Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Noisy fresh water pump (What is the quietest fresh water pump?)
| Noisy fresh water pump [message #251026] |
Fri, 30 May 2014 13:31  |
mickey szilagyi
Messages: 273
Registered: January 2013
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We're making a lot of progress on our fresh water system. Today we removed the cracked water tank. Before taking the tank out we wanted to see if the water pump worked so we filled the tank about 1/3 and turned on the pump. It worked which delighted us however is sure is noisy. It's just about as loud as the generator. It might also leak. And, of course the pump comes on every time you/we call for water out of the tank so it will be something we have to deal with a lot. It seems a bit anoying. So, the question is, are most of the fresh water pumps noisy or may this one just be an exception. And, most importantly, are there pumps available that are silent or very close to it?
What is the minimum gpm and pressure we need in a new pump? I see there are 2 gpm with 30 lbs of pressure pumps. Are those good enough or do we want something with a little more zip?
We are headed out for two days with the grandsons to stay over on a WWII submarine. I'll check the forum in a couple of days. We're looking to replace the fresh water pump since we're replacing the tank. So far we can't get the sending unit to work either so that's probably on the replacement list as well. The gauge works.
Thanks again as always for your input.
Mickey
1977 Kingsley, 403, Lansing, MI
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| Re: Noisy fresh water pump [message #251027 is a reply to message #251026] |
Fri, 30 May 2014 13:58  |
lqqkatjon
Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
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cannot answer your question about what is the most quiet.
but I would recommend installing an accumulator tank, as big as possible.... I think that helps quiet up the pump some, and even thought it runs longer when it does come on, it causes it to run less often.
I think, but it is only an opinion, that my pump is a little less "banging" now that I have an accumulator tank installed.
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
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| Re: Noisy fresh water pump [message #251032 is a reply to message #251027] |
Fri, 30 May 2014 14:24 |
Otterwan
Messages: 946
Registered: July 2013
Location: Lynnwood (north of Seattl...
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Ours is a Shurflo (don't have the exact model handy but I can get it). It is very quiet, so quiet in fact that if anything else is running (microwave, AC, small heater, etc) I can't even tell when it comes on.
1977 Birchaven, Lynnwood WA - "We may not be able to stop all evil in the world, but I know that how we treat one another is entirely up to us."
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| Re: Noisy fresh water pump [message #251035 is a reply to message #251032] |
Fri, 30 May 2014 15:13 |
Hal StClair
Messages: 971
Registered: March 2013
Location: Rio Rancho NM
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If you will mount the pump with 'soft' lines and can insulate the base of the pump it will help with the noise. The 'whisper quiet' pumps by Shurflo flow about 2.8 gpm (if memory serves) and should work although you won't see the same flow/pressure as at home. They also make a variable pressure pump that seems to be quiet but pricey. But with a very limited H2O supply how much do you really want to go down the drain?
Hal
"I enjoy talking to you. Your mind appeals to me. It resembles my own mind, except you happen to be insane."
1977 Royale 101348,
1977 Royale 101586, Diesel powered,
1974 Eagle Bus 45',w/slideout,
Rio Rancho, NM
[Updated on: Fri, 30 May 2014 15:14] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: [GMCnet] Noisy fresh water pump [message #251065 is a reply to message #251046] |
Fri, 30 May 2014 19:57 |
powerjon
Messages: 2446
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 5
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The Shurflo 4008 pump is the direct replacement for the 2088 pump that was used in our coach for years. This is an excellent price for the pump. This is the one that you want. Anything less in flow and pressure you will be unhappy with. I have one in the 78 stretch and it is nice.
