Resolved Water pump shuts itself off - frequently! (Newmar)

[Rich W.]

This has been going on for a long time but its been low priority - just a bit of an annoyance. But with the big stuff behind me I figured I’d tackle this one. Probably simple to fix.

The problem: The water pump “system” turns itself off randomly but frequently. Sometimes in just a few minutes, sometimes it will go almost all day, but it usually happens several times per day. I have three switches, one in the bathroom, one at the klitchen sink, and one in the wet bay, all with green LED indicator lights.

So it would be obvious when the system is off but the switch over the sink is on the bottom of the upper cabinet facing down, the bathroom switch is under the med cab, and the wet bay switch is in the wet bay. So none of them are readily visible - this is more a cause for irritation than anything as I can just turn the pump back on at any time, but it would be nice to put an end to this one. And eventually it will probably fail completely leaving me without a functioning water pump.

I figure Im not the first with this problem, so…..Ideas? Some weak relay somewhere? All the switches work. Pump is good. It just turns itself off. No issues when hooked up to a domestic water supply naturally.

 

[GTS225]

Rich; Your water pump should not run continously. It should shut off seconds after you turn off whatever water outlet you have running.
You may have excessive air in your system, a water leak somewhere, or a bad pump pressure switch.
Have you been going through what seems like a lot of water?

Roger

 

[Rich W.]

No leaks and all is well with the plumbing. It doesn't run continuously. When the system has power it works properly providing water when a faucet is turned on, the ice maker starts a new batch, or the toilet is flushed. Whenever it senses a decrease in pressure. Otherwise the pump doesnt run. It‘s in a stand-by mode and holds pressure nicely.

But the system keeps losing power so I have to turn it back on again when I need water for anything. It has spring loaded rocker switches. So I hit the switch to power the system on, then its a normal demand system, then I hit it again to power off when desired. Problem is it also frequently powers off by itself - not a desirable condition.

It’s not a serious problem at this point so it’s been low on the list. But it will be a problem when it fails entirely so I’d like to address it between trips. I need to call Newmar tomorrow anyway so I’ll ask them - I’m certain they know about the issue. But I figured someone here has also had the problem - I doubt I’m the first.

 

[GTS225]

OH....sorry....my misunderstanding. Might there be some type of computerized/monitoring control panel that influences the primary power for the water pump?

Roger

 

[Neal]

If the green light is going out then it's likely not the water pump but instead the water pump controller. Cheap and simple swap:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A2TBL7A/?tag=rvf01-20

If you decide to replace the water pump I'm a big fan of the REMCO 55AQUAJET-AES

AquaJet PUMP – Remco Industries

remcoindustries.com

 

[Rich W.]

If the green light is going out then it's likely not the water pump but instead the water pump controller. Cheap and simple swap:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A2TBL7A/?tag=rvf01-20

If you decide to replace the water pump I'm a big fan of the REMCO 55AQUAJET-AES

AquaJet PUMP – Remco Industries

remcoindustries.com

Any idea where that controller is located? Wet bay? Behind the pegboard maybe? Reading about the Aquajet pump - looks like a good upgrade.

 

[Neal]

Look under wet bay, left wall. The one's Newmar users are prone to failure, the Intellitec are supposed to be better and that's what I have.

 

[Rich W.]

OH....sorry....my misunderstanding. Might there be some type of computerized/monitoring control panel that influences the primary power for the water pump?

Roger

My guess too - now to find out where they hid it…..

 

[Rich W.]

Look under wet bay, left wall. The one's Newmar users are prone to failure, the Intellitec are supposed to be better and that's what I have.

Ok thanks.

 

[J&JD]

This is the controller that Neal is referring to. I have had to replace mine. Even if this is not your problem it’s worth carrying for a spare.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A2TBL7A/?tag=rvf01-20

 

[Rich W.]

Well I finally got around to this and installed the intellitec module and it works. What remains to be seen is how long it works - ie: does the system stay energized or shut itself off.

I found this while looking for information on the C-Storm module: https://newpar.newmarcorp.com/instance1Env99NEWMAR/html/images/120525.pdf after removing it, and it would have only been marginally helpful since, while the information is good, the module is buried so it would be difficult to troubleshoot.

Also this is the one occurance I’ve experienced so far where Newmar was stingy with wire. Normally there is a coil of several feet of extra wire zip-tied up somewhere because apparently they use the same harness for everything from 35-45’. But in this case there is no extra wire to make the job easier or allow for a slight relocation of the module. Oh well. Hopefully its fixed and I can move on to other fun little repairs.

 

[Neal]

Mine has worked for 5 years now.

 

[Rich W.]

I’m hopeful and the trouble shooting guide and the ground trick that I think you wrote about elsewhere are good back ups.

 

[Rich W.]

now how does one mark a thread “resolved”?

 

[Neal]

You would have to edit the OP, it may timeout on you so just ask staff to change it. Done.

 

[Rich W.]

10-4 - Thanks!

 

[Busboy]

I have a 2007 Newmar Coach also , I have 3 switches 1 by the sink 1 in the wet bay and 1 in the bathroom . How do I turn the water pump off ? Another question I live in Canada beginning to winterize my unit. How and where is the shut off by pass switch for the water heater ? I have drained all the fresh water and the next step is to add the plumber anti freeze. Thanks

 

[Rich W.]

If you have a typical propane water heater, look for a valve in the plumbing directly in front of the water heater, probably in the back of a cabinet. Wherever your water heater is placed, the by-pass is probably not far away.

As far as shutting off your water pump, it should be off and stay off if any one of the switches is turned off. Not sure I understand the question.

As far as my system goes, the controller seems to have been the problem; the new one has been in service for over two weeks and the system has stayed on, so I’d say the operation was a success.

 

[Busboy]

Thanks for reply ! By turning off those 3 switches 1 in the coach by kitchen sink and 1 in bathroom and also 1 in the outside bay , will that turn my pump off ?

 

[Rich W.]

any one of them will do it. Do they have an LED as an indicator that the system is on? Mine are spring loaded, momentary switches, so if I turn one off, hitting another would turn the system back on. Your’s must be regular switches.