Water pump intermittently turns off!

[Harmsy]

Hello all!...Harmsy here still on the very steep learning curve...Citation 24SJ...the water pressure at the current OR park is not sufficient to kick on the tankless water heater (?)...SO (and BUT) when I switch to dry camp and use the water pump the pump keeps turning off, unlatching...any thoughts?

[Bob Denman]

I don't think that they're meant to keep running.
They bring the system up to pressure, and then shut down.
After that point: they come back on as needed.

[Pete'sMH]

Think Bob.is right. It’s a “demand” pump. If you have a very large demand it might stay running but for lower delivered volumes it will cycle. You may also note that the pump isn’t rated for continuous use. I think you’re fine.

[Harmsy]

Thanks guys for the quick responses and encouragement...I know you guys have the same basic MH’s as I have...but, wife and I have to keep going over to the switch and turning it on...and that’s even in between going to the bathroom and washing your hands!...surely that can’t be right?...unless it is!...
...and I have separate posts and threads that discuss the pulsing of the water pressure at the bathroom sink in particular...what temperature do you set your tankless water heater to...I think 115’f is warm enough...but with the low camp site pressure we need the water pump to get the tankless heater to even turn on...hopefully this does not sound normal...:-)

[16ACE27]

Tankless heaters are finicky and require a minimum FLOW, not water pressure to operate. But you do need to have that pressure to supply the flow.

The water pump in your RV has a pressure switch integrated into it. It allows the pump to cycle off at the high pressure setpoint when you have the wall switch ON. Then, when you open a faucet, the water header pressure drops as the water flows, and when it reaches the pressure switch's low setpoint, the pump will turn back on to supply water flow.

If the pump's flow is greater than the faucet's demand, the pump will cycle off when the high setpoint is reached, then cycle back on when the low setpoint is reached, and continue to do this until you shut the faucet off.

The pump's pressure switch switch does have an adjustment so you may need to look at adjusting the setpoints.

[Pete'sMH]

So what happens after you flush the toilet and then go to wash your hands? Normal would be for the pump to shut off after the flush and then start automatically when you turn on your faucet (I.e. “demand” water). You should not try to use your pump if you are connected to city water. But once you switch on your pump the only time it should come on is when a faucet is actually turned on (or toilet, ice maker, washing machine valve. etc.)

[galOnTheGo]

my 2 cents - problem I had was the wire that powers it where attaches to the pump was VERY loose, actually fell off. I needed to tape it.

[Bemjam]

Harmsy Did you figure out your problem? We have the same issue.

[Harmsy]

Originally Posted by Bemjam

Harmsy Did you figure out your problem? We have the same issue.

Hi Bemjam...my Mum used to say “misery loves company...”...��...ha ha...so, the Firefly unit needs to have its software updated...there’s an assumption that the pump has been replaced with an aftermarket pump which may draw more current (that’s how I was to understand it)...mine has not been replaced but the unit has still been sent away to Firefly by my vendor/service people ($80 cost being covered by our service warranty)...
Our pump turning off issue was worse when the weather was colder...that I feel was why the current draw on the Firefly was higher than their spec...(again, my understanding)...
We are currently missing our RV...it’s been in the shop for close to 7 weeks with 2 more to go while we wait for many more parts for them to replace...sad indictment on the RV industry and network...bloody disgrace...but we’re still involved...makes me laugh!...have fun!