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Groco Paragon slow recovery
First, I’m glad to find a place to ask questions and educate myself on my “new to me” 1996 40XL Vogue coach. After owning 3 Motorhomes, I decided I had to have a bus. So far so good.
Now to my question. My water pump seems to be taking a long amount of time to recover from a toilet flush or any other water demand. The pressure seems strong enough, but the pump runs a LONG time after demand. Would a simple pump overhaul be an option? Other suggestions?
Thanks in advance.
Tim Hardage
1996 XL40
Vogue Conversion
Plainview, TX -
5 Replies
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I am not familiar with how Vogue set up the water system, but typically when the Groco pump was used on the Liberty conversions an accumulator tank was part of the system. A properly charged accumulator tank will deliver a certain volume of water before the water system pressure drops to the pump cut-in pressure. If the accumulator tank has a large volume it could deliver a gallon or more before that point.
When the pump does kick in it will replace that amount of water, plus continue to deliver whatever volume of water is needed to complete the task, such as a toilet flush.
If the accumulator tank does not have a sufficient air charge the pump will short cycle and kick on and off almost immediately with any water use. I consider the system healthy if the water flows for a while before the pump turns on, and then takes a while for the pump to recharge it. The only reservation or concern I would have is if Vogue installed any potential line restriction immediately downstream from the pump, such as a check valve, but any such restriction would more likely cause the pump to do some starts and stops as the accumulator tank is recharged with water.
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Jon,
You are correct. There is an accumulator tank in the system. I don’t recall a check valve, but I’ll have another look today. I didn’t make it clear in my first post, but this is a new problem. When I first acquired the coach I didn’t notice the long recovery. My thought is the pump is original and needs overhauled, or I have an air problem/accumulator tank issue.
Is it wise to keep the Groco setup, or would you consider changing the system to something like a Shurflo pump? I’m just not familiar or educated yet.
Tim Hardage
1996 Prevost Vogue XL40
Plainview TX -
There shpuld be a schradier air valve on one end of the accumuator tank. Check to see if it has any air pressure. I had one tank get a leak in the bladder that allowed water to get onto the air side. When I checked for air pressure water came out. Put in a new tank and all is well again.
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The typical Groco pump is likely to outlast us all. Unless it has been run dry for any length of time it will perform well for a long time. I believe later models also have run-dry protection.
Before you take an more drastic approach and as long as it builds pressure in your system and works well for flushing wait and see what others are doing. I think Liberty used the Groco until the late 90’s so if you run across another Vogue or Liberty owner measure how long another coach pump runs after it kicks in. Make sure the cut in and cut out pressures are the same because if the pump switch is set to a higher pressure it can take longer to reach that pressure.
This may not be any change at all, but a change in your awareness of the pump running.
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the pump started leaking about a month ago. I ordered a seal kit. When the kit arrives I opened the pump and found metal fragments galore. I opted to replace with a new pump, which I installed after thoroughly flushing the system. I now have great water pressure. Fast recovery time. It’s working perfectly! Now, on to a new problem which I’ll post in the appropriate forum. Thanks for all the input!
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