Water pump expectations

[Lexxy]

We have a '73 safari in good shape. We fixed leaks so we know where to look. We couldn't get pressure from old pump so we replaced it with a new one...the proper replacement. We just don't know what to expect from proper behavior. For the first few days of use it ran for 10 minutes to build pressure then would go on for 15 seconds every 10 minutes or so with no usage or leaks. We even turned off the potty so it wouldn't be going into the tank with no indication.
We ripped out every cabinet and bunk to check for leaks. No leaks. We have a new water heater that works fine. No leaks there.

Last night the Mr took out the pump to check the connections....took off the cut off switch, reinstalled it and it seemed to work just great....a few min to build pressure and only came on when faucet was on. Turned it off at night but now, this morning, it pumped for 20 minutes and never cut off. We have no city electricity so we can't let it keep going indefinitely today.

Any suggestions before we just replace it again?

[Minno]

If there are no leaks, then either the pump's internal check valve or the pressure switch is bad. Since it's new, I wouldn't mess with it. I'd return it and get a new one. Sometimes things are broken right out of the box. The first symptom you describe, where it runs every 10 minutes or so to re-build pressure, is a classic symptom of a bad check valve.

Chris

[cwf]

Yup

Originally Posted by Minno

If there are no leaks, then either the pump's internal check valve or the pressure switch is bad. Since it's new, I wouldn't mess with it. I'd return it and get a new one. Sometimes things are broken right out of the box. The first symptom you describe, where it runs every 10 minutes or so to re-build pressure, is a classic symptom of a bad check valve.

Chris

[Lexxy]

Thanks a bunch....we are loads of miles from a camping world where we got it. Wouldn't you know. We are a thousand miles from home! I hope I can return it to one of there stores up here in New England.


Lynn and Chuck in Dewdrop the Airstream
Mountains of NC

[Lexxy]

In case someone wondered we found the pump problem to be low voltage. When we got the battery back up to charge the pump worked fine.
5 weeks mostly in state parks with no hook ups and we learned a lot about Airstreaming. Nothin like just getting out there and using it.

[xrvr]

Thanks for the update. Good info. Jim