Community Forums

Spk64 · 07-28-2014, 08:27 PM

I am wondering if anyone might help point me in the right direction.
On our 2002 MADP I am having intermittent problems with the water pump.
I had drained the system and sanitized over the weekend. When I was done flushing and draining the system I was having problems either purging the air or getting the pump to function correctly.
When the pump is turned on it builds to pressure and shuts off like normal.
When I then try to run water at any faucet the water will come out fine and the pump will run for about 5 seconds then the pump shuts off and the water pressure fades away. Pump switch lights always stay on when it quits pumping. After about twenty minutes of constantly switching pump on and off and going to each faucet. The system finally started working fine. Pump ran when needed and maintained pressure.

Today I replaced the under sink filter and the same thing started all over again. Finally gave up tonight and decided to try and figure it out tomorrow.

Is there something special I need to be doing to purge air?
Is the pump or pump controller possibly faulty?

BFlinn181 · 07-28-2014, 09:26 PM

The pump doesn't self prime, gravity usually does the job, the pump should be lower than the water tank. Check for a strainer in the line between the tank and pump and clean it out. Also, do you have valves to change from city to water tank? Perhaps that valve isn't turned on fully for the water tank.

If you disconnect the line from the water tank to the pump, gravity should cause water to flow. If it's not, it points to a problem with the water line between those two points.

"007" · 07-28-2014, 09:33 PM

The Newmar pumps are self priming are you sure all the valves you had open are all close correctly and the city water valve is closed correctly and not partially open.

Spk64 · 07-29-2014, 06:16 AM

I will double check my valve settings again this evening. They were not moved prior to replacing the filter when the system was functioning correctly.
I may try to check the strainer tonight. Air in system does not sound like the problem so need to dig deeper.

"007" · 07-29-2014, 06:31 AM

Check the screens of the faucets they maybe clogging up on their screens.

dennis45 · 07-29-2014, 08:34 AM

If you are sure you have all valves in the right position, try tapping the pump body when it does not start. Mine will fail to start once in a while but a light tap to the pump body and away it goes. I tried replacing the power connectors but the problem still persists every once in a while. Been going on for years so I just deal with it. Maybe on day it will quit for good but in the meantime a little tap does the trick.

Spk64 · 07-29-2014, 01:25 PM

Thanks everyone.
More things to check and try when I get home.

Mississippi · 07-29-2014, 02:31 PM

Check the filter housing at the pump to be sure that it is tight and does not have a crack or an air leak. A small crack in the plastic housing gave me fits with intermittent water flow until I found the problem. The crack was in the top of the filter where the screw attaches the filter housing and it was very small.

Spk64 · 07-29-2014, 05:34 PM

Ok I will take a closer look at those items also.
Tonight I went to the wet bay ran the outside shower. Same result 4-5 seconds pump quits running and no pressure. Turn pump off and back on pump runs and builds pressure.
Then I opened cold low side drain and pump cycled normally same thing in hot low drain. Ran outside shower worked fine. Checked faucets inside and all working again.
This might take a while to figure out.

"007" · 07-29-2014, 05:50 PM

Your not using a city water hook up I presume and using water out of your fresh water tank. The water fill valve needs to be in same position as if you had a city water hookup for both city water and your pump operation.
Once you fill your fresh water tank you place the water valve in the city position for operation.
Make sure your valve from fresh water tank is fully opened so pump can draw from full water line.

Spk64 · 07-29-2014, 08:02 PM

Correct drawing water from tank. The fill valve is in the off position, I made use of the valve this past weekend to fill the tanks and turning it off to verify city water connection all worked correctly. Which it did work fine.

Tonight before testing I verified the valve was still in the off position. Tried to turn it further but it was truly all the way closed.
I suppose there could be a small leak at the valve.
Did not have much time to work with it tonight so tomorrow I will try to duplicate the problem.

Spk64 · 07-30-2014, 07:39 PM

ok, tonight my problems persisted with the pump. Seemed like it would work for a little then stop. When it seemed like it was working I fired up the Hydrohot and it stopped again. Thinking this was the problem turned it back off but still no joy.
I finally pulled the pump and cleaned the screen and checked for leaks around the pump. Screen needed cleaned and did not find any leaks. After re-assembly it seemed like it was working then tried a kitchen faucet and same problem. After many on off cycles and going to different faucets it finally started working again. Went to dinner came back and it is still working like it should.
Here are a couple pictures of my wet bay and pump.

Spk64 · 07-30-2014, 08:44 PM

After some additional research on the aquatec pumps it sounds like voltage drops may induce symptoms like I am seeing. They recommend less than a 1 volt drop when pump runs.
Compromised wiring may be allowing a voltage drop when pump starts causing it to stop. Cycling power will bring it back on line. More testing, although that may have to wait till next week. Headed out this weekend and will be on city water.

Spk64 · 07-31-2014, 07:27 PM

A quick check of voltages at the pump.
Pump at rest voltage was 12.1 volts.
Turned on outside shower and voltage dropped pretty quick to 9.5 volts and actually kept dropping as I ran pump longer.
This does not sound good.
I should have checked voltage back at the batteries as I was plugged in and charging so voltage should have been at least 13 volts.