Water pump - How's this supposed to work?

[Red Wolf]

First trip in the 2011 Tiffin Allegro 32BA. There was 1/3 tank fresh water from the dealership in their and the inspector's testing.

There is a pump switch in the bathroom, and one in the kitchen. Up is *supposed* to be on.

The big City Water vs Fill Tank was set to City. I don't boondock, and always in the past of used the park's we go to water supplies.

So - I was expecting to be using city water the entire time. But I kept hearing the pump going when we used the water. Check the pump switches - both bathroom and kitchen were down. Run water, pump noises. Push the bathroom switch up (which previous owner had labeled as "pump on", and it stops.

So - bathroom is now "on", kitchen is "off", and pump is now off.

During out four day stay, the fresh water tank went from 1/3 to 2/3. I opened the drain, and water flowed out...until the tank got to 1/3, and there it stopped.

So...what's going on? :-)

[Ljwt330]

Normal. Both are not necessarily to be in the same position. As long as the pump doesn’t start when you turn a faucet you’ re good.

[Red Wolf]

Any idea why the fresh water tank went up by 1/3 when the valve was set to city and not “fill”?

[Mudfrog]

Originally Posted by Red Wolf

Any idea why the fresh water tank went up by 1/3 when the valve was set to city and not “fill”?

I've read on here a few times that the "city water/tank fill" valve you spoke of in your first post sometimes leaks through. It might be letting water into the tank while in the city water position.

I have that valve on mine but I've never used it because ours has a gravity fill that I use instead. It's been 17 years now, it's never been turned, and I'm not going to try turning it now.

Sounds like you have the pump under control but in case not,,, I wouldn't be surprised if there's another rocker switch down in the water bay compartment.

[Red Wolf]

Originally Posted by Mudfrog

I've read on here a few times that the "city water/tank fill" valve you spoke of in your first post sometimes leaks through. It might be letting water into the tank while in the city water position.

Ok, will keep an eye on that, thanks!

[Gary RVRoamer]

Do your pump switches stay in the position when you move them or are they momentary (they spring back when you let go)? If you have more than one switch, they are usually momentary.



If momentary, your water pump is controlled with a relay (pump controller) and moving the switch just triggers a change at the controller. There is no "ON" position at the switch - it's just a signalling device to tell the controller that you want to change the current pump status. If already ON, it turns OFF; if already OFF, it turns ON. From either switch.

[falconman]

If only two switches, they are likely “three way”, similar to what you would find in your house. You can turn the pump on-off from either switch but the actual switch position doesn’t matter. Unless there is a light on the switch or you can hear the pump there’s no way to tell. Labeling that type of switch is useless. As far as the tank filling, it’s either the selector valve or the check valve in the pump head is leaking.

[757driver]

Originally Posted by falconman

If only two switches, they are likely “three way”, similar to what you would find in your house. You can turn the pump on-off from either switch but the actual switch position doesn’t matter. Unless there is a light on the switch or you can hear the pump there’s no way to tell. Labeling that type of switch is useless. As far as the tank filling, it’s either the selector valve or the check valve in the pump head is leaking.

Very good advice here!!

[Red Wolf]

Yeah, I'm going to go with the "three way"-switch-like-the-house theory of behavior, because that is what I observed.

I'm hoping that I can unmount that city/fill valve and it'll drop down below the panel enough for me to get to it. Disassembling that entire panel would be a huge pain in the neck.

[Milford 47]

Originally Posted by falconman

If only two switches, they are likely “three way”, similar to what you would find in your house. You can turn the pump on-off from either switch but the actual switch position doesn’t matter. Unless there is a light on the switch or you can hear the pump there’s no way to tell. Labeling that type of switch is useless. As far as the tank filling, it’s either the selector valve or the check valve in the pump head is leaking.

Right on exactly how it works

You might have a third switch at the wet bay as well

[Skip Y]

As said above, switches are working normally, if any switch is ON, the pump is energized, and will turn on if the pressure drops below the set-point (45 psi +/-). If you're hooked up to city water and the city water pressure is less than the set point (45 psi), then the pump will turn on to give you 45psi at the faucet.
Next issue: sounds like the city water tank fill valve is leaking by, filling the tank whn it shouldn't. Try opening and closing the tank-fill-valve a few times to see if it will reseat. Leaking by is not a major issue, especially since it took 4 days to go from 1/3 to 2/3. Worse that will happen is the tank will oveflow thru the overflow tube.
Third issue: if water stopped draining and still showed 1/3, sounds like there's a piece of debris on the 1/3 contact, giving you a false reading. Might try putting Cl (bleach) in tank and letting it soak for a few days, then rinsing tank. Doubt if drain valve is an issue since you siad water did drain - although if it drained to JUST LESS than 2/3 it would still show as 1/3. Try the chlorine first.

Skip Y
2010 Journey
WIT Club 47083, FMCA F263635
Loc.: MI

[dieselclacker]

I have a 2004 Allegro with pump switch in bathroom and at control panel in a front cabinet.
Whichever switch is used to turn the pump on must also be used to turn the pump off. One switch cannot override the operation of the other. Newer model Allegros must have changed.

[Milford 47]

Originally Posted by dieselclacker

I have a 2004 Allegro with pump switch in bathroom and at control panel in a front cabinet.
Whichever switch is used to turn the pump on must also be used to turn the pump off. One switch cannot override the operation of the other. Newer model Allegros must have changed.

Newer rigs have a pump controller mounted near the water pump where the signal is sent

[MSHappyCampers]

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

Do your pump switches stay in the position when you move them or are they momentary (they spring back when you let go)? If you have more than one switch, they are usually momentary.



If momentary, your water pump is controlled with a relay (pump controller) and moving the switch just triggers a change at the controller. There is no "ON" position at the switch - it's just a signalling device to tell the controller that you want to change the current pump status. If already ON, it turns OFF; if already OFF, it turns ON. From either switch.

X2!