rfsod48 Report post Posted March 29, 2019 Is there a way to increase the water pressure when using the water pump? I have a Surflo 3.5 gpm pump which works fine but has less pressure than when I use city water. Have checked all fittings and everything seems ok. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jleamont Report post Posted March 29, 2019 Roland, nothing that I am aware of other than upgrading your pump. Perhaps someone knows someone I do not. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
richard5933 Report post Posted March 29, 2019 You might check the screen on the intake side of the pump. If it is clogged you"ll get reduced flow/pressure. If you don't have a screen or filter, then the pump itself might be clogged. All that's assuming that the pressure was once better. Our Shurflo only makes 45 psi, so it will seem low compared to city water. I installed a shower head designed to work on lower pressure so we still get a decent shower. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rfsod48 Report post Posted March 29, 2019 Joe, do you mean going to higher gpm? Any idea of how high would be safe? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildebill308 Report post Posted March 30, 2019 You may be SOL. RV water systems are not made to run at hi preshure. That is why you have to run waterpreshure regulators. This is about as good as you can find. 4 GPM at 55 PSI https://www.pentair.com/content/pentair/en/applications/enjoying-water/rv/water-delivery/4048_high_flow_pump.html Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jleamont Report post Posted March 30, 2019 23 minutes ago, rfsod48 said: Joe, do you mean going to higher gpm? Any idea of how high would be safe? Yes. Your manual should tell you the maximum PSI your plumbing can handle. The pump Bill recommended would be a nice upgrade assuming your coaches plumbing can handle it. You could also call your manufacturers tech support and ask. I thought I had the specs for our pump. Can’t find them. Our water pressure on pump is actually better than most city. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
manholt Report post Posted March 30, 2019 You can also add a pressure accumulator tank to your current pump. Once it's full, it releases the water at your preset safety pressure, when you use it, the water pump only comes on, when a low point is reached, then shuts off at full. My coach is good for 60 psi, but I set my pressure gauge at 55 psi! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
richard5933 Report post Posted March 30, 2019 1 hour ago, rfsod48 said: Joe, do you mean going to higher gpm? Any idea of how high would be safe? GPM refers to gallons per minute - a measure of water flow rate. PSI refers to pounds per square inch - a measure of pressure. In most systems, these two measurements are balanced to provide a good flow at a decent pressure. Many times when someone thinks they are having a pressure problem it's really due to a flow problem. If the pump can't pump water fast enough (flow rate) to replace the water that you're using, there is no way for it to build pressure. If you're not sure that your pump is working properly, disconnect the output line and divert it into a bucket. Run the pump for one minute and measure the output. It should be putting out 3.5 gallons. If not, there's your problem. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kaypsmith Report post Posted March 30, 2019 11 minutes ago, richard5933 said: GPM refers to gallons per minute - a measure of water flow rate. PSI refers to pounds per square inch - a measure of pressure. In most systems, these two measurements are balanced to provide a good flow at a decent pressure. As Richard points out, psi indicates what pressure (force) the water is delivered at, gpm indicates how many gallons per minute the pump can produce. If water flow is not great enough to produce adequate amount of water per minute that you want, you can parallel two pumps that are matched to each other, thereby doubling the amount of flow per minute, and as Carl said, a larger accumulator tank after the pump will also help in maintaining a more constant flow of water and pressure, this will also help in the preventing the pump cycling off and on as often. I use a very small accumulator in my coach, but a 1 gallon or 2 gallon unit can be used if you have enough room for it, they are available at lowes, Home depot and many other places that sell well pump supplies, be sure to look for an internal bladder, it will have a valve stem just like on a car tire. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jleamont Report post Posted April 7, 2019 Roland, this is the pump on ours. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jleamont Report post Posted April 7, 2019 Link; http://www.remcoindustries.com/product-pages/aquajet/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rfsod48 Report post Posted April 7, 2019 Thanks Joe Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rayin Report post Posted April 9, 2019 The smallest restriction in the fresh water system plumbing determines total flow rate at the faucets. Most RV plumbing has a high pressure limit of 65 PSI, even though the PEX lines are designed for more. FWIW, I bought my last water pump at a farm store, same brand and model # as the OEM, $35 cheaper than RV store. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hermanmullins Report post Posted April 9, 2019 Ray, I would agree if he were speaking of low pressure when on city water. But his low pressure is when he is on his pump. Therefore I believe he either has a restriction just after his pump or needs to upgrade to a higher flow and pressure pump. JMHO Herman Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rayin Report post Posted April 9, 2019 34 minutes ago, hermanmullins said: Ray, I would agree if he were speaking of low pressure when on city water. But his low pressure is when he is on his pump. Therefore I believe he either has a restriction just after his pump or needs to upgrade to a higher flow and pressure pump. JMHO Herman Yep, water pump is the restriction, either input/output, OR pump head is bad-if it didn't have low pressure when new. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
manholt Report post Posted April 9, 2019 RayIN, I would suspect low pressure since new...bean counters! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rfsod48 Report post Posted April 9, 2019 You are correct Carl, pump is only 1 year old and it has never been near as good as 45psi water system. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kaypsmith Report post Posted April 9, 2019 On 3/29/2019 at 6:09 PM, rfsod48 said: I have a Surflo 3.5 gpm pump Using your pump, you should be able to turn only one faucet on with a 5 gallon bucket under it at full force. If the bucket gets 70% full in one minute, your pump is doing all that it was intended to do. If less than that you can look for other restrictions. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildebill308 Report post Posted April 9, 2019 4 hours ago, rfsod48 said: You are correct Carl, pump is only 1 year old and it has never been near as good as 45psi water system. Look at the pump and see what the rated psi is. Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rfsod48 Report post Posted April 9, 2019 I checked it and it is 3.0 gpm and 55psi. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
richard5933 Report post Posted April 9, 2019 3.0 GPM is not much. All the pressure in the world isn't going to feel like much coming out of the tap if the flow rate is not high enough. Have you confirmed that the pump is actually outputting the 3.0 GPM at the pump's output? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rfsod48 Report post Posted April 9, 2019 Don’t have MH with me, I think I might get a new pump with higher ratings and keep the current one as a standby. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kaypsmith Report post Posted April 9, 2019 The OP indicates that it is 3.5 gpm, that is not a lot to begin with, here is one on amazon that will give much better results than the one that you are using now. https://www.amazon.com/SEAFLO-Water-Diaphragm-Pressure-Pump/dp/B01CO5N38E/ref=sr_1_56_sspa?crid=1IKTRIJ5G5OOA&keywords=rv+water+pump&qid=1554859160&s=gateway&sprefix=rv+water%2Caps%2C259&sr=8-56-spons&psc=1&smid=A3EBZ5HHZPL73 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
richard5933 Report post Posted April 9, 2019 Only possible downside to going to a larger pump like that would be the existing wiring/fuse. Larger pump = large current draw = possible need for upgraded wiring. Not necessarily a problem, but confirm existing wire sizing and fuse rating before just installing a new pump. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
manholt Report post Posted April 10, 2019 I would go with the 5.0, SEAFLO. Much better review, less $$ and 4 star vs 2.5! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
