How To Prime RV Water Pumps

‍Whether your water pump is brand new or hasn't been used in a long time, the first step is to prime it. Here, we’ll discuss how to prime RV water pump.

If you've just finished performing RV maintenance on your water pump, you'll need to prime it before it works again. The procedure of getting water into the pump is known as priming. This is done so that it can handle the rest of the pumping procedure on its own. So, how do you prime the water pump in an RV?

There are many steps involved in the process, including disconnecting the pump's water outlet and the outlet line from the hose collar, filling the fresh water tank, opening the cold-water faucet, turning on the water pump, starting the pump, and carrying on with the rest of the water taps.

Whether an RV water pump has been sitting for a long time without being used or you've just recently mounted it, priming it is essential before it's called into action. Therefore, it is essential to understand and learn how to prime RV water pump. It's a straightforward task that any camper should be able to complete independently.

After speaking with several experts in the industry and various RV owners, we have created this simple guide to help you learn how to prime RV water pump.

‍How to Prime RV Water Pump – A Complete Guide

Have you ever gone camping in your RV and discovered that the water pump is broken? Well, that is precisely all that it takes to turn a fantastic adventure into a nightmare.

When this pump is turned on, it should run when water is being distributed. If it runs while no water is being distributed on a regular basis, it probably means that you're losing water pressure somewhere in your system, so look for leaks.

One of the leading causes of water pump failure is scale accumulation within system lines due to minerals in the water. As a result, be sure to clean the trap and screen placed just before your water supply reaches the pump on a regular basis.

Your RV is like a self-contained mobile home. If the vehicle has any form of a water system, it will also have a 12-volt water pump that provides water throughout the channels. For example, when you wash your hands, take a shower, or use the kitchen, that pump guarantees that the water runs smoothly.

However, mineral accumulation can lower the amount of water pressure in your system, which is why the pump needs to be serviced on a regular basis. Leaks and other faults might also cause issues that must be addressed swiftly.

The RV water pump is essential for every RV owner. It's a freshwater reservoir for when you're out in the woods or in a distant location without access to safe drinking water. You might find yourself in the middle of nowhere, and having a broken RV water pump in that situation could be the worst thing that ever happened to you.

So, what happens if you're in a situation like this and the pump doesn't have enough pressure to get water through the lines? The only way to solve this problem is to learn how to prime an RV water pump. Fortunately, this can be accomplished in just a few simple steps! Let's look at how to properly prime an RV water pump and a few tricks to get the water pumping again in no time.

What is the Best Way to Prime an RV Water Pump?

Water, without a doubt, is the glue that ties everything in its place for an RVer. We'll walk you through the steps needed for restoring your RV pump in minutes.

But first, let's look at why priming your RV water pump is so crucial.

Everyone's basic requirement is water, and you can't exist without it. When travelling with family or camping at your favorite area, having a smooth water flow becomes even more important. RVers understand the importance of water in keeping their RV's onboard plumbing systems running efficiently and smoothly.

The most critical component in ensuring that you have fresh water in your RV is the water pump. But you might be in trouble if you haven’t made any use of your RV water pump for quite a while. It is necessary to prime the RV water pump before using it, whether it has just been installed or has been stored. Although priming the RV water pump is not difficult, getting access to it can be a challenge.

How to Tell If Your Water Pump Needs to Be Primed

Water pumps are made to perform efficiently even when there isn’t a lot of pressure pumping in. The pump cannot use the pressure gradient to transport water from your reservoir to your sink if there is no water.

There will be no water in the chamber when you replace or repair your RV water pump. It will just not pump water if you try to switch it on at this point. That means your water pump needs to be primed. Plus, you may need to prime the water pump while winterizing your RV and then again in spring. Since it is a two-person job, make sure you have a friend or family member on hand before you start.

Getting the New Pump Started

It may be required to prime the new (or old) pump once you've completed the repairs or installed it for it to work correctly again. Quite often, a pump will not work correctly unless it is filled with water. It's sometimes as easy as reconnecting your water supply line and turning on a kitchen faucet to activate the pump and draw water into it.

This isn't always the case, though. You may need to manually prime the pump before reconnecting the water supply line on occasion. Use a funnel and hose to connect it to the pump's intake line.

How to Prime RV Water Pump in 7 Steps

Fill your freshwater tank, turn on the cold-water tap, turn on the water pump switch, and allow the pump to prime by transferring water from the tank, through the pump, and out your faucet to prime a 12v RV water pump.

This is, of course, a high-level review of the priming procedure. Let's take a look at each phase and offer some advice for making the process go as smoothly as possible.

Disconnect the Pump's Water Outlet

The first step is to disconnect the pump's water output. This outlet permits water to flow into your RV by connecting the main water line to the pump.

Turn the clamp's screw in a counter-clockwise manner with a flathead screwdriver. Pull the hose away from the pump after the screw is loose enough. Keep your distance since it may drain some residual water.

Disconnect the Outlet Line from the Hose Collar

Connect the collar to the rubber hose by removing it from the main outlet line. Then, attach the water pump to the hose.

Make sure the hose and the waterline are the same size before tightening the clamp. It's also a good idea to have the hose long enough to reach out from the water pump's location.

