ShurFlo Variable Speed Pump Issue Discovered

[ExcelRVGuy]

This message is for all who have the optional ShurFlo variable speed water pump installed on your coach.

We have received an unusually high percentage of water pump warranty with our optional ShurFlo "Smart Sensor" Variable Speed Water Pump. The problem is that when turning the pump on, the pump begins to surge on and off.

What we discovered through one of our dealers who visited with ShurFlo is that in most instances, the pump is operating fine. The culprit is when the pump is installed in conjunction with the "Whole House Water Filter".

When the water filter begins to get a little dirty, it restricts the flow going to the pump. The pump can actually pump more water than the filter is letting through to it, thus causing the pump to begin surging.

If you have a pump that is surging, try turning the by-pass valves to bypass the water filter. Chances are that your pump will begin working fine.

There is a sensitivity screw in the center of the pressure switch on the head of the pump. The screw is the CENTER screw (There are 4 outside screws that hold the pressure switch in place). With a phillips screwdriver, turn the screw clockwise until it is tight. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN. Then back the screw off (counter-clockwise) 1/4 turn.

This adjustment to your pump should help it perform to it's maximum potential and stop the surging. We are going to begin making this adjustment to all pumps during the pre-assembly process.

It is also important to change your water filter on a regular basis. These are standard filters that can be purchased at most home improvement stores such as Lowe's and Home Depot.

Thanks for your continued support of Peterson Industries and Excel

Bryan Tillett
Pres.

[ExcelRVGuy]

This message is for all who have the optional ShurFlo variable speed water pump installed on your coach.

We have received an unusually high percentage of water pump warranty with our optional ShurFlo "Smart Sensor" Variable Speed Water Pump. The problem is that when turning the pump on, the pump begins to surge on and off.

What we discovered through one of our dealers who visited with ShurFlo is that in most instances, the pump is operating fine. The culprit is when the pump is installed in conjunction with the "Whole House Water Filter".

When the water filter begins to get a little dirty, it restricts the flow going to the pump. The pump can actually pump more water than the filter is letting through to it, thus causing the pump to begin surging.

If you have a pump that is surging, try turning the by-pass valves to bypass the water filter. Chances are that your pump will begin working fine.

There is a sensitivity screw in the center of the pressure switch on the head of the pump. The screw is the CENTER screw (There are 4 outside screws that hold the pressure switch in place). With a phillips screwdriver, turn the screw clockwise until it is tight. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN. Then back the screw off (counter-clockwise) 1/4 turn.

This adjustment to your pump should help it perform to it's maximum potential and stop the surging. We are going to begin making this adjustment to all pumps during the pre-assembly process.

It is also important to change your water filter on a regular basis. These are standard filters that can be purchased at most home improvement stores such as Lowe's and Home Depot.

Thanks for your continued support of Peterson Industries and Excel

Bryan Tillett
Pres.

[rockintom]

Thanks for the "heads up", Bryan.

This is very valuable info. I know it's not possible to list all the daily issues you encounter, but as a retired auto engineer, infomation like this is very nice to know. I always liked to share product issues and field fixes as they arise. Personally I haven't had any issues with my Shurflo 5.7 pump, but I'm a maintenance nut and my WH water filter get changed regularly! Thanks again and share stuff like this when you can. I love it!

Respectfully,
Tom

[Bob Wilson]

Excellent tip Bryan. Thanks for sharing this info via the forum.

Bob

[huuligan]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by ExcelRVGuy:
This message is for all who have the optional ShurFlo variable speed water pump installed on your coach.

We have received an unusually high percentage of water pump warranty with our optional ShurFlo "Smart Sensor" Variable Speed Water Pump. The problem is that when turning the pump on, the pump begins to surge on and off.

What we discovered through one of our dealers who visited with ShurFlo is that in most instances, the pump is operating fine. The culprit is when the pump is installed in conjunction with the "Whole House Water Filter".

When the water filter begins to get a little dirty, it restricts the flow going to the pump. The pump can actually pump more water than the filter is letting through to it, thus causing the pump to begin surging.

If you have a pump that is surging, try turning the by-pass valves to bypass the water filter. Chances are that your pump will begin working fine.

There is a sensitivity screw in the center of the pressure switch on the head of the pump. The screw is the CENTER screw (There are 4 outside screws that hold the pressure switch in place). With a phillips screwdriver, turn the screw clockwise until it is tight. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN. Then back the screw off (counter-clockwise) 1/4 turn.

This adjustment to your pump should help it perform to it's maximum potential and stop the surging. We are going to begin making this adjustment to all pumps during the pre-assembly process.

It is also important to change your water filter on a regular basis. These are standard filters that can be purchased at most home improvement stores such as Lowe's and Home Depot.

Thanks for your continued support of Peterson Industries and Excel

Bryan Tillett
Pres. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

What you really need to do is install the filter on the discharge side of the pump, not on the suction side!! Never install a filter on the suction side of any pump, any time!! I have NEVER seen this done. Please don't adjust the pump pressure switch!!

[unfinished91]

I am going to have to disagree with huuligan. I have spent 37 yeas working for Phillips Pipeline and every filter we put on a pump went on the suction side. The main purpose of putting a filter on our pumps was to protect the pump from any trash that might be in the product. I suspect this is one of the reasons our Excels are plumbed this way.

