Community Forums

jennenga · 04-20-2014, 06:51 AM

I found my water pump under the sofa of my motor home. Problem is that I can't find the switch anywhere. Beginning to think it just "senses" when water is there and runs as a faucet is opened. Could this be true? Any help would be greatly appreciated

Walt Bennett · 04-20-2014, 06:54 AM

What year, make and model do you have?

Tha_Rooster · 04-20-2014, 06:56 AM

Generally by the sinks I wound not think its wired to stay on all the time.

Medico · 04-20-2014, 07:06 AM

Mine senses a change in pressure, for example when water is turned on somewhere, and starts to run to keep the tank pressurized so my water continues to flow.

jennenga · 04-20-2014, 07:28 AM

1981 Ford Honey on E-350 van chassis. Not sure on footage

ahicks · 04-20-2014, 07:56 AM

jennenga - anything is possible, but generally there's a switch to turn the pump off somewhere. If yours isn't located somewhere near the galley area, sometimes they're located on the monitor panel?

Medico - you're pretty sure your pump pressurizes the tank? Most modern systems have a gravity fed pump fed by a tank that does not take kindly to being pressurized at all! The pump pressurizes the water lines only, then monitors that pressure, kicking on when the pressure drops.

Older systems, getting really old now, used a galvanized water tank and a small 12v air compressor to keep it pressurized. Again, anything is possible, but I'd be surprised to hear of something like that in use any more?

jennenga · 04-20-2014, 04:34 PM

Has a white plastic holding tank under sofa, then a flojet pump after the tank and b4 plumbing. Can see wires connected to pump but just a breaker on the main breaker panel. Maybe I should fill tank and see if pump kicks on with open faucet

SarahW · 04-20-2014, 05:37 PM

You might send a PM to "MartySQ"; she is a member who owns a Honey. (She responded to your thread in the Vintage Owners Section about the Honey.) Good luck!

t55watson · 04-20-2014, 05:46 PM

Switch may be in the bath area.

mojoracing · 04-21-2014, 03:14 AM

There has to be a switch. No way it is auto. Look on the monitor panel.

Medico · 04-21-2014, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahicks

Medico - you're pretty sure your pump pressurizes the tank? Most modern systems have a gravity fed pump fed by a tank that does not take kindly to being pressurized at all! The pump pressurizes the water lines only, then monitors that pressure, kicking on when the pressure drops.

Older systems, getting really old now, used a galvanized water tank and a small 12v air compressor to keep it pressurized. Again, anything is possible, but I'd be surprised to hear of something like that in use any more?

That is entirely possible. All I know is the pump senses a pressure change to come on. I assumed it pressurized the tank. It is likely that was an incorrect assumption. After all you know the adage about assumptions!

Medico · 04-21-2014, 08:57 AM

By the way I have a switch on my control panel behind the driver's seat, in the water compartment and in the restroom, any of which turn off the pump.

jennenga · 04-21-2014, 11:39 AM

Not sure. I don't think the tank gets pressurized because the pump is after the tank. This isn't a great big deal,as I could always drop a couple new wires and mount a new switch.

mel s · 04-21-2014, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jennenga

I found my water pump under the sofa of my motor home. Problem is that I can't find the switch anywhere. Beginning to think it just "senses" when water is there and runs as a faucet is opened. Could this be true? Any help would be greatly appreciated

jennenga
On most "modern coaches", (like my '96), the automatic pressure switch on the water pump does sense when a faucet is opened.
However there is usually a switch, (or switches), that it can be, (should be?), turned OFF when using campground water and/or when filling the water tank via a hose.
Mel
'96 Safari