Ron Fraser
Fairfax County, VA
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When operating the water system in our 25 foot Trail Lite trailer on the on-board demand pump (not city water pressure) we are getting very loud vibrations within the plastic pipes. The noise is not centered in the pump. The noise seems to move around from place to place. The noise is created by opening any faucet and flushing the toilet. I have searched for a point specific pipe that is vibrating by going behind the panels and feeling along the lines with my hand but can't find a vibrating spot. At times the sound seems to be back by the toilet, at other times it seems to be below the floor, and at other times it seems to be more forward, near the water heater. The vibration is pulsating -- like ratratrat for two seconds, quiet for one-half second, ratratrat for two seconds -- all the while a faucet is open. My next idea is to take the pump apart to see if somehow it has air in it. Thanks for any other suggestions you may have?
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Vern M.
Marion Co., Arkansas
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Joined: 02/15/2001
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The vibration is likely the check valve in your shore water connection. There is a valve in there to keep the water from flowing back toward the hose when not in use. Our Jayco had the very same problem. Jayco sent a replacement shore water connection made out of metal. Solved the problem.
Vern M.
The Little Houses on the Highway (tm)
www.runningriver.com/modeland/littlehouse.htm
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rvlady
Sublimity, Oregon
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Joined: 09/09/2001
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We've had this problem in several trailers. The new trailer had problems where the rigid pipe went up through the bottom shelf of cabinets. My husband padded it with foam rubber or pipe insulation. The noise was the vibration of the pipes against the wood. Adding an accumulator tank with flexible pipe is a great help. Often times the pipes are not fastened down well to the floor as they travel from the pump to the faucets.
Linda
Linda and husband Dave (retired US Army) W7DDW
Jake, the 86# Black Lab "kid"
2002 Arctic Fox 25R, Honda 2000i
2003 DODGE 3500 SLT Quad Cab, 4x4, SRW, HO CTD, 3.73, 48RE, Jake Brake
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wolfe10
Texas
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Joined: 10/08/2000
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rvlady is on the right track. Your fresh water pump WILL vibrate. You need to isolate the pump from the hard plastic pipe. Most pumps are fit with 1/2" NPT running threads (Shur flo for sure). Get a 1/2" NPT to 1/2" barb adaptor for the supply AND house side of the hard plastic pipe. From your pump manufacturer, get a pump to 1/2" barb fitting. Remove both hard plastic pipes from the pump and plumb it so you have 3' of reinforced flexible hose (for potable water) between the pump and the hard pipe. Most hardware stores will have what you need with the exception of the on-pump ends. I have done this on MANY boats and RV's. It WILL cut your pump noise by 50%. An accumulator will also help, but as long as a pump which DOES vibrate is allowed to transmit the vibration thorough hard plastic pipe, it will make noise throughout your trailer.
Brett Wolfe
1993 Foretravel 36' U-240
Cat 3116, Allison 3060
Caterpillar RV Engine Owner's Club: www.catrvclub.org
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Ron Fraser
Fairfax County, VA
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Thanks to you all who have made suggestions. I will put your ideas into practice this weekend.
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Ron Fraser
Fairfax County, VA
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I added a flexible tube from my water pump to the hard plastic distribution pipes and the
vibration has vanished. Thank you RV Lady and Wolf 10 for your technical advice. I owe you one.
Ron Fraser, 25 foot Trail Lite--home to five travellers with a total of 16 legs.
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john b
anywhere USA!
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Joined: 11/07/2001
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Hi Ron
I found purchasing two 1/2 in Iron pipe thread female connection flex lines in the plumbing Dept,about 12 in long each. Also get two 1/2 in ip by short plastic or galvinized nipples. Install on on the inlet and one on the discharge side,with a loop in the line. Also install about 3 layers of carpet pad under the pump mount and your noise will be gone .I have done it on 3 rigs so far and it works. Cost at menards or home depot or lowes is under $10.00
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wolfe10
Texas
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John,
I have not check on the use of iron and or galvanized pipe for potable water-- I would certainly check before using it. Clearly the flexible reinforced clear PVC recommended by the pump manufacturers will accomplish the silencing of the pump AND be acceptable for potable water.
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jgriffin
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Joined: 11/06/2001
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Iron galvanized pipe has been used forever in homes for water supply lines. Even though the US has gone away from this in favor of other materials (copper, etc), a good percentage of the US population still drinks through galvanized pipes in older homes. No problems with it.
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