NOISY WATER PUMP

Liltacker · Veteran Member

NOISY WATER PUMP

Baz421 · Guru

Liltacker wrote:
I searched this topic and noticed it had been up before but the thread got hijacked over to dual batteries setup.
Can anyone tell me if they have a very quiet water pump and is it mounted flat on the floor or on the side wall also is it plumbed in with flexible hose or solid pvc tube as ours is. I have tried re-adjusting it and even putting two layers of rubber sorbothane under it and still no joy as it still vibrates the hell out of our van. The van builder said "Oh that's normal don't worry about it" but then when it wouldn't pressurise up and stop pumping he changed it over for another this one at least pressurises up and stops pumping but still noisy as all get out.
Any help greatly appreciated,

What brand pump are we talking about here please?

Liltacker · Veteran Member

It's a Shurflo 4009-101-A87, 11.3LPM 45psi hope that helps

Baz421 · Guru

Sure does it's the same type as ours with underfloor horizontal mount.

They all make some noise - so to see this you can unscrew pump from the floor and hold in your hand and run it.

If the pump has it's original rubber mounts make sure screws are tight. Adding more rubber to mount it etc to "soften" the noise could make it vibrate more.

Make sure your hoses in and out have enough flex to move with pump but not hit the floor AND that the rest of the hoses are securely attached to floor etc.

Once you have done this see if it changes anything.

If it helps a bit get under and get someone to turn pump on/off to get an idea where/what is generating the noise - remembering that the pump needs to move as it pumps.

Hold inlet hose - does it change anything. Do the same with outlet hose.

If no improvement or you can't isolate a problem try putting blankets/pillows on floor above the pump as the internal layout could be magnifying he sound into the van.

Anyway you need to get under when its running to have any hope of solving this,,, BUT the problem may be the position on floor and the effect this has on sound transmission into the van.

Hope this helps Cheers Baz

-- Edited by Baz421 on Monday 23rd of November 2015 10:09:56 PM

Baz421 · Guru

Found more info re pump.

http://caravansplus.com.au/catalog/pdf.php?pdf_id=531

Suggest read the info on mounting and hoses.

Cheers Baz

Radar · Guru

Thanks Baz great infor.will pull mine pump out and relocate in the near future as I find our pump a bit nòise also.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

I used another 7 ply with sicoflex glued to existing strong area so it doesn't vibrate..
The screws on the glued ply have rubber washers to prevent any harmonic transfere..
The pump is screwed tight to lower ply..
It reduced the noise but it's not compltly quiet..
Most the time we are up anyway..
If there's a restriction on inlet side they can cavitate ...

Tomcat · Senior Member

We had trouble with our 2010 Jayco Sterling Water Pump from day one running dry for no apparent reason then when a tap was turned on a lot of air came out with the water and it was noisy. I found that the rubber covers on the filler pipes for the water tanks were coming off by themselves and sucking air as well as water and this made the pump noisier than normal. I have since replaced the filler covers with sink plugs which fit the holes exactly which stopped the air bubbles and running more quietly. However it is still not completely silent. Having read your post and and the other answers it seems noisy pumps are pretty common. Tomcat

-- Edited by Tomcat on Tuesday 24th of November 2015 05:00:32 AM

Liltacker · Veteran Member

Sorry should have clarified a bit more.....the pump is mounted internally directly below the sink in the bottom cupboard on the floor on a 45degree angle so as not to hit the internal wheel arch !

Baz421 · Guru

Tomcat wrote:
We had trouble with our 2010 Jayco Sterling Water Pump from day one running dry for no apparent reason then when a tap was turned on a lot of air came out with the water and it was noisy. I found that the rubber covers on the filler pipes for the water tanks were coming off by themselves and sucking air as well as water and this made the pump noisier than normal. I have since replaced the filler covers with sink plugs which fit the holes exactly which stopped the air bubbles and running more quietly. However it is still not completely silent. Having read your post and and the other answers it seems noisy pumps are pretty common. Tomcat

-- Edited by Tomcat on Tuesday 24th of November 2015 05:00:32 AM

Be careful Tomcat the water tanks should be vented. If you have metal tanks especially you can create a vacuum effect and collapse the tank in a worst case scenario.

Suggest pump was sucking air along the inlet hose somewhere - a common problem.

Baz421 · Guru

Liltacker wrote:
Sorry should have clarified a bit more.....the pump is mounted internally directly below the sink in the bottom cupboard on the floor on a 45degree angle so as not to hit the internal wheel arch !

OK so need to either move it's too much of an issue OR insulate for sound reduction OR orient it better.

HOWEVER if it's mounted at 45deg is it mounted to a flat plate/timber??? IF NOT then that could be the real issue.

A photo would be good.

Cheers Baz

Liltacker · Veteran Member

Thanks for the manual on the pump I noticed straight away that these goof balls of installers have hard pvc plumbed it where they recommend flexible hose on both inlet and outlet so I will look at that first and see how we go .I appreciate all the feed back from everyone.

Liltacker · Veteran Member

Sorry Baz yes it is mounted flat on the floor bed of the cupboard but they have twisted it on a 45 degree angle still laying flat just to get it in the cupboard. with the piping hard mounted on the side wall.

Tomcat · Senior Member

Thankyou

Baz421 · Guru

Liltacker wrote:
Thanks for the manual on the pump I noticed straight away that these goof balls of installers have hard pvc plumbed it where they recommend flexible hose on both inlet and outlet so I will look at that first and see how we go .I appreciate all the feed back from everyone.

Yes and the flex hose will absorb some of the noise of the pump and "smooth" the pulses from the pump.

If you goggle Shurflo Hose and click on pics it brings up all the bits and pieces to convert to flex hose.

Hope all goes well.

Bruce and Bev · Guru

our Shurflo is mounted in its own dedicated cupboard under the fridge/freezer. It is screwed direct to the floor with rubber washers and fitted with the blue semi-flexible hose fitted in most RVs. The 'van manufacturer recommended to us that we turn it off at its switch when not using it for a few hours so its off at night and when we go out for any length of time. Apparently this will stop the pump constantly keeping pressure up in the hoses (and on the joints) and the pump itself. It makes a noise but not loud. If the water is not being used, but the pump is on, it will usually pump once every 5-10 mins or so to keep the hose pressure up

Sarge9 · Senior Member

I mounted mine under the van floor on to the chassis rail and then used an old vinyl lino off cut to make a cover for it. still a bit noisier than I like on a still night in a crowded park, but heaps better than a floor or wall mounted pump.

Sarge