New Water Pump not working

Posted on 11/06/2022 17:28 by OllieK

Hi all, last year we ventured into the world of caravanning having camped in tents for years. And while we've coped fairly well with the steep learning curve of owning a caravan one problem seems to haunt me. The water pump! 

We have a Truma Ultraflow inlet and when we brought the caravan 2nd hand we inherited a Whale E1642 pump. It's been temperamental when used, sometimes needing a jiggle to get it to pump water in, others times worthing fine. I decided to buy a new pump to resolve the issue and opted for a like for like Whale pump having read the reviews (and issues with the Truma water pump). However having tried two new pumps they won't bleeding work. 

After connecting the pump and running the tap the pump light will illuminate indicating the pump is in use and pumping water in but it's not. And ultimately the water in the tap dries up. Pump light remains on, but not pumping. To add to my frustrations if I reconnect the old temperamental pump it starts working again, so I'm convinced it's not an issue with the housing or caravan. 

I've tried leaving the new pump submerged in water for a few hours and also given it a few knocks (something a fellow camper suggested to release and air locks), but nothing. As I say I've tried 2 new pumps from two different suppliers now but the same result. Anyone with any advice would be gratefully received. Thanks. 

Posted on 11/06/2022 17:53 by commeyras

Very frustrating!  With your new pump, can you hear the pump actually working?  If you can and there is no water coming through the taps it is likely that there is air in the system.  Disconnect the pump completely; re connect inserting the pump into the aquaroll fist, give it a shake then connecting it to the caravan.  If you cannot hear the pump working try using some pliers to turn the bottom (white) part, the impeller; they sometimes get stuck.  Whatever I would lubricate the O rings on the caravan connection they are shown clearly on your pic..  Hopefully this will solve the problem. Oh just thought, ensure the drain on the water heater is turned in line to the piping so the water is not just draining out!

Posted on 11/06/2022 18:46 by dave the rave

99.9% dirty electrical connections.Rub the electrical contacts on the inlet with fine wet and dry paper whilst supporting with a finger (underside of the inlet prongs) and the same on the old pump assembly.

Posted on 12/06/2022 07:17 by richardandros

I had a similar problem recently and was pulling my hair out trying to resolve it.  I checked the contacts in the pump housing when the pump was supposed to be working and although there was 13v there, no amount of cleaning contacts, jiggling the pump would get it to work.  I even tried the three spare pumps that I carry - to no avail. Had a chat with the senior Tech at our dealers and he said that whilst I might have the voltage at the contacts, it is possible that there was no current due to a poor connection somewhere in the line. I eventually found a dodgy switch although that was unique to our particular set up.

Bit obscure, I know and I wasn't quite convinced by his explanation but a bit of research on-line showed he was right.

Just a thought.