teachndad
Southern California
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Joined: 05/10/2006
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Hi,
I have a 1985 Starcraft pop up. I don't know how many owners it's had. The pump is a simple one for a GPM of 3.0. The water pump seems to be frozen. I checked power to the pump and it's there when the switch is activated, but the pump just gets warmer at the opposite end of the inlet and outlet when the switch is activated. It's wired through a 10 amp fuse - at least that's the fuse I think it's wired through. I replaced the fuse last summer hoping to make a quick fix and get the water pump working. Didn't work.
I went in a few days ago and checked the fuse again. The fuse was blown again. Strange, I thought. I blew this replacement fuse at some point in the last few days when I have been working on the pump issue. I just put in another one again, yesterday, and then had to leave it.
Other info: The pump was manufactured in 1988, curious that it's just a few years after the manufacture of the tent trailer. That would mean that the pump was replaced. I wonder if there is a short or something in the pump or even in the trailer wiring. (BTW, I know very little about these pumps or electricity). If I get a new pump, will the new pump fail due to ....?(scratch head)
Of further interest, might be that we are blowing the house fuse on the circuit to the outlet where the shore power is plugged in. I don't know if the trailer fuse issue is connected to the house issue. The house issue just started happening intermittently within the few days I have had the trailer plugged in.
Any ideas?
Thanks
Rod
2000 Toyota Sienna pulling a 1985 Starcraft 21 Starmaster
Firestone Airbags
MountainUnicyclingLA.com
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Capt.Storm
Brockport NY.
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Joined: 04/18/2010
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Pump is probably shot..did you try the American way of fixing things and beat on the pump when trying to make it run?
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teachndad
Southern California
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Joined: 05/10/2006
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Capt.Storm wrote:Pump is probably shot..did you try the American way of fixing things and beat on the pump when trying to make it run?
LOL. Actually, I did that with a screw driver handle. Used to work for the big tube TV at my friends house. 
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Les Curren
U.S.A.
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Joined: 07/07/2001
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Remove the pump head from the motor, and run the motor by it's self. If it still blows a fuse you know it is the motor if it seems to run ok than disassemble the pump head "carefully" and clean it up inside carefully than reassemble and try it.
Most people today are to quick to just throw things like that away and buy a new one. If you take the time to find out why it is blowing the fuse you will learn about that pump and the next time it fails you will have a little more knowledge about an important part of your rig.
Besides if you do fix it you will have more money to spend on something else. Like beer!
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teachndad
Southern California
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Joined: 05/10/2006
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Les Curren wrote:Remove the pump head from the motor, and run the motor by it's self. If it still blows a fuse you know it is the motor if it seems to run ok than disassemble the pump head "carefully" and clean it up inside carefully than reassemble and try it.
Most people today are to quick to just throw things like that away and buy a new one. If you take the time to find out why it is blowing the fuse you will learn about that pump and the next time it fails you will have a little more knowledge about an important part of your rig.
Besides if you do fix it you will have more money to spend on something else. Like beer!
Thanks Les, for the suggestion. I was going to throw out the pump, but at the last minute I considered your suggestion. It turned out to be very quick and easy. In disassembling the pump, I noticed that the metal contacts on the motor were sliding. I crimped them down with a pair of pliers. Then, removed the top and took that apart and cleaned the rollers. I put it all back together and presto - the pump was whirring. YAHOOO! I know have water flowing in my sink.
It's the small things in life. This pump has plagued me since last summer. I don't know if just crimping the contacts on the pump motor did the trick or the reassembly. But, I am just glad I got it working.
Cheers
Rod
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