We have just got a folding camper with a whale tap and water pump. We can't get water from it though. So I replaced the pump and still nothing.
Now I know this is probably obvious if you know but do I need a leisure battery to run the water pump or will it work from electric hook up? As the rest of my 12 volt plugs seem to run from electric hook up. But does the water pump need the battery?
Well, as far as I know, the Whale pumps all run on 12V.
So, a couple of points... Could you take the 12V from the car battery via. a 12S socket? Do you have a charger/power supply in your camper. That would provide 12V.
I would suggest that you get a leisure battery, but in addition, you would want a split charge relay to charge it from the car when it's running, and a charger.
------------- Two drifters off to see the world.
I'm tired of reality, so I'm off to look for a good fantasy.
The water pump is operated from a 12 volt power source so yes you do need a leisure battery. The onboard battery charger is also a transformer that transforms and reduces the 240 volt mains power to 12 volts so if the circuit is absent of a leisure battery then there is nothing to stabilise the current which means that the charger could overheat. There is a switch with 'PUMP' on it that should be switched on which illuminates when the water pump is activated by opening the water tap. However, before replacing the pump you should have tested the two brass connectors at the water inlet (where the pump plugs in to) with a voltmeter and that would have confirmed whether you had power or not to the pump.
Depends on what type of charger you use. The Zig X70 provides stabilised power supply of 13.8V. Older Zigs had very basic circuits and did need a battery to be connected.
------------- Two drifters off to see the world.
I'm tired of reality, so I'm off to look for a good fantasy.
I had a 1999 conway cruiser ,it had a seperate switch for the pump in a less than obvious place (over the left hand side of the cooker on the unit top) .It had the older zig so did not use a battery, take care though that the battery terminal leads are not touching anything ,because they will get a backfeed from the charger circuit when on hook up
But yes, normally even without battery fitted the 12v pump should operate.
I know nothing about folding campers, but unless a pressured system, caravans have microswitches on the taps to operate the pump. But there also is a main pump switch aswell. Check these work as I've had to strip and clean mine (last owner didn't use it for a few years - lack of use isn't good for microswitches and only 12V).
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Topic: Whale 12 volt water pump not working
