Water pump replacement

[Beardy]

Our Truma Ultraflow pump failed yesterday, fortunately it was our last day away so it just made it a bit of a faff heating water to wash up and no shower this morning so travelled home smelly. I've ordered a whale with the truma fitting as it has good reviews and wasn't too much more than a replacement Truma.

Now I'm wondering if it's possible/worthwhile replacing the pump on the Truma hose with something like the one in the link below and keeping it as a spare? Had the pump failed on our first day away I'd have had to waste holiday time sourcing a replacement, so having a spare (even if it doesn't perform as well) seems like a good shout for just over a tenner.

Has anyone done this? Any thoughts?

Reich Easy Pump 14L | Halfords UK

Shop the latest Reich Easy pump 14L is especially durable and powerful and is enhanced by special high-tech sealing. at Halfords UK

www.halfords.com

 

[Mr Plodd]

I have done exactly that. It's a very simple job to replace the pump (you might need a small jubilee clip though)
Similar pumps on ebay, just be sure to get one with a similar flow rate to the original.
The Truma pumps are not renowned for their longevity

 

[ProfJohnL]

One of the most common reasons for submersible pumps is allowing them to continue running when no taps are open. This can happen if a micro switch in a tap becomes faulty, or if a pressure switch needs adjusting, or if there is an air block trapped in the pump for example when tank runs dry or after changing the tank and you don't reprime the pump.

Most sub pumps rely on the water flow through them to cool the pump motor. If the flow stops but the pump continues to run it will warm up but if their is an air block in the pump, many motors can get hot enough to soften and distort the plastic body of the pump. This can damage the motors shaft seals and allow water into the motor compartment. This will permanently damage the motor are quite quickly cause it to fail completely.

 

[Beardy]

Similar pumps on ebay, just be sure to get one with a similar flow rate to the original.

A valid point, but I've been unable to find the specification of the Truma pump. No information on the Truma Web site (or none I could find). Some 'sales' sites state 16 litres per minute, some 9 litres per minute and some 9 litres per minute at 3 metres head.

On various forum posts people have said that the Whale High Flow has much better performance than the Truma, the spec's on the Whale are 15.8 lpm, 14.8 at 1 metre head and 13.8 at 3 metre head.

The Reich pump I linked to (513 0214) can be bought at a myriad of different places but it's not listed on their Web site so no specification other than 14 lpm and 0.5 bar pressure (which is considerably lower than the Whale at 1.5 bar). 0.5 bar will overcome a 5 metre head of water so it should work but probably at a much lower flow rate. As it's going to be an emergency spare I can live with that. I may have to reduce the pressure switch setting to use it but that's a 2 minute job on my caravan.

Good to know that it's doable though, do you remember which pump you used?

 

[Martin_E]

I would change it for a whale high flow pump, they have a very good output.

 

[Buckman]

We had 3 or 4 Truma pumps replaced under warranty in 2011 as they all failed for whatever reason. We replaced it with the Whale with Truma connection and had that for several years and never needed the spare. It sat in our shed for nearly 10 years before eventually selling it as our new caravan had the Whale fitting.

 

[Beardy]

I would change it for a whale high flow pump, they have a very good output.

They're also around £40. I'm not prepared to spend that much on something I may never use.

 

[Mr Plodd]

Good to know that it's doable though, do you remember which pump you used?

I am afraid not, it was a couple of years ago now.
This one at 17 litres per minute would do the job pretty well.

 

[Anseo]

I've been using these, 1 is in service and performing well, the other is connected to a spare hose and connector as my spare.

Low Voltage Submersible Pump - 16 LPM Submarine Water Pump

The SEAFLO 12lpm low voltage submarine micro boat electric water pump can offer 30 mins continuous operating when connected to a suitable power unit, a car battery or a solar power system.SEAFLO specialized making water work for you.

www.seaflo.com

 

[Beardy]

I am afraid not, it was a couple of years ago now.
This one at 17 litres per minute would do the job pretty well.

I did look at those but there are numerous vendors on the bay advertising what appears to be the same pump with flow rates between 10 and 17 lpm. Looking at the 18 watt power rating I'm sceptical that they can deliver what they promise (a bit like the 50 watt solar panels advertised on eBay that measure 400 x 200 mm, you'd be lucky to get 10 watts out of them).

