
What is an RV Water Pump?
When do you Use the Water Pump in an RV?
Is it Bad to Leave the Water Pump on in an RV?
Does the RV Water Pump Need to be on When Connected to City Water?
How to figure out wattage of water pump?
How to save water reserve in a water tank?
What happens if the water pressure is too low?
See 2 more

RV Water Pump Not Working | 6 Reasons & Solutions
The joys of camping are many, but the major issue for RVing is water pump failures. Here are 5 things that you need to check if your RV water pump not working.
How to tell if water pump is cracked?
This valve tells the water pump when to stop. If it’s cracked, it will often tell the pump to keep pumping which causes your fresh water tank to rise. Try this: Step #1 With the water off, take off the current check valve. It will usually be on a tube or hose that connects the water pump to the fresh water tank.
How to check if a pump is grounded?
Use a volt meter to check to see if you have a full 12 volts at the pump, then double check that the pump is grounded. (It won’t work if it’s not grounded.)
How to tell if RV water pump is working?
Turn the pump on and see if the water is pumping out. (It’s a good idea to have a bucket handy, in case it is!) Is it coming out quickly with pressure or does it drip, drip, drip? If only the water trickles out, then you most likely need to get a new water pump. If the water coming out seems to be pressurized, however, then the issue is between the RV water pump and the actual RV faucets.
What happens if you disconnect a water line?
Reconnect the line. If the water line seems dry, then the issue is the actual water line coming to the pump from the tank. Check to see if there is any type of blockage or tube damage.
Why does my RV water pump make a noise?
RV companies are often in a hurry to put all the parts in the right place. In some cases, this results in RV water pumps that are loose and cause vibrations that sound like banging on a pipe with a hammer. Check out the above video for an RV water pump troubleshooting, noise-fixing remedy.
Why does my faucet sputter?
Regardless, you’ll need to thoroughly inspect the entire system to try to find the cause of the leak. Loose connections or defective valves can also let air into your lines, which will lead to sputtering faucets — and sometimes, a face full of water when you’re not expecting it.
What happens if you winterize your RV water system?
Keep in mind that if you’ve winterized your RV water system improperly, your RV water pump may have frozen — which would cause damage requiring it to be replaced entirely. If you’ve thoroughly inspected your RV water system and haven’t found the culprit of the leak, then you know what to do: seek a qualified RV repair professional!
How Long Does an RV Water Pump Last?
They can last 10 or more years if maintained properly. Some of the leading causes of damage include cold weather, build-ups from minerals or other corrosion, or leaving a pump on with little or no water in the freshwater tank.
How to increase water pressure in RV?
One of the best ways to increase the water pressure for showers in your RV is to upgrade your shower head. Oxygenics makes several models of RV showerheads that drastically increase the water pressure and use less water.
What to do if you camp on the weekends?
If you camp on the weekends during the warmer months, you should make it a part of your winterizing and de-winterizing processes. While inspecting it, look for signs of wear and tear or any loose connections. Address any loose wiring or water connections immediately.
What happens when you open a water fixture?
When you open a water fixture, it releases pressure and activates the water pump. The water pump repressurizes the water lines, and water continues to flow until you close the fixture. Shutting off the fixture will cause the water lines to repressurize and shut off the water pump.
How to get water to go in RV without water?
1. Move Water from Tank to Pipes. The more you take advantage of the freedoms RVing provides, the more you’ll probably find yourself camping without a water source. Not having a water connection at your site means you’ll need to fill up your RV’s freshwater tanks before camping.
When to turn off water pump in RV?
For the same reason, you should also turn off the water pump when you’re away from your RV for an extended time. Whether you’re away for an all-day adventure or while your RV is in storage, be sure to turn off the water pump. If a waterline or fitting leaked, the water pump would continue to attempt to pressurize the lines.
Can a water pump cause damage to RV?
While water pumps are a tremendous resource to have in your RV, they can cause severe damage when misused. Because a water pump will continue to run until the lines can repressurize, accidentally leaving a faucet open will eventually fill your wastewater tanks. Make sure to turn off your water pump while towing your RV.
How do I prime my 12V RV water pump?
You may need to prime your RV water pump after replacing it , or if your RV’s been out of use in storage for a time. Fortunately, priming an RV water pump is easy!
How long do 12V RV water pumps last?
