Replacing pressurized water pump

Arctic Fox
Arctic Fox Forum Participant Posts: 7
edited October 2016 in Caravans #1

I own a Sterling Europa 470, 2011. Due to problems with the original Flojet pressurized water pump over the last year i've decide to replace it.

However, I am having trouble finding the exact spec replacement at a good price; Model R3426-500, 1.4GPM at 25 PSI.

There are some good priced Flojets out there but are more powerfull than my original; 2.9GPM at 50PSI.

Can I use a more powerfull flowjet pump? 

Paul

Comments

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited October 2016 #2

    I'd have thought that pressure switch in the water system would have knocked the pump off way before it reached 25 psi let alone 50psi and the flow rate is regulated obviously by how much you've opened the tap

  • Arctic Fox
    Arctic Fox Forum Participant Posts: 7
    edited October 2016 #3

    Thanks for the reply...

    Sounds promising then that I could use any Flojet model advertised for caravan use depsite the maximum psi.

    I was a bit concern though by the water pressure going into the hot water tank.

  • EJB986
    EJB986 Forum Participant Posts: 1,153
    1000 Comments
    edited October 2016 #4

    My local mobile engineer has had a couple of water leaks to sort after higher pressure pumps have been fitted.

    He suggested that one manufacturer has upped the pressure of a particularly popular pump and they have been fitted as direct replacements!

    He has been able to stop the leaks without changing the pumps but this was only on both customers wishes and not his advice!!!!

    PS. I had a similar pump changed in Germany two years ago and this caused me a slight problem....the hot water drain tap drips slightly even after fitting a new tap!

    FWIWSmile

  • Arctic Fox
    Arctic Fox Forum Participant Posts: 7
    edited October 2016 #5

    Thanks for your reply.

    Possible pressure leaks has been my main concern for going with a higher PSI pump. Sterling installed a 25 PSI pump so my thinking was they did this because the 25 PSI pump is cheaper or they built the plumbing for 25 PSI!

    I've been hoping that the reason for Sterling to install a 25 PSI was that this pump was cheaper for them. The plumbing, pipes, connectors and Truma hot water tank all looks standard so I was hoping the system could handle any Flojet pump recommended for
    caravan use.

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,673 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2016 #6

    No need to stick with a Flojet, any brand of pump with a similar spec to your original will do.  We have used both Fiamma and Shureflow in our 2008 Sterling.

    I suggest you stick with the spec rather than the brand, much safer.

    Do you have a surge damper fitted?

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,673 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2016 #7

    I'd have thought that pressure switch in the water system would have knocked the pump off way before it reached 25 psi let alone 50psi and the flow rate is regulated obviously by how much you've opened the tap

    On ours, the pressure switch is part of the pump.

  • Arctic Fox
    Arctic Fox Forum Participant Posts: 7
    edited October 2016 #8

    The pressure switch is mounted on the flojet pumps so I'm thinking that the switch will cut off when it reaches the rated PSI (25 or 50). I also have a damper which is seperate from the pump. I've found a few pumps on the internet this lunchtime that are
    30 PSI. 

    So i'm wondering if the extra 5 PSI will be still within the margin of the system.

    I'd like to keep the new pump a flojet so that i'm sure it will still fit the existing connectors.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited October 2016 #9

    I'd have thought that pressure switch in the water system would have knocked the pump off way before it reached 25 psi let alone 50psi and the flow rate is regulated obviously by how much you've opened the tap

    On ours, the pressure switch is part of the pump.

    Ah! My mistake then .. assumed it would've been separate. 

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,673 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2016 #10

    An extra 5 psi is no problem.

    You need to consider flow too.

    The pumps we have bought come with their own connectors and fitted our pipework.

    Get one with its own dirt filter, or retain the original filter if necessary/possible

    Shurflo are good pumps.

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited October 2016 #11

    I noted that a number of suppliers of the pump the OP wants have changed adds recently to the 30psi rather than 25psi

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,673 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2016 #12

    We were not impressed with the performance and noise from our original Flojet, so replaced it with a Fiamma.  We do use the onboard facilities a lot, so have since worn out the Fiamma and are now on a Shurflo, which is lasting well.

    The Flojet does still work, so we carry it as a spare.

    A suitable pump should be available for around £50 or so.

     

  • ocsid
    ocsid Forum Participant Posts: 1,395
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    edited October 2016 #13

    Working a caravan's flexible piping system at 50 psi would give me the creeps, the more so the hot water ones.

    My Alde, is rated at 3 Bar, some 43.5 psi, but as said it is the hot piping that would worry me knowing the struggle I have had with weeping pipe joints in the past.

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,673 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2016 #14

    I think the pipe can take 5 bar, but as you said it is the joints you need to worry about.

  • Arctic Fox
    Arctic Fox Forum Participant Posts: 7
    edited October 2016 #15

    Thank you all for the advice and feedback.

    I've seen quite a few pumps for sale at 30 PSI so I'm going to take a chance on one of these.

  • Arctic Fox
    Arctic Fox Forum Participant Posts: 7
    edited October 2016 #16

    I thought I had this figured out however I was just about to purchase a Shuflo 30PSI pump and in the description for the pump I spotted this (I have a Truma hot water tank!)...

    Please note if you are planning on using a Shurflo pump on a Truma or Malaga water heater you should use a 20PSI not this 30PSI 

     

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,673 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2016 #17

    Sorry, cannot advise on that as we have Alde heating.

    Have you got a link to that.

  • Arctic Fox
    Arctic Fox Forum Participant Posts: 7
    edited October 2016 #18

    Sure, here's the link. It is in the description of this ebay item.

    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Caravan-Motorhome-Boat-Shurflo-30PSI-Water-Pump-Trial-King-10-2095-403-443-/201372840694?hash=item2ee2c1b2f6:g:lQkAAOSwaNBUa3aC

     

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,673 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2016 #19

    Looking around, no other supplier says anything like that, which is strange.

    If you have not already purchased something, you may get more advice from Truma themselves, or on the SwiftTalk forum.

    Worth asking.

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,673 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2016 #20

    Is it the Truma Ultrastore water heater you have?

    I found this description if it is....

    https://www.cnfoutdoors.co.uk/ultrastore-gaselectric-10l?gclid=CMGGyMGX2s8CFUEaGwodMA0K0Q

    2.8 bar is roughly 40psi.

     

     

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