Water pump doesnt work at altitude

[bababooey]

Took the rug rats to the Grand Canyon this past week. It worked just fine here in San Diego before heading out. Last time I used it was at the CA/AZ border on I40 getting gas. It worked ok then, i think it was about 1300 feet asl. Pulled into the trailer park at the Grand Canyon (7,000 ft), it just does a low hum and no water.

Return trip i stop at the same truck stop on the border and it works again.

Ideas?

[JFlightRisk]

I truly have never heard of that problem before, but we have never camped at that altitude. I think an e-mail to the manufacturer would be in order, and ask if this is a common situation.
The pump is just an electric motor that spins, and a diaphragm assembly that creates the pumping action.
I'm at a loss as to what could be affecting it, with the exception of the pump is afraid of heights. (tongue in cheek, sorry, I can't resist the temptation).
Maybe someone will chime in with a possible explanation, or has experienced the same problem with theirs.

[Route 66 Traveler]

Altitude should have nothing to do with how your pump works. How much water was in your tank? We’re you fairly level when you tried to use the pump?

There have been a few times when my tank was only 1/4-1/3 full and my pump would not pick up any water because I was parked at a slight angle that must have moved the water away from the pickup tube.

[thirdktm]

I suspect it is not the altitude that is the issue.
We live at 5,000+ and have camped at 7,000+ and have never had that problem.
First thing you might check is to see if the levers in the water cockpit are turned to the correct numbers...

[bababooey]

It was level with more then 1/3 full. Even moved to a different campground in Flagstaff, leveled it out, same issue.

I would expect the pump to make the normal loud motor noise if the thing was sucking water or air, but it was a much quieter hum, not the normal noisy pump.

The interwebs suggest by the noise, the motor was seized.

[bababooey]

Originally Posted by thirdktm

I suspect it is not the altitude that is the issue.

We live at 5,000+ and have camped at 7,000+ and have never had that problem.

First thing you might check is to see if the levers in the water cockpit are turned to the correct numbers...

Checked the valve settings many times, verified they were correct.

[bababooey]

Im not nuts!
https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/f...d/25422475.cfm

I guess I just need better pump?

[JFlightRisk]

Ahhhh! the old NPSH got you again. I shoulda known!

(I got no idea what that even is!)

[bababooey]

Me too.. I thought it just ment Jayco put a cheap pump in and i need a new one.

I wonder if a high end pump exists, perhaps one that isnt as noisy and can work on top of K2.