Hi All
Ref: 2005 Avondale Argente 480-2 (onboard Sureflow Trail king 7 16psi water pump)
Did a water trial (with sterilising solution) yesterday in preparation for ease of lockdown and found a water leak at the pump when pumping. This is the first time we have used it as we took possession the week before lockdown. Also noticed the rather weak attempt at a shower flow and wondered if it was possible to increase the flow /pressure at the shower head. According to the handbook the Argente water system is capable of taking mains water pressure with a pressure reducer already fitted, so technically 2.5 Bar (35 psi old money) shouldn’t be a problem, if instead of changing seals and diaphragm, just change the pump for a higher pressure.
Anybody done this or have any thoughts on a pressure upgrade (or possible issues) with a pump upgrade.
These are high quality units, about the best you can obtain for caravans.
Typically a leak at the pump is frost damage to the pump housing, resulting from it not being drained fully before a severe winter, unfortunately IMO not going to be repairable if that is the issue.
I would be extremely guarded about direct connection to a mains water supply even with a reducer, as that only needs a bit of contamination to get into it to expose the system to mains water pressures. These pressures can be way over the design limit of installed components.
The 30 psi max mentioned is IMO going to be all the components ought to cope with.
Using a van shower is always going to be something of a compromise and way off the performance we expect from domestic showers. Even with a 30 psi pump, the pumps flow limit will result in lower pressures at the shower head.
Thanks JTQU
The pump definitely is marked as 16 psi, (I tried to upload an image of it but the “system” didn’t want to know, after several attempts, I gave up).
Possibly frost damage is the cause, we will never know as it didn’t belong to us previous to March 2020 and the cost of a spare diaphragm kit against a new unit is bearable, (the moths have multiplied in the old wallet since lockdown).
I think I will go for the 30 psi unit and take a chance on the rest of the system holding up.
Thanks again.
Just to let interested parties know, we have now managed to get the van on the road and tested the water system twice since lockdown eased.
I'm glad to say all works well and the shower is wonderful providing you don't idle the day away underneath the really hot flow of water, (have had a look at turning the temperature down but its fixed).
Thanks to all who have contributed.
Just need to replace a corner steady as the traveling nut has stripped itself of threads the first time I tried to use it. Oh well simple enough to fix.
Cheers for now
Mj
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Topic: Water Pump Upgrade