JR Wright
GMC Great Laker MHC
GMC Eastern States
GMCMHI
78 GMC Buskirk 30’ Stretch
1975 GMC Avion (Under Reconstruction)
Michigan
On May 30, 2014, at 5:12 PM, Bob de Kruyff wrote:
> Hal StClair wrote on Fri, 30 May 2014 14:13
>> If you will mount the pump with 'soft' lines and can insulate the base of the pump it will help with the noise. The 'whisper quiet' pumps by
>> Shurflo flow about 2.8 gpm (if memory serves) and should work although you won't see the same flow/pressure as at home. They also make a variable
>> pressure pump that seems to be quiet but pricey. But with a very limited H2O supply how much do you really want to go down the drain?
>> Hal
>
> Extremely quiet:
> [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002XM5G70/ref=oh_details_o06_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1][/url]
>
> http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002XM5G70/ref=oh_details_o06_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
>
> --
> Bob de Kruyff
> 78 Eleganza
> Chandler, AZ
> _______________________________________________
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J.R. Wright
GMC GreatLaker
GMC Eastern States
GMCMI
78 30' Buskirk Stretch
75 Avion Under Reconstruction
Michigan
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| Re: [GMCnet] Noisy fresh water pump [message #251067 is a reply to message #251046] |
Fri, 30 May 2014 20:09 |
John Olson
Messages: 96
Registered: August 2013
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We just revamped our fresh water system last week. System was fairly quiet
to begin with, but below mods reduced the noise by about 12db (as measured
with an iPhone sound meter app, so not too scientific).
Our previous pump was hard-screwed into the coach floor. Floor acted like a
large speaker.
Installed the 2.3gpm Sureflo Revolution 4028-100-E54. It directly replaced
a somewhat noisy 8 year old 2.8gpm Sureflo 2008-422-444. We don't notice
the lower flow (from 2.8 to 2.3 gpm), will use less water. My uneducated
wild guess is that lower gpm equates to less pump noise.
Small mods to reduce pump noise gathered from around the rv web:
- Avoid right angle fittings near the pump if possible.
Apparently the abrupt turn may add to pump laboring or some such. I can't
speak to this myself. I used braided SS sink line sections.
- Place pump on thick, solid surface to lessen vibration transference.
I added a 4" tall block of solid wood, which is screwed into deck plywood,
then loosely placed the new pump on the solid block.
- Very lightly fix the pump to the block rather than hard-tighten 4
screws.
I used two nails, inserted on opposing corners, to keep the pump from
jumping around on the solid wood block. Can basically lift the pump
straight off its "pegs". This peg method seemed to reduce an amount of
vibration transference as compared to hard-screwing all 4 corners.
- Use non-hard lines coming into and out of the pump. I used braided SS
sink line sections.
Apparently, if using harder lines like pex directly out of the pump, the
pump vibration will transfer down the lines.
- Make sure no lines are directly against "speaker constructs", such as
thinner vertical walls or the water tank walls.
I used short sections of foam-noodle type pipe insulation around
tubes/fittings anywhere they could come into contact with other surfaces.
After the above mods and new pump, now I need to strain to hear if our pump
is on, rather than apologize to the neighbors.
All that remains is installing the new SS hot tank and finding some help or
a pic for correctly wiring the new thermostat.
HTH,
John Olson
'76 Edgemonte
Livingston, TX (Escapees)
Currently in Round Lake, IL
On Fri, May 30, 2014 at 4:12 PM, Bob de Kruyff wrote:
> Hal StClair wrote on Fri, 30 May 2014 14:13
>> If you will mount the pump with 'soft' lines and can insulate the base
> of the pump it will help with the noise. The 'whisper quiet' pumps by
>> Shurflo flow about 2.8 gpm (if memory serves) and should work although
> you won't see the same flow/pressure as at home. They also make a variable
>> pressure pump that seems to be quiet but pricey. But with a very
> limited H2O supply how much do you really want to go down the drain?
