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bobbelcher · 05-23-2016, 10:43 AM

Hi everyone.

I have lurked this site for the past month or two as I was gearing up to purchase my first motorhome. I had older travel trailers and campers for many years before and stepped up to a fleetwood pacearrow 34 foot rv just a few weeks ago. Its a 1998 model so its far from new but in great shape and has been taken very good care of.

I recently filled the water tank with water and turned the water pump on. It has great water pressure but the pump doesn't shut off. I cant see any where there are any leaks and like I said the water pressure is nice and strong. When I shut the water pump off via the switch, I can continue to get good water pressure for a good minute or two after the pump is off as it slowly loses water pressure. This was a shock to me because my older campers im use to no water if pump isn't running. Can someone help answer why the pump wont quit running?

Skip426 · 05-23-2016, 10:56 AM

Welcome to iRV2.

From your description , there may be a pressure tank somewhere in the coach , because with the pump off , as you said , no water pressure, is the normal.
If you are sure you have all the air out of the system ; outside shower, washer pre-plumed, even the pressure tank may require bleeding the air out ; any line with air in it can be a cause for the pump not to see full back pressure and shut off when it should . When your sure all the air is out of the system then look at the pump for it's pressure sensor , there may be an adjustment.
If you're not sure , get the pump info off the tag on the pump, and post that info and we'll look for a manual for the adjustment .

bobbelcher · 05-23-2016, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip426

Welcome to iRV2.

From your description , there may be a pressure tank somewhere in the coach , because with the pump off , as you said , no water pressure, is the normal.
If you are sure you have all the air out of the system ; outside shower, washer pre-plumed, even the pressure tank may require bleeding the air out ; any line with air in it can be a cause for the pump not to see full back pressure and shut off when it should . When your sure all the air is out of the system then look at the pump for it's pressure sensor , there may be an adjustment.
If you're not sure , get the pump info off the tag on the pump, and post that info and we'll look for a manual for the adjustment .

I thought about air in the lines. I ran all of the faucets and the toilet thinking there might be. BUTTTTT I forgot about the outdoor shower.... I will also need to search for a pressure tank somewhere. There has to be one as i got great water pressure even with the pump turned off.

dennis45 · 05-23-2016, 11:29 AM

Are you sure you don't have the Fresh Water Tank Fill Valve open or partially open? Sounds like the pump is running because there is an open valve somewhere. It will not shut off if it cannot reach its set pressure.

Spk64 · 05-23-2016, 12:27 PM

I agree with Dennis sounds like a fill valve open or not closing completely. Although there could be something else the above is a common problem.

mrboyer · 05-23-2016, 12:31 PM

There are two valves in our coach that can produce a similar problem. The outside shower which is just a sink sprayer. and the shower in the bath. If both valves are open; but the shower head is shut off, the pump can pump water through one line into the other recirculating the water. Check to be sure both the hot and cold valves are turned off.

Percival6 · 05-23-2016, 01:25 PM

I agree with Skip on this one. I've had pressure tanks on 2 past RVs (haven't gotten around to it on our MH.) If the water is continuing to run with the pump turned off for more than minute at full pressure there is definitely a pressure tank somewhere in the coach.

As far as the pump not shutting off, the check valves maybe faulty or the pressure tank pressure maybe set too high. Some pumps have adjustment screws for pressure settings. I tried this before and could never get my pump to shut off consistently, so I replaced it. Haven't had a problem since. Try to find out how old the pump is, yours may need replacing, too.

bobbelcher · 05-23-2016, 02:53 PM

Thanks guys. these are all things I will check when I get home. The shower one is the most intriguing one as I was playing with the faucets and the sprayer. The very first day I got the rig I grabbed the sprayer and wouldn't ya know it a wasp was sitting on the top of the handle and stung my finger. I will check all the faucets in this. The outside shower doesn't have a hose sprayer connected to it so im pretty sure this was closed and I did run the pump with the fill tank valve open before i realized it and closed it. I am hoping its just something simple like this.

bobbelcher · 05-23-2016, 05:26 PM

Thanks everyone. I figured out the problem. I had some trapped air still in the line and the pump wasn't able to get it out. I hooked it up to my city hose and ran all the lines including the outside shower and even the hot water tank pressure valve.

My pump is now working as it should.

Thank you.