[ExcelRVGuy]

I just jumped on the forum a moment before retiring for the night (In Kansas we call it "Hitting the sack") and noticed Huuligan's post. It got me to scratching my head so I went out and crawled into my storage compartment on my 5th wheel. I STAND CORRECTED! We actually ARE plumbing the whole house water filter on the OUTLET side of the pump. There is also a mini-filter on the inlet side in order to catch debris from the h2o tank. The filter is plumbed so that it filters the water regardless of whether you are on city water or operating from the pump.

In any event, the culprit is still the h2o filter if you are having pump surge.

Thanks Huuligan for setting me straight. Now that I have that off my mind, can I hit the sack?

BT

[LindaH]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by huuligan:
Please don't adjust the pump pressure switch!! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

When our ShurFlo variable speed water pump began surging (we do NOT have the Whole House Water Filter), we called ShurFlo and that's *exactly* what they told us to do; i.e., turn the sensitivity screw in the center of the pressure switch just as Bryan described above.

[Duffy]

Hi Guy's
Have a problem with my ShurFlo. The first pump worked for a while properly, than started to surge, pump to presure but not completely shut off. Would run slow, get hot & kick out, than not come back on demand.
Put in second pump & it worked fine for a while.same problem's O and they both leaked a little.
Have come to the conclusion when we hookup to city water ( with a regulater ) for a couple of weeks, than need to use our fresh water tank that's when we have problem's.
The way the city water is plumed in the rig would there be back presure on the pump to make it malfunction some how.
I have lived in this new unit since we pick it up 5/1/08. Have spent a lot of time in the basement looking & checking.
If this is the only real problem we have had with this unit minor ,but aggitating.
YOU GUYS AT PI WOW WHAT AN OUTSTANDING JOB YOU & YOUR WORKERS HAVE DONE ON MY 08 36MKO.
THANK YOU
\THANK YOU
\THANK YOU
Rex Buttolph
from Iowa for now

[Workshop]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Duffy:

Have a problem with my ShurFlo. The first pump worked for a while properly, than started to surge, pump to presure but not completely shut off. Would run slow, get hot & kick out, than not come back on demand......Put in second pump & it worked fine for a while, same problem's......they both leaked a little.

The way the city water is plumbed in the rig would there be back presure on the pump to make it malfunction some how. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I still have the 'stone age' pump from 2001 and so far still working great. I assume Rex you have read ExcelRVGuy's information at the top of the post and attempted to adjust the pressure switch? It sounds like you have some of the same problems and wonder if that might help.

You mentioned that you have had leaks of both pumps but didn't mention the location of the leaks. Are they at the hose/tubing connections or from the pump itself? You could be drawing air when the pump is operating.

You wondered if the 'city pressure' could be afffecting the pump, it is my understanding there is a check valve in older pumps and would assume newer ones as well that prevent this. Believe it's purpose is to keep water from backflowing through the pump and filling the 'freshwater' holding tank. This has been written on in the past on the forum and a related article. In a diagram of pump parts I've seen, the check valve on my pump looks like a flat disk that allows flow in one direction. Not sure if this would be causing your problem, have you noticed a difference in your tank level? ShurFlo and others sell an external CHECK VALVE for the pump, its cheap insurance if you think the city connection could be causing your problem.

Here's ShurFlo's INSTALLATION GUIDE. It has troubleshooting and good gerneral info if you don't already have it.

And here is a DRAWING I did some time ago on the general water system on the current model.

Hope something helps.

[brassringer]

This is good information on the surflo pumps. I had contactated my dealer (Jacks camper Mitchell SD) a year ago June 07 about the same problems and just wanted a telephone no. so I might give them a call to remedy the problem. I am still waiting for the call. I am thinking they forgot. Oh well maybe my new Hitchhiker will come with a manual on the pump.

[Workshop]

Here's SHURflo's CUSTOMER SERVICE information and a listing of their EXTREME SERIES pumps. The installation guide line is what you would need. If your pump is different, go to the title bar and select Product Informaton for the other pumps and accessories.

[WeThePeople]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duffy Hi Guy's The first pump worked for a while properly, than started to surge, pump to presure, but not completely shut off. Would run slow, get hot & kick out, than not come back on demand. Put in second pump & it worked fine for a while. same problem's and they both leaked a little. The way the city water is plumed in the rig would there be back presure on the pump to make it malfunction some how. Rex Buttolph from Iowa for now

I know this is an old thread,
but the title drew me to it.

Please read what I just found out
about my 5900-0201 (5.7-GPM) yesterday.

Replacement for Shurflo 5.7 gpm Pump



Also, yes, they have five inlet and five outlet
check valves made of very thin rubber inside.

One in and one out per chamber of the five chambers.



But these also have a 30-lb max inlet rating.

if the city pressure is shared on the outlet,
it really should have a dedicated check valve
on the pump outlet to protect these valves's.

If it shares the inlet to free-pass through the pump,
it should be changed to share the outlet instead,
with the proper check valve protecting the pump.

The inlet should only see a fine screen filter
to protect the pump inards from a tank only.

Any "House Filter" should always be on the outlet.

Pump >to> check-valve >to> tee >to> Filter Inlet...

Then street pressure through a seperate check valve,
then a safety over-pressure regulator to other tee inlet.



I hope this helps others,
Paul

[gdbontly]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockintom Thanks for the "heads up", Bryan. . . . I'm a maintenance nut and my WH water filter get changed regularly! Respectfully, Tom

We're supposed to change the filter? Just kidding!