We have a Bailey Unicorn 2017 with Whale water pump system. After many years of use this trip (seasonal pitch) we started to experience issues. We first noticed a high pitched noise that turned out to be the pump ruining. After the next barrel refill I could not get the pump to turn off even though water had been pumped.
I recalibrated the pressure switch at the back of the inlet unit as per the instructions and after a couple of tries seemed to have solved the issue.
A couple of days later, nothing, no water, no clicking when re-calibrating the pressure switch.
Fuse checked -all good, light on the water panel - but no water, research done - concluded it was probably the pressure switch as it had needed re-calibrating and was calling for water even when water system was seemingly at pressure.
Decided to replace pressure switch and whilst at caravan shop buy a spare pump as we are touring France for 6 weeks next year.
I asked advice about installation of the pressure switch socket and was sold a gasket that removed the need for separate silicone sealant.
I photographed the wiring and disconnected the pressure switch and unscrewed from the outside. Had trouble removing and used a sharp flexible knife to cut the seal between the unit and the caravan wall. It came away and I cleaned it the caravan wall up.
Replacement of the new unit and gasket was simple with care. After I re-attached wires and pipe, turned electricity back on with old pump attached - still nothing.
Switched to the new replacement pump and it all came to life and we have water again!
So was it the pump or the pressure switch that failed? Definitely in the end the pump completely failed before the switch, but the switch but the switch may have had a part to play.
How could I have known ? After dismantling the switch it was clear to see that positive feed goes to input 2 at the back and when the micro switch connects the circuit to terminal 3 that directly connects to the brass pump terminal. So if I were to connect wire from thermal 2 to terminal 3 the pump should be permanently on which would at least test the pump.
Now the flow is much improved and the responsiveness of the switch more reactive. So overall the pump was dead and the pressure switch in need of care. Replacing both has made a huge difference and was an easy DIY job that only required screwdrivers and a sharp knife, all of which I had in the van away from home.
I recalibrated the pressure switch at the back of the inlet unit as per the instructions and after a couple of tries seemed to have solved the issue.
A couple of days later, nothing, no water, no clicking when re-calibrating the pressure switch.
Fuse checked -all good, light on the water panel - but no water, research done - concluded it was probably the pressure switch as it had needed re-calibrating and was calling for water even when water system was seemingly at pressure.
Decided to replace pressure switch and whilst at caravan shop buy a spare pump as we are touring France for 6 weeks next year.
I asked advice about installation of the pressure switch socket and was sold a gasket that removed the need for separate silicone sealant.
I photographed the wiring and disconnected the pressure switch and unscrewed from the outside. Had trouble removing and used a sharp flexible knife to cut the seal between the unit and the caravan wall. It came away and I cleaned it the caravan wall up.
Replacement of the new unit and gasket was simple with care. After I re-attached wires and pipe, turned electricity back on with old pump attached - still nothing.
Switched to the new replacement pump and it all came to life and we have water again!
So was it the pump or the pressure switch that failed? Definitely in the end the pump completely failed before the switch, but the switch but the switch may have had a part to play.
How could I have known ? After dismantling the switch it was clear to see that positive feed goes to input 2 at the back and when the micro switch connects the circuit to terminal 3 that directly connects to the brass pump terminal. So if I were to connect wire from thermal 2 to terminal 3 the pump should be permanently on which would at least test the pump.
Now the flow is much improved and the responsiveness of the switch more reactive. So overall the pump was dead and the pressure switch in need of care. Replacing both has made a huge difference and was an easy DIY job that only required screwdrivers and a sharp knife, all of which I had in the van away from home.
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