Hello, I've recently purchased an old caravan at my sons glider club and I would like to know how do I plumb in the water? I need a water pump for a whale fitting, bit will it run on mains or do I have to buy a battery? There is battery space and charging leads in the power compartment on the outside. I have no idea about caravans at all, so any help would be appreciated.
Water pump
- Thread starter swindoncaravan
- Start date
-
- Tags
- water pump
The pump is 12v but should run without a battery if caravan is plugged into mains(230VAC).
Caravans have 12VDC and 230VAC electrical systems in them with 230V to 12V power supply/ battery charger. 12V is used for control systems, some lights, gas/230V heater fans, gas HW controller, water pumps. This allows most things to work offgrid on 12V battery.
Plumbing system will typically have pressure switch to activate pump when tap is open. This will be white thing with knob on top to adjust pressure setting. Has in and out pipes and couple wires, should be under seat near water inlet. May need to adjust this knob once water system is primed will click when activating.
Other thing to be aware of is drain/pressure relief valve this is on floor next to hotwater cylinder, again under a seat. Yellow level should be horizontal either direction in normal use, up to drain water. Valve has pipe on bottom that goes through van floor for drain. People drain system including HW cylinder(10-15L) to lighten van for travel and to stop pipes freezing while in storage.
To prime system once drained may take a while and 10-20L of water. Leave taps open to let air out.
When purchasing pump take photo of water inlet fitting on outside to show shopkeeper. Worth applying some plumbers grease(non toxic) to fitting orings to make plugging in easier.
Caravans have 12VDC and 230VAC electrical systems in them with 230V to 12V power supply/ battery charger. 12V is used for control systems, some lights, gas/230V heater fans, gas HW controller, water pumps. This allows most things to work offgrid on 12V battery.
Plumbing system will typically have pressure switch to activate pump when tap is open. This will be white thing with knob on top to adjust pressure setting. Has in and out pipes and couple wires, should be under seat near water inlet. May need to adjust this knob once water system is primed will click when activating.
Other thing to be aware of is drain/pressure relief valve this is on floor next to hotwater cylinder, again under a seat. Yellow level should be horizontal either direction in normal use, up to drain water. Valve has pipe on bottom that goes through van floor for drain. People drain system including HW cylinder(10-15L) to lighten van for travel and to stop pipes freezing while in storage.
To prime system once drained may take a while and 10-20L of water. Leave taps open to let air out.
When purchasing pump take photo of water inlet fitting on outside to show shopkeeper. Worth applying some plumbers grease(non toxic) to fitting orings to make plugging in easier.
Last edited:
Mel
Moderator
- Mar 17, 2007
- 6,200
- 2,272
- 25,935
There are videos on you tube that may ( or may not) help you. This one for instance
View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eMdRu3ZW_ks&pp=0gcJCRsBo7VqN5tD
Good luck
Mel
Good luck
Mel
- Jul 18, 2017
- 16,522
- 5,297
- 50,935
Are you leaving in situ or are your proposing to tow it home? When last was it serviced and a damp check done? The damp check is the most important as you do not want it falling apart if towing home.
On the windows or the draw bar there should be a 16 digit number,the 10 digit refers to the year of manufacture,or 1999 is X,2000 is Y and 2001 is 1, hope this of use, I'd recommend checking the condition of the tyres for signs of damage such as cracks,bulges and age,also for their weight capabilities.Much of these subjects have been previously discussed on this forum in the past....Good luck and welcome aboard.. Gary
It stays on site. Has got so.e damp in the walls, but I only use it for some where to sit now and again, never stay in it
- Jul 18, 2017
- 16,522
- 5,297
- 50,935
Good ideas you can sit out of the rain. Just make sure that you have plenty of fresh air ventilation as with damp you may have mould, and mould spores are dangerous for the human respiratory system.
Just piggy backing into this thread. I’ve just done the same as SwindonCaravan. I have a 1996 Swift 380 Rapide. I have a whale 881 submersible pump (which works when clamped direct to the battery) but I can’t get water into the van - I’m struggling to find a connector for the hose. Any ideas what I need…?
I’d be very grateful for some help…
Attachments
- Sep 4, 2011
- 619
- 373
- 19,135
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/274895805659?
Is this what you are looking for or the block on the pump pipe that plugs in. If it is the block you are looking for you will have to buy the block pipe and pump as a complete unit
Is this what you are looking for or the block on the pump pipe that plugs in. If it is the block you are looking for you will have to buy the block pipe and pump as a complete unit
Last edited:
Thank you 🙏.
I guess I may need to replace that part, but is there something I should have on the end of my pump to connect to the water inlet?
I’m also only getting around 0.3v at the blade connectors in the van wall socket.
- Nov 16, 2015
- 12,445
- 4,600
- 40,935
I would try cleaning the two electrical contacts in the water housing, they look worse for wear, check the wiring at the back of that housing, if your not up to speed with electrics, then final hope is a local caravan technician.
My friend used to store his caravan at Biscter( ??) gliding club,
Thanks I will give those a try. My caravan came from Hampshire (not a gliding club) but I’d literally just bought it with no idea about caravans! My son is going to use it one a site for work for 3-months.
- Sep 4, 2011
- 619
- 373
- 19,135
On your pump should be a pipe and a block that is on the pipe which connects into the side of the caravan. Theses are not separate items. But I think you will find that the 811 is now obsolete. This will mean to use water you would need to purchase a new type inlet to fit to side of caravan plus a new pump complete with connection to match the new type of inlet.
Facebook
Twitter