You’ll want to use flexible braided water lines leading to the pump to prevent excess strain on the connections.Turn on the pump and visually check for any leaks in the connections.You may need crimp new spade connectors to the existing wiring.Most pumps use a standard ½” inlet and outlet for plumbing.Hand tighten the water lines onto the new pump.You may need to re-position the mounting screws.Unscrew the filter from the old pump if you have one.Have a plastic container and towels ready to catch any excess water left in the system as you disconnect the water lines.Disconnect the water connections from the sides of the old pump.Disconnect the power connection (wiring) on the old pump.Shut off the fresh water storage valve located near your pump.Open all faucets to depressurize the system.Turn off your water pump switch cutting power to the pump.Water pumps should be placed in a space that gets sufficient airflow because they get hot when they operate. Not all water pumps have the same footprint so you may need to drill additional mounting holes when installing the new pump. Many times existing pumps are hidden behind a barrage of other equipment which can be an annoyance. Placement is the most difficult part of installing a 12v water pump. If you’re starting from scratch, we have plumbing and wiring diagrams for installing a 12v water pump in a DIY camper van conversion. The most common reason they stop working is if an RV isn’t winterized properly and water is left stagnant in the pump for months at a time.įortunately in an RV, the plumbing and electric systems are already in place to replace your pump. If that’s the case, you’re probably looking to replace or upgrade your existing water pump. Adding a Water Pump to your RVĬhances are good that your RV came with a water pump pre-installed. RV water pumps are normally considered high volume if their flow rate is over 4 GPM.Ĭourtesy of Winnebago Industries, Inc. They are typically found in larger RVs because they use more electricity to operate. High volume pumps deliver higher flow rates than standard 12v water pumps. Variable speed pumps are quieter, but also tend to be more expensive than constant speed pumps. At higher flow rates, the motor will run faster. They have a pressure sensor that adjusts the motor speed to keep water at a consistent pressure. Variable speed pumps create pressure that feels most similar to your home plumbing. They can only deliver water at one speed. These pumps use a switch to detect when to turn the motor on or off. There are three main types of water pumps: constant speed, variable speed, and high volume.Ĭonstant speed pumps are the most common. High volume water pumps will draw up to 15 amps. They only draw power when they’re turned on and running. Luckily, 12v water pumps tend to be very efficient. The smaller the amps, the less power you’ll be drawing from your battery bank. The electric current is measured in amperage (amps). Amperage (Amps)Įvery electric water pump uses a small amount of electricity when running. To protect your plumbing system, you should always use a water pressure regulator when connecting an RV to city water. Any higher and you’ll risk damage to your pipes and connections.īonus info: city water is often pressurized to more than 60 PSI. All of the RV water pumps we’ve reviewed below fall within that range. These plumbing systems are designed to handle a sustained maximum of 40-60 PSI. Newer RV plumbing systems are designed with polyethylene tubing, and older systems are plumbed with polybutylene tubing. Water pressure is measured in pounds per square inch (PSI). Larger RVs may take advantage of pumps averaging 5.3 GPM. Typically a small RV or trailer will come with a water pump that handles a flow rate of 3.5 GPM. Weaker pumps will churn out as little as 1.2 GPM while the most powerful pumps can crank out 6 GPM or more. Water flow is measured in gallons per minute (GPM).
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