Replacing Water Pump - options & opinions

[ghnl]

Strange occurrence - While de-winterizing our 2015 ACE I filled up the fresh water tank (gravity fill) then switched on the water pump to fill the water heater & the hot & cold plumbing. The water pump has to run for quite a while to fill the 6 gallon water heater plus all the plumbing. After 20 or 30 minutes (which seemed like a long time to fill everything) the pump stopped. It wasn't hot to the touch, no fuses were blown and I measured 13.6V coming in to the pump with the switch on. I figured the pump was kaput so I decided to take it out of the RV and see what I could figure out at my workbench.

I connected my 12V jump box to see what it'd do and it started pumping! I laid it back in the compartment of the RV and temporarily connected the wires, switched on the power and it's working. But now I don't know if I can trust it. (And we're planning to use the rig in 1 1/2 weeks.)

So, I am considering buying a replacement (if I have one I won't need it...). I see the same make & model that I have now here: Valterra P25201 for $91.63 and a generic copy here: Camper Water Pump for $59.99. I'm thinking (a rarity...) that for $30 I'll get the Valterra. Any BTDT's or advice (about the water pump...)?

 

[16ACE27]

We had a water pump issue in the middle of a 30 day trip. We had Amazon drop one at a pickup box the next day and the installed one never scted up the rest of the trip. I did swap it out during the post trip repair and kept the old one as a spare.

From your symptoms It sounds like you may have had a brush/commutator issue that got resolved when it cooled off and was jostled. If your OEM pump has lasted this long and served you well just get the same thing and install it BUT keep the old one as a spare in case the brand new one fails on your trip. Or get one with more flow/higher pressure if desired. They all connect the same way.

 

[ducksface]

My macerator has a thermal couple in it.
It's never hot but the breaker kicks off in warm weather after extended use.
If hot enough out it runs for 30 seconds and off for 45 seconds.

Keep the old one as a spare.

Amazon.com

This one has been in my Amazon list for years.

 

[Jimbo57]

Strange occurrence - While de-winterizing our 2015 ACE I filled up the fresh water tank (gravity fill) then switched on the water pump to fill the water heater & the hot & cold plumbing. The water pump has to run for quite a while to fill the 6 gallon water heater plus all the plumbing. After 20 or 30 minutes (which seemed like a long time to fill everything) the pump stopped. It wasn't hot to the touch, no fuses were blown and I measured 13.6V coming in to the pump with the switch on. I figured the pump was kaput so I decided to take it out of the RV and see what I could figure out at my workbench.

I connected my 12V jump box to see what it'd do and it started pumping! I laid it back in the compartment of the RV and temporarily connected the wires, switched on the power and it's working. But now I don't know if I can trust it. (And we're planning to use the rig in 1 1/2 weeks.)

So, I am considering buying a replacement (if I have one I won't need it...). I see the same make & model that I have now here: Valterra P25201 for $91.63 and a generic copy here: Camper Water Pump for $59.99. I'm thinking (a rarity...) that for $30 I'll get the Valterra. Any BTDT's or advice (about the water pump...)?

I would go with camper water pump install and keep existing as backup. I would hate to use any part of a vacation replacing a pump that I knew was having problems, its still 1hour-ish to replace if nothing else go wrong.

 

[ghnl]

Update.
1. I ordered the replacement 'Valterra' water pump. I still need to decide if I'll replace the old one sooner or later. (I am charter member of the Procrastinators Club - well, I will be - once I get around to mailing in my application.)
And B. I discovered that the aerator in the bathroom faucet was partially clogged (like 90%). I don't know if this would have caused the pump to work harder than normal (I doubt it but...?) It does have me wondering where the clog debris came from - and if that has any correlation to the old pump's decision to quit working.

 

[Jimbo57]

I’m also procrastinator except when it comes to my vacation time, I don’t want to spend any time on repairs if I don’t need to

 

[rudyhehn]

Not sure if you're describing that the pump is not working electrically, or that it is on but not pumping water. Your bench test said that it went on but it does not describe if this pump water. Make sure that you have a good supply of water going in with no clogged filters on and that it is pumping water out. Also make sure you're all electrical connections are solid. Finally, the four-way valve that controls whether you are on City water or internal water could be defective and shunting water to the wrong place.

 

[16ACE27]

Not sure if you're describing that the pump is not working electrically, or that it is on but not pumping water. Your bench test said that it went on but it does not describe if this pump water. Make sure that you have a good supply of water going in with no clogged filters on and that it is pumping water out. Also make sure you're all electrical connections are solid. Finally, the four-way valve that controls whether you are on City water or internal water could be defective and shunting water to the wrong place.

No 4 way valve involved.