>> Hal
>
> Extremely quiet:
> [
> http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002XM5G70/ref=oh_details_o06_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1][/url
> ]
>
>
> http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002XM5G70/ref=oh_details_o06_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
>
> --
> Bob de Kruyff
> 78 Eleganza
> Chandler, AZ
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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John Olson
76 Edgemonte
Fulltime traveler
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| Re: [GMCnet] Noisy fresh water pump [message #251071 is a reply to message #251067] |
Fri, 30 May 2014 21:31 |
John Olson
Messages: 96
Registered: August 2013
Karma: 0
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One revision to my (long) post. The 12db sound reduction was a measurement
ONLY between swapping out the older pump for new pump. No db measurement
was taken before the complete revamp of mounting location, foam tubes, etc.
I'd guess that the new pump AND other mods listed reduced the overall fresh
system noise by 50%. Seriously, we felt the need to apologize for the loud
pump to close neighbors at RV parks. Not anymore.
John Olson
'76 Edgemonte
Livingston, TX (Escapees)
Currently in Round Lake, IL
On Fri, May 30, 2014 at 8:09 PM, John Olson
wrote:
> We just revamped our fresh water system last week. System was fairly quiet
> to begin with, but below mods reduced the noise by about 12db (as measured
> with an iPhone sound meter app, so not too scientific).
>
> Our previous pump was hard-screwed into the coach floor. Floor acted like
> a large speaker.
>
> Installed the 2.3gpm Sureflo Revolution 4028-100-E54. It directly replaced
> a somewhat noisy 8 year old 2.8gpm Sureflo 2008-422-444. We don't notice
> the lower flow (from 2.8 to 2.3 gpm), will use less water. My uneducated
> wild guess is that lower gpm equates to less pump noise.
>
>
> Small mods to reduce pump noise gathered from around the rv web:
>
> - Avoid right angle fittings near the pump if possible.
> Apparently the abrupt turn may add to pump laboring or some such. I can't
> speak to this myself. I used braided SS sink line sections.
>
> - Place pump on thick, solid surface to lessen vibration transference.
> I added a 4" tall block of solid wood, which is screwed into deck plywood,
> then loosely placed the new pump on the solid block.
>
> - Very lightly fix the pump to the block rather than hard-tighten 4
> screws.
> I used two nails, inserted on opposing corners, to keep the pump from
> jumping around on the solid wood block. Can basically lift the pump
> straight off its "pegs". This peg method seemed to reduce an amount of
> vibration transference as compared to hard-screwing all 4 corners.
>
> - Use non-hard lines coming into and out of the pump. I used braided SS
> sink line sections.
> Apparently, if using harder lines like pex directly out of the pump, the
> pump vibration will transfer down the lines.
>
> - Make sure no lines are directly against "speaker constructs", such as
> thinner vertical walls or the water tank walls.
> I used short sections of foam-noodle type pipe insulation around
> tubes/fittings anywhere they could come into contact with other surfaces.
>
>
> After the above mods and new pump, now I need to strain to hear if our
> pump is on, rather than apologize to the neighbors.
>
> All that remains is installing the new SS hot tank and finding some help
> or a pic for correctly wiring the new thermostat.
>
>
> HTH,
>
> John Olson
>
> '76 Edgemonte
> Livingston, TX (Escapees)
> Currently in Round Lake, IL
>
>
> On Fri, May 30, 2014 at 4:12 PM, Bob de Kruyff
> wrote:
>
>> Hal StClair wrote on Fri, 30 May 2014 14:13
>>> If you will mount the pump with 'soft' lines and can insulate the base
>> of the pump it will help with the noise. The 'whisper quiet' pumps by
>>> Shurflo flow about 2.8 gpm (if memory serves) and should work although
>> you won't see the same flow/pressure as at home. They also make a variable
>>> pressure pump that seems to be quiet but pricey. But with a very
>> limited H2O supply how much do you really want to go down the drain?
