Up graded fresh water pump

[Pete Masterson]

My experience was much the same. My coach had dual water pumps, but I
almost always ran them one at a time. When I had both pumps run, it
didn't seem like it changed anything.

The main motive for my performing the upgrade was that both pumps in
the original installation were seeping at the joint where the motor
attaches to the pump body. It appeared that a rebuild would be
required for both pumps. Doing the rebuild would probably have been
less expensive, but the complexity of the current system was not
attractive.

I removed both pumps and the accumulator tank.

I installed the Shurflow variable speed pump in the same location and
re-plumbed the connections. My coach uses polybutyl pipe, so I got
connectors from PEX Connection that mated to the polybutyl and used
PEX 3/4 inch tubing to connect the pump. (3/4 inch was selected due
to a comment in the pump instructions that "feeding into a 3/4 inch
pipe was preferred.") I note that the inlet and outlet fittings that
come with the pump are 1/2 inch. I used plastic plumbing fittings for
the reduction.

I wired the new pump to the "A" side of the selector switch and
capped off the "B" side wire.

Non-technical observations --

Original:
so-so water pressure (takes forever for hot water to reach the
kitchen sink -- and I'd _never_ gotten hot water to the bathroom sink).
quiet -- but I can hear the pump run from time to time when the
pressure in the accumulator tank drops.
Accumulator tank has absolutely no lag once the system is pressurized.

New set up:
good water pressure -- hot water arrives fairly quickly, even in the
bathroom sink.
Shower head doesn't provide "stinging" spray (by design) but pressure
no longer feels like a dribble
drains water tank faster
not quite as quiet, but not objectionable. Only operates when water
is demanded.
Microphor toilet doesn't always refill with water -- must hold handle
down a bit longer when flushing to ensure that the water pump starts
up -- or flush twice. (A minor inconvenience.) This is the only
situation where the fraction-of-a-second lag before the pump starts
is noticeable.

Note: On my coach the original water pumps are installed in a
basement compartment attached to a wooden block screwed to a metal
bulkhead. The much stronger vibration from the new pump does create a
more noticeable pump noise. The PEX pipe was installed in a way to
reduce/eliminate transferring the vibration through the plumbing system.

If I had it to do over again:
I wouldn't have used the PEX, but rather I'd have used a metal braid
covered "water heater" connection pipe I ran across in the hardware
store. These water heater connectors are flexible, 3/4 inch diameter
"hoses" but the fittings on the end use standard pipe threads.
(DIfferent PB-FPT fittings would have been required and I'd already
purchased the PB-PEX fittings.)

The PEX, in 3/4 inch size, proved quite difficult to position into
the small radius bends required for the available space. 1/2 inch PEX
would have been much easier to work with, but would have been a more
restrictive flow to/from the pump.

Pete Masterson
aeonix1@...
'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42'
El Sobrante, CA




On Feb 26, 2007, at 8:47 AM, Ralph L. Fullenwider wrote:

> Good morning to everyone:
>
> Now that I have the water problems solved in the '84FC, I was asked
> to post
> my thoughts on the validity of the up grade.
>
> The following is from my feeling and what I now have over what was
> installed and not from any technical standpoint.
>
> Old pump; 40 PSI @ 4gpm Par pump
>
> Good pressure
> Noisy
> must have accumulator tank
> no shower while doing dish
>
> New pump; Surflow 65Psi @ 5.7 GPM Variable speed
>
> Stinging shower normal shower with kitchen faucet running
> Is it running? very quiet
> removed accumulator tank
> Will drain fresh water tank faster
>
> I like the up grade even though it did point out that I had a water
> pressure problem that I did not know I had until it was installed.
>
> What I forsee with Coaches with dual water pumps. A single pump
> giving more
> pressure than both dual pumps on the A/B switch since the dual
> pumps are
> generally 40 PSI @ 3 GPM
>
> All that being said, even with the increase of price, it is a good
> viable
> up grade and I recommend it.
>
> Higher pressures? Well these Coaches must pass a 115 static PSI
> test for
> the RVIA standard, so 65 PSI is well within that range. Even if 2
> 65 PSI
> pumps were installed on the dual system, the variable speed pumps
> would or
> should equalize and at most would give you a constant 65 PSI with all
> faucets running
>
>
> Safe travels,
>
> Ralph and Charolette Fullenwider
> '84 FC35 Duncan, Oklahoma
> Ralph's RV Solutions



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