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New "Revolution" 4008 water pump for Skylark
Yahoo Message Number: 109129
A couple of weeks ago I ran into a water leak with my 2003-vintage SHURflo Whisper King pump. Fortunately my flood alarm (http://tinyurl.com/yhcyv8x>) warned me before things got too damp under the sink.
 After getting a lot of helpful advice from a couple members of this group who had recently replaced pumps, I was able to track down the problem to two causes: a loose connection on the input side that caused a steady drip, and a slight leak around the head of the pump that caused a slow drip when the pump was running.
 I fixed the input-side leak by removing the screw-on fittings, adding Teflon pipe tape (which Lazy Daze had not used when assembling the unit), and reassembling and tightening the connections. The leak between the head and the pump stopped after I tightened the six Phillips screws holding the two together.
 Meanwhile, I had ordered one of SHURflo's just-introduced 4008 "Revolution" pumps that was mentioned here previously. This afternoon I installed it without any difficulty. (Tips: use a hair dryer to soften tubing on hose barb fittings before removing it. When reinstalling, first dip the end of the hose in a cup of boiling water for a minute to soften it so it can slip over the barb.)
 I added a two-foot loop of 5/8" nylon-reinforced hose to make it easier to pull the pump partway out of the cabinet for diagnostic and servicing purposes, if necessary. The concept of leaving a "service loop" is well known in electrical engineering, but unfortunately seems alien to Lazy Daze--those who've replaced taillights know what I mean!
 I had intended to add a cutoff valve on the input side to make any future change-outs easier, but because of the physical configuration of the pump, freshwater tank outlet, and the sink's P-trap, it wasn't practical with the valve I'd purchased. I could have done it by adding a 90° fitting or two, but didn't have one on hand.
 The new pump works well. It's slightly noisier than the super-quiet Whisper King, but pumps more water. (Whisper King: 2 gallons per minute. Revolution 4008: 3 gpm. Extreme 5.7: 5.7 gpm.) The flow in the kitchen sink is improved, but the toilet still doesn't flush as well as it should (bowl doesn't wash down completely unless you hold the pedal for a ridiculously long time).
 I should mention that the 4008 has a bypass valve: when pressure at the output side exceeds 40 PSI, the bypass begins to reroute water to the input side, reaching full bypass at 62 psi. This should prevent overpressure episodes caused by the water heater, as described here in recent posts by Ken Fears and others.
 The bypass also smoothes out the pump's action at low flow rates. SHURflo claims no accumulator is needed with this pump. My tests show that when a faucet is only partially opened, there's still a slight surging in the flow as the pump cycles, but it's much less pronounced than with the old un-bypassed pump.
 Of course it's too soon to say anything about the 4008's reliability, but I'm hoping this model won't have the problems of the accursed 5.7 pumps, because it doesn't have the variable flow rate gimmickry. If I run into any problems, I'll let the group know. Meanwhile, I have a bit more flow (though still not nearly as much as with the Extreme 5.7 pump), and my still-good Whisper King pump goes into storage as a spare.

Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: New "Revolution" 4008 water pump for Skylark
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 109133
Andy,
 This one from Harbor Freight looks to be the same and at $9.99, is cheaper. (Plus it's an excuse to wander through all the good stuff and junk at HF (g).
 http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=92334

bumper

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
bumper
"Yonder" '05 MB
"WLDBLU" glider trailer
Re: New "Revolution" 4008 water pump for Skylark
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 109134
On Mon, 11 Jan 2010 01:39:33 -0000, "Andy" wrote:

Quote
It's slightly noisier than the super-quiet Whisper King,
And the 5.7, but not objectionably louder.
 I tested one of these pumps for Shurflow last January. All their pumps state they are not designed for continuous operation. So, of course, I made that part of my test. I ran it for over 24 hours and the motor housing was barely warm to touch.

The 4008 installed now does not have enough hours on it to make a judgment on it. So far, so good.

If it fails, our next pump will be a Aqua Jet.

Cheers, Don
Don & Dorothy
Sold our LD in June of 2023

Our boring always non-PC travel blog
Traveling Dorothy
Re: New "Revolution" 4008 water pump for Skylark
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 109136
I have two of those HF units in my MB, one in the kitchen near the water pump and one in the bathroom under the sink.  They seem to work.  I tested one in a glass of water and the alarm is loud, but I do not think it is 100 DB as advertised, but loud enough to get your attention.

