Water Pump Installation Guide For Campers

Hooking up a water pump in a camper is a fairly simple process and can be done by following a few steps. First, turn off the city water connection and the water pump. Then, locate and remove the water pump's fuse from the fuse panel for added safety. Next, turn on a faucet and let it run dry to release any water pressure in the plumbing system. After that, disconnect the water pump from the latching controller, if applicable. Now, place a bucket or bowl under the pump to catch any leaking water, and proceed to unscrew both the inlet and outlet lines from the pump. Once that's done, simply unscrew the pump from its mount.

Turn off the city water connection and water pump

Turning off the city water connection and water pump is the first step in replacing your camper's water pump. This is a simple process but an important one to get right to avoid any accidents or injuries.

Firstly, locate your camper's fresh water hose. This is usually found near the water heater, under the bathroom sink, or in the water basement area. Once you've found the hose, turn off the city water connection. This will ensure that no water enters your camper while you are working on the pump.

Next, you'll need to switch off the water pump. This is typically located in the bathroom, near the tank monitor panel, or in the plumbing bay where you hook up the city water. Turning off the water pump will prevent any water from being pumped throughout the camper while you are working.

Once the city water connection and water pump are turned off, you can proceed to the next steps of replacing the water pump. It is important to follow all safety precautions and instructions when working on your camper's water pump to ensure a successful and safe repair.

Remove the water pump fuse

To remove the water pump fuse, first locate the fuse panel. This is usually found on the 12-volt electrical panel, and may be near the battery or inverter. The fuse box may also be located on the wall of your RV near the floor, in an exterior storage compartment, or in hidden areas such as under the refrigerator or inside cabinets.

Once you have located the fuse box, identify the water pump fuse. This may be labelled, or you may need to check each fuse to see which one corresponds with the water pump. Once you have found the correct fuse, pull it out of the fuse panel.

If you are replacing the water pump, it is recommended that you turn on a faucet to bleed out any water pressure in the plumbing system. Once the water has stopped running, you can be sure that the water pressure has been released and it is safe to continue.

Disconnect the water pump from the latching controller

Disconnecting the water pump from the latching controller is a crucial step in replacing the water pump in your RV. Here's a detailed guide on how to do it:

Understand the Latching Controller:

The latching controller is a device that allows you to have multiple on/off switches for your water pump, such as in the bathroom, kitchen, or water bay. It enables you to control the water pump from different locations in your RV. The latching controller is usually located near the water pump, but if you can't find it, refer to your RV's owner's manual for its exact position.

Disconnect the Ground Wire:

Start by disconnecting the ground wire from the latching controller. Typically, this is a black wire. Before removing any wires, take a photo of the controller to ensure you reconnect them correctly during reassembly.

Disconnect the Positive Lead:

Next, disconnect the positive lead from the latching controller. This is usually a red wire and may also be connected to a yellow wire. If you have a yellow wire, you can snip it, as you will reconnect it to the positive lead on the new water pump.

Take Precautions:

Before proceeding, make sure you have a bucket or bowl placed under the pump, as some water may leak out once the wires are disconnected.

Remove the Wires:

Now, carefully remove the black ground wire and the red positive lead (along with the yellow wire, if applicable) from the latching controller. Ensure that you are only removing the wires connected to the water pump and not any other component.

Confirm Disconnection:

Once you have removed the wires, confirm that the water pump is indeed disconnected from the latching controller by checking if the pump turns on when you activate any of the switches. If the pump does not respond, you have successfully disconnected it from the latching controller.

Remember to follow safety precautions when working with electrical components. Ensure the power is turned off, and if possible, disconnect the battery or remove the fuse for the water pump before proceeding with any wiring work.

Remove inlet and outlet lines from the pump

Before you start to unscrew the inlet and outlet lines connected to the water pump, there are a few steps we can take to lower the amount of water that splashes out. If you have a toggle switch above the water pump, switch it to bypass to hold back any water coming in from the inlet line. You should also make sure you do not have city water flowing into your system. This can be done by turning it off at the source. After turning off the city water connection, switch the RV to freshwater tank mode. Then wait about 5 minutes for the water flow to settle down.

Now you are ready to disconnect the inlet and outlet lines from the pump. Place your bucket or bowl underneath the pump to catch any water that leaks out as you unscrew both the inlet and outlet lines. We recommend using your hands to unscrew the lines so as not to damage the plastic fittings. If the fittings are too tight, pliers might be necessary to get them started, but be sure to be careful so you don’t damage them.

Remove the screws holding the pump in place

Now that you've disconnected the inlet and outlet hoses, you can simply unscrew the pump from its mount. You should see four screws holding the pump in place. Grab your Ryobi drill and remove them.

If you don't have a drill, you can use a screwdriver to remove the screws. Just be careful not to strip the screws as this will make it difficult to remove them.

Once the screws are removed, simply lift the pump out of its mount. Be careful not to drop or damage the pump as you remove it.

At this point, you should be able to see the water flow arrows on the pump. Make sure you take note of the direction they are pointing so that you can install the new pump correctly.

Now that the old pump is removed, you can begin the process of installing the new pump. Simply follow the steps outlined above in reverse.

First, attach the new pump to the mount using the screws you removed earlier. Make sure the arrows on the new pump are pointing in the same direction as the old pump.

Next, reconnect the inlet and outlet hoses to the new pump. Hand-tighten the fittings to secure the hoses in place.

Once the hoses are connected, reconnect the power wires to the new pump. Make sure the power is still turned off before reconnecting the wires.

Finally, turn the power back on and test the new pump to ensure it is working correctly.

Frequently asked questions