1703T: replacing the water pump

[Luisa48]

Hi All,

Mr Clever (me) took insufficient precautions during a rare hard freeze here near Houston.

On trying out the water system, the previously very noisy water pump was suspiciously quiet and the flow out of the taps exceedingly slow. Grump!

A bit of googling found a similar model - a ShureFlo 4008.

Some pics . . .

Before:

The replacement is close enough to install without replumbing:

It doesn't need an accumulator but I left all that as-is.

Here it is installed:

I had to move the battery charger out of the way to make the work easier. When I went to re-install the charger, it wouldn't fit because the new pump had a taller anti-vibration mounting foot. Grump. But anyway, the charger cooling fan was much to close to the bed-board . . so I re-positioned it to one side and lower down.

Nothing is ever simple. While doing the work, I noticed that the bed support frame against the side wall was loose in the middle. Not a loose screw; unbelievably, the support screws go into the thin wall-paneling so, being trailer-trash so to speak, I moved the screw over:

But then the Engineer in me said "that sucks" so I installed a support stud:

Pleased to say that the new pump is nice and quiet compared to the old one!

Best Regards,

Ted

 

[JackandJanet]

Good work, Ted! It's amazing the number of "improvements" one can do on these trailers.

- Jack

 

[retiredcamper47]

Ted, To help make it quieter, place a computer mouse pad under the pump and rescrew the pump to the floor. This will help to eliminate any vibration from the pump. Just a suggestion....................................................

Bob

 

[Luisa48]

Thanks, Jack & Bob.

The mouse pad suggestion is interesting. It's quite a pain in those cramped quarters to gain access to the said pump, so please forgive me if I don't do that right away. The new pump is pretty quiet - I think it's a different type than the original - 4 chamber instead of three:

http://shurflo.com/images/files/RV_Product_Data_Sheets/Fresh_Water_Pumps/pds-4008-101-X65.pdf

Interesting marketing - the brochure quotes 3 gpm but fails to mention that is at zero differential pressure! up around 50 psi you get like 1 gpm or so . . .

best,

Ted

 

[maestro123]

you are a funny dude! sounds like the work I get involved in, LOL 1 thing turns into 15 more. nice to meet you nice work.

 

[sam-HILO]

Replacing water pump

DH replaced our water pump because it was noisey and on its last legs. By the time you have to replace something the new product is improved. WWW.PPL Motorhomes.com 1-800-755-4775. This is a free 1000.00page rv catalog that will be mailed to you for free. A good reference to have. Request by phone or on the internet.

 

[JackandJanet]

You can also add short, flexible water hoses to each side of the pump that then connect to the original lines. They are about 9" long as I recall. This also isolates the pump from rigid portions of the system to reduce the vibrations from the pump. They DO work. I installed them on my pump in addition to mounting it on a rubber pad as Bob suggested.

I thought the original noise the pump made was fairly embarrassing, especially in the wee morning hours. It sounded kind of rude, like a fart.

- Jack

 

[Formula357]

These are good ideas, I think I will make some effort to quiet down my water pump.
Larry