What do water pumps do when water is running out?

[m2bandit]

We're on our first trip out. Our fresh water sensors stopped working immediately. Of course they worked during pdi...

We're wondering If we're running out of water. The pump is starting to stay on longer, it's also running slower. Instead of the short quick blasts of buzzing it started out with, there's a slow long buzz.

It doesnt really make sense that we'd be out. We have the 80 gallon upgrade. Our gray is at 2/3 and our black is at 1/3 and I filled the fresh until it overflowed.

Don't really want to find out we're out tonight. Maybe the pump is just breaking in?

[vwprostock]

Originally Posted by m2bandit

We're on our first trip out. Our fresh water sensors stopped working immediately. Of course they worked during pdi...

We're wondering If we're running out of water. The pump is starting to stay on longer, it's also running slower. Instead of the short quick blasts of buzzing it started out with, there's a slow long buzz.

It doesnt really make sense that we'd be out. We have the 80 gallon upgrade. Our gray is at 2/3 and our black is at 1/3 and I filled the fresh until it overflowed.

Don't really want to find out we're out tonight. Maybe the pump is just breaking in?

That sounds like its getting low....and with grey at 2/3 and black at 1/3 I would say you are using a fair amount of water...but don't know how many nights/showers/dishes you have done.

[RogerR]

My pump only sounds different when it is sucking air. Check it there is a strainer just before the pump check valve. The strainer may be filled with manufacturing trash or dirt. You shouldn't have much or any pressure difference and flow change until you are sucking air.

[Lake Huron]

The pump will continue to run until you turn the pump switch off. They only shut off when they build up enough pressure in the lines for the pressure switch to kick the pump off. Dont let the pump dry too long or you'll burn it up. Understandably, it's going to run dry at times, but I'm saying you dont want it to run dry for hours on end.

[m2bandit]

Originally Posted by vwprostock

That sounds like its getting low....and with grey at 2/3 and black at 1/3 I would say you are using a fair amount of water...but don't know how many nights/showers/dishes you have done.

That still leaves 40 gallons of fresh water unaccounted for and we haven't drank that much.

I think I've discovered the problem after some googling. I believe my tanks were siphoning out of the overflow. Some people said there's reached as low as 1/3 tank.
So my gauge isn't faulty, it said 1/3 because we lost half our water on the way here.

[Lake Huron]

Nothing new there. Mine loses a little bit too, but I think mine is more from water sloshing around. I measured it once and found I lost like 7 or 8 gallons.

Do a search on here and you find many threads posted about the siphoning issue and many ways on how to fix it.

[RetiredOne]

Originally Posted by m2bandit

That still leaves 40 gallons of fresh water unaccounted for and we haven't drank that much.

I think I've discovered the problem after some googling. I believe my tanks were siphoning out of the overflow. Some people said there's reached as low as 1/3 tank.
So my gauge isn't faulty, it said 1/3 because we lost half our water on the way here.

I was just coming here to post that. If you filled your tank to overflow, odds are, a bunch siphoned out during transit, so when you finally parked, you could have lost at least 1/3 of the tank.

Many discussions here about that issue.

You could always slide under the rig with a flashlight and physically check the water level in the tank.

[m2bandit]

Originally Posted by RetiredOne

I was just coming here to post that. If you filled your tank to overflow, odds are, a bunch siphoned out during transit, so when you finally parked, you could have lost at least 1/3 of the tank.

Many discussions here about that issue.

You could always slide under the rig with a flashlight and physically check the water level in the tank.

Most the posts I've seen are just others with the same issue. One solution I saw was adding a loop to the end of the drain hose but they weren't sure it worked.
Know any solutions?
My underside has a coroplast pan so I can't check. It's out though, I officially ran dry.

[RetiredOne]

Originally Posted by m2bandit

One solution I saw was adding a loop to the end of the drain hose but they weren't sure it worked.
Know any solutions?

I don't know which rig you have, you didn't mention it, so it's hard to be specific with suggestions. You should put your model in your signature line.

People have done the loop trick, others put inline shut-off valves in the overflows/vents, depending on the rig and tank type. But, with the valves, you always need to open and close and don't forget.

[m2bandit]

Originally Posted by RetiredOne

I don't know which rig you have, you didn't mention it, so it's hard to be specific with suggestions. You should put your model in your signature line.

People have done the loop trick, others put inline shut-off valves in the overflows/vents, depending on the rig and tank type. But, with the valves, you always need to open and close and don't forget.

It's a 2020 Jay flight 245 rlsw
2 40 gal tanks.