 

[Buckman]

We haven't used our pump for over 3 years, but hopefully it still works?

 

[Dustydog]

Before we had an on board pump we had a submersible. Ours failed at Altnaharra Highlands , literally in the middle of nowhere with no toilet or washing facilities.
Fortunately our dealer sent a replacement , express delivery. Took 48 hours. We managed using kettles , and the watering can for washing etc. Not easy.
We learnt our lesson. Since that event we always carried a spare , new pump, one I had tested as operational. I accept cost is a factor but my point is don’t get caught like Idid.
Carry a spare!

 

[ProfJohnL]

I did look at those but there are numerous vendors on the bay advertising what appears to be the same pump with flow rates between 10 and 17 lpm. Looking at the 18 watt power rating I'm sceptical that they can deliver what they promise (a bit like the 50 watt solar panels advertised on eBay that measure 400 x 200 mm, you'd be lucky to get 10 watts out of them).

I'm afraid the auction sites and direct from China sellers are flooding the markets with often substandard products that look very much like genuine products but certainly do not last of perform like the genuine articles.

The vast majority of submersible pumps use an impeller which may be able to provide high flow rates with no head height causing back pressure but that flow rate very quickly reduces when the head height increases. Typically a caravan pump needs to be able to deliver enough water flow to the shower which might be 2. to 2.5meter head height. From work we did 30 odd years ago we found the minimum flow needed for an adequate shower was 3 litres per min at the shower head with the pump supplied with exactly 12.0 V dc

 

[Beardy]

I'm afraid the auction sites and direct from China sellers are flooding the markets with often substandard products that look very much like genuine products but certainly do not last of perform like the genuine articles.

The vast majority of submersible pumps use an impeller which may be able to provide high flow rates with no head height causing back pressure but that flow rate very quickly reduces when the head height increases. Typically a caravan pump needs to be able to deliver enough water flow to the shower which might be 2. to 2.5meter head height. From work we did 30 odd years ago we found the minimum flow needed for an adequate shower was 3 litres per min at the shower head with the pump supplied with exactly 12.0 V dc

I can't argue with that, the difficulty is sorting the wheat from the chaff.

 

[Beardy]

Before we had an on board pump we had a submersible. Ours failed at Altnaharra Highlands , literally in the middle of nowhere with no toilet or washing facilities.
Fortunately our dealer sent a replacement , express delivery. Took 48 hours. We managed using kettles , and the watering can for washing etc. Not easy.
We learnt our lesson. Since that event we always carried a spare , new pump, one I had tested as operational. I accept cost is a factor but my point is don’t get caught like Idid.
Carry a spare!

Stable door, locked, bolted and horse spring to mind
We were lucky ours failed on our last day but I'm in total agreement that a spare is desirable, hence my post. It looks like I'll be able to refurbish my broken pump / hose to a working state for minimal cost so that's the way I'll go. I'm not too worried about having the same performance as a Whale or Truma as long as it's usable and I'm not stuck with filling kettles / pans from the site tap then waiting for them to boil.

 

[Hutch]

I carry two pumps, one is the Truma and the other is the Whale pump with Truma connection, the Truma is probably 10 years old and was made up as you are thinking about, from a new pump attached to a 0ld pipe.
I went into a company called "The white Box" to get the spare pump, to replace the broken one, and came out with the new pump and the Whale /Truma unit as well.. I alternate the pumps every now and again, I don't notice any difference in water pressure output.

 

[Niall_McIntosh]

There was an article in the magazine a couple of years ago: https://www.practicalcaravan.com/advice/repairing-a-whale-watermaster-pump . While this specifically related to a Whale Watermaster, the process would be similar for other makes, it also mentions some pumps which can be used.

 

[Beardy]

There was an article in the magazine a couple of years ago: https://www.practicalcaravan.com/advice/repairing-a-whale-watermaster-pump . While this specifically related to a Whale Watermaster, the process would be similar for other makes, it also mentions some pumps which can be used.

Thanks for that, looks straight forward enough.