Fill the Freshwater Tank

Fill your freshwater tank with water first. Make sure the gauge (if you have one) is full. It's also a good opportunity to double-check that all of the valves are in the right place. The winterization valve, for example, should be closed, and the fill tank valve should be in the typical position.

Open the Cold-Water Faucet

Next, open one cold water faucet, such as your kitchen faucet. Make sure the camper's other faucets are turned off.

Turn on the Water Pump

Now is the moment to start the water pump. The monitor's on/off switch is usually found on the panel. If you can't find it, you may need to reference your recreational vehicle's owner manual.

When you turn on your pump, it will "prime" itself by drawing water from the freshwater tank, pumping it through the system, and then pushing it out the tap.

Start the Pump

When you turn on your pump, you should notice air spouting out of the faucet tap if it's working properly. Keep in mind that water can take a long time to travel through the water lines and out the faucet tap. Allow the water to flow until all of the air has been expelled from the line, then turn it off.

Carry on with the Rest of the Water Taps

Finally, we must remove all of the air from the RV's water lines. So, one at a time, open each faucet to allow the air to escape and the water to run freely. Detach the hose from the pump by unfastening the clamp with the pump turned off. After that, reattach the outlet water line to the pump with the flathead screwdriver.

Next, switch on the water pump and open any of your faucets. After a few seconds, the water should begin to flow. Allow it to run for about a minute. This is to ensure that there is no antifreeze or debris left in the waterline or pipes.

The water system should now be pressured and your pump should be primed. When a faucet is turned on, your pump should turn on as well.

Why is it Necessary to Prime a Water Pump?

Since the pump loses effectiveness after a lengthy period of time without being used, it is unable to generate enough pressure to spurt water from the tank to the lines. Prior to the operation, a newly installed pump may require priming.

Priming is the process of flushing the pump and forcing it to work again. As a result, the pump's jetting pressure is restored. The procedure is straightforward, requiring only a few tools and no difficult steps.

Built-in tanks in RVs can hold anywhere from 50 to 200 gallons of fresh water. The power of a pump is determined by how many gallons of water it can deliver per minute. Pumps are available in two voltages: 12V and 24V. The first is the standard, which has a flow rate of roughly 3.5 gallons per minute. Since most travel trailers run on a 12V battery, this is great.

For a large motorhome, vehicle, or skoolie, a 24V pump might be the best option. These pumps can deliver more than 5 gallons per minute and have      higher water pressure. Bigger pumps, on the other hand, aren't always better because they put too much strain on the RV's plumbing system and raise water and electricity expenditures.

What Should You Do If Your RV's Water Pump Isn't Priming?

While priming an RV water pump is straightforward, it does not always yield predictable results. There are a variety of reasons that can prevent you from priming your pump effectively.

Check for blockages and leaks if the pump sounds like it's running, but the water isn't flowing. You should begin at the municipal water supply line or the fresh     water tank. Every pipe and fitting between the water source and your faucet should be double-checked. Check if water flows through fixtures by unplugging them. You'll need a new pump if water flows successfully up to the pump, but there's still no water.

Check connections and electricity if your RV's water pump doesn't operate after you've winterized it. Make sure you connect          everything correctly after running RV antifreeze through the water lines and leaving          the drain open while filling up the fresh         water tank. Check your pump's electric supply as well. It needs to be grounded and supplied with 12 volts. Check using a voltmeter to see if the pump is receiving enough power.

Check for leaks and double-check winterization if the pump turns on and off even when the faucets aren't turned on. When your RV's water pump detects a change in pressure, it will activate. This is usually caused by a leak somewhere along the supply line, but it can also happen if the pump's inside is damaged due to insufficient winterization.

The major cause of water pumps not being primed is water leakage. Leaks can develop anywhere in the supply line, including hard-to-reach spots buried behind your RV's paneling, making it tough to locate them. Take your time and go about your search methodically.

How to Prime RV Water Pump – Important Tips

Make Use of a Fresh Hose

When priming the pump, make sure to use a clean hose to avoid accidentally introducing bacteria or other impurities into your drinking water. We propose purchasing a replacement hose for this purpose. If you don't have a replacement hose on hand, make sure the one you're using is thoroughly sanitized.

The purpose of having running water is to drink it, cook with it, or take a shower with it. That's why priming should always be done with a clean hose. It's preferable if you purchase a fresh new one. If you can't, at the very least, check to see if it was used for drinking water. That way, you can be certain that the water that reaches your RV is completely free of contaminants.

Get Rid of Suffocating Air

The chances of pressure building up are quite high if there is trapped air in your water lines. The last thing you want to happen to your RV is for it to break down. The pump and the water lines could be severely damaged as a result. The build-up of pressure could potentially cause the entire plumbing system to fail.

Pour one gallon of water into the water pipes to release the trapped air. The water will drive all of the air out of your pump, reducing the chance of pressure building up.

Fill the Water Tank with Water

Make sure you check the water levels in your tank. This must be completed prior to embarking on your RV vacation. It must also be completed prior to priming the water pump.

Antifreeze Should be Removed

If you're not familiar, you probably put antifreeze in your RV's pipes when it's time to winterize it. It keeps your pipes from freezing in the event of a power outage.

Pipes can crack, break, or even rupture if they freeze due to the strain. This implies you'll have to replace all of your pipes. Depending on what was damaged the most, you may need to replace other plumbing components as well.