No water at sink when using internal pump/tank

[RichHog]

Just got back from camping in Colorado and didn't have any water at site. So we filled the fresh water tank and turned on the pump. It whirled, gurgled and we had water in the back bath faucet (hot and Cold) and plenty in the toilet. I had also put a cap on the inlet connection as I suspected a problem with the inlet regulator. Sink water both hot and cold just gurgled and didn't flow. It works fine when I am connected with a hose. Tried changing valves under the sink but didn't work any better. Any thoughts? Also isn't the pump supposed to come on and off as it is needed once switched on? It ran continously once switched on at the panel? 72 Tradewind.

[CanoeStream]

Some of the pumps from that period are way quieter than what's available now. overlander63 is probably at work -- I'll PM him to look in here.

Running continuously and not raising water up to sink level suggests it's not building enough pressure. I'll bet the shower doesn't run?

[RichHog]

We don't use the shower as it's he wet bath model in the Tradewind. Can hear the pump work, it just doesn't shut off. Even after turning the pump switch off there is still water pressure in the bath and toilet, just not in the sink.

[HowieE]

Sounds like you have more than one problem.

If you have water at the kitchen sink when hooked to a hose and not when on the pump the first thing I would look at is the strainer at the tip of the faucet. The pump does not generate the pressure the hos has and may not be able to push water past the collection of dirt at the strainer.

If the pump run constantly while drawing water that may not be a problem. If it runs constantly after the pump is turned off you have a leak in the piping of the trailer or the pump has a broken diaphragm and can't build pressure to reach the cutoff point of the pressure switch.

I would check the kitchen sink strainer first.

[overlander63]

You may have a cracked cover on the strainer. It is on the inlet side of the water pump, and a crack would cause the pump to suck air instead of water. It is extremely common, and an easy fix, just replace the strainer.

[RichHog]

Also before the trip when I tested the system it would pump water out the inlet hose connection. Does that mean that the water regulator is shot?
On this trip I bought a cap to put on it.

[HowieE]

Sounds like the check valve in the inlet is shot or has some dirt across the seat. I would attempt to clean the seat before replacing it.

[altamont]

strainer on the faucet outlet? We have very low output until I took it off and cleaned it.

[mello mike]

So, RichHog, did you find out what was wrong with your pump?

[RichHog]

Haven't yet had a chance to check it as the trailer is back at the storage lot.
Will post an update when I take a look at her.

[jschukman]

I'd like to send a huge shout out and THANKS to HowieE - we had this exact same problem with water working to bathroom, but not to kitchen sink. Cleaned out the strainer on the sink faucet (very easily unscrewed - may need a small wrench to get it started) and it started working like a champ. Awesomesauce.