A domestic water pump problem !!!

[TorquayFan]

Our house is 3 bed / 2 bathroom with kitchen of course - a 'boxville' type property !

 

The water pump is ITC ? HTC ? Serial no 602362. Model no. HTC 125 GX 5

 

(I've been used before to 'Mitsubishi' pumps and never had a problem in 11 years).

 

PROBLEM - frequently the pump doesn't sense the tap when it's turned ON and there's a lapse and a buzzing for maybe 20 seconds until it performs.

 

I thought this might be air in the system so have been 'bleeding' it from a plug at the top and one at the bottom - but it hasn't improved.

 

Any ideas Guys ? Is there a sensor unit not functioning maybe ? Dealers in Chantaburi or around ?

 

Thanks in advance . . .

[MJCM]

My Guess is that the pressure switch is failing!! It looks something like this

 

Edit: The last one that failed on us had lots of tiny ants in it!

So we now have a couple of spares ????

 

1,001 × 1,001

 

 

[TorquayFan]

Thanks MJCM - there's a 'KIP' pressure switch on there made by Korea Industrial Products. If I can get one I'll try and do a DIY on it LOL.

 

The fault  is at least 20 times a day but most of the time, it works OK. The pump itself seems strong.

 

Anyone -  dealers around Chan ?

 

Thanks again MJCM

 

 

 

 

[Crossy]

I'd also change the motor capacitor, where it is and what it looks like depends upon the pump model.

 

Post a photo of the pump and we can hazard a guess.

[MJCM]

23 minutes ago, TorquayFan said:

Thanks MJCM - there's a 'KIP' pressure switch on there made by Korea Industrial Products. If I can get one I'll try and do a DIY on it LOL.

Try to find a pressure switch that has the same kg/cm² as your pump. (Should be on the pressure switch itself).

 

Example:

 

https://www.lazada.co.th/products/pressure-switch-kip-kip-made-in-korea-on-14-kgfcm2-off-22-kgfcm2-38-3-i3134230949-s11670169449.html

 

Dealers NO idea, but any respectable shop that deals with Pump should be able to service it is my guess!

 

Where did you buy it?

[MJCM]

38 minutes ago, TorquayFan said:

If I can get one I'll try and do a DIY on it LOL.

5555555 that is easy, my wife now can change it herself (and even adjust it ???? )

 

Ps: No guarantees though. Unplug the Pump and if there is black smoke coming from the pump you wired it wrong ????

[TorquayFan]

Crossy thanks - I can see the capacitor and if a new pressure switch doesn't work, I'll try that.

 

The House is rented, (at a very fair price), and the Landlady said to fit a new pump, at her expense, but I'm sure that won't be necessary.

 

I'm not technical although I have fitted/plumbed pumps before. If MJCM's wife can fit a PS so can I, hopefully. There must be a big pump shop in Town so I'll find the right PS and Bob's your Uncle.

 

Thanks for the good advice Guys.

 

[TorquayFan]

A friend rec'd a parts shop in Chan - they didn't have any 3/8" PS but they directed me to a shop where I got a generic 'Parno' B180 - good price I thought.

 

It fitted OK but I had to rewire the PS to the capacitor box - when I'd completed it as best I could see, put in some decent cable connectors unlike the taped muddle, it didn't work. But there was no black smoke LOL

 

So we had to call in the Landlady's 'expert' and he managed to connect it and it's working OK now. Gave him B200. Fair enough.

 

He said to the Missis that the capacitor was not good - how does he know that ? It's working ! Apparently the capacitor is very expensive and it's better to fit just a new pump BUT I suspect that's sales talk.

 

It's a horrible installation - no tap mains-tank or tank-pump. If A new pump was needed I would fit a Mitsu and replumb the blue pipes, neatly with taps.

 

Thanks for your help all. Roger

[TorquayFan]

After working OK for a few days, the same intermittent problem has emerged again ! (Though not as bad as before). When the tap is turned on, sometimes, no water comes and there is a 20 second delay while buzzing, before the pump engages.

 

May I ask if 'air in the system' is a possibility and should I try to bleed it ?

 

Or do I replace the capacitor now ? Or ??????????

 

 

[Nojohndoe]

Is the pump a pressure tank type or bladder tank? It may be that there is no air "bubble" to trigger the PS? On a pressure tank system the cure is to fully drain the tank and allow air into it. Somewhere in the system there is usually an air induction valve that is designed to maintain the  air  but they can fail. On the  small bladder tank is a simple matter of also switching off the pump, drawing off any pressure and under the small cap on the end of the tank depressing the equivalent of a tyre valve to replenish the air content.

Where is the  buzzing sound  you mention coming from? Is it the contacts in the switch or ?

[Nojohndoe]

Another possible is that there is a thermal overload cutout switch that is arcing before finally "welding" itself closed ?

[TorquayFan]

Thanks NoJohn - I've been busy and will reply later. ATB