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Re: Yet another water pump thread...
Reply #25 –
Quote from: Judie Ashford  - 
Here is a picture of our water softener set up.

filters and softener ready to use.jpg (80.99 KB)




   Virtual hugs,


Thx, so much, Judie.  So, if I see this correctly, your external source goes into the clear/sediment filter---> the opaque white canister filter--->the water softener and then out into you fresh tank?  That looks like exactly what I need to do.

Thx, again--       Lynne
   Judie
Lynne
LDy Lulubelle, Green '05 31' TB
Lilly, the 4-Legged Alarm
Re: Yet another water pump thread...
Reply #26 –
The one thing about carbon filters is they remove chlorine. Wouldn't you want that in your tank at least every now and then to keep the tank sanitized? I would think you want a sediment filter at the tank inlet and then filter the drinking water at the tap.

In our 8+ years on the road, we use the tank all the time even in the rare instances when we did hook up, we don't anymore.

We use a water softener when the water is hard and use test strips to determine that. We have a water filter at the kitchen sink.

Jim
Re: Yet another water pump thread...
Reply #27 –
Jim said, "The one thing about carbon filters is they remove chlorine. Wouldn't you want that in your tank at least every now and then to keep the tank sanitized? I would think you want a sediment filter at the tank inlet and then filter the drinking water at the tap."

Yeah, chlorine is good for killing stuff, though I've seen some chlorinated water get green & slimy if it sits long enough.  My mom had typhoid fever when I was a pre-schooler (about '58-'59) & I grew up with hearing parents/grandparents talk about the family DR telling them to dump Clorox in the well or cistern periodically (especially after a rain); we moved to town when I started school, so I grew up with city water...when I married my kids' father & moved back to the farm after grad school I dumped Clorox in the well & he had a fit about me trying to poison him & his hogs (no fatalities occurred).   I figured if I used the well water for showers/toilet/washing dishes I'd just add Clorox to the fresh tank as needed.

Lynne
Lynne
LDy Lulubelle, Green '05 31' TB
Lilly, the 4-Legged Alarm
Re: Yet another water pump thread...
Reply #28 –
Lynne

As you can see from the responses you have received there is more than one way to skin a cat!

It all boils down to what you are comfortable with. For me, if a water source tastes okay I'll use it, particularly if it comes from a municipal source (Flint MI excepted). I use both the fresh water storage tank and the city water connection, depending how ambitious I feel at the time. Many times I'll utilize the water from my tank rather than a city connection even though it might be available. When filling my tank I use a carbon filter in the line from whatever the source.

During the recent exchange of my water pump I decided to check the in-line filter/strainer as it had never before been cleaned. To my surprise there was hardly enough sediment from the 12 years of use to even make it worth while to open the filter.  ::)

I seldom travel with a completely full tank, preferring rather to save the weight of a ½ tank.
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Yet another water pump thread...
Reply #29 –
Quote from: Lazy Bones  - 
During the recent exchange of my water pump I decided to check the in-line filter/strainer as it had never before been cleaned. To my surprise there was hardly enough sediment from the 12 years of use to even make it worth while to open the filter.  ::)

I seldom travel with a completely full tank, preferring rather to save the weight of a ½ tank.
95% of the time, we fill from our home city water or other city water supplies and rarely using a filter.
I dropped a remote camera into our fresh water tank, a couple of years ago, and found little sediment and no green stuff.

After arriving at a few campgrounds, where water was supposed to be available and wasn't, we never travel without a full tank.
Living in earthquake country, filling the tank is one of the first things things I do when we get home.
One nice thing about a short 23.5' E450 is the near impossibility of overloading it.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Yet another water pump thread...
Reply #30 –
"After arriving at a few campgrounds, where water was supposed to be available and wasn't, we never travel without a full tank.
Living in earthquake country, filling the tank is one of the first things things I do when we get home."
----
Ditto. "Escape pod" reasons for keeping a full tank aside, if one's travel MO includes primarily RV parks (or if one's rig is close to or at the gvwr), carrying a full or even partly full tank may not be a concern, but if one boondocks or dry camps as their usual style, finding a convenient potable water source can sometimes be an issue, particularly in dry areas (and there are lots of these!) of the west.

