CARVER WATER PUMP

[JSGJ]

My Lunar caravan came fitted with a Carver Crystal Maxi water pump (now manufactured by Truma). It only lasted a season and we had to replace it with a "Thames", we were assured that they were the same. On using the new pump the flow was inadequate, the dealer agreed to change it for the Crystal Maxi which was ordered specially. It only lasted again for 12 months, but as

we were told that it had a 2 yr guarantee, it was replaced.The blue water pipe split and was repaired by shortening, but the pump has now failed again, it makes a noise but does not pump adequately and causes disturbance in the container.

I tried to replace it again, one dealer told me that he did not stock the Crystal Maxi as they were unreliable, he recommended the Thames. Another dealer stocked the Maxi, but at £39.95, with a note emphasising that it is only guaranteed for 12 months!! My experience so far would suggest an

expensive 12 months!!

My queries are:

I) does anybody else have similar problems?

ii) is the Crystal Maxi equivalent to the Thames ?

What are the flow rates?

iii) is there a more reliable, replacement submersible pump made by another manufacturer, I am quite happy to change the connector and connecting water pipe.

Any advice

gratefully received

JSGJ

 

[milliemop]

hello----I have a whale system in my van,pump runs fine, but a couple of pointers that may help you ---whale insist that you insert the pump into your water container, first, before plugging it in to your van, this allows all air to vent from the pump, what you hear is the pump trying to vent itself through a small bleed hole in the top of the pump----it just keeps ciculating water through this little orifice, hence you get less pressure in the van-----also water pumps nowadays, all seem to have a much longer delivery pipe on them,so make sure you have the pump upright in the water container with no bends in the hose which will trap air---if your pump is continually pumping both water and air it won't last long

hope this helps

rob

 

[CliveV]

Rob is absolutly correct.

Without thinking a new pump placed in the water container and the pipe pushed in all the way.

Result - pump ended up upsidedown half way up the water container. Luckily I noticed the poor thing struggling and repositioned the pipe and container correctly so that the pump is sitting correctly at the bottom.

 

[RayS]

My Carver Crystal maxi lasted just 3 years with an average occupation of 100 days/ year so i was not too unhappy. Could be you have been "unlucky" - it happens. If the pump has been used on very hard water, this may have dried out on the bearings and the build-up of lime scale may have shortened the life. When taking the pump out, shake it vigourously to try to get as much water out as possible before storage.