When well cared for, an RV water pump can last up to 10 years — though, of course, there’s always some variation depending on manufacturer, model, and plain old luck of the draw.
What is a GPM pump?
Gallons per minute, or GPM, is the rate of water flow as measured in how many gallons of water a pump can process per minute. Pumps on the weaker end may have GPM ratings of 1.2 or so, while pumps with GPM ratings of more than 4 are considered “high volume” water pumps.
What is a 12V water pump?
12V water pump RV models are the standard operating motors for RV use. These are not to be confused with a 110V water pump or 120V RV water pump, as these models are generally made for other purposes, generally in residential homes. While 12V RV water pumps obviously don’t pump water with the same pressure as larger ones made for installation in residential homes, but so long as they’re in working order, they get the job done and then some.
What is a high volume water pump?
Finally, high volume water pumps are designed to deliver water at a higher rate of flow than the standard 12V water pumps found on board most RVs. They also require more electricity to operate, and so they’re usually found only on larger, 50-amp rigs.
How many amps does a water pump use?
While most RV water pumps draw very little electricity, high-volume pumps can draw up to 15 amp s of power.
What is variable speed pump?
Variable speed pumps, on the other hand, can create water pressures similar to what you’re used to in your home. Their in-built pressure sensor adjusts the speed of the pump motor to ensure the water is delivered at a constant pressure.
What is black water?
Simply put, black water is raw sewage and it always needs to be disposed of properly. Most RVs that have a water system that includes a freshwater and gray water tank will almost certainly have a black water tank for holding human waste. In a previous article on black water tanks, I shared with you some of my thoughts on how best to understand that system as well as what you should do to properly access it and maintain it and I hope you’ll take a look at that article for some of your unanswered questions about your black water system.
How does a water pump work when you turn on the faucet?
Generally, these are wired so that when you turn on a faucet the water pump will automatically activate and will run until you shut the faucet of valve off. However, some systems are designed for you to manually turn the pump on and off each time you access your freshwater system when not using your city water system.
What is the difference between a fixed home and an RV?
However, the main difference is that in a fixed home when you turn on a faucet or flush a toilet the water and waste appear and disappear with little or no effort on your part. That said, living in an RV means that you will be responsible for supplying water and dealing with natural waste and in this article, I’ll explain how your water system ...
How far away should I park from a water supply?
Pro tip: You never know how far away you may need to park from a water supply, so I recommend having a 10-foot, 25-foot and 50-foot hose with you. Next, your fresh water will flow into holding tank. Most holding tanks should have an overflow tube that will let you know when your tank is full of water. However, if you are using a continuous supply ...
Do RVs have fresh water?
Most factory manufactured RVs such as class A or C motorhomes as well as towable trailers are equipped with a freshwater system and disposal system that separates the discarded water down to either black water or gray water. Custom builds, restorations, and most class B motorhomes are likely to have water systems with completely different designs, and in a future article I will share some of my design ideas for your water systems should you be looking for an alternative to the conventional systems currently offered by most popular manufacturers.
Do RVs have water?
Most manufactured RV water systems are similar regardless of the class or size of your RV. Of course, these vary by manufacture date and size of your RV, but as a rule most modern RVs will always follow the simple rule of plumbing…crap runs downhill and as long as you have a water supply and drainage system that follows this rule you should have an adequate water system.
Does an RV have a water holding tank?
If your RV has a fresh water holding tank it will likely have an outdoor fixture that is labeled “city water supply”. In this photo you’ll see that this unit has a supply fixture that fits two different sizes of hoses, but most RVs only are equipped with a single hose fitting designed to fit a standard garden hose. RV water filters.
How to tell if RV water pump is working?
How to Diagnose the Cause of RV Water Pump Not Working 1 Check if the supply of water is getting into the pump. Many times, people leave the drain open thinking that they are filling the water tank. When there is no water in the tank, they end up presuming that the pump is not working. 2 When the water pump switch is on, it should make a noise indicating that the electricity connection is available. If the pump does not make any noise, inspect the 12-volt panel fuse to see if there is an electricity supply available. If yes, then use a volt-meter or a test light to check electricity. 3 Do not forget to check whether the shut-off valve of the water pump is open or not. 4 It is also common to forget reconnecting the line from the tank to the after disconnecting it in the fall. When the RV water pump does not work, checking the connection of this line is mandatory. 5 Keep the last check for the pump itself. If the pump is getting 12-volt power but still not working, see if the motor is grounded or not. If it is not, then the 12 volts connection will be futile. However, when a pump does not work despite having good ground, it is time to get a new motor.
