Pump cavitating

Butcher

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 10, 2021
Messages
816
I re-plumbed my 29RS to prevent future leaks and to make space for some LifePo4 batteries. Highly recommend everyone doing this but beware, you will need a lot of beer when you are done. When I did this 'remodel' I also relocated the water pump higher [mounted upside down above the hot water tank]. Mostly because I wanted the space for the batteries.

My new found problem is that the pump seems to run forever because there is air in the line. If I bleed out the lines [open all the faucets] the pump will start to load up and the water will flow properly. I shut all the faucets off and the pump will shut off and not cycle [like it's losing pressure, ie leak]. Even overnight, no cycling. If we use the water, the pump will cycle, but does not want to shut off because there is no pressure build up. The pump does not seem to have a load on it when this happens.

I'm thinking that maybe the extra height [not drop down storage so maybe a foot or two] is preventing the pump from lifting the water that high. I am satisfied there are no leaks and certainly no leaks on the intake side [sucking air]. Has anyone run into this? I searched but there does not seem to be many that are moving their pump to a higher ground.

What I plan on doing is to move the pump to a much lower area. Probably the front storage compartment, maybe even in the water tank area [between the frame rails]. We don't camp when it's cold so I am not concerned about freezing. I suspect, the further away from the living area the less noise there will be. Having the pump closer to the water level should resolve the cavitation problem that I think I am having.

Open to ideas/thoughts.
 
I re-plumbed my 29RS to prevent future leaks and to make space for some LifePo4 batteries. Highly recommend everyone doing this but beware, you will need a lot of beer when you are done. When I did this 'remodel' I also relocated the water pump higher [mounted upside down above the hot water tank]. Mostly because I wanted the space for the batteries.

My new found problem is that the pump seems to run forever because there is air in the line. If I bleed out the lines [open all the faucets] the pump will start to load up and the water will flow properly. I shut all the faucets off and the pump will shut off and not cycle [like it's losing pressure, ie leak]. Even overnight, no cycling. If we use the water, the pump will cycle, but does not want to shut off because there is no pressure build up. The pump does not seem to have a load on it when this happens.

I'm thinking that maybe the extra height [not drop down storage so maybe a foot or two] is preventing the pump from lifting the water that high. I am satisfied there are no leaks and certainly no leaks on the intake side [sucking air]. Has anyone run into this? I searched but there does not seem to be many that are moving their pump to a higher ground.

What I plan on doing is to move the pump to a much lower area. Probably the front storage compartment, maybe even in the water tank area [between the frame rails]. We don't camp when it's cold so I am not concerned about freezing. I suspect, the further away from the living area the less noise there will be. Having the pump closer to the water level should resolve the cavitation problem that I think I am having.

Open to ideas/thoughts.

You may be on to something with the pump height. I've found when winterizing, having the jug of AF on the ground, the pump will not lift the liquid that high. If I put the jug in the compartment, no problem. Once it is primed, it may be ok, but if it loses it....
 
If that is the case with your experience, then it might just be that. I guess just a few more hours of work to change the location. Maybe a few more hoses to make too.
 

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