Stupid Mistake now is Pump trusted?

[Jake]

I made stupid mistake this weekend as I rushed to pack up trailer and leave. I didn't want to haul extra fresh water in tank so I opened the drain valve under the camper while I was hooking up to my truck. Then when I thought I was ready to leave (with quick look in side earlier) Meanwhile I did not realize but I had not turned off the switch to the water pump. So two hours later when I got home and unhooked the trailer the switch was still on of course and the pump was barely running (I suspect it wore down the battery)
Now did I shorten the life of the pump so much that I cannot trust it?
I did hook up camper to my 120 volt at home and the pump seems to operate okay and brings up pressure and stops like it should with new water in the tank. But did it run for two hours non stop during my trip (I think it did) ...and did I do damage to pump that could now break down at any time soon?

[ctbailey]

There's nothing to worry about. When it stops working, replace it. Maybe next month, maybe never. Until then run it like normal. They are super simple to DIY replace. You probably have other things to worry about, thus ain't one of them.

Since you say it works now like normal, you dodged a bullet.

[SmokerBill]

Running the Shurflo pumps dry doesn't harm them at all. Your pump is fine.

[jasoncw]

I did this once to my previous trailer, ran it dry for a couple hours shortly after I got it. I sold it 5 years later, and it was still working just fine. You should be ok.

[Jagiven]

Originally Posted by Jake

.... Meanwhile I did not realize but I had not turned off the switch to the water pump. So two hours later when I got home and unhooked the trailer the switch was still on of course and the pump was barely running (I suspect it wore down the battery)

Now did I shorten the life of the pump so much that I cannot trust it?
I did hook up camper to my 120 volt at home and the pump seems to operate okay and brings up pressure and stops like it should with new water in the tank. But did it run for two hours non stop during my trip (I think it did) ...and did I do damage to pump that could now break down at any time soon?

No problem at all. They are designed to run dry. I have done it at least once.

What I would be more worried about is the statement about it running slow until you plugged back into shore power. Your TV should be sending 12V to the camper, to charge the battery while driving. The emergency brakes use your battery to engage the brakes in case of a disconnect, with low voltage they would not work very well. I would investigate if your fuse in the TV for the AUX power is blown/removed, or if the relay is bad. Something is not right with the 12V power.

[hoppers4]

These pumps are diaphragm pumps and are not harmed by running them dry.

[DocBrown]

You're good, no need to worry.

I once left my pump on after sanitizing the tank and water system. Four days later I walked by the trailer and heard a humming sound. It was the pump and it had ran dry. It took a little bit to get it to prime again but it was fine. That happened with my previous trailer, maybe 3 or 4 years into owning it. We had the trailer for 10 years total and the pump worked perfectly fine.

[Jake]

Thanks everyone, looks like I can wait on making the long trip to get a spare pump.
And yes Jaygiven , I will check to see if 12 volt system is correct re the battery. (it might of been quieter because of it pumping air not water)