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1985 Auto sleeper on demand water pump
Posted: 11 May 2014, 16:11
by Jeff J
It seems like the original Whale EF05 fresh water pump in my camper has given up the ghost & I can't find a service kit for it anywhere.I am also struggling to find a direct replacement for it. Can anyone give me pointers as I've tried the wikki,, google, etc. but not found an exact match. I can't imagine I am the first one to have to replace this pump. Suitable alternative suggestions or other advice appreciated.
Re: 1985 Auto sleeper on demand water pump
Posted: 12 May 2014, 18:41
by Dad
Try auto sleeper themselves?
Re: 1985 Auto sleeper on demand water pump
Posted: 13 May 2014, 17:41
by kevtherev
There are a lot of 12Volt pumps that will replace this.
I believe fiamma pumps were also used by Autosleeper
but there is flo jet and sureflow to consider
http://www.ebay.co.uk/bhp/12v-water-pump-shurflo" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Re: 1985 Auto sleeper on demand water pump
Posted: 13 May 2014, 19:26
by Oldiebut goodie
Tried Whale ?- 1st obvious port of call.
Re: 1985 Auto sleeper on demand water pump
Posted: 16 May 2014, 06:05
by Jeff J
Thanks for the suggestions, unfortunately neither Whale nor Auto-sleeper now support their old products & I did not want to alter the pipe work to take a Sureflo one. I managed to get some 0.5mm nitrile rubber sheet & make a new diaphragm & it appears to be working OK again now, just have to hope it lasts.

Re: 1985 Auto sleeper on demand water pump
Posted: 16 May 2014, 06:15
by kevtherev
Jeff J wrote:Thanks for the suggestions, unfortunately neither Whale nor Auto-sleeper now support their old products & I did not want to alter the pipe work to take a Sureflo one. I managed to get some 0.5mm nitrile rubber sheet & make a new diaphragm & it appears to be working OK again now, just have to hope it lasts.

alter the pipework?
Can you explain?
Re: 1985 Auto sleeper on demand water pump
Posted: 17 May 2014, 04:21
by Jeff J
kevtherev wrote:Jeff J wrote:Thanks for the suggestions, unfortunately neither Whale nor Auto-sleeper now support their old products & I did not want to alter the pipe work to take a Sureflo one. I managed to get some 0.5mm nitrile rubber sheet & make a new diaphragm & it appears to be working OK again now, just have to hope it lasts.

alter the pipework?
Can you explain?
Yes the connections on the whale are such that IN enters at the top & OUT exits at the side. It's all built into a tight box at floor level & would mean some alterations for 2 side connections

Re: 1985 Auto sleeper on demand water pump
Posted: 17 May 2014, 09:58
by kevtherev
Do you still have standard 12mm hose ?
I can give you the various connectors to change to a different pump
Is the whale pump male or female?
Re: 1985 Auto sleeper on demand water pump
Posted: 19 May 2014, 06:15
by Jeff J
kevtherev wrote:Do you still have standard 12mm hose ?
I can give you the various connectors to change to a different pump
Is the whale pump male or female?
Thanks Kev, I have just re-read the details for that link you attached for the surflo pump & I noticed it says it comes complete with straight & elbow connectors so it should be ok after all & I can keep the old one for emergencies or some other purpose. Thanks again
Re: 1985 Auto sleeper on demand water pump
Posted: 21 May 2014, 18:35
by Brendon
Had the same problem with mine so I took it apart and one of the keys in the centrifugal pump had come out of its gate and jammed. So I took them all out and cleaned the lime scale off of them works a treat now also soldered some better wire on the contacts.
Re: 1985 Auto sleeper on demand water pump
Posted: 22 May 2014, 07:15
by Jeff J
Brendon wrote:Had the same problem with mine so I took it apart and one of the keys in the centrifugal pump had come out of its gate and jammed. So I took them all out and cleaned the lime scale off of them works a treat now also soldered some better wire on the contacts.
That was my first thought(lack of pressure) unfortunately not.

Re: 1985 Auto sleeper on demand water pump
Posted: 06 Jul 2015, 18:27
by Sir Brixalot
The shureflo is about half the price of the fiamma. Is it any good? The clear
plastic discs in my fiamma pump have all shattered probably due to heat from seized pump
Re: 1985 Auto sleeper on demand water pump
Posted: 06 Jul 2015, 19:24
by kevtherev
I can fully recommend either shureflo or Aquatech 12v pumps.
I fitted these in many many vans.
They must be fitted upside down. (pump inlet/outlet at the bottom)
They are not to be fitted outside.
Re: 1985 Auto sleeper on demand water pump
Posted: 06 Jul 2015, 19:56
by Sir Brixalot
I'll have a look at the aquatecs as well. My Fiamma was seized,I've freed it and its spinning freely now but still nothing. The water tank is empty, does it need replenishing before the pump motor will start? If that's the case I might get away with a tenner in spare parts rather than buying a new pump
Re: 1985 Auto sleeper on demand water pump
Posted: 06 Jul 2015, 20:23
by kevtherev
Try sucking the outlet pipe while it runs to prime it.