How to fix an empty water tank?
In the case of an empty tank, fill the tank with sufficient water . 2. Fix Broken Pipeline. If the problem persists despite a full fresh water tank, then check for any breakage in the pipeline that helps running water to and from the pump. Besides the pipes, inspect the pipe joints too and mend the leakage, if any. 3.
What to do if a 12 volt pump is not working?
If the pump is getting 12-volt power but still not working, see if the motor is grounded or not. If it is not, then the 12 volts connection will be futile. However, when a pump does not work despite having good ground, it is time to get a new motor.
Why is there no water coming out of my water pump?
However, no water coming out of the pipe indicates that the pump was sucking in air in place of water. To fix this problem, fill the pipe with water and start the pump again.
How to tell if water pump is on?
When the water pump switch is on, it should make a noise indicating that the electricity connection is available. If the pump does not make any noise, inspect the 12-volt panel fuse to see if there is an electricity supply available. If yes, then use a volt-meter or a test light to check electricity.
Why is my pump stuck?
Stuck Pump: Due to the problematic valve, a pump might get stuck. Resolving the valve issue will fix it.
What to do if RV water pump won't turn?
If the RV water pump won’t turn, several things can be responsible. If the pump battery is down, then a replacement will be the only solution. Before that, confirm that the pump switches and RV fuse panel are in the position where they should be.
What is a self priming diaphragm pump?
This is a self priming diaphragm pump which helps lessen pulsations and noise level. It has a good dry running capacity so it won’t get damaged easily when there’s not enough water on your tank. It also helps the unit in resisting corrosion and abrasion so you can use it for a long time.
What is the best water pump brand?
Shurflo is one of the most trusted brands in the water pump industry. The Shurflo 2088 554 144 Fresh Water Pump is the number 1 bestseller in hydraulic pumps with thousands of its buyers giving it an almost perfect rating.
How long is the Remco water pump warranty?
This water pump is expensive but it comes with a 2 year warranty which gives you peace of mind because you can reach out to Remco when you’re not satisfied by its performance.
Why is my water pump making a noise?
If the issue is that your water pump cycles too fast, it means that there is too little air inside your water tank and this could also cause vibrations or a noisy water pump. To resolve this, you need to make some adjustments on the settings of your water pump.
Why is my RV water pump running so loud?
If you’re having a new RV water pump installed, the noise of the motor running is oftentimes a good indication that your electrical wirings are connected properly. But if the noise operation level gets so loud that it’s bothering you, then it’s possible that there is something wrong with the RV water pump.
How much pressure does an RV water pump have?
This RV water pump averages 50 PSI and 3.3 GPM water flow that makes for a superior pressure performance. It can also withstand extreme temperatures as it has passed 5 2-hour cycles of freezing and thawing and the housing didn’t crack.
What is a water pump made of?
This water pump uses positive displacement and has 3 chambers to help with the stable flow of the water thereby reducing pulsation. It is made of metal and has thermal protection.
What is an RV Water Pump?
Its job is to pump water from a localized source through the piping to your sink, bathroom, shower and other water outlets.
When do you Use the Water Pump in an RV?
There are specific times when you do need to use your water pump outside of normal daily life functions. Those functions are cooking, cleaning, showering, and so on. Here are some other times you should use your water pump:
Is it Bad to Leave the Water Pump on in an RV?
Not necessarily . This also depends on your preference. Turning the water [pump off can help you avoid situations where a bumpy road knocks the shower head off and the water empties into your shampoo bottle.
Does the RV Water Pump Need to be on When Connected to City Water?
The answer to this question is no. Once you hook up the city water inlet line, you will bypass the water pump and send water directly to your faucets and other water outlets.
How to figure out wattage of water pump?
To figure out the wattage used by a water pump, the equation is amps multiplied by volts equals watts.
How to save water reserve in a water tank?
To save your water reserve, just turn the pump off and do not use it until you absolutely need it.
What happens if the water pressure is too low?
If that pressure is too low, then it will add more water from your reserves. Or if you cannot find a campground with water or electrical hook ups, then the water pump will use your RV battery to power up and deliver the water you need.
