Water pump running with no water!

[Michigander]

When leaving the campground last Monday, I had my DW open the fresh water drain valve to let the water out of the tank. Little did I know that the water pump was turned on. The pump ran for the next 3 1/2 hours straight with no water in it. It was pretty hot when I finally turned it off.

The pump still works, but I'm afraid it will fail out on the road. Should I just wait to see what happens? Or would it be better to just get a new one right away?

[tpi]

I would wait, unless its mission critical. I had similar happen to me on a very low/ empty tank of water and I had forgot to turn pump off. It was when the trailer was very new, and now its 6 years old on the same pump.

[ROBERT CROSS]

I would buy a spare and wait....I had mine in/out on our first trip to fix an internal wiring short.

Or don't.... and pray to the AS gods.

Or.... install the new one and save the ? one for the spare you know you'll need someday.

[aftermath]

I did the exact same thing years ago with our PU. I had installed a hot water tank and had to put in a demand pump at the same time. A couple of years later, when leaving camp, I opened the water drain valve and took off. 4 hours later I pulled up to the house and noticed the sound of a pump running.

I got in, and turned it off. It was hot but that was it. I ended up using if for quite a few years after that with no issues.

I suggest you hang in there and keep your eye on it. I don't think you ruined it.

[Bill M.]

Sureflo says that running the pump dry for several hours will not hurt it.

[Michigander]

Mine is a Flojet Sensor VSD. The product description says it has "thermal overload protection." Whatever that means. In the meantime, I still have the original, very loud pump, so I guess I'll lug it around for a while waiting to see what happens.

[Lothlorian]

You might have a small amount of air leaking into the line that brings water into the pump. I took off the line and used teflon tape and put the line back on. It started working again. Keep your line into the pump lower then the pump.

Brian

[TG Twinkie]

Most are diaphram type pumps. I don't think you hurt anything. BUT! you may have to PRIME the pump before it will work again. It's simple to do; Open at least one faucet and see if you get water. Of coarse make sure you have water in the tank. If the water doesn't come. Then disconnect the discharge hose from the pump and run it for a couple of seconds; you should get water: If so reconnect the hose and start the pump. You should be good to go once you bleed all of the air out of the system.

[Michigander]

Thanks to everyone for the encouraging advice.

[Michigander]

Returned last week from an eight day trip and the pump worked very well. I have checked out the product spec's since then and it says it ok to run it dry (probably not forever, though.)

[Gator113]

Moved

[Michigander]

Originally Posted by Gator113

Moved

Since I thought I was going to have to replace my pump, I spent a ton of time researching what was available.

I kept coming back to the Flotec Sensor VSD (they have 3.7 and 4.5 gpm models) and the comparable Shurflo variable speed pump.

Both brands are amazingly similar in price, but there were tons of negative reviews/experiences with the Shurflo.

So, my recommendation after having two Flotec's (one in my previous TT and my current one in our LYG MH) is the Flotec Sensor VSD. Hands down.