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Old 06-05-2014, 12:19 PM   #1
thyatt
 
1968 26' Overlander
Holdrege , Nebraska
Join Date: May 2014
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Rivet Please explain how water pressure works

All,

I am rebuilding a airstream from frame up. Thankfully, I am almost to plumbing!

How does water pressure work with an airstream? From what I can tell there is no pressure tank normally. When water is needed to a shower or somewhere else, is this task solely managed by the water pump? If so how does the water pump know when to turn on and off. I appreciate any answers. I will need to buy components soon for our 24 foot Overlander. My only draw for water will be to a single sink, shower and toilet.

Thanks
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Old 06-05-2014, 12:24 PM   #2
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The water pump has a built-in pressure switch on the discharge line. When the pressure drops, the pump starts and builds pressure. The pressure buildss until it opens the switch - then the pump stops again.

When you turn on a faucet, that drops the pressure - and vice versa.

The pump draws out of the fresh water tank, which is not pressurized.
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Old 06-05-2014, 12:29 PM   #3
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OR... If you are in a campground with hookups for water, you connect your white hose to the camper's clean water inlet and water pressure maintained by the campground is used. It works just like the city water you have in your home.

The pump only needs to be turned on when you want to draw water from your onboard supply tank.

Paula
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Old 06-05-2014, 01:53 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tysonhyatt View Post
All,

I am rebuilding a airstream from frame up. Thankfully, I am almost to plumbing!

How does water pressure work with an airstream? From what I can tell there is no pressure tank normally. When water is needed to a shower or somewhere else, is this task solely managed by the water pump? If so how does the water pump know when to turn on and off. I appreciate any answers. I will need to buy components soon for our 24 foot Overlander. My only draw for water will be to a single sink, shower and toilet.

Thanks
These are what are called "demand pumps."

Although there is no pressure tank as such, there is some elasticity in the piping and the water heater that will buffer the output from the pump running around half a second or so. The pump has a pressure switch and turns on when you open a faucet, off when you close it. Sometimes it will cycle a little if you have the faucet halfway open.

Much simpler than the old systems
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Old 06-05-2014, 02:03 PM   #5
thyatt
 
1968 26' Overlander
Holdrege , Nebraska
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All,

Thanks for the replies. That helps a lot and solves many questions.
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Old 06-05-2014, 02:28 PM   #6
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For city water I would recommend a Check valve, Pressure Regulator, and Pressure overflow valve of some sorts.
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Old 06-06-2014, 07:33 AM   #7
thyatt
 
1968 26' Overlander
Holdrege , Nebraska
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What size and brand of water pump would you recommend for a 24 ft. overlander? Total I am planning to run about 30 ft. of Pex to a single sink, a shower and a toilet.
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Old 06-06-2014, 10:24 AM   #8
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Some of the older AS gad a system with a hand pump to pressurize the tank. Do not know if yours is old enough fir this system. Jim
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Old 06-06-2014, 12:39 PM   #9
thyatt
 
1968 26' Overlander
Holdrege , Nebraska
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Actually, I am building ours custom from the frame up. So I am looking to use more modern standards.
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Old 06-16-2014, 02:21 PM   #10
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1961 22' Spaceliner
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Manual water pump and electricity draw for electric pump

I have some similar questions and thought I would add to this thread rather than starting a new one.

I'm working on building out a 1960's 22-footer with an intention of being able to make it a week or so at a time "off grid." I'm trying to reduce electricity and water demand to the extent possible, etc. to make this easier to accomplish.

I have two questions regarding water pumps:

1) Does anyone have a manual water pump in their airstream? If so, what kind? Does it work well? Can you describe how that works?

2) How much electricity does a typical electric water pump draw. If I'm trying to get by on very minimal electricity usage, is this something to try to eliminate? On a daily basis, is it closer to LED lighting, or using a microwave, etc.?

Thanks for any advice!
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Old 06-16-2014, 02:30 PM   #11
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Marine foot pumps

Many boats are built using simple foot pumps to provide water pressure.
WHALE PUMPS Gusher MKIII Cabinet-Mount Galley Foot Pump | West Marine
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Old 06-16-2014, 02:39 PM   #12
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I'd look at a lot of other ways to save electricity before I'd resort to a manual water pump. Compared to things that provide heat, like microwaves and incandescent bulbs, water pumps are pretty insignificant.

Here's a chart (scroll down a bit on the page) that compares the draw and likely daily load for a variety of things in an RV.

A water pump doesn't draw all that much and its use is intermittent and generally brief, so it's not the first place to look for power savings.
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Old 06-21-2014, 06:11 PM   #13
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1974 25' Tradewind
1974 27' Overlander
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Water Pump Connections

Every water pump I've seen has flexible hose (like garden hose) connecting it to the supply lines. Is there enough vibration when the pump kicks on or is what I'm seeing jury rigged plumbing? Can I go right into the pump with pex?

Bob
Indiana, PA
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Old 06-21-2014, 06:34 PM   #14
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I believe the flex hose has 2 purposes. Vibration and Noise reduction.
The pump will rattle the PEX and you will hear it throughout the coach.
IMHO
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Old 06-21-2014, 06:44 PM   #15
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Quote:
I believe the flex hose has 2 purposes. Vibration and Noise reduction.
The pump will rattle the PEX and you will hear it throughout the coach.
IMHO
That makes sense...

Bob
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