As Larry points out, water availability can be dicey; sometimes the lack is due to an unsafe supply (e coli, giardia, etc.), or the campground or supply is down for maintenance or repair, or simply that the water is so bad (smelly, tastes awful, cloudy, murky) that it's not usable unless one has no choice. (A filter may help with some of these conditions, as long as the water is not bacteriologically unsafe.)

Like many of us, I've used a water thief (Gorilla-taped to the unthreaded spigot because the thing shoots off the connection when one turns on the water) and/or jugs and a funnel (no filter, just blind faith) to put water into the tank on quite a few occasions.

YMMV, of course!  ;)
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Yet another water pump thread...
Reply #31 –
PS, the Mothership installed a washable screen filter and that keeps out the big chunks. We have never used any other filter.

The reason I posted was to alert others that a pump on the fritz might be put back in service by cleaning the pressure switch/diaphragm.
Don & Dorothy
Sold our LD in June of 2023

Our boring always non-PC travel blog
Traveling Dorothy
Re: Yet another water pump thread...
Reply #32 –
Quote from: Larry Wade  - 

I dropped a remote camera into our fresh water tank, a couple of years ago, and found little sediment and no green stuff.

Like many of us, I've used a water thief (Gorilla-taped to the unthreaded spigot because the thing shoots off the connection when one turns on the water) and/or jugs and a funnel

We aren't religious about filling the tank when we return - we have a pool in the back yard - but like Larry and Joan I ALWAYS fill to the brim before heading out. The extra weight has never made a noticeable difference in fuel mileage with either our '83 or our '04, and once the tank drops to 50% or less, driving lets an air bubble into the system which needs to be burped. I also carry 6 gallon water jug with a long, curved spout that will allow me to pour directly into the water fill.

I used to have a Water Thief - but I think it was stolen! And Larry, I think have a tool to help you recover that dropped camera...

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Yet another water pump thread...
Reply #33 –
It is our practice to travel with a full tank of filtered water and only drink, wash and shower with water from the rig.  When I get below one third of a tank, I refill the tank through a two canister filter.  I have a 5 micron sediment filter to remove the big stuff like protozoans, algae, and hard sediments and a combo filter that has a carbon filter for chlorine and lead with a 0.5 micron filter to remove all bacteria, most cysts and some viruses.  I use filters from this source. 

Cartridges for Standard Canisters: RV Water Filter Store

They are geared to RV's and their prices are competitive.  Customer service is excellent.

We have had the personal experience of being in a camp in the northern Sierras in California where the municipal water was infected with Giardia.  I had used the water in the camper, as I always do in camp, but my brother and his family drank and showered with the water from the faucet.  Their entire family got Giardia, which is a pretty miserable experience.  My family got Giardia while camping and it is an experience that we NEVER, EVER want to repeat!  After that experience, all water that goes into our tank gets filtered.  The likelihood of municipal, or well water being infected is low, but the infrequent possibility of getting Giardia, or most recently Cryptosporidium is absolutely not worth the trouble.  Cryptosporidium is small, often not tested for in many communities, and doesn't get killed by many municipal treatment plants.  It is becoming more prevalent every year.

Communitywide cryptosporidiosis outbreak associated with a surface water-supp...

Just my .02 and other's mileage will vary, but it is pretty easy to prevent waterborne illness.

HD
2014 27 MB
Towd: Either the Jeep Wrangler or trailer containing the BMW R1200GS and 2 E-bicycles
Happy wife=Happy life
 
Re: Yet another water pump thread...
Reply #34 –
Adding to Harold's comments on giardia and cryptosporidium: some municipal water supplies and "recreational water sources", e.g., creeks, rivers, lakes, are infected with one or both of these nasty parasites. Note that both are resistant to chlorine disinfection.

Parasites - Cryptosporidium (also known as "Crypto") | Cryptosporidium |...

Giardia | Parasites | CDC

Animals are also very susceptible to giardia and crypto; don't let your dog(s) (or cat(s) drink out of the creek (river, lake) or from any water source that may be unsafe.

