5 Reasons Your Caravan Water Pump Stopped Working

If things in your caravan stop working, the breakdowns will disrupt the idea of simple living in your caravan. When your caravan water pump stops working, you may find yourself frustrated, and you’re stuck without water.  

Your caravan water pump may have stopped working due to electrical issues, insufficient water level, improper pump voltage, debris blockage, or a leak. Electrical problems may arise as a result of a blown circuit, so you’ll have to fix this as soon as possible. 

Alternatively, your water pump may work fine, but the water level is insufficient for the pump to distribute the water. If your pump is electric, you may discover that the pump voltage is inadequate for the size or type of pump. Another issue could be that your water pump has been blocked with debris or air. Finally, if your water pump isn’t working correctly, it could signify a leak.   

Suppose you’re someone who has discovered the joy of owning a caravan. In that case, you likely enjoy the feeling of the simplicity of living or traveling in it. It has everything you’d need in a house for comfortable living, all with the advantage of being able to move! When things stop functioning, these inconveniences can make life more difficult when you’re on the go.

Finding the source of the problem and figuring out how to fix it is essential to keep things moving. This article will discuss why your water pump may stop working in your caravan. I’ll also discuss ways to fix your water pump if something happens. Finally, I’ll cover how to replace your water pump. 

Before fixing anything, do ensure that you’re confident enough to perform the fixes yourself. If you have any queries or doubts, contact a professional to get them to fix the problem for you.  

5 Reasons Your Caravan Water Pump Has Stopped Working 

There are many reasons why your caravan water pump could stop working. The most common reasons are electrical issues, insufficient water level, improper pump voltage, debris blockage, or leaks. 

Electrical Issues 

One of the main issues that tend to happen with water pumps is an electrical issue. Water pumps need sufficient electrical current to pump the water from its starting point up to your tap or exit point. Suppose your caravan has a problem with the electricity. This could result in the pump being unable to bring the water to your faucet. 

Perhaps a fuse or circuit blows in your caravan. If your caravan short circuits, the water pump will stop working. It needs electricity to carry water from one point to the next. If this is the case, you will need to reset the fuse or check the circuit breakers to ensure the electricity is properly working in your caravan.

Water Level

Another reason your water pump may stop working could be the water level. While it may sound obvious that the water level needs to be at a certain minimum for the pump to be able to pump the water, sometimes people forget this. If the water level is too low and your pump doesn’t reach the water level, it’ll be unable to function. 

If your pump doesn’t have a water level sensor, you may want to consider purchasing one. A water level sensor will tell you when the water level is too low or even too high. Without one, the water tank may fail to refill when needed, and the pump will be unable to reach the water to carry it on. 

Improper Pump Voltage  

Another issue with your water pump could come from insufficient pump voltage. Whether your pump runs on an electrical circuit or is battery powered, the incorrect voltage could cause your pump failure. If your pump’s electrical or battery voltage is too low, your pump will not have the energy to work. 

Additionally, if your pump voltage is too high, this can also cause pump failure. In the case of both low and high voltage, your pump may overheat as it’s overworking to accommodate the incorrect voltage. This overheating will result in pump failure and can cause damage to the system. 

Debris Blockage

Your pump has a filter that helps to filter the water coming into your system. However, debris may block your filter and water pump. If you notice that you don’t have water coming out of the faucet but your electrical circuits seem to be working correctly, it could be a sign that debris is blocking the tube or filter. 

If this is the case, you’ll need to turn off the water and remove the debris. Once you turn the water back on, the water should begin to flow again normally. 

Leaks

Finally, your water pump may stop working if there’s a leak. There could be a leak in the pipe that runs from the water source to your water tank, or there could be a leak in one of the tubes of your pump. 

Leaks can be caused by incorrect installation or poorly attached parts. Leaks can also happen if there is a loose pipe, which could be caused by a long, harsh journey in your caravan where things move around. 

5 Fixes for a Caravan Water Pump

Once you’ve diagnosed the problem with your caravan water pump, you’ll want to know what you can do to fix it. Here are five ways to fix your caravan water pump. 

Adjust the Pressure Switch

If a voltage problem damages your water pump, you might need to adjust the pressure switch. Usually, a pressure switch is set automatically on your pump. However, damaged batteries or improper voltage can cause your pressure switch to turn off or come on and off inconsistently. 

To adjust your pressure switch, you’ll need to ensure you have water in your tank and that all taps are closed. Then you’ll go through a process in which you’re tightening and rotating the adjusting screw as you turn on and off the water to see if your pump is working.

For more detailed steps on how to adjust your pressure switch, you can follow this guide from Whale Pump.

Check the Plumbing

Another way to fix your water pump if it isn’t working correctly is to check the plumbing. If you look at your water pump, you may discover that one of the hoses has a kink or a crack, or you may see that one of the tubes is not correctly attached. 

If you need to fix the hose or one of the pipes, you can follow this guide about easy fixes to pipes using tape and pipe joint, which is like a type of glue. 

Get Rid of Excess Air

You may notice that water comes out of the tap rather aggressively. This could mean that there’s excess air in your water pump. To fix this, you’ll need to release the excess air. Make sure that the strainer of your pump is tightly screwed on, making it airtight. If it’s not, air could be getting in and causing a problem with your pump.

If you see bubbles underneath the transparent cap of the filter, that means there’s excess air. You may also see bubbles in the water, which is another sign. By simply tightening the strainer, you can fix this problem.

Remove Debris

If you suspect that debris could be blocking your filter or one of the pipes, you’ll need to look at your water pump. The easiest way to remove the debris from your pipes is by disconnecting the suction tube. This disconnection allows the water to flow freely and flush out any waste in the way. 

If you do this, you’ll want to let the water run for a few minutes without reconnecting the suction tube. This ensures that it’ll clear all debris out, and your water will not be contaminated. 

Protect the Water Pump

Suppose you tend to travel on particularly rough terrain in your caravan. In that case, you may notice that your water pump is continually damaged. This may be from all the movements and vibrations. You can fix this by adding a protective layer to your water pump, like a thin mat, almost like a cushion. This will help your water pump not get too damaged when traveling on rough roads. 

Can You Replace a Caravan Water Pump?

Replacing your caravan’s water pump isn’t an easy task. Depending on what kind of water pump you have, whether it’s a submersible water pump or a pressure water pump, you may or may not be able to replace it. 

You can replace a caravan water pump if it is submersible, but you can’t replace the singular parts individually. This is because parts are welded in. If your submersible water pump breaks, you’ll need to replace it entirely.

On the other hand, if you’ve got a pressure water pump, you can replace individual parts that break. In this sense, it’s more durable because you can replace the individual components if something breaks rather than having to replace the whole system. 

If you need to replace either a part of your water pump or your entire water pump, it’s a good idea to have a professional do it, or at least help you. Water pumps can be complicated, and if something is broken, it’s best to have a professional look at it to make sure it’s properly installed and will run smoothly. Additionally, if a part breaks, they can ensure that the new part is correctly placed and will not cause further problems.