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Duane n Lora · 09-24-2019, 08:27 AM

Hello all,

I'm hoping that someone else may have some insight on a new issue I'm having. Loss of water pressure.

Our water pressure seems to be half what it was. It also seemed to me to happen rather suddenly, but that may be my imagination.

Here's the details. We were at a campground that had horrible water pressure and so we have been filling our water tank and using our onboard water pump. Everything was going smoothly for a couple of months and then, what seemed to me to be suddenly, our pressure dropped very dramatically.

Here's what I've done so far;

1) I removed and cleaned the water strainer/filter that is connected to the water pump. It was dirty, but not blocked. This had no impact.

2) I knew that I was getting some air into the water line and figured it was time to replace the Anderson Kantleak cartridge. It was in fact bad and leaking air. I replaced it with a new one and now there is no air in the water line, but this had no impact on the low water pressure.

3) I was now down to thinking my water pump may need to be rebuilt. So, we moved to a new campground that has 65psi water pressure and connected to their water. Guess what, I still have very low water pressure. We're talking so low that our washing machine will often error out saying water pressure is to low.

So, I've eliminated the Kantleak and the water pump as being the problem. Also, we're on a concrete pad and so I'd know if we were leaking water. We're not. Also, the water pump doesn't ever run when you're not using the water which it would do if we were leaking somewhere. I'm kind of at a loss. My next idea is going to be to pump vinegar throughout the system and let it sit overnight. My thinking is that maybe I have some scale built up in the lines.

Does anyone have any ideas that I may have overlooked?

Thanks

Gordon Dewald · 09-24-2019, 08:42 AM

Do you have full water pressure when you first open the tap?

I would try to inspect the water line for kinks from the water pump to the first distribution point.

If not the pump may be having issues. There are a couple screws on the end of the pump that can be used to adjust the pump. Have to research to see what they do.

Unplanned Tourist · 09-24-2019, 08:44 AM

Sounds like a blockage somewhere. Or possibly the pressure switch is faulty.
Any chance you can put a pressure gauge anywhere in the system? That would tell you if it's the pressure switch.
Happy Glamping.

iluvuk · 09-24-2019, 10:23 AM

I am suspicious that your water filter is clogged more than you think
Try bypassing or replacing filter.

Ljwt330 · 09-24-2019, 10:24 AM

Low water pressure when using pump.

Low water pressure when using city water @ 65 psi.

Only thing in common is the water system plumbing, not the pump and not the city water. Have you removed the aerators/screens from each faucet and checked to see if you have strong water flow? Do you have a whole house water filter, and if so, have you checked/cleaned that?

Duane n Lora · 09-25-2019, 08:05 AM

Thanks everyone for the good pump pointers. I also considered many of those, but I'm experiencing the issue while on city water and not using the pump.

Duane n Lora · 09-25-2019, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ljwt330

Low water pressure when using pump.

Low water pressure when using city water @ 65 psi.

Only thing in common is the water system plumbing, not the pump and not the city water. Have you removed the aerators/screens from each faucet and checked to see if you have strong water flow? Do you have a whole house water filter, and if so, have you checked/cleaned that?

Hey, thanks ... I have removed and cleaned all aerators and checked without the aerators installed. I even replaced the shower head with the original shower head. No luck.

Ljwt330 · 09-25-2019, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duane n Lora

Hey, thanks ... I have removed and cleaned all aerators and checked without the aerators installed. I even replaced the shower head with the original shower head. No luck.

Without knowing how your specific coach is plumbed, we can only speculate using our knowledge of the general layout of RV plumbing systems. From what you've posted, you've eliminated the most common areas--water pump, city/tank fill valve, water filter (whole house, I assume,) city water pressure, and faucet aerators. Additionally, your water pump does not continue to run so there is no recirculation diverting water pressure.

IMO, that leaves only a restriction somewhere in the plumbing lines that is common to all faucets and outlets (I assume the toilet flush and outdoor shower also suffers from low pressure, correct?) Again, without knowing your particular plumbing system I can only guess. Can you clarify if you do, indeed, have a whole house water filter system? If so, it may be with that device and not the cartridges that are replaceable. If you have such a device, try plumbing around it and see if that solves the problem.

Another area may be the cit/water tank fill valve that you already replaced. Is there a check valve in any of the lines that connect to that valve (grasping at straws here)?

Finally, it may be a collapsed line. If so, it would have to be one of the main feed lines as all outlets are affected.

Hope this gives you some help and, of course, keep us posted on your progress.

Ljwt330 · 09-28-2019, 03:02 PM

OP, any progress to report on this issue?

Duane n Lora · 09-29-2019, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ljwt330

OP, any progress to report on this issue?

Hey, LJwt330,

Nothing has changed, but I haven't done the vinegar treatment yet. We're on vacation at Myrtle Beach and I don't want to run the vinegar into the system until I know it can sit for at least 4 hours.

>>I assume the toilet flush and outdoor shower also suffers from low pressure, correct?

That's correct.

>>Can you clarify if you do, indeed, have a whole house water filter system?

We do not. We had one, but I removed it because I hated were Thor installed it.

>>Another area may be the cit/water tank fill valve that you already replaced. Is there a check valve in any of the lines that connect to that valve (grasping at straws here)?

None that I'm aware of.

>>Finally, it may be a collapsed line.

I agree.

I still think my next step is the vinegar treatment. I've watched a a number of YouTube vids that show a remarkable difference in water pressure before and then after the treatment. I'm hoping to get that done in the next few days and then I'll report back.

GMoore · 09-29-2019, 11:52 AM

I would take a look at the filter again. Is the same micron size, third party filter, installed correctly. Could try it without the filter to see.

Duane n Lora · 09-30-2019, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GMoore

I would take a look at the filter again. Is the same micron size, third party filter, installed correctly. Could try it without the filter to see.

Thanks GMoore, but I don't have a filter installed. I removed it shortly after buying the coach.

Duane n Lora · 10-14-2019, 08:14 AM

Well, I did the vinegar treatment and it had no effect. Maybe it improved a tiny little bit?? I've ordered an adapter that will let me connect my pressure gauge to my faucets and see what the actual pressure is. I'll post that info once I get the adapter. At this point, I can only assume that a line is pinched somewhere in the belly of the beast.

myarmar · 10-14-2019, 01:59 PM

I don't think pressure gauge would help you in troubleshooting, you problem is most likely with volume, and pressure would equalize to whatever supply pressure is. Maybe you can do visual first to see any kinks in the soft hoses behind distribution panel? Either kinked hose, or something inside the pipes blocking the flow. I remember it was reported that failed o-ring from the Anderson valve stuck in the PEX fitting and created a restriction.
Mike