In the previous few years, water in a caravan and other leisure cars was typically collected with the help of a large plastic jug. However, around the 1960s, water pumps for cars were introduced. Compared to the system that came after, plastic jugs used to do the work just fine.
The process was quite simple and almost never went wrong. However, with the introduction of water pumps for cars, the process is much more efficient now and obviously brings with it a comprehensive process.
Most caravanners and people who have leisure cars use portable water pumps with containers that are placed outside the car. Little to no cars have built-in water tanks, thus prompting the need for an external water pump.
Why are water pumps used in cars?
When water is needed in leisure vehicles to wash hands, cook, and wash dishes, the water needs to flow. In order to do this, you need a water pump that makes the water flow from your reservoir to the taps.
Mostly, submersible water pumps are used to make sure that there is enough pressure to drive the water into the taps. Submersible water pumps have more advantages when compared to other types of water pumps, most of which use complex processes.
Submersible water pumps make sure that the water flows to the taps, which is done by using a 12V motor. The 12V motor turns on and drives the water into the points of consumption. When you turn a tap on in the car, the microswitch present in the water pumps turns the water pump on. These are easy to install and make little to no noise.
How water pumps for cars work
As said before, submersible water pumps are most commonly used for leisure vehicles. A standard submersible water pump has two chambers. One of the chambers houses the electric drive motor. The electric drive motor is necessary to drive an impeller. It makes use of centrifugal force to make sure that the inflowing water is pressed into the second chamber by the impeller. This point is where the water pumping pressure is built up and through which the water is pressed into the connected pipe.
Most submersible water pumps have a water pressure of around 0.5 to 2.1 BAR. They have an approximate pumping capacity of around 10 to 25 liters of water in a minute. How much power you need in your water pump depends upon the length of the pipe. If the pipes that deliver water to the consumption points from the water tank are long, you will require a more powerful submersible water pump. Alternatively, you can go for a booster pump or two motors.
Troubleshooting problems in water pump cars
RVing can expose you to a number of problems that you’re not familiar with. Water pump cars, especially, may need you to check up on them because of the increased risk of complications with the water pump system. Even minor procedures for your water pump cars can be expensive, so it is important that you know how to troubleshoot problems in water pump cars.
One of the major problems with a water pump car is overheating. To avoid this, you should ensure that your water tank never has too little water. When there isn’t a lot of water in the water tank or when the water pump is not correctly suspended in the tank, it can stop working. You can install separate dry sun protection in your water tank to prevent this from happening.
When your car overheats frequently, the chances are that there may be problems with the water quantity. When you are in such a situation, turn the water pump on and keep your water level at such a quantity that it is not too little but neither too much.
When the pipes are dirty, the water flow from the tank to the taps can be interrupted. When you are in such a situation, clean the pipes of the water pump system. The pre-filters in the pipe can get dirty quite easily depending upon the quality of the water, so you may need to clean them thoroughly every once in a while.
When the water pump in the car is running, but there’s no water coming out of the taps, it may be because of frost. You need to keep an eye on when frost occurs. Before it does, make sure that you remove the water pump from the tank and dry out the water tank completely.
Most importantly, you should keep in mind that when a water pump completes its life and is no longer able to work, you cannot repair it. What you can do is you must get a new water pump because the older one cannot be replaced either.
Are water pump cars any useful?
RVs and caravan vehicles need an adequate supply of water to fulfill the needs of passengers. Since finding flowing water is hard when traveling, water pumps in cars have become the go-to solution. Water pumps can be highly efficient when used correctly. Once you set up the water pump in cars, you can roam around in your vehicle on a trip without worrying about the water supply.
Depending on your car, you may need to assess different types of water pumps. Most prefer pressure water pumps as they are less prone to overheating and other complications when compared to submersible water pumps. You can install a water pump several meters away from where you keep your water tank. Pressure water tanks, unlike submersible water tanks, can be repaired and replaced.
Conclusion
Water pumps are important components in a water system of a caravan or any other leisure vehicle. Since it provides you with a basic necessity, it is essential that you fully take care of all its components. Now that you are well aware of the working of a water pump and the things to keep in mind when buying it, you can select a suitable water pump for your caravan or luxury vehicle.