Noisy Water Pump

[attila]

2015- 21rbswe Cougar; great TT; love everything about it except the water pump sounds like jackhammer. I have read other threads on how to deal with problem and have located the water pump near water inlets, under the carpeted platform alongside of the bed on the slide side. But, how do I get to it. I can find no panels, screws, openings, etc under the carpet. Would appreciate any wisdom on how to get to the pump to try and quiet same.
Thanks,
Van

[Lee]

Hi Van,

I have a 2014 model of the same TT and I have the same issue with the water pump noise but mine is intermittent.

As for accessing the pump. There are 2 brown screws hiding in the carpeted lid of the platform. One on each side 1/2 way along the front and back,.... if that makes sense ;-) I was surprised how hard they were to find as you have to probe around in the carpet pretty well.

Hope this helps,
Lee

[attila]

Lee,
Thanks for the information. I'll give that a try. My local dealer says Keystone has a "quieting kit" for their water pump, but haven't looked into that yet.
Thanks,
Van

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by attila

Lee,
Thanks for the information. I'll give that a try. My local dealer says Keystone has a "quieting kit" for their water pump, but haven't looked into that yet.
Thanks,
Van

The "quieting kit" consists of two pieces of flexible hose to attach to the input and output of the pump. Supposedly the white flexible 18" sections of water hose are supposed to reduce/eliminate vibrations from the pump that are transmitted to the hard plastic plumbing lines which "hammer against the trailer components".

Although it helps, that "kit" won't stop the noise. Do a forum search for "noisy water pump" or "water pump" and you'll find a number of threads about this problem. It's not just related to your specific trailer application, all 12 volt water pumps tend to transmit vibrations and pretty much make far too much noise for their size.

Good Luck.

[sw342]

Are you making sure you are purging the system of air? When mine sits over the winter I have to make sure the first time I use it I fill the tank and go to every faucet and let the cold and then the hot run for a bit. That includes the inside and outside shower and even the hookups for washer if you have it. If I don't do that the water pump is very noisy. Quiets down tremendously with no air in the system.

[Ken / Claudia]

First Rvs I have owned in 1970s that had water pumps to present about 9 have all been loud. One would think the makers of them would have changed that by now. My neighbors real high end motorhome was not loud but some of that could have been location of pump. I have been attempted to purchase a better pump that claims to be less noisey, but have not on the grounds that what if it really did not change much noise due to location of pump and water lines bounceing against the floor/walls etc.

[JRTJH]

Over the years, a number of different types of water systems have been tried in RV's. They started with the demand pump (what Keystone installs now) went to a "slow RPM belt driven pump" then to a pressurized steel water tank and an air compressor to pressurize it, to a piston driven pump and finally back to the demand pump. We are now back to where we started and noise has been an issue with almost all of them.

As for the "high end motorhome" water system, the storage compartments under the floor are all insulated and in many of them, they install the water system in a "far back compartment" where the water tank, accumulator, pump and macerator pump are all located... In that "super insulated, soundproofed compartment, the water pump does "seem more quiet", that is, until you open the compartment door and it's a "sur-flo" just like ours.....

[attila]

Thank you for all of your help. Following Lee's post, I gained access to the water pump and applied the "fixes" found on the forum. It has quieted enough so we don't have to wear ear muffs in the trailer.
I really enjoy and appreciate the forum. It has greatly speeded up my "learning curve" and saved untold hours of frustration and expletive deletes.

[itstime2ride]

Add a water accumulator. Every trailer should have one

[bsmith0404]

Funny, I just realized I have never run the water pump in our Alpine. The DW insists on full hook-ups so we are always connected to city water. Maybe I'll throw some water in the tank when getting ready for the next trip just to hear how it sounds.

[Irving Ray]

My new to me Cougar 28sgs was unacceptable, been around compressors and generators for 45 yrs , no more noise. Went to a Sureflo 4 chamber and if anyone wants that Flojet your welcome to it , odd ball fittings and could be used as a jackhammer. Cut the noise by 60-70 % very acceptable . Worth every bit of the $65 . Happy trails Bart PS did put extra cushion under it.