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NOLAfolks · 10-31-2023, 06:37 PM

While some folks go to the expense of carrying an extra water pump. If you regularly stay in CGs with hook ups a quick cheap option is to keep a couple of 1/2" plastic pipe thread plugs on hand in your rig .

I recently had my Shurflo 12v water pump start leaking pretty severely. Since I am in the boonies ( but at a park with hookups) I could not easily go to a local supply to pick up a replacement and ordering one on line would take a week to reach me. With water hooked up to the CG source the pump leaked and with the pump connected to the tank it leaked whether on or off. My easy short term solution was two 1/2" MIP plastic plugs (cost about $3) I connected one to the pex FIP fitting at the inlet side of the pump and the other at the pex FIP fitting at the outlet side of the pump. This sealed off the water from both the tank and the CG side to the pump. This stops the leak and allows continued use of CG water until the pump can be replaced. Also -FYI- this is the same plug size that is used in the Atwood water heater should the drain plug become cross threaded or cracked during removable or replacement during cleaning.

GrantR · 10-31-2023, 07:02 PM

We do a lot of dry camping, I carry a spare. When I didn’t carry a spare, it failed on Christmas eve. Started carrying a spare and used it 10 years later while dry camping. Have another spare in the basement now.
It is just a matter of choice and what suits your needs.
I have used a similar hack to your to bypass my water filter that popped when I forgot to remove when winterizing and blew the bottom out of it.
Regards
GR

K7JV · 11-02-2023, 07:42 AM

That's actually a great idea! Many folks don't use their pumps very often at all, so carrying a spare may not be a big deal for them. Your solution is inexpensive, effective and easy!

That said, over the past 20+ years, we've had an RO system in both of our coaches ('06 Dynasty / '21 Esteem) and we pump every ounce that we use, whether on the road, dry camping (which we very rarely do), or connected to CG water. Loved it! Our pump was pretty essential, though, so we did carry a spare. FYI, even with pumping probably an average of 30 to 40 gallons every day, and an average of probably 150 days/nights each year, I never had to use my spare! (I never thought about it before, but that's in the neighborhood of 5,000 gallons per year!!!). I guess I've got to love Shurflo!

NOLAfolks · 11-03-2023, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K7JV

That's actually a great idea! Many folks don't use their pumps very often at all, so carrying a spare may not be a big deal for them. Your solution is inexpensive, effective and easy!

That said, over the past 20+ years, we've had an RO system in both of our coaches ('06 Dynasty / '21 Esteem) and we pump every ounce that we use, whether on the road, dry camping (which we very rarely do), or connected to CG water. Loved it! Our pump was pretty essential, though, so we did carry a spare. FYI, even with pumping probably an average of 30 to 40 gallons every day, and an average of probably 150 days/nights each year, I never had to use my spare! (I never thought about it before, but that's in the neighborhood of 5,000 gallons per year!!!). I guess I've got to love Shurflo!

Jim, Just as an FYI - yesterday I received my new Shurflo 4008 pump and the installation instructions states that use of the pump with and RO system can damage the pump and void the warranty. We do not have RO and I was not aware of this issue before reading the instruction manual. You obviously have not had an issue but since you mentioned your RO system I thought I should share this.

K7JV · 11-03-2023, 08:38 AM

Interesting. Good share! We had zero issues and awesome service. According to my log, we "slept" in our coach over 40% of the nights for over 15 years, by far the most of which had us pumping and using 100% RO water with zero pump issues. I wonder if it might be some kind of CYA language. We installed the RO system in our new (2021) Esteem, and so far, so good with the Sureflo pump that came installed in it. I would have to look to see what model of pump came in the Esteem. I would be shocked if the water "chemistry" would be able to actually damage the pump within the 1-year warranty that Sureflo provides, but they are protecting themselves, I guess.

Still, glad you shared that, thank you.