Larry
2001 MB
* Not to be confused with Larry W (3000 of my posts are actually from expert Larry W due to Yahoo transition mis-step)
Re: New "Revolution" 4008 water pump for Skylark
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 109137
We are currently on our second 4008. The first one leaked at the head after a few weeks. Shuflo told me it was the first failure they had for that unit and that the problem was a pinched diaphragm. I was so proud.
 Anyway, since we added the adjustable water heater thermostat we generally don't need to turn on the cold water side when showering. What I have seen with both of the 4008 pumps is that it works fine that way for awhile and then with use starts surging a bit. It will generally correct if you turn on the cold water. Not sure why this happens. Turning the hot up full doesn't seem to fix it.
 Shurflo tech said to adjust the center screw in 1/8 turns to resolve. According to him if you go too far the pump won't shut off and just turn it back. I am still playing with that to see if I can smooth it out.

Jim C
Re: New "Revolution" 4008 water pump for Skylark
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 109139
Last time I had my pump out (I usually remove it every week or so, then watch the 10 o'clock news on TV while fondling and admiring it :c), I reinstalled it with a plastic lid underneath to act as a sort of drip pan. The lid is large enough so it should catch drips from the pump and plumbing - - the idea being that it should provide an early warning with the alarm.

bumper Yonder
bumper
"Yonder" '05 MB
"WLDBLU" glider trailer
Re: New "Revolution" 4008 water pump for Skylark
Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 109140
On Mon, 11 Jan 2010 17:14:01 -0000, "JimC"  wrote:

Quote
Anyway, since we added the adjustable water heater thermostat we generally don't need to turn on the cold water side when showering
OK, Jim, does it make any difference if the fader is not centered? Does it make any difference what channel the TV is on?
 Seriously, what does not using the cold water when showering have to do with water pump failure?

I am concerned you have been in lower California too long?

Cheers, Don
Don & Dorothy
Sold our LD in June of 2023

Our boring always non-PC travel blog
Traveling Dorothy
Re: New "Revolution" 4008 water pump for Skylark
Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 109141
"Last time I had my pump out (I usually remove it every week or so, then watch the 10 o'clock news on TV while fondling and admiring it :c)"

bumper

That's an unusual way to prevent the pump from freezing.
Be use to fondle in private, you do not want your wife getting jealous.

Larry
2001 MB
* Not to be confused with Larry W (3000 of my posts are actually from expert Larry W due to Yahoo transition mis-step)
Re: New "Revolution" 4008 water pump for Skylark
Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 109142
Bumper, that is a pretty good idea! My question is did you run the pump hold downs through the lid or is the pump now a free floating unit sitting on the lid?

Larry
2001 MB
* Not to be confused with Larry W (3000 of my posts are actually from expert Larry W due to Yahoo transition mis-step)
Re: New "Revolution" 4008 water pump for Skylark
Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 109143
"This one from Harbor Freight looks to be the same and at $9.99, is cheaper."

Yup, that's the one. :-)

Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: New "Revolution" 4008 water pump for Skylark
Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 109144
Hi Don,
 My 2nd (Un)ShurFlo SmartSensor 4.0 would stop running quite frequently while showering after I put the handheld showerhead on "dribble".  I would release the button to resume the shower and no water.  After what seemed like many minutes the pump would roar to life and I would have water again.  Since using the "Andy" shower method of only using the hot water faucet, I have not had a single water pump malfunction incident and no other condition has changed.  All I can guess is that the "dribble" configuration provides input to the "SmartSensor" bra
Terry Apple
2013 RB 27 Baby Blue Bentley
Re: New "Revolution" 4008 water pump for Skylark
Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 109148
Quote
We are currently on our second 4008. The first one leaked at the head after a few weeks. Shuflo told me it was the first failure they had for that unit and that the problem was a pinched diaphragm. I was so proud.
 Anyway, since we added the adjustable water heater thermostat we generally don't need to turn on the cold water side when showering. What I have seen with both of the 4008 pumps is that it works fine that way for awhile and then with use starts surging a bit. It will generally correct if you turn on the cold water. Not sure why this happens. Turning the hot up full doesn't seem to fix it.
Maybe what's happening depends on the length of pipe being pumped?
 The way to get hot water to the shower involves pumping cold into the tank and then warmer back across to the shower.  Cold just goes the short way.
Re: New "Revolution" 4008 water pump for Skylark
Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 109149
"...I've been reading the pump sagas for a long time and I'm getting kind-of high-strung about my '01 pump, which is perfect.  I'll probably cry like a little girl when it breaks down ...

