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melprice · 07-10-2002, 04:10 PM

I replaced my old PAR water pump with a Shureflo. For the first few days it was almost silent in operation. My wife was amazed that we kept getting water even though the pump never came on. (It did, she just didn't hear it)

Now whenever it comes on it sounds really loud, almost like water hammer in the copper pipes. Any ideas what this could be? Anyone with a Shureflo that can testify to its quietness/water hammerness (I'm all out of adjectives).

This happens regardless of whether the water tank is full or partially used and all air has been bled out of bothe the cold and hot water systems.

uwe · 07-10-2002, 04:25 PM

Hi Mel,

I have the same silly pump in my tradewind. Only it never was very quiet. It makes the water hammer sound just like you described. Gets louder as it builds pressure, loudest just before it shuts off.
I think it is because the airstream is plumbed with copper pipes, instead of plastic hose, like the SOB trailers.The copper pipes then tend to vibrate in sync with the impeller, and make this rattling noise. At least that is what I found out.
Perhaps the solution would be installing an accumulator, which keeps water pressure against a diaphragm, makinf the flow smoother and hopefully dampening the impulses from the pump.
I will try this soon. Have to do bearings and brakes now, safety first.
Uwe

melprice · 07-10-2002, 04:46 PM

Thanks Uwe,

Yes, it does seem more like the pipes coming out in sympathy with the pump rather than water hammer. I took a look at camping world and they have a Shurflo Accumulator for $32.97 with shipping for just a buck. I'm going to give it a try when I get around to it.

http://www.campingworld.com/browse/s...=SRCH&tcode=37

gwsullivan · 07-10-2002, 06:30 PM

Is your copper pipe connected directly to the pump?? If so, the vibration of the pump tends to resonate through the pipes. You can isolate the pump noise by cutting the copper and installing a section of flexible hose/pipe to the pump. Make sure you use something that is rated for the pressure on the output of the pump.
Also. SureFlow is coming out with a new model pump in August which is so quiet I had to touch it to be sure it was really running. It will be pricey (~$200) but if you want quiet this will provide it.

uwe · 07-10-2002, 08:03 PM

My pump is connected with a long piece of rubber hose, on both ends. I think this is not the solution to quiet things down.
The pump runs very quiet, so long that there is not a lot of pressure against the output. ( Like whenI turnon 2 faucets at teh same time and then flush the toilet. I relly believe that it is the actual water pressure pulses in the pipes causing the hammering/rattling noises inside the trailer.Thisis caused by the pump impeller doing it's thing inside the housing, and whenever one of the impeller blades sends it's load down the pipe, it causes this little pressure surge. All you need to do is touch the pipe witht eh pump hammering away, and you can imagine what I am talking about. I followed some of the pipes and sort of messed with their location, tightened a few clamps and things got a lot better, but the noise is still there. In trailers with flexible hose type water lines, this is usually not an issue.
It does not bother me very much, but I will try the accumulator eventually. It is supposed to make the entire water flow more elegant, with better delivery. ( Wow)They sell them for homes as well, but I am not sure that hese are compatibel.
Uwe

83Excella · 07-10-2002, 09:09 PM

Also check the vibration isolators that mount to the pump then the floor, I tightened mine up when cleaning the screen & de-winterizing and it is very quite now compared to previous.

John

BobbyW · 07-11-2002, 05:32 AM

The accumulator is ShuFlow's fix for the problem you describe. They even have a pump assembly model with it attached already to the top of the pump.

Homes have these built in to the plumbing already. They are made by teeing in a piece of pipe vertically and capping it off so that they trap air in the riser thus reducing water hammer by creating an air cushion. There usually are serveral installed, one at each bathroom and kitchen area. An Airstream would only require one.

-BobbyWright

uwe · 07-29-2002, 02:19 PM

that's what they called the little jewel i found at Lowe's Home Improvement store last weekend while shopping for stuff for my garden's sprinkler system.
It's a compact tubular little device, about 5 inches long with a air pocket and piston in it, much like what an accumulator would do. Sort of a shock absorber for the water line. Bad news is that it must be soldered in by use of a T or Y fitting on the copper water line. I thought of Mel's hammering problem when I saw it. It's only 5 or 6 bucks.

melprice · 07-30-2002, 10:00 AM

Thanks for thinking about me UWE.

I think the shureflow answer would still be cheaper. I'll buy the water hammer arrestor for $5 and lose it on the way to the trailer, buy another and ruin it trying to solder it, then I'll ruin the pipe itself, set fire to the floor, lose a tool in the dark recesses of the underbelly of the beast then shout at my wife which whilst not costing anything in monetary terms will cost me a hell of a lot more in other ways.

Seriously though this sounds perfect if I just knew how to solder.

Also it would help if I could pronounce solder. I'm English and we pronounce it sol as in the sun and der as in can't you pronounce solder you dummy. No matter how I try the word never comes out correct and I have to write it down for the person in the hardware/electronics store which once more reinforces the "Two nations divided by a common langauge" theory.

If you don't know what I'm talking about then maybe it's just a Cleveland pronunciation I'm having trouble with.

Have a good day and don't forget if you're reading this on a Tuesday - Only 4 more days until the weekend.

uwe · 07-30-2002, 10:48 AM

Hi Mel,

I know just what you mean, all your points.
The Soldering is a major dilemma, wifes rebel at the slightest hint of verbal abuse, and as a German national, the whole langewich ( or is it spelled language?) thing seems overrated anyways. Women used to love my accent, though.......ahem.
Maybe it's because I don't know how to properly pronounce "solder"?