Noisy water when tap turned on
We have just bought a new to us caravan, a 2012 swift challenger. We love the van, but when the water is switched on (hot or cold), there is a vibrating type noise coming from under the front bunk, like the pump making a noise. The van does not have in-board water system. Does anyone know how to cure it?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
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Sounds very much like an onboard pump located under bed. Sort of a brrrr noise, bit of a gurgle? If it is, nothing to worry about, unless it’s going continuously. That means it’s run out of water. If the noise bothers you, either swop to other end of bed (if you can) or for overnight duties fill a container and wash hands with this. You will have refilled kettle for that first cuppa before climbing into bed hopefully.
The trick is to do so much in the day, you are too cream crackered to notice anything overnight!😁
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Agree, you have an inboard water pump, it will 'hunt' as the water level in the Aquaroll gets to nearly empty, and run continually when empty. Not good for pump life to allow this to run dry for too long. Most Caravans use submersible pumps that live in the water supply/Aquaroll ,these are usually quieter in operation but are not as powerful as an inboard pump. Both types dont like being run 'dry' for too long.
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Many caravans have an electrical switch to turn off the water pump for occasions when there is no water available in the Aquaroll. The pump should not be allowed to run dry any longer than it takes to switch it off. Some folk even switch it off when they go out.
The pump can seem noisy when operating if it has been displaced from its mountings, or something is lying against it.
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This is a common problem on swifts with onboard pump, usually flojet
as mentioned go on the swift forum and search for flojet noise. Lots of suggestions on there.
the advantages of the flojet pump are good water pressure and I think it’s more robust than the submersible ones as it’s diaphragm operated.
the downside as you’ve discovered is it’s noisy. Not helped by the fact that swift usually screw it to a board or in my case the onboard water tank , which then acts as a soundboard, and transmits noise and vibration throughout the van.
i changed to a swift last year and quickly set about a fix. I mounted the pump using its rubber feet to a piece of plastic hose then screwed the hose to the tank. I’ve also put pipe insulation around the supply and feed pipes. This has quietened mine. Others have also changed the rigid pipes to flexible ones and put a loop in the system to cut vibration, as this is what is recommended in flojets installation instructions. I guess swift just ignore those and go for the cheapest option. As is their way.
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Hi,
Thanks for all the responses.
If I knew how to add a video, I would have done.
I've gained some really useful tips thanks to your responses. And plenty for me to try that will keep me busy.
James
:-)
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James - We have the same pump issue. All the advice given is sound. Whilst you sort it out, I have 3 recommendations for a quieter experience in the meantime -
Always bleed all taps several times after filling from the Aquaroll to get rid of all air in the system, otherwise the pump will run for ages after using any tap.
I never detach the aquaroll when it requires refilling, but fill with a food safe plastic watering can or plastic container, to avoid introducing air back into the system.
Last thing at night, switch the pump off, otherwise, as the temperature drops, it will kick in to raise the pre-set pressure back up. Even switched off, there is usually enough pressure in the pipes to rinse hands after needing the toilet at 3am!
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MM - good advice, but the pump the op has, as far as I am aware is an onboard Flojet, as is ours, not in the aquaroll
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Our new 2021 Swift Alpine 2 has the same issue. Sounds like a motor boat when on. Only 2 screws holding it on to a vertical piece of wood, and rigid 12mm pipes in and out - which seems to be in contravention of the flojet fitting instructions.
To change it would require clampable spigots for the pump, flexible hose, and converters back to 12mm pipe network. Probably around £50 worth of fittings.
Not sure I want to do this in a brand new van though.
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