Challenger shurflo pump

[johnandrew70]

Hi all
we have recently bought a used 2007 swift challenger 560 and currently away with it as I type this and happy with it.
The only problems I have are the creaking floor which is not a big deal but the wife can't keep still which makes it annoying.
The other thing is we were sitting here this afternoon and the water pump started up on its own for no apparent reason, is this normal as our old van was an external pump in the aqua roll, this is a shurflo pump onboard, it only came on for a few seconds then off and not done it any more.

 

[RodOne1]

Hello John, I think that the Surflow system works in much the same way as the Whale pump in my van, and it will occasionally come on at random to build up to the pressure that it requires in the system. As yours only came on once, the water system should be fine. If it worries you, just turn it off at night. Sorry cannot help about the creaking floor, but I have found this can happen in some vans, even when the floor is apparently sound. You 'll just have to tell your good lady to sit still - good luck!

 

[johnandrew70]

Hi RodOne
I did wonder if that's what the pump was doing, I can't see any leaks so fingers crossed, as for telling the other half to sit still, I think I will put up with the creaking haha.

 

[mealsonwheels]

The pump in our Challenger comes on briefly of its own accord now and again. The first time it did it was disconcerting, when we were both sitting quietly reading and it suddenly came on, but we've got used to it now when it does happen.
With regard to the floor creaking, sometimes giving the corner steadies a tweak up or down may stop it.

 

[johnandrew70]

Hi Meal on wheels.
thanks for your reply, i know what you mean about disconcerting, we were sitting watching tv when the pump started running, we both looked at each other with a look of worry

after pulling the cushions up from the seats and having a good look for leaks i felt a little more at ease.
We spent this weekend in the van and have found the creaking not so bad so think different types of ground surface may have something to do with it.

 

[ProfJohnL]

The Shureflow type of pump being inboard and using receiprocating components is unfortunately much noisier than the submersible external pumps, so you do tend to notice it when it runs.
The pump has a pressure switch built into it, which monitors the pressure in the caravans pipework. If teh pressure falls the pump turns on, and off when it reaches the set pressure. This is a convenient method of contolling the pump when any tap is opened and closed.
When you have a water heater, the hot water will also be presurised. but if teh heater is turned off, then any remaining hot water will cool, and as it cools it shrinks which will reduce the pressure slightly. This can be enough to trigger the pump in the way you describe.
If you had leak, the pump would turn on and off much more frequently, so i think its is fairly safe to assume your system is probably leak free.
As other have suggested turn the pump off overnight. This will prevent any momentary operations. Its also good practice to do it when you leave the caravan in case a pipework joint might fail, it will prevent the caravan from flooding.

 

[johnandrew70]

Thank you for the reply Prof,
Our old van (2001 Abbey Vogue 215) had the external pump in the aquaroll, the system was fine but pressure was shall we say rubbish.
We love the new van with all the mod cons and the water pressure, The noise of the water pump is not that loud i must say, a friend of mine has a newer van and his pump is a lot noisier compared to ours.
with regards to turning the pump off at night and times away from the van it had not occured to me that that could happen and glad you had pointed that out, i will be parranoid in future that it might flood if i forget to turn it off

 

[ChrisUK]

The pump cycling is a common problem with this pump. The pump itself acts a a non return valve. At about one year old mine was cycling on and off about every 2 to 5 min, I checked all the pipework for leaks - non found. The dealer stripped and clean the pump to fing it "gummed" up. 6 months later the same thing happened and he advised mew to fit a non return valve, cost about £7, in the feed just before the pump. 4 years later no recurrance of the problem.
If it only happens say once or twice in the night because of cooling, thats normal.

The system is always pressureised if the pump is powered on, all the water connections are only push fit, so I always switch the pump off if we go out.
Excuse the typing error, I won't let me edit them?

 

[johnandrew70]

Thanks for that Chris i will have a look and see if a non return valve has been fitted.