>>> Hal
>>
>> Extremely quiet:
>> [
>> http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002XM5G70/ref=oh_details_o06_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1][/url
>> ]
>>
>>
>> http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002XM5G70/ref=oh_details_o06_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
>>
>> --
>> Bob de Kruyff
>> 78 Eleganza
>> Chandler, AZ
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>>
>
>
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John Olson
76 Edgemonte
Fulltime traveler
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| Re: Noisy fresh water pump [message #251103 is a reply to message #251070] |
Sat, 31 May 2014 13:51 |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
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Matt Colie wrote on Fri, 30 May 2014 20:25I like noisy potable pumps.
We ran the old PAR until last year when the switch corroded out. All I could get at the CW in GR was Flojet Quad II. It is not as noisy as the old PAR pump, but it is an irritating noise. This is kind of like the Onan/Honda issue. I am going to rebuild one of the old PARs to carry as a spare.
Why does he like noisy potable pumps?
Because of what happened to us last year. We were driving and something rolled against a valve some where. When I discovered this, we had a quarter of the potable left and a nearly full black tank and no dump or potable in easy striking range (Michigan's upper peninsula). Neither of us heard the pump. Similar thing happened to me on boats on long passages. When this happened dump was not an issue, but finding more potable can sure be a big problem. The low "Thucka thucka" is reassuring. And, it can be heard over the road noise.
Matt
That certainly has entered my mind as well  I just like mechanical stuff to be quiet but there probably is a downside.
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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| Re: Noisy fresh water pump [message #251109 is a reply to message #251026] |
Sat, 31 May 2014 16:00 |
mickey szilagyi
Messages: 273
Registered: January 2013
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Thanks everyone for your input. Made it back on 3 hours of sleep on the sub. Sure glad we're getting back in service a 26 foot GMC rather than a 212 foot submarine. It's wall to wall, floor to ceiling and ceiling, aft to stern gauges, levers, meters, valves, spigots, knobs, buttons, switches, tubes, cables, stainless steel and brass. How the heck did the crew ever keep them running?
Back to the fresh water pump. We'll try and put in place as many suggestions as you have given us. I see the SHURflo 4008-101-E65 3.0 Revolution Water Pump puts out 55 psi. The water lines in a GMC shouldn't have a problem with that kind of psi but that's as much as what's in our home water system and I'm wondering if that's a bit more than what we really need. The noisy one that's in our coach that we're looking to replace is 40 psi and many of the ones that could replace it are 30 - 35 psi. If 30-35 is enough why tempt fate by going higher? Are you noticing a big difference in water delivery with the 55 psi and 3.0 gpm?
Thanks again!
Mickey
1977 Kingsley, 403, Lansing, MI
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| Re: [GMCnet] Noisy fresh water pump [message #251135 is a reply to message #251109] |
Sat, 31 May 2014 21:35 |
John Olson
Messages: 96
Registered: August 2013
Karma: 0
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Swapping in .5 gal low-flow faucet cartridges feels like a decent power
stream at lower pressure. These are the ones we used. It has a ring of tiny
holes that feel like jets.
http://www.amazon.com/0-5-Flow-Dual-Thread-Faucet-Aerator/dp/B0034UMZA6
I'm not sure about the factory city water pressure setting, but This City
Water Inlet limits to 65 psi:
http://www.amazon.com/SHURflo-183-029-14-Chrome-Pressure-Regulator/dp/B002OUPFOU
When pressurizing the system, watch for splitting on the factory nut
connectors at the ends of the polybutylene lines. So far, I've had two nuts
split parallel to their threads...seemingly from becoming brittle over the
years.
First nut to go was connected to exit from hot water heater. Cut off the
nut and end of the Poly tube (and its mushroom), and replaced with a
sharkbite press fitting.
John Olson
'76 Edgemonte
On Sat, May 31, 2014 at 4:00 PM, Mickey Szilagyi
wrote:
> Thanks everyone for your input. Made it back on 3 hours of sleep on the
> sub. Sure glad we're getting back in service a 26 foot GMC rather than a
> 212
> foot submarine. It's wall to wall, floor to ceiling and ceiling, aft to
> stern gauges, levers, meters, valves, spigots, knobs, buttons, switches,
> tubes, cables, stainless steel and brass. How the heck did the crew ever
> keep them running?
