Okay to leave water pump on 24/7 when boondocking?

[amarie1]

I’m drycamping for the first time, 4 days in a state park. I don’t know how long my batteries will last without having to run the generator, so I’m trying to be very miserly with what 12v items I use.

If I turn on the water pump, does it draw electricity immediately, and all the time? Or only when I use it, that is, when I turn on a faucet or flush the toilet. 

If it draws all the time, then I should turn it off at night and when I leave for a hike, right? 

Thanks for any info,

AM

 

[sandsys]

I always left mine on except on the rare occasion I was hooked up to city water. 

Linda Sand

[Chad Heiser]

The water pump only draws power when it actually runs.  There is nothing wrong with leaving it on the whole time.  Some people do turn them off when they leave their rig just in case a line breaks or something so the pump doesn’t create a flood while your not around.

[Danfreda1]

We do like chad said, we turn off the water pump whenever we leave during the day. We also only turn on gas water heater in the morning before showers then turn it off to save propane. 

[lenp]

Make sure your pump isn't burping occasionally - a sign there is a slow drip someplace or the check valve in the pump is leaking.  If it is burping, it is using some battery power but not a lot.

Lenp

[Will B.]

Ours is either enabled via a digital control panel (annoying), or outside by the water connections and leveling jack controls.  I have a perma-sticky-note that says "Turn Off the Water Pump".  Lifting the jacks is the last thing we do, and I don't want to forget.  All that to say:  definitely turn it off while you're in motion!  While boondocking, it's fine.  If you're going to leave for the day, not a bad idea to turn it off.  If a leak were to happen or something go nutso, at least you wouldn't flood your rig or the bays.

[Kirk W]

I just leave my pump on all of the time unless we leave for an extended period. Chad gave a good response.

As to the water heater, you will save very little propane by turning that off between uses since the water cools down and uses nearly as much propane to heat back up as it would have used if left on. Our first 2 winters of fulltime we were in the same location and the first I left mine on all of the time and the second I only turned it once each day. The second winter my propane lasted 2 days longer than the first on an ASME tank that held 60#.(about 15 gallons)

Edited April 19, 2023 by Kirk W

[sandsys]

5 hours ago, Kirk W said:

I just leave my pump on all of the time unless we leave for an extended period. Chad gave a good response.

As to the water heater, you will save very little propane by turning that off between uses since the water cools down and uses nearly as much propane to heat back up as it would have used if left on. Our first 2 winters of fulltime we were in the same location and the first I left mine on all of the time and the second I only turned it once each day. The second winter my propane lasted 2 days longer than the first on an ASME tank that held 60#.(about 15 gallons)

In my van, I had an electric 2.5 gallon water heater. I could turn on the power for 10 minutes then turn it off and the hot water would be a perfect temperature to shower without adding cold. No wasting water trying to get the mixture right. Not a typical situation but something to think about.

Linda

[lappir]

Depending on how much hot water you use. 

Put a timer on my water heater and set it for 30 minutes. In about 10 minutes I hop in the shower and turn on the dishwasher. If I'm using my water pump the low flow shower head causes the pump to cycle very often. Same with the dish washer when filling. If I'm running both the pump runs constantly to fill the dish washer as I'm showering and washing my hair. Have plenty of hot water for both things and even a bit of warm water in the evening when I get home. My propane now lasts a lot longer than when I just left the heater on all the time. It's the only thing that currently uses propane. 

 

Rod

[folivier]

I've always just turned the water pump on when using water. Off all other times. 

Had a friend who was driving to a great boondock spot and figured he could stay a week or longer. Unknown to him his wife had left the bathroom faucet slightly running. Yep, got to his spot, set up, went to take a shower and the water tank was about empty. And the waste tank was about full. Had to find a place to dump and fill. And lost his spot!