MOD Water pump upgrade with accumulator tank

[Neal]

Thanks. I have a valterra check valve coming I'm going to put prior to the pump input line. I'll inspect tomorrow to see if I can figure out where the existing check valve is, if any. This should fix the issue to keep the water flow only going into the pump and not back from the accumulator pressure.

Amazon.com

 

[flyboy013]

@Neal - See this post and the ones following it. I had same issue this past summer. The check valve is behind the panel and up high. You can fill for it and change it without taking panel off. I also creating a flow diagram which may help.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Thanks. I have a valterra check valve coming I'm going to put prior to the pump input line. I'll inspect tomorrow to see if I can figure out where the existing check valve is, if any. This should fix the issue to keep the water flow only going into the pump and not back from the accumulator pressure.

Amazon.com

Did your problem start after your freeze? If so a fragment from the filter may have caused your problem.

 

[Neal]

@Neal - See this post and the ones following it. I had same issue this past summer. The check valve is behind the panel and up high. You can fill for it and change it without taking panel off. I also creating a flow diagram which may help.

Thank you. I'll check for that today, either way inlining the valterra check valve in the visible portion of hose lower left of the wet bay panel prior to the pump should work as well. I see the next reply has the link to the replacement valve as well so I'll get one of those on the way. I'll try one of the two options, for now all works as long as the city water endpoint is capped off or connected to an open city water spigot.

 

[Joe Hogan]

The pump should have a check valve in it as once line pressure reaches the set value, the line pressure is maintained. Pressure is maintained until water is requested that reduces line pressure below set value.

 

[Joe Hogan]

Here is a review from Amazon. Note comments about mitigation of noise

These are pretty much the best performing pump you can get. They are also very high quality. The motor is heavy duty. They can also easily (and quickly) pump up to 120 PSI if you let them - they are that powerful. Fortunately, they come preset to 60 PSI max. Many complain about noise with this pump, that is not the pump itself, it's how you mount it and how the lines are routed to it. The recommended approach with these pumps is to put flexible hose to and from the pump. I did that but it made a horrible racket. It didn't matter how I repositioned it. So the other day I re-plumbed the suction and discharge side with 1/2" PEX. I changed the layout of the lines and now it's very quiet. If I put some insulation (rubber) under the pump it will probably be close to silent. Don't over tighten the mounting screws. Try it with them a bit loose to see how that affects the noise. This is one of the best pumps you can get, but you have to want to make it work. If that means fiddling with the mounting to make it quiet, so be it. Also, I've bought a few off Amazon and had to send them back because of shipping damage. For some reason, some models are just sent out the stock box put in a plastic bag. This one was shipped double-boxed (fortunately) and arrived safe and sound. I'm actually running this pump with a separate pressure switch (adjustable cut in and cut out) and also a variable speed controller for the pump. This way I have total control over the pump, with respect to volume and pressure. None of that is required, I just have a custom water system for high pressure and low flow to work with my on-demand water heater in my RV. You can just 'plug 'n play' this pump as it has conventional 1/2" RV fittings and it's own pressure switch. It also varies the pump speed using Pulse Width Modulation so it will increase speed or decrease speed as needed. It's really quite the pump. I highly recommend it if you need volume and pressure. You can run multiple faucets/showers/clothes washer all at the same time. Update: I relocated the pump later on, added a larger accumulator and needed longer lines. I chose not to hard plumb it with PEX this time and instead used stainless braided lines from Amazon. They were quite inexpensive and you get the benefit of rattle absorbing rubber lines encased in stainless braid. That worked out quite well and seems to be the quietest solution yet. Even so, I tie-strapped them so they weren't rubbing on anything. Not expensive to do and looks very cool. In the pic above you can see my custom solution. None of that is required, you can just use the pump as a stock replacement for yours right out of the box. I just wanted to do the pump justice and I do like my pressure high.

 

[Neal]

The pump should have a check valve in it as once line pressure reaches the set value, the line pressure is maintained. Pressure is maintained until water is requested that reduces line pressure below set value.

Yes, it's maintaining pressure which is causing the water to flow in reverse as well because the check valve apparently failed so water wants to flow back out the city water line.

As to the noise, it has good rubber grommets, my prior pump I put a rubber pad between the pump and the plastic faux wall Newmar mounts to. It's not really that bad, I just wish it was completely silent. I don't want to know when it's running. Then again, if I didn't know it was running I would not have caught the issue the other day with water flowing out the disconnected city water line. All is good, I just need to get a new check valve in line to prevent backflow. Easily mitigated for now.

 

[Joe Hogan]

Now I understand the issue. Thank you.

 

[Joe Hogan]

Here is a simple plumbing schematic for RV systems

 

[Neal]

Went to dump tanks and take a look for the check valve and fortunately it's right in front of my face. I also confirmed this city water line goes right into the right side of the house filter flowing right to left as I once thought.

I don't know the type of fitting used on this, in a quick Amazon search it seems it's some push connection. Not sure how easy it is to disconnect and replace. I think this item below is the replacement?

Amazon.com

I have this weird knack of ordering stuff before checking what I have! $150 of stuff coming from two places now and none of it will be used, fortunately most of it is returnable. Ugh...not the first time I've done this! My valterra coming today should work as well as the fittings but I may not have enough hose to bridge the gap. May have to reorient a few things.