Quick question regarding my water pump?

[certified106]

So I am on a camping trip which is the first one in our new 28bhs and I have noticed that the water pump will do a really quick error to bump the pressure up every 15-60 minutes. I have been over every inch of the water lines and can not find a leak or a drip. I have been over the water lines multiple times. Do you think its possible that the pump is losing pressure by leaking back to the tank?

[Doug]

Sounds like a logical explanation since you can't find an external leak.

Doug

[clutch]

That happens a lot. Be sure and keep an air bubble in the top of the water tank and it won't happen as often.

[Recondite]

Make sure you have all the air out of the hot water tank.

[clutch]

Check out this link for an RV accumulator tank. It does the same thing as leaving a bubble in the top of the hot water tank. An air bubble in the water heater tank is a lot cheaper than the $40 or so for an accumulator tank.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFauZKl-OGk

[Recondite]

Hey Clutch, don't want disagree but you don't want an air bubble in the hot water tank. These pumps are diaphragm style and they don't like air in the lines. They have a pressure switch that turns them off/on. They are very poor air compressors and air in the lines will cause them to run excessively as they can't achieve pressure due to trying to compress that air. Accumulators are different. They have a bladder separating the air from the water and the air side of the bladder is charged (depends on the system but anywhere from 10 - 50psi generally). I use the pumps in my line of work all the time (115v version, not 12v but the same pump), and I can tell you they'll run constantly with air in the lines. Bleed all the air out and they run just fine. The following is from the Shurflo site:

PUMP WILL NOT SHUT-OFF / RUNS WHEN FAUCET IS CLOSED:
check, Output side (pressure) plumbing for leaks, and inspect for leaky valves or toilet. ̧
check for air trapped in outlet side (water heater) or pump head.
check for correct voltage to pump (±10%).
check for loose drive assembly or pump head screws.
check, Are the valves held open by debris or is the rubber swollen?
Check Pressure switch operation.

[clubhouse]

Just experienced the same thing last weekend, my pump with cycle for a seconds every hour or two. I was sure I had a small leak but couldn't find it anywhere then I looked at the outside shower. It was dripping just the slightest amount, I tightend up the valves and the pump cycling was gone.

[clutch]

Recondite, after looking at the shurflo site I have to agree with you.

[mcfarmall]

I love my little 1 gallon bladder tank tucked under the bathroom vanity!! I can draw a gallon or so of water before the pump starts and then it will run for about 1 minute to charge the accumulator back up. The short start/stop cycles aren't good for any type of equipment.

See the mods section for pictures.

[Recondite]

Hey Clutch, you don't HAVE to agree with me but thanks Just been my experience with those pumps in other applications. Mcfarmall is right, those accumulators will help reduce both your overall run time and pressure fluctuations. If I was fulltiming it I'd definitely get one but not as an occasional camper. Make sure to check your air pressure on the bladder side occasionaly, they can lose pressure. And dont use an air compressor to refill it, you'll blow out the bladder, use a bicycle pump. Most don't know those pumps only have about a 20% duty cycle (i.e. only meant to run max of about 15 minutes out of an hour).