Thanks for that Colin our Eriba is 9 year old and to be honest it hadn't had a ton of use but I will think about getting a spare I'm always a what if person especially when the wife leaves it running for a hour🤨

It’s done well if it’s still working after being run dry for an hour 😲 I accidentally knocked the tap on in our early days. We had just arrived on site so were setting up, 10 minutes later I heard a loud bang, came into the van to a strong burning smell and discovered the pump burnt out. Luckily we were at the C&CC site which is behind a Go Outdoors (Oxford I think) and were able to purchase a replacement pump. Seem to remember it being an easy job.

It didn't actually run dry plenty of water in the tank the tap wasn't completely shut just enough to run the pump but not open enough to allow water through .......a strange one I think...Phil.

Zitat

---

I've just bought a float switch (with a 10A switching capacity) which I will install as soon as the van comes out of storage. I will simply wire this in series with the pump so that it automatically switches off before the water level drops below the pump inlet. It surprises me that these are not fitted as standard to all vans in order to protect the pump.

---

Just be careful with the float switch; I fitted one which claimed to be rated similarly but the switch part was just a small reed switch - it welded closed in very short order. I bought a replacement stainless steel version and wired that via a relay to cut off power the whale connector beside the filling point. This works ok as long as you don’t let the aqua roll run dry like I did. (Other water carrier brands are available.🙂)
£70 later, it was up and running again.
Just about to refit it to our new 550, but I’ll be adding a control to limit how long it can run for, using an Arduino controller. An isolater switch will be included.
Steve.

Steve,
I’m just about to take delivery of a new 540 with onboard tank and have been wondering what pump protection and isolation is provided, it sounds like none. My current 530 has an external aquaroll.

I’d appreciate if you could let me know what float switch, relay and isolation switch you intend to install in your 550 as it sounds as though this will need to be my first mod.
Thanks
Andy

Hi Andy,
I’ll get the details and photos for you today.

Steve

Hi,
So here’s the simple setup using a relay.
E877C77A-F46A-4117-9B2F-A2C4F0C14BC3.jpeg - Bild entfernt (keine Rechte)

The stainless steel float switch has a 75mm depth which allows the tank to fill to around 80%.

The diode is important to prevent the switch contacts welding closed. 1N4007 works fine and can be found on flea bay or amazing.

Hope this helps, Steve

Here’s an illustration of the internal pump disconnect switch and the connector which was used in our previous 530.
6BC95251-398A-4CA6-B508-197AFD221FA5.jpeg - Bild entfernt (keine Rechte)

FA70DB8F-5E2E-45D0-9AC7-48DBD25AD3E9.jpeg - Bild entfernt (keine Rechte)

The 0v connector just fits inside the box.

Steve

Steve,
Thanks so much for the info and clear explanations. Having just returned from our first few nights away in the new Eriba I can definitely see the need for this.

Andy