Submersible water pump

David & Ann

David & Ann

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Would it be wise to remove the submersible water pump and leave it out of the tank over winter? Reason I ask, there could be a bit of water in the pump itself.
 
I think so if it's not too much trouble. If you are not using the van for a while, take it out of the water.

I've had several over the years and the water always gets in them past the seal eventually. You might say they are a consumable, even if they cost £25.00. You'd be extending it's life if you took it out, whether it has a leak or not, but more so if it has a leak.
 
That's a very good point, I hadn't even thought about it.

But mine says never to let it go dry, so am I better off leaving it in?
 
n brown said:
PHP:

that means don't run it dry
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Sure, but I'm thinking that if I take it out of the water but don't run it dry, it's still going to freeze, so what's the point of taking it out at all?
 
Stig said:
Sure, but I'm thinking that if I take it out of the water but don't run it dry, it's still going to freeze, so what's the point of taking it out at all?
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I took out the pump and let it run for just a few seconds to get the water out from the pump. I hope I have not done something silly. Nevertheless, the pump seems to be okay. I think I will leave it like that till the Spring. I have switched off the power to the pump but left the main power switch on so that the solar panels will keep the habitation batteries topped up. Please advise if I should not do what I have done. (MH is going to be dormant until April 2012)
 
Stig said:
Sure, but I'm thinking that if I take it out of the water but don't run it dry, it's still going to freeze, so what's the point of taking it out at all?
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Do what David did. Just run it for a few secs to get the water out. It wont harm the pump unless you run it dry for several mins.

It may still freeze but the point is it wont be submerged in the water while you are not using the van. This will extend its life as the water sitting against the seal eventually finds it's way in the pump. I think the mechanism by which the water gets in is a combination of wear on the shaft seal from usage, and the water just standing around against it under pressure.

Anyway, if you are laying your van up, some low wattage background heating to prevent things freezing would be a good idea.
 
David, it is not clear from your post whether or not you have left water in the tank. I will be leaving my van in storage until next April too and I have completely drained the water tank - the idea of coming back to stagnant water after 3 or 4 months doesn't appeal to me.
 
You really ought to start the van up every fortnight and move it so the tyres stop in a different position, stops flat spots and flexes the tyres slightly.

Moving it also helps to clear rust off brakes and frees clutch flywheel and bearings.

Peter
 
John H said:
David, it is not clear from your post whether or not you have left water in the tank. I will be leaving my van in storage until next April too and I have completely drained the water tank - the idea of coming back to stagnant water after 3 or 4 months doesn't appeal to me.
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I see your point John. The other day I ran the taps again and water was still coming out, although I had already drained it a week earlier. I placed my hand into the tank and there is no water. I think I have drained most of it out. I will try draining again in case there is still a drop or two in the system. Anyway, come Spring, I always fill the tank and boiler and let it run into the waste tank which is then released into a drain at my place. This way, the tanks are flushed out to take in the fresh water for the coming trip.
 
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Firefox said:
Do what David did. Just run it for a few secs to get the water out. It wont harm the pump unless you run it dry for several mins.

It may still freeze but the point is it wont be submerged in the water while you are not using the van. This will extend its life as the water sitting against the seal eventually finds it's way in the pump. I think the mechanism by which the water gets in is a combination of wear on the shaft seal from usage, and the water just standing around against it under pressure.

Anyway, if you are laying your van up, some low wattage background heating to prevent things freezing would be a good idea.
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I will do, thanks for the advice.

I'm not laying mine up exactly, but I'll only be using it once a month or so in the winter for short trips
 
The other area that you should consider is your toilet pump and reservoir because water could still be in the system.
 
It is a simple job to remove the water pump if it is on a Hymer, just unscrew the large blue bung in the top of the water tank and then unscrew the hose fitting from the pump, the electrical fittings could be left intact or also disconnected too, did you know that on the Hymer waste water tank there are two screw controls to let the water out of the water pipes both hot and cold, just open these and the pipes will drain, at least that is what happens on my B694 Hymer.
 
basildog said:
Leave all your taps on and if they are mixers make sure they are in mid position !!!! Some people blow their water pipes out with air too !
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I agree if you have access to a compressor blow water out the system, and leave taps open mid position if there should be any residual water

In respect of toilets etc ...a little neat antifreeze should help matters

This is exactly how I close down mobiles for a tour operator.

If you have a trumatic fire which is room sealed crawl under the van and give a good spray of spider repellant. avoids yellow flames etc the start of the new season ....those that have Morco type instant heaters remove the cover and do the same to the burner bar.

Channa

Channa
 
David & Ann said:
I see your point John. The other day I ran the taps again and water was still coming out, although I had already drained it a week earlier. I placed my hand into the tank and there is no water. I think I have drained most of it out. I will try draining again in case there is still a drop or two in the system. Anyway, come Spring, I always fill the tank and boiler and let it run into the waste tank which is then released into a drain at my place. This way, the tanks are flushed out to take in the fresh water for the coming trip.
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The flushing sounds a good idea - I have to admit I haven't done that before but I will next spring! Thanks.
 
I always pull the gag out of the truma dump valve and press it, open the tank drains, open the taps, pull the water pump fuse and remove the filter bowl. Ideally drive across a ploughed field or blow the pipes and traps out with a compressor to get the last few dribbles.
 
The last drop of water in my pump froze which was enough to stop the impeller turning when I switched the electrics on = burnt out pump. That's why I pull the fuse...
 
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