>
> Back to the fresh water pump. We'll try and put in place as many
> suggestions as you have given us. I see the SHURflo 4008-101-E65 3.0
> Revolution
> Water Pump puts out 55 psi. The water lines in a GMC shouldn't have a
> problem with that kind of psi but that's as much as what's in our home water
> system and I'm wondering if that's a bit more than what we really need.
> The noisy one that's in our coach that we're looking to replace is 40 psi
> and
> many of the ones that could replace it are 30 - 35 psi. If 30-35 is
> enough why tempt fate by going higher? Are you noticing a big difference in
> water delivery with the 55 psi and 3.0 gpm?
>
> Thanks again!
> --
> Mickey
> 1977 Kingsley, 403, Lansing, MI
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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John Olson
76 Edgemonte
Fulltime traveler
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| Re: Noisy fresh water pump [message #251148 is a reply to message #251026] |
Sun, 01 June 2014 08:07 |
mickey szilagyi
Messages: 273
Registered: January 2013
Karma: 0
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Everything you all have commented on is greatly appreciated. I think we're realizing all the plumbing in the coach "should' be able to withstand what normal residential well pressure produces. Our pressure switch on our home well system is set between 45 and 60. I'm now thinking the city water inlet, along with being a check valve, may also regulate the pressure to protect against some odd case where the pressure was out of wack and was way over what should be normal for a residential/RV situation. The city water inlet that Jim K sells clearly states it's both a check valve and pressure regulator so I think it's safe to assume it's for the purpose of protecting against some hook up whose pressure is way too high. It would help however to know what pressure GMC designed the water system to handle.
Jim K's city water inlet: http://www.appliedgmc.com/prod.itml/icOid/1280
In searching online I see there are pressure regulators available for RVs and it looks like they provide between 40 and 50 psi.
http://www.amazon.com/Camco-40053-Brass-Pressure-Regulator/dp/B000BQ7WH2
Some are adjustable:
http://www.rvupgradestore.com/Valterra-Adjustable-Water-Regulator-p/88-1457.htm
My conclusion is that 55 psi would probably be OK.
There are two Shurflo models available:
Model #4008-101-A65 OEM 3.0 GPM [11.4 LPM] provides 55 psi
Model #4028-100-A54 OEM 2.3 GPM [8.7 LPM] provides 50 psi
http://www.shurflo.com/rv-products/rv-pumps/classic-series-water-pumps/revolution-4008-pumps/default.html
Our plan is to have the new fresh water tank, sending unit and pump installed for our second test outing at a not-too-far-away state park in three weeks. We are novices at RVing. How common is it to run into water pressure problems at fresh water hookups that are specific for RVs?
Your comments on all this is greatly appreciated and if you have any suggestions on other pumps we'd love to hear it. We're planning to get all the parts and peices together and get moving on this this week.
Mickey
1977 Kingsley, 403, Lansing, MI
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| Re: Noisy fresh water pump [message #251149 is a reply to message #251148] |
Sun, 01 June 2014 08:17 |
tphipps
Messages: 3005
Registered: August 2004
Location: Spanish Fort, AL
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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I think, especially for the relative low cost, a water pressue regulator is cheap insurance. I leave mine attached to the shore water hose, so it is always in line and on duty.
Tom, MS II
2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552
KA4CSG
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| Re: [GMCnet] Noisy fresh water pump [message #251153 is a reply to message #251149] |
Sun, 01 June 2014 09:09 |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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Tom,
Avion installed a check valve and a 40 PSI regulator at the factory, on Double Trouble it's just forward of the water heater under
the passenger side bed. They are shown on the Water System schematic.
Regards,
Rob M.
-----Original Message-----
From: Thomas Phipps
I think, especially for the relative low cost, a water pressue regulator is cheap insurance. I leave mine attached to the shore
water hose, so it is always in line and on duty.
Tom
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Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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