Date:         Sat, 7 Jun 2014 15:11:07 -0400
Reply-To:     Eric Caron <ecaron1@COMCAST.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Eric Caron <ecaron1@COMCAST.NET>
Subject:      Re: Water tank pump replacement tips wanted
In-Reply-To:  <008201cf81d0$9e252990$da6f7cb0$@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Success!  In hind site this is a very easy repair but then again, once you have done something once it often seems easy.

        I also changed to the Sure flow faucet when my original failed last year.  I tried to get a original replacement but it leaked new right out of the box. .  List members seemed to be having better luck with the sure flow.  I'm very happy with the change.  Water is easy to control and the adjustable faucet makes the sink more useful. 

        I still don't love that the pump runs when on city water.  I'm still considering putting in a shut off switch in the line. 

        I ended up not pulling the spade connectors out of the original connector.  Instead I cut the two wires near the tank.  I then used small electrical clips to connect the new pump wires to the old ones. These are much easier to connect and disconnect then the spade connectors.  If I need to replace this pump again it will be very easy.  I plan to keep a spare pump with connectors ready to go.

the flow from the Bus Depot replacement pump is much improved over my weakening original.  It is however significantly louder. 


Eric Caron 
85 GL Auto Westfalia 
    


On Jun 6, 2014, at 5:45 PM, Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM> wrote:

> The Sureflo is an essential upgrade as far as I'm concerned.  In my '85
> both the pump and faucet were broken, so it was a no brainer.  Being able to
> control the flow is nice, as is full rotation of the spout.
> 
> This is a good time to clean out your tank too.  Mine had 4" of brown algae
> filled water in it!
> 
> Stuart
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Eric Caron
> Sent: Friday, June 06, 2014 12:47 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Water tank pump replacement tips wanted
> 
> Hi Stewart,
> 
> 
>        Nope, only your reply.  But, your response is just what I needed.
> Sounds like your confirming what I found and plan to do.  I had a sighted
> non mechanical friend identify the wire colors so I can match them up.  I'll
> probably skip the switch as you suggest especially after  the info you
> shared about the pump.  
> On Jun 6, 2014, at 2:37 PM, Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> Thanks for the reply, I'm looking forward to the small project.
> 
> Eric Caron 
> 85 GL Auto Westfalia 
> 
> 
>> Eric,
>> 
>> Did anyone get back to you on this?
>> 
>> I've done this on my '85, and it's easy.  The pump wire goes through a
>> grommet in the top of the tank, which is why is has no connectors on it.
>> The connections are two spade connectors in the area under the shelf in
> the
>> right compartment next to the tank.  You'll need to crimp on two spade
>> connectors, and you'll have to check whether they are male or female.
>> Removing the hose should be easy, but you can heat it a bit if it's tight
>> with a hair dryer.
>> 
>> That's it.  Polarity may actually not matter, but check since I don't
>> remember, and running the pump while using city water will not hurt it.
>> It's just a plastic impeller in a cage driven by a magnet, not much stress
>> on it.  Don't bother with the extra switch, keep it simple. Go Westy
> agrees:
>> "When you activate the faucet with the city water attached it DOES NOT
> allow
>> the use of in-tank water. You will hear the pump running-but don't worry:
> it
>> won't damage the pump at all (we contacted the pump manufacturer to be
>> sure!)."
>> 
>> Stuart
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
>> Eric Caron
>> Sent: Wednesday, June 04, 2014 4:27 PM
>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>> Subject: Water tank pump replacement tips wanted
>> 
>> Hi listers,
>> 
>>       I have benefitted greatly by consulting you folks before taking on
> a
>> repair.  This time I'm looking at installing my new spare water pump for
> the
>> water tank to the sink.
>> 
>>       My original pump is still in the  tank.  It works sort of.  When
>> turned on it flows normally for about 5 seconds then drops to a trickle.
>> I'd rather not have it stop all together when out camping.  
>> 
>>       I have a replacement pump from Bus Depot.  I have it as a spare but
>> I think it must be time to install it. 
>> 
>>       Can someone familiar with this process send me the steps? 
>> 
>> Remember I can't rely on pictures or videos.  I can round up some
> unskilled
>> local support but would rather try to do it myself.
>> 
>> Currently the pump wire comes out of the tank and curves under a large
>> grooved hose then the two wires go into a plastic connector.  Two more
> wires
>> then leave the connector on the other side. 
>> 
>>       The replacement pump wires simply end with stripped ends. 
>> 
>> I'm suspecting I need to unscrew the connector from the side wall located
>> under the floor of the storage compartment.  Then perhaps I'll find a
> spade
>> connector on each wire, if I pull carefully with needle nose.  this is
> what
>> I did when I replaced the faucet last year.
>> I could then remove the wire through the tank and then feed back the new
>> wires from the new pump and then add spade connectors and put then back
> into
>> the connector.
>> Does this sound right so far?  Please make corrections.
>> 
>> Also, I suspect I'll need sighted help to match wire colors otherwise the
>> pump will run backwards.  
>> 
>> The water hose looks like it is just slipped on so I'll just warm that up
>> before transferring it to the new pump.
>> 
>> Any special tips concerning the seal the wire goes through on the tank?
>> 
>> tips greatly appreciated as this weekend is my window of opportunity to
> get
>> this done.
>> 
>> One final question, would it be reasonable to add into the wire a switch
>> that could be reached in the storage compartment to turn off the pump?
>> Reason is the pump is on even when using city water with the Sure flow
>> faucet.  I can't imagine that is healthy for the pump.  a switch would let
>> me turn it off when on city water. 
>> Thanks very much for the tips and recommendations.
>> 
>> 
>> Eric Caron 
>> 85 GL Auto 
>> 
>> 
>> Then I just put on   =
>> 
>