Quote
Probably I should carry a spare if I go rambling in the Spring, but what to choose?"
John
 John, you probably have the same Whisper King I have in my '02.  It may not be the most powerful, but it keeps ticking like a Timex; however, just in case, I bought another one on sale at CW to have on hand as a spare.

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: New "Revolution" 4008 water pump for Skylark
Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 109150
Hi Chris, I would suggest changing your pump now to the new one and keep the old pump as a spare while you know it works.  If you wait until the old pump fails, then your warranty on the new one may have expired.
Terry Apple
2013 RB 27 Baby Blue Bentley
spare water pumps -
Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 109151
Quote

John, you probably have the same Whisper King I have in my '02.  It may not be the most powerful, but it keeps ticking like a Timex; however, just in case, I bought another one on sale at CW to have on hand as a spare.

Chris
Thanks for that reminder; I have a 3 week trip end of April-Mid May, so will get a spare to have 'just in case' in my sob.

Cheers,

Helen
Re: New "Revolution" 4008 water pump for Skylark
Reply #17 –
Yahoo Message Number: 109155
"I would suggest changing your pump now to the new one and keep the old pump as a spare while you know [the new one] works. If you wait until the old pump fails, then your warranty on the new one may have expired."

Good advice, Terry! That's just what I did.

Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: New "Revolution" 4008 water pump for Skylark
Reply #18 –
Yahoo Message Number: 109156
Larry,
 If there weren't rubber washers already under the pump legs, I added them. Then just ran the mounting screws down through the polyethylene cover (sorta like Tupperware only I used a cheaper one, stolen from my wife's collection  - - the plastic is soft enough not to split and sort of self seals around the screw - - that and the rubber washer make a reasonable seal.

bumper
bumper
"Yonder" '05 MB
"WLDBLU" glider trailer
Re: New "Revolution" 4008 water pump for Skylark
Reply #19 –
Yahoo Message Number: 109159
Thanks, will add that to my list of things i am going to do to my LD when I start using it
2001 MB
* Not to be confused with Larry W (3000 of my posts are actually from expert Larry W due to Yahoo transition mis-step)
Re: New "Revolution" 4008 water pump for Skylark
Reply #20 –
Yahoo Message Number: 114613
Andy
 Now that you have six months of living with the new pump, what is your opinion of the Revolution 4008 pump? How does it compare with the Whisper King in flow and noise?

Larry
2001 MB
* Not to be confused with Larry W (3000 of my posts are actually from expert Larry W due to Yahoo transition mis-step)
Re: New "Revolution" 4008 water pump for Skylark
Reply #21 –
Yahoo Message Number: 114628
I am not Andy, nor do I have any experience with a Whisper King.
I did replace the Shurflow variable speed with the 4008. We have now used it for five months on the road.

Flow adequate. Less at kitchen sink than in the bath? ? ? ? Noise more than the variable speed, but OK I suppose.

Our next pump will NOT be a Shurflow, but a Flowjet.
I consider Shurflow a dead horse.

Quote
Andy

Now that you have six months of living with the new pump, what is your opinion of the Revolution 4008 pump? How does it compare with the Whisper King in flow and noise?
Cheers, Don
Don & Dorothy
Sold our LD in June of 2023

Our boring always non-PC travel blog
Traveling Dorothy
 
Re: New "Revolution" 4008 water pump for Skylark
Reply #22 –
Yahoo Message Number: 114635
"Now that you have six months of living with the new pump, what is your opinion of the Revolution 4008 pump? How does it compare with the Whisper King in flow and noise?"
 The flow rate is noticeably greater than the Whisper King's--not surprising, given the specs. Contrary to what some folks told me would happen, I haven't found myself using more water. I can still go 16-18 days on a tankful. The noise level is higher than the Whisper King, which was sometimes inaudible... but it's not bothersome. I haven't had any trouble with the 4008 pump so far. All in all, I'm happy. :-)

Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"