 

[Beardy]

I've been using these, 1 is in service and performing well, the other is connected to a spare hose and connector as my spare.

Low Voltage Submersible Pump - 16 LPM Submarine Water Pump

The SEAFLO 12lpm low voltage submarine micro boat electric water pump can offer 30 mins continuous operating when connected to a suitable power unit, a car battery or a solar power system.SEAFLO specialized making water work for you.

www.seaflo.com

I found a new 16 lpm version for under £12 so thanks to your recommendation I've ordered one.

 

[Niall_McIntosh]

Thanks for that, looks straight forward enough.

The trickiest bit I found was threading the new flex through the blue hose, but it wasn't too difficult.

 

[Beardy]

The trickiest bit I found was threading the new flex through the blue hose, but it wasn't too difficult.

The truma looks slightly different in that respect. The water hose and cable appear to go through an outer sheath together. I may dispose of the sheath as I suspect that is what makes it so stiff. I'll decide when I take it apart.

 

[Beardy]

I've been using these, 1 is in service and performing well, the other is connected to a spare hose and connector as my spare.

Low Voltage Submersible Pump - 16 LPM Submarine Water Pump

The SEAFLO 12lpm low voltage submarine micro boat electric water pump can offer 30 mins continuous operating when connected to a suitable power unit, a car battery or a solar power system.SEAFLO specialized making water work for you.

www.seaflo.com

Seaflow pump fitted and tested. It doesn't produce as much pressure as my shiny new whale pump but it's more than adequate for a decent shower. To be honest I only know because it didn't trip the pressure switch at the point I'd set it at for the whale.

One thing I did notice on the truma is the hose and cable were grubby when I removed them from the blue sleeve. Obviously they never get cleaned as they are inaccessible, but the sleeve fills with water then slowly empties as the aquaroll drains. Its the same with the whale as the cable runs through a water hose that isn't sealed. I've left the sleeve off apart from a short section where the hose / cable join the pistol connector and another where they pass through the cap. This makes the hose much more flexible as well.

 

[arossco]

There was an article in the magazine a couple of years ago: https://www.practicalcaravan.com/advice/repairing-a-whale-watermaster-pump . While this specifically related to a Whale Watermaster, the process would be similar for other makes, it also mentions some pumps which can be used.

Wow - so glad I read this thread ! I'm just back from a 5 day stay at Beecraigs Caravan Park in beautiful West Lothian Beecraigs Country Park. After 3 days my Whale submersible pump stopped working without any warning. I checked the voltage at the attachment point and that was perfect, and then I connected the pump to a 12V outlet - not a cheep from it. Of course I thought the pump was toast for some reason. Last time away it stopped because of a blocked impeller, but was Ok after I got it turning again.

I found this thread, hoping to find a better solution than spending another £65 or so on a replacement. I read the article above, and decided to order a Comet pump as mentioned, which I got for £20.85 on eBay to fit as described. I opened up the connector to check the spade connections, and discovered they were loose.

I pushed them back on tightly, reassembled the connector, and hey presto - pump working !

So I still have the Comet pump on its way, but I am happy with that, as I have a very reasonably priced spare part. Very happy !

 

[Beardy]

Wow - so glad I read this thread ! I'm just back from a 5 day stay at Beecraigs Caravan Park in beautiful West Lothian Beecraigs Country Park. After 3 days my Whale submersible pump stopped working without any warning. I checked the voltage at the attachment point and that was perfect, and then I connected the pump to a 12V outlet - not a cheep from it. Of course I thought the pump was toast for some reason. Last time away it stopped because of a blocked impeller, but was Ok after I got it turning again.

I found this thread, hoping to find a better solution than spending another £65 or so on a replacement. I read the article above, and decided to order a Comet pump as mentioned, which I got for £20.85 on eBay to fit as described. I opened up the connector to check the spade connections, and discovered they were loose.

I pushed them back on tightly, reassembled the connector, and hey presto - pump working !

So I still have the Comet pump on its way, but I am happy with that, as I have a very reasonably priced spare part. Very happy !

Crimp a couple of spade connectors on it and stick it in the caravan just in case. (Almost guaranteed that you'll never need it if you have it with you,. Leave it in the drawer at home and you'll need it next time out).