A simple test can be carried out by putting 12v to the pump to check the operation, if the pump does not run, replace the pump or pump assembly. If the pump does run then there is a problem with the system in the caravan
Which System do I have?
There are two different types of system in most modern caravans
A) The Pressure Switch System.
This system has a pressure switch in the line of the water pipe. It can sense the drop in pressure in the pipe that occurs when a tap is opened.
There are three main types of pressure switch.
A Whale pressure switch, situated in the pipeline normally close to the water inlet under a bunk or in a cupboard. It is white and has a screw top for adjustment.This is the most common type.
An integrated Whale pressure switch built into the housing of a Whale watermaster system.
A pressure switch built into an onboard self priming water pump such as a Sureflow.
B) Microswitch System.
This system has individual microswitches in each tap that operate the pump as each tap is opened.
Which System Do I Have?
The easiest way to check is to look underneath the taps, a microswitch system will have wires going up to to the taps where a pressure switch system won't have.
sometimes you can get an air lock in the pump pipe.to sort this remove the pump completely shake it and reconnect as normal.this usually gets it going.a give away for this fault is the green light is on and the pump does not work,most times its air in the pipe.common time this happens is just after a refill.
------------- the only silly question is the one you do not ask.
We are on our 3rd whale pump , all replaced under warrenty, our dealer told us there was a known problem with the pumps.
However ours have packed up altogether rather than been intermittent, the only other thing we have found is that when going from mains hook up to using 12V or vise versa we sometimes need to adjust the micro switch because of the voltage differences.
.THE PUMP LIGHT COMES ON WHEN I OPEN A TAP ,DOES THIS MEAN ALL IS IN ORDER RIGHT UP TO THE PUMP?
DAMN THING ONLY HAD TO LAST ANOTHER 3 WEEKS (NEW VAN COMING )
THERE AGAIN THINGS ARE SUPPOSED TO COME IN THREES,AND ON MY LAST THREE TRIPS I VE HAD ,WATER FILTER SPLIT(EMERGENCY REPAIRED WITH A PIECE OF 15MM PIPE,COULD THIS HAVE ALLOWED SOME DIRT INTO THE OPERATING SYSTEM?),
DRAIN UNDER SINK COME OFF ,AND NOW THIS .HOPEFULLY THATS ME DONE !!
The wires in the pump lead are tinned (solder coated) before they are crimped on.
The solder oxidises and impairs the flow of current(electric)
If the crimp ons are squeezed tighter inside the plug it will improve the contact but better still is to remove the crimps altogether and solder the wires direct to the terminals
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