(IMO, this is a much more fun thread than coffee!  :D )
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Yet another water pump thread...
Reply #35 –
Quote from: JCT  - 

(IMO, this is a much more fun thread than coffee!  :D )

Joan, since water is required to make coffee, they are not mutually exclusive.  Time to go have a cup!   :)
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Yet another water pump thread...
Reply #36 –
RE:  "Animals are also very susceptible to giardia and crypto; don't let your dog(s) (or cat(s) drink out of the creek (river, lake) or from any water source that may be unsafe."

I used to think dogs had a cast-iron stomach (at least those I had growing up/in grad school), & I don't think it was the water, because the 4-Legged Alarm seemed to find something to eat that I'd not given her when we were last at the farm, but her plumbing was not happy for a few days.

RE:   "(IMO, this is a much more fun thread than coffee!  :D )"

Me, too...but I only enjoy the smell of the brew.   ;D

Lynne
LDy Lulubelle, Green '05 31' TB
Lilly, the 4-Legged Alarm
Re: Yet another water pump thread...
Reply #37 –
Thanks, Judie.  That is very helpful.

Ray S.
2017 RB
Re: Yet another water pump thread...
Reply #38 –
Quote from: Don Malpas  - 
PS, the Mothership installed a washable screen filter and that keeps out the big chunks. We have never used any other filter.

Ditto since 1974.
I've always been more concerned about storing a water filter between uses in a nice warm, moist environment; prime growing conditions for mold, bacteria, protozoa, viruses, fungus, and other assorted potential pathogens. Let alone the fibers that will inevitably flake from the filter media and the chemicals used to make the filters that find their way into your morning coffee. :o



I'll take my chances with the public water system.
Re: Yet another water pump thread...
Reply #39 –
Ed, did you say "Coffee"? If you use a coffee filter all that fiber material and some of the grit gets filtered out with the grounds. and using the pour-over method, you can boil the water as long as you want to kill the bacteria, so you see, coffee is the answer.  8)
Paul
'92 Mid Bath
Re: Yet another water pump thread...
Reply #40 –
After reading all the above, I'm wondering if I should replace the original Shurflo 5.7 Extreme (from 2006) with the SHURflo 4008-101-E65 3.0 Revolution Water Pump, before my trip next month to Washington?   Current pump works fine as far as I can tell, but is this a good proactive thing to do or just unnecessary use of time/money at this point since the one in there now still works? 
    I did notice this past weekend, when camped three days using only my fresh tank, water level was down to/less than a third, when I opened a faucet, it would cycle on & quickly every few seconds, which I don't remember happening when tank was full(er)
    Or really, am I just overthinking this and just shouldn't worry until when/if it fails.  Or maybe just buying the 4008, but not installing it and keep onboard as spare just in case? 
    Leaving on 7/23 for two-week trip & getting apprehensive about everything that could cause a problem … OCD kicking in! :-)
thanks in advance for any thoughts & pros&cons of replace now or wait until it stops working!
 Daryl
Daryl 
2007  26.5’ mid-bath, “Blu Tent“
2021 Jeep Wrangler Sport S
  (previously 2006 23.5’ front lounge)
SKP #145689
Re: Yet another water pump thread...
Reply #41 –
This troubleshooting chart may help:

http://shurflo.com/images/files/pdf/troubleshooting-guide/SF_PumpTroubleShoot.pdf

The short cycling may be a simple fix; the 5.7 may have a clogged filter, or there might be a small leak, or maybe a faucet isn't completely turned off, or the air gap in the water heater needs replacing, etc., but since the 5.7 was proven to be "unreliable", I would get the 4008 and replace the pump before your trip. Replacing the water pump now would give you some peace of mind about the possibility of the 5.7 failing along the way and needing to do a pump replacement on the road, particularly if you didn't have the 4008 on board.

My original Whisper King died a few years ago; I replaced it with another Whisper King, but since that pump is history, a 4008 is in the compartment awaiting its turn! Travel with spares; a water pump, sewer hoses and fittings, fuses, anything that would cause a good deal of inconvenience is the original failed in some way.

2003 TK has a new home
Re: Yet another water pump thread...
Reply #42 –
My mantra is: 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it'. I don't cotton to replacing stuff that still may have an extended service life just on the off chance it might fail.

