Help Needed, and very stressed

[dasmoeturhead]

Ok, here it is. Were currently in Rock Springs Wyoming. We were in West Virgina 3 days ago, until we got the phone call that my Mom was going to have surgery to have a cancerous Lung Tumor removed (non smoker) on the 5th of June. So needless to say our plans have changed and were trying to get home to Nor-cal as fast as we can.

We are full timers, and were planning to get our convection side of our microwave oven repaired today in Indiana. That didn't happen due to this trip. Along the way,one eye of the stove top went out 2 days ago. That same day on a road side break I noticed the kitchen slides outside gasket was falling off. it was coming out of the grove on the slide. I just glued that on. Almost lost the whole gasket while going down the road. During the inspection of the gasket I notice a lot of gasket and seals are ripped or pretty worn. This Landmark is barely 6 months old. The screws that hold the fender well skirts on to the slides were all loose, and 2 were missing. No problem. I replaced the screws. 2 of the screws that hold the ceiling fan blades onto the motor, repeatedly came off, until I stopped and had to buy 2 new screws, and some medium strength lock tight to hold it together. This has all happened in the last 3 days.

Today I was filling up the water tank, so we could just pull in to the next several campgrounds and be self sufficient, except the electrical power. After filling the tank, I turned the water pump on after removing the water hose, and the pump won't stop running. It seems to be spinning with no psi. This is with the power to the pump off. Yes both switches are in the off position. When you turn the pump on, it does have pressure, but the pump is loud. Turn the power to the pump off, and it continues to run.

Its pouring down rain, and I've been in the pump compartment, trying to troubleshoot. The filter wrench I got with the coach doesn't fit well, and the housing is on so tight I can't remove it. The cheap pieces of sharp sheet metal that is supposed to be the filter housing hanger would twist right off if I applied to much pressure. Anyway I removed the entire filter assembly, and determined, that the filter might be a little dirty, but I was able to easily blow through the filter and water came out, so I know that's not clogged. I also removed the sight glass on the pump to check for debris, and it too was also clear.

I'm pretty stressed about all the above, and need some suggestions, and or expert advise, on what you guys have done in similar situations.

Thanks for your help, and sorry about the rant, but Dang I feel overloaded here.

 

[danemayer]

both switches are in the off position.

Let me start with a silly thought. The water pump probably has a switch in the control panel and in the UDC. It's a 3-way switch arrangement, so there is no OFF position (similar to a 3-way light switch in a home). So the silly thought is, have you tried pushing one of the switches the other way?

Ok, that's out of the way.

Next thing to check would be the backside of the two switches to make sure there's nothing shorted or burned up.

I've attached a diagram that is from a 2012 Landmark. Yours is probably similar, although the fuse positions are probably not the same.

Worst case, if you pull the fuse that supplies power to the pump, it should stop running.

 

[dasmoeturhead]

Yeah, I know how the switch works. Turn to tank to fill, and then back to city water when your hooked up to shore water. The remote pump on/off switch, and the pumps inside switch both work. They both turn the pump off and on. When the pump power is off, it sounds like a suckling sound behind the 4 way water valve. Very strange. Most of those connections required at least a complete turn and a half to make them tight. Still doesn't work.

 

[danemayer]

the pump won't stop running. It seems to be spinning with no psi. This is with the power to the pump off. Yes both switches are in the off position. When you turn the pump on, it does have pressure, but the pump is loud. Turn the power to the pump off, and it continues to run.

The remote pump on/off switch, and the pumps inside switch both work. They both turn the pump off and on. When the pump power is off, it sounds like a suckling sound behind the 4 way water valve.

I'm confused. Can you start over on exactly what you're trying to fix.

 

[dasmoeturhead]

I'm confused. Can you start over on exactly what you're trying to fix.

yes of course. When the water pump is energized , and you turn a water source on, the water pump is very loud, but will provide water at the faucet or any other water outlet source. However once that water source is shut off the pump continues to run, and won't stop running, until you physically turn the power off to the pump.

 

[danemayer]

yes of course. When the water pump is energized , and you turn a water source on, the water pump is very loud, but will provide water at the faucet or any other water outlet source. However once that water source is shut off the pump continues to run, and won't stop running, until you physically turn the power off to the pump.

Ok, once the faucet is closed, the pump continues running for a short time building pressure in the line. A pressure sensor in the pump is supposed to shut it off once the pressure setting is reached. There are several things that could cause the pump to not shut off when the faucet is closed:

1. An air leak on the input side to the pump. This could be where the water line connects to the pump, or the strainer on the input side of the pump, or at the 4-way Anderson Valve.

