Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 07-06-2019, 12:16 AM   #1
Site Team
 
avanti's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,330
Default Cheap flood insurance

I just came across this interesting device:

https://www.amazon.com/UCTRONICS-Tac...3PKKZCDN9HCH1K

It is a little timer board that can be configured to limit the amount of time a 12VDC device will run after power is applied. It would be very easy to use it to limit the amount of time that a rig's water pump can run in a single power cycle. This would be valuable protection against pumping the whole fresh water tank onto the floor of your rig in case of a plumbing failure in an unattended unit.

I know that many people power off their pumps when leaving the rig, but even if you do so, this mod would provide a valuable and extremely inexpensive backup.
__________________
Now: 2022 Fully-custom buildout (Ford Transit EcoBoost AWD)
Formerly: 2005 Airstream Interstate (Sprinter 2500 T1N)
2014 Great West Vans Legend SE (Sprinter 3500 NCV3 I4)
avanti is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-06-2019, 12:23 AM   #2
Platinum Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 11,977
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by avanti View Post
I just came across this interesting device:

https://www.amazon.com/UCTRONICS-Tac...3PKKZCDN9HCH1K

It is a little timer board that can be configured to limit the amount of time a 12VDC device will run after power is applied. It would be very easy to use it to limit the amount of time that a rig's water pump can run in a single power cycle. This would be valuable protection against pumping the whole fresh water tank onto the floor of your rig in case of a plumbing failure in an unattended unit.

I know that many people power off their pumps when leaving the rig, but even if you do so, this mod would provide a valuable and extremely inexpensive backup.

So you would put this between the pressure switch and the pump itself? Otherwise you would have to turn the pump on and off after every use, depending on the setting.
booster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-06-2019, 12:33 AM   #3
Site Team
 
avanti's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,330
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by booster View Post
So you would put this between the pressure switch and the pump itself? Otherwise you would have to turn the pump on and off after every use, depending on the setting.
Yes.

P.S. -- Why does the list require a minimum of 10 characters in a reply?
__________________
Now: 2022 Fully-custom buildout (Ford Transit EcoBoost AWD)
Formerly: 2005 Airstream Interstate (Sprinter 2500 T1N)
2014 Great West Vans Legend SE (Sprinter 3500 NCV3 I4)
avanti is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-06-2019, 01:50 AM   #4
Platinum Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 11,977
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by avanti View Post
Yes.

P.S. -- Why does the list require a minimum of 10 characters in a reply?

To prevent certain "four letter" replies??
booster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-06-2019, 03:35 AM   #5
Gold Member
 
blackbourn3704's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 91
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by avanti View Post
I just came across this interesting device:

https://www.amazon.com/UCTRONICS-Tac...3PKKZCDN9HCH1K

It is a little timer board that can be configured to limit the amount of time a 12VDC device will run after power is applied. It would be very easy to use it to limit the amount of time that a rig's water pump can run in a single power cycle. This would be valuable protection against pumping the whole fresh water tank onto the floor of your rig in case of a plumbing failure in an unattended unit.

I know that many people power off their pumps when leaving the rig, but even if you do so, this mod would provide a valuable and extremely inexpensive backup.
I recently used one to create a delay for the A/C initial turn on to give the generator a chance to warm up. Works great. I like your idea for the water pump. On our last trip a guest used our toilet while we where all sitting at the park bench. During a lull in the conversation I heard the water pump running. Toilet paper had stopped the flush valve from closeing completely. What a mess! Must order another module.
__________________
To B or not to B? B, no question about it!
blackbourn3704 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-06-2019, 08:38 PM   #6
Platinum Member
 
markopolo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: New Brunswick, Canada
Posts: 8,828
Default

Great idea Avanti.

A family in a Class A pulled into an overnight spot (hotel parking lot) next to us that only had electric hookups for RV's, no water & no sewer. They had started the trip with plenty of fresh water. Something in the bathroom fell - I think it was the shower head - anyway, whatever fell hit a tap and turned it on. They had left the pump switch on so when they got to the overnight spot there was no fresh water left in their tank.

That timer board would have saved the day!
markopolo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-07-2019, 03:44 AM   #7
Platinum Member
 
rowiebowie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Texas
Posts: 2,632
Default

Pretty low tech and not nearly as good as a passive safety device, but I changed our water pump switch for a lighted one. We have made it a habit to glace at the switch whenever we hit the road or leave our van.

If it's glowing red, it's rock/paper/scissors to see who has to step to the back to turn it off.
rowiebowie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-07-2019, 04:46 AM   #8
Platinum Member
 
GeorgeRa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 3,142
Default

I have my water pump always on and never had a problem, lets cross fingers. I lost all water when a loose shoe kicked by a semitruck hit and broke my strainer on the highway. I use this strainer to drain water from fresh water system so located it in an easily accessible place but unfortunately it is vulnerable. Since this episode I carry a spare plastic strainer cover.

I think having a timer to shut off the pump would be great additional protection for flooding and the pump life is a very good idea. I am not sure how easily accessible is wiring from the integrated into the pump a pressure switch, but will add it to my to do list.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg ZGR10262.JPG (197.1 KB, 12 views)
GeorgeRa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-07-2019, 03:31 PM   #9
Platinum Member
 
Davydd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 5,967
Default

We have pretty much trained ourselves to turn the water pump off if we leave the van. They are just ingrained in us now in other things like not leaving our keys in the van.
__________________
Davydd
2021 Advanced RV 144 custom Sprinter
2015 Advanced RV Extended body Sprinter
2011 Great West Van Legend Sprinter
2005 Pleasure-way Plateau TS Sprinter
Davydd is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT. The time now is 03:29 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.