how to use it. The question .... because there was and will be a situation where we have our tank filled via truck delivery, and have no control over when they come meaning it isn't possible to make arrangements that they come only when we're present .... is:
If we forget to turn off the pump before we leave, is there any danger of equipment damage if our water pump is running the whole 5-10 minutes it takes to fill the fresh water tank? (Again, we are assuming for this question that the water tank guy doesn't know he can -- or just fails to -- turn off the water pump using the button in the water center.)

As to how he will know when the tank is full? There is an overflow tube at the top of our tank. Water hits the ground = tank is full.

 

[Bnystrom]

If you turn on the water pump, then move the valve to Tank Fill, the pump will run continuously because the lines are depressurized, so I don't see how you could accidentally leave it turned on. When you switch the valve back to Normal, the pump will re-pressurize the lines, then stop. At least that's the way it works in our View, and it's a very easy thing to test for yourself.

There is no reason to ever turn on the water pump when you're filling the tank.

 

[S.Rodimus]

If you turn on the water pump, then move the valve to Tank Fill, the pump will run continuously because the lines are depressurized, so I don't see how you could accidentally leave it turned on. When you switch the valve back to Normal, the pump will re-pressurize the lines, then stop. At least that's the way it works in our View, and it's a very easy thing to test for yourself.

There is no reason to ever turn on the water pump when you're filling the tank.

So, again, I think y'all are missing the point of the question here. It's not about what we should or can do. We understand fully how it all works and what we're supposed to do. The issue is that there could be, and have been, instances where we leave the rig and forget to turn off the water pump before we go. In these instances, sometimes the water fill truck comes while we are away. We are assuming for this question that the water tank guy doesn't know he can -- or just fails to -- turn off the water pump using the button in the water center. So if he leaves the pump on, turns the switch to "Fill," and fills the tank -- the water pump will be running the whole time he's filling. So, can this running of the water pump for 5-10 minutes as he fills the tank cause any damage to our system?

 

[be happy]

It seems we are all missing the point. I guess for the best answer one should contact the manufacture of the pump. They would be the ones to tell you how long the pump can run without water. Maybe in the pump owners guide they would say something.
Good Luck safe travels

 

[Bnystrom]

At some point you just have to assume responsibility for making sure your water pump is off if you leave. Make a departure checklist if you don't think you can remember it. It should not be up to the water fill person - or dumb luck - to make sure your water pump isn't damaged.

We always turn ours off when we're not actively using the water, as there's no reason to leave it on. I installed a pump switch in our bathroom so we don't have to rely on the main switch in the galley.

 

[S.Rodimus]

At some point you just have to assume responsibility for making sure your water pump is off if you leave. Make a departure checklist if you don't think you can remember it. It should not be up to the water fill person - or dumb luck - to make sure your water pump isn't damaged.

We always turn ours off when we're not actively using the water, as there's no reason to leave it on. I installed a pump switch in our bathroom so we don't have to rely on the main switch in the galley.

I never said anything was up to the water fill person. I expect no responsibility from them. I am just asking if anyone here knows the answer to my query.

 

[S.Rodimus]

It seems we are all missing the point. I guess for the best answer one should contact the manufacture of the pump. They would be the ones to tell you how long the pump can run without water. Maybe in the pump owners guide they would say something.
Good Luck safe travels

Would it be running "without water" in this instance? If faucets aren't open, how could it even get emptied of water (i.e. wouldn't the water have nowhere to go)?

 

[Bnystrom]

When you switch to Tank Fill, you can hear the the lines depressurize, then the pump comes on. There is no back pressure on the pump at that point. Running it like this will eventually damage it, but how quickly that will happen is anybody's guess. You're not going to get a definitive answer, so the bottom line is that you shouldn't take that chance. Just make sure you shut the pump off. This is very simple, but for some reason, you seem to be trying to make it complicated.

 

[S.Rodimus]

When you switch to Tank Fill, you can hear the the lines depressurize, then the pump comes on. There is no back pressure on the pump at that point. Running it like this will eventually damage it, but how quickly that will happen is anybody's guess. You're not going to get a definitive answer, so the bottom line is that you shouldn't take that chance. Just make sure you shut the pump off. This is very simple, but for some reason, you seem to be trying to make it complicated.

Very simple would've been anyone just saying "yes it will damage your pump" rather than all the responses that didn't actually answer the original question. Thanks for finally doing so!
I was never trying to justify leaving the pump on, nor looking for permission to leave the pump on. I was merely asking about a situation that has actually happened to us, with the hope of gaining an expectation if it happens again in the future.
No one is perfect, and sometimes people just unfortunately forget to do things they know very well that they should (i.e. turn off the pump whenever not in use).

 

[Morich]

There are a couple points that may help. One is that it is bad practice to keep the water pump on when not planning to use water from the pump. That is one way to set yourself up for damage if something goes wrong while you are not there. Small things that happen pretty often in RV can become large items if a fitting comes loose and a full tank of water is pumped out on the floor while you are not there!
Leaving the pump on risks both water damage as well as running the batteries down if the little pressure sensor on the pump fails!
But then there needs to be a bit of study if the pressure from water going into the tank makes the water pump sense low pressure and come on?? I would assume having more water would increase, not decrease, the pressure in any part of the system.
I'm not sure I see how adding water can reduce pressure at the water pump.
Maybe do a check on how this works, if it is not a sure thing?

If there is still a bit of water in the tank when you refill, how can the pump run dry while the guy fills the tank?
It seems the only way to get water out of the lines is through an opening, correct? So are we saying the guy opens the valve and water starts running out at that valve? I'm thinking the guy trying to put water IN will notice water is coming OUT!
I find it normal to have a simple little check valve built in at the fill port to keep water from blowing out the side when a hose is not connected!
It's a pretty common problem for water to run out this hole if that little plastic disk is broken, so be gentle if you play with it!

Look in that port and see if there is a small plastic disk closing that hold until a hose is connected?

I think that part is a non-issue but leaving the pump on can be a thing to watch!
On the pump wear question, I find those I have used are self priming and do run dry until they suck the air out and get water back. I consider it no big thing unless it runs for a week or something.