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Subject:Re: Water tank pump replacement tips wanted
From:Stuart MacMillan
Date:Fri, 6 Jun 2014 14:45:21 -0700

The Sureflo is an essential upgrade as far as I'm concerened.  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   =
>