2. A bad pressure switch, or out of adjustment pressure switch on the pump.

3. A water leak on the output side of the pump - anywhere in the water system.

Over the past few months, several people have had problems with the 4-way Anderson Valve. You might check the position of the 4-way valve control to see if turning it a little one way or the other helps.

 

[dasmoeturhead]

Yes I think your exactly right about that Anderson valve. Last night I was running shore tie water to the trailer. The pump has been off. This morning I woke up and found the overflow water vent spilling water out. apparently all night long, because the whole area under my trailer is wet. Now I basically cant use the water tank with city water, because the tank will over fill, and Im sure the CG owners wont be to happy with me using all that water, and secondly, I f I want to use water in the trailer I will have to turn the pump on and off manually each time I use a faucet or toilet or anything. The pump will not pressurize the system and shut off. It just continues to run until you turn the switch to off.

I have tried moving the anderson switch slightly one way or the other thinking that is was leaking by, It doesnt work.

 

[danemayer]

Might be damaged o-rings in the valve. We've got a couple of manuals for the 4-way valve at this link. It might be worth pulling the cartridge/rotor. For a temporary fix, you might be able to find o-rings at a local hardware store.

 

[wdk450]

You are just 2 days travel from Nor Cal ( I did a NorCal - Elkhart trip in 2013). Stop the pump, drive West out of the rain. When you get settled in NorCal assess the problems, Call Heartland Service, take pictures of the slide seals, and get a mobile RV servicer out to help you if you need it. Most of this stuff is no big worries if you are in a park and the weather is dry. You can worry about your Mom most, and not so much about the rest. I don't know where in NorCal you are going, but there are independent Microwave servicers out there (a pretty good one on Auburn Blvd in Sacramento). Sears also has a service force that services most appliances, most all brands.

Good luck to you!!

 

[mikeandconnie]

I agree with Bill, My first trip with my Key Largo was to Northern Cal from Georgia. I had many problems but I pushed on to Yuba City and Redding where Heartland, Toshiba, Norcold, and Frigidaire came to the RV Park to make the repairs under warranty. Frigidire came to my door and repaired my Microwave in a small park in Yuba City in less then an hour.

 

[dasmoeturhead]

Yeah I'm headed for Eureka,Ca. I tried 5 places today in Utah, with no luck. Of course it's Friday, and with the week end here, I'm just pushing towards my destination. Should be there in a couple of days. Does anyone have the part # for this Anderson valve ?. Sevreal people have asked. shoot, if I had that number I'd buy it myself and install it.

 

[dasmoeturhead]

Thanks Bill.

 

[Silverado23]

Yeah I'm headed for Eureka,Ca. I tried 5 places today in Utah, with no luck. Of course it's Friday, and with the week end here, I'm just pushing towards my destination. Should be there in a couple of days. Does anyone have the part # for this Anderson valve ?. Sevreal people have asked. shoot, if I had that number I'd buy it myself and install it.

Have you tried calling Heartland with your VIN? They may be able to lookup the number or maybe even get the part shipped to you.

 

[wdk450]

Thanks Bill.

You are welcome! It seems to be a small world among Heartlanders. I am at Thousand Trails Minden Lake, between Yuba City and Sacramento. When I started my big trip in 2013 I started out from a NorLows campout in Redding, driving over the northern Sierras near Lassen park to Susanville, Reno, and I-80 East. I would guess you will be coming back the same way to Redding, then on to the coast and Eureka.

 

[dasmoeturhead]

I'm thinking of heading to Lassen, then continue to Eureka via hwy 299.

 

[traveler44]

On the Bighorn there is a switch for winterizing the system if it is set to the winter position the pump will run. I think it is for sucking antifreeze through the system but I think the pump runs as long as the switch is in the winter position. Just something to check.

 

[shovelguy]

Good luck to you and best wishes to your mom. It will all work out.

 

[dasmoeturhead]

here's the valve that no place in Redding,Ca has. I by-passed the pump ,and although I have no pump to use I have water inside the trailer, and that is huge.

 

[wdk450]

I couldn't find any sources for the Anderson valve on the internet. This page has contact phone numbers in fine print at the bottom. Call them to ID your valve and find a retail source. http://www.andersonbrass.com/CONTACT_US.PHP

 

[dasmoeturhead]

I couldn't find any sources for the Anderson valve on the internet. This page has contact phone numbers in fine print at the bottom. Call them to ID your valve and find a retail source. http://www.andersonbrass.com/CONTACT_US.PHP

Thanks, Bill
I think I'm going to start with Heartland tomorrow, and see what happens. Thanks for spending the time trying to help me.