We have an old van which we have been refurbishing and it has a whale pressure switch water system. We replaced the kitchen taps and the inlet socket. When we tested it at home it all seemed to work ok but when we went out this weekend and used it on the battery it wouldn't work properly. We tried to adjust the pressure switches but all that happened was the pump did not turn off the taps constantly poured water out and the tank started to leak from vent. We took out the pressure switch in the back of the socket and played around with the one by the water tank. This worked ok and we were able to get hot water and the pump turned on and off but the taps did not stop flowing! We ended up turning the power off and boiling a kettle for hot water. Has anyone got any ideas about this?
When the pump is switched off manually the water does eventually stop running but when it is all on and primed then the pump will stop pumping but not stop running out of the tap! We can't figure it out either.
The pump will come on every now and then on its own without turning the tap but we figured that is because it is running out of the tap and the boiler needs topping up. I presume it's something to do with the pressure but we can't think how.
if the taps are turned off fully then no water should be running,if so the tap is faulty.the pump will not stop running if you have a pressurized system and a tap is open.the pump will keep going if have a leak because it cannot build up and maintain pressure. i am thinking you have a carver 2 water heater and it may have a hole in it.then the pump would not turn off as it constantly trying to fill it.check that drain plug is in correctly and not leaking.if you have micro switches on your taps it is just possible that a micro switch is stuck in the ON position.this will make the tap run constantly and needs a new switch.check for wires to taps for micro switch type.
If water still runs out of tap when the tap is in the off position the tap must be faulty,and if water is not being switched off by tap ,that is why pump is running as it cannot build up pressure for switch to operate.
Agree with above suggestions regarding suspect tap and recommend this be fully investigated first. Michael's suggestion of microswitches shouldn't really apply as a pressurised system shouldn't include switches on the taps, but as you mention two presssure switches, perhaps check the whole thing hasn't been retro-fitted in some odd way that includes pressure switch and micro-switch.
Quote: Originally posted by Jedser on 19/3/2012
... used it on the battery it wouldn't work properly. We tried to adjust the pressure switches but all that happened was the pump did not turn off the taps constantly poured water out and the tank started to leak from vent...
You certainly shouldn't have a leak from anywhere (including vent) and any leak in a pressure system will cause the pump to run either constantly or intermittently to 'top-up' the system.
Sounds like a faulty tap as it shouldn't allow water through if its in the off position, and a possible leak if the water is coming out of the vent. Could it be that the fusilble plug in the cascade has melted and needs replacing? Surely the system should only have one pressure switch also not 2 and if a pressure switch system is installed then you shouldn't have microswitches as well. Only one or the other.