By RV Doctor Gary Bunzer
Electrical Flicker
Dear RV Doctor:
We need to know if our expectations are unrealistic about our fresh-water pump. We recently replaced the SHURflo 5900 pump in our motorhome with a SHURflo 4048 High Flow Pump, because the 5900 is no longer offered. But the 4048 causes the 12-volt lights to flicker. The performance of the pump itself is far inferior — but that’s not electrical; that’s a SHURflo issue. That said, what might be causing the flicker?
Richard Peck, F450432
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
I wouldn’t condemn the new pump just yet. The 4048 incorporates a modulating valve that allows some water to circulate within the pump under a low demand, such as when the showerhead is turned off while the faucet remains open and the pump is running. The valve keeps the pump from short cycling, thereby prolonging the life of the motor. (Better for it to run constantly at a low speed than to start and stop often.) It’s possible the modulating valve simply needs adjusting. Check the owners manual, which is available online at http://shurflo.com/rv-products/rv-education-center.
The other addition I might suggest is an accumulator to help smooth the flow of water from the pump.
For the electrical issue, does the flickering happen only while the motorhome is plugged into shore power? What about when the DC system is powered solely by the battery bank? Or both? You can try adding (or rewiring) a ground wire from the pump directly to the negative buss of the battery bank or fuse panel. Be sure the water pump is on its own dedicated 12-volt circuit — that is, not paralleled with another device.
Your issue could be related to a few other things as well, such as loose connections, a chattering relay or solenoid somewhere in the system, or possibly a failing converter/charger. Depending on the intensity and duration of the flickering, or lack thereof, it could be considered normal as the charger goes through its varying charging algorithms (if it happens while on shore power). However, it would take some specific measurements with a multimeter to investigate further. There could even be a loose connection on the AC side of the electrical system; for instance, a loose neutral conductor could cause surges or spikes from the converter/charger.
The first step, however, is to check that ground conductor and all connections and wiring terminations, including the ground-to-frame connection. Everything should be clean, dry, and tight.
Dear RV Doctor:
I have a 2005 Fleetwood Providence motorhome. My problem is reflections in my left-side mirror. The left-side mirror is viewed through the front panel of the side driver’s window; the right-side mirror is viewed through the front windshield. The coach had a bad fogging problem in the dual-pane driver’s side window. I had the window removed and resealed, but after two years, it started fogging again. Rather than replace it, I removed just the outer pane; that solved the fog issue on my driver’s side window, but under certain lighting conditions, I continue to see reflections in the mirror, which makes me blind on the left side. I cannot open the fixed front panel of my driver’s window, so I am not sure whether the problem is in the window or the mirror.
Basically, I look into the mirror and see images that are out the front window and I cannot see down the left side of the rig. Any ideas?
Bill Jones
Oceanside, California
You’ve stumped me on this one, but I’ve got to believe your phenomenon has something to do with removing that one pane from the dual-pane window. Did the problem exist prior to the fogging issue, or has it only occurred since you modified the window? I’m guessing that swapping out the half-paned window with a dual-pane panel just might rectify the issue. I doubt the problem lies with the mirror itself, unless, of course, you can see something amiss by looking at the mirror reflection directly.
Here’s how two members of FMC’s Technical Advisory Committee see it:
Steve Froese: My guess is the reflection is either an inherent flaw with the mirror glass or coating, or a bad mirror angle. First, carefully inspect the mirror for flaws, including warpage. Next, use the electric adjusters to change the viewing angle slightly. You will be pointed to the cause of the issue if this affects the position or nature of the reflection. If this minor adjustment has no effect, try a coarser adjustment by changing the angle of the mirror support arm(s) and mirror head. If there is still no impact on the reflection, it seems to point back to a flaw with the windowpane that was not removed. I recommend replacing the window assembly, as this may solve both the missing pane and the reflection issue.
Richard Marvin: You might want to contact Fleetwood (800-322-8216) and get the mounting instructions for the mirror. If I’m remembering correctly, this style of mirror can be rotated to two positions. One position places it close to the coach wall (to allow for passing through narrow tollbooths). The other moves the mirror farther from the coach. The reflection problem may be a result of the mirror position being changed when the window work was done.
Dear RV Doctor:
My friend has a 2015 Thor Motor Coach Windsport 34F motorhome. She cannot find the fresh-water drain. We’ve checked all info that came with the coach. She called the dealer and they didn’t know. She called Thor and was told maybe it is in the bathroom. Nope, not there either. Several men in our group got under the rig, checked all the outside places it could be; nothing there. We never did find it. Do you know where it is?
Pat Gerard
Via Email
Even though the drain valve theoretically could be anywhere between the tank and the water pump on the nonpressurized side of the system, it’s usually pretty close to the tank itself. I’m surprised the dealer didn’t know, since it should have been checked during the predelivery inspection.
I contacted Thor to verify the location. On the 34F, the fresh-water tank drain valve is inside the motorhome, right next to the water tank, under the bed, and very near the wall of the coach. You probably should have a flashlight handy.