If, as you say, the old pump is still working leave it alone but prepare yourself for it's ultimate demise. Buy that new pump and carry it as a spare.   ::)
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Yet another water pump thread...
Reply #43 –
thanks, guys!  
   I think I'll split the difference between doing nothing and replacing it now  and buy the 4008 & keep it onboard as a spare, just in case!   And I'll check the filter and air gap in water heater, etc.….
   thanks again for the advice :-)
Daryl 
2007  26.5’ mid-bath, “Blu Tent“
2021 Jeep Wrangler Sport S
  (previously 2006 23.5’ front lounge)
SKP #145689
Re: Yet another water pump thread...
Reply #44 –
Quote from: Lazy Bones  - 
My mantra is: 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it'. I don't cotton to replacing stuff that still may have an extended service life just on the off chance it might fail.

If, as you say, the old pump is still working leave it alone but prepare yourself for it's ultimate demise. Buy that new pump and carry it as a spare.  ::)

Back in the day, when I worked on my old VW's this mantra was a Golden Rule that many of us home mechanics followed.

Another ol' saying..."The Walls Have Ears" ...sssh.

https://youtu.be/1s-PiIbzbhw

Sometimes they can even read lips...

Kent

2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"
Re: Yet another water pump thread...
Reply #45 –
Quote from: LazDazGuy  - 
thanks, guys! 
  I think I'll split the difference between doing nothing and replacing it now  and buy the 4008 & keep it onboard as a spare, just in case!  And I'll check the filter and air gap in water heater, etc.….
  thanks again for the advice :-)
I think it was WXtoad (aka Ted) that had the best idea.  Hook up the new 4009 but place it near the old one while leaving the old one in place.  Switch from time to time to keep both exercised.  It is not really an "on line spare" but very close to it.  Just shifting the hoses and electrical connections.
Currently: 2008 36' Tiffin Open Road
Previously: 2007 Mid Bath
Re: Yet another water pump thread...
Reply #46 –
Quote from: John DaCrema  - 
I think it was WXtoad (aka Ted) that had the best idea.  Hook up the new 4009 but place it near the old one while leaving the old one in place.  Switch from time to time to keep both exercised.  It is not really an "on line spare" but very close to it.  Just shifting the hoses and electrical connections.
That worked great in Ted's Rear Bath, with it's huge empty area under the wardrobe's bottom drawer.
It isn't an option for Daryl.  His 23.5' FL does not have any extra room where the pump is mounted. It is fairly tight space.
Carrying a spare is a good idea but switching pump configurations sometimes turns into a bigger project the what was planned.
Many times longer hoses or wires are needed for a proper installation.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Yet another water pump thread...
Reply #47 –
Yes I do agree I know in our mid bath its way to tight
2009 Kodiak 32 foot Island Bed
Re: Yet another water pump thread...
Reply #48 –
Where is the water pump located in the newer TK's? I can't recall where it was in my '85.
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Yet another water pump thread...
Reply #49 –
Quote from: Larry W  - 
That worked great in Ted's Rear Bath, with it's huge empty area under the wardrobe's bottom drawer.
It isn't an option for Daryl.  His 23.5' FL does not have any extra room where the pump is mounted. It is fairly tight space.
Carrying a spare is a good idea but switching pump configurations sometimes turns into a bigger project the what was planned.
Many times longer hoses or wires are needed for a proper installation.

Larry

Hi Larry!
  You're right about the tight space there... Out of curiosity I lifted up the wardrobe floor to access pump so I could visualize what I'd be dealing with and definitely not much room in that space!   
   Is the 4008 an appropriate replacement ?  You mention that "switching configurations" may cause install problems with wiring/hoses.  We have the same floor plan, so the 4008 will fit in there, right?     Would you think this would be a good DIY project for someone like me with no plumbing/electrical skills  or leave it to an rv shop. Leale's in San Jose has a good reputation and for labor, they quoted me range of $130 - 270 for install, depending on how difficult the access is.   Pump itself on Amazon is $75 last I checked.   
  Thanks,
Daryl
Daryl 
2007  26.5’ mid-bath, “Blu Tent“
2021 Jeep Wrangler Sport S
  (previously 2006 23.5’ front lounge)
SKP #145689