House Water Pump

[scorpio1945]

Getting ready to buy a house water pump. A salesmen the other day said I need one of the square, squat ones, not the less expensive taller round ones. He says the round ones pressure goes up and down a lot. Any validity to that?

Any lessons learned in installing tank, pump and filter from other builders?

[skybluestu]

I was told the same, the square ones keep their water pressure even when supplying 2-3 points (someone is having a shower and someone else flushes the toilet) while the round ones don't. Might be better to ask in the DIY section of the housing forum, some helpful chaps in there.

[scorpio1945]

I was told the same, the square ones keep their water pressure even when supplying 2-3 points (someone is having a shower and someone else flushes the toilet) while the round ones don't. Might be better to ask in the DIY section of the housing forum, some helpful chaps in there.

Good idea. Thanks Stu and Soap also

[tomallison]

I think what they refer to here is the difference in the water pump units. I have the taller round unit and the air cushion in the reservoir slowly leaks out causing rapid start/stops of the pump with resultant fluctuating pressure at the shower/tap outlet. I deal with this loss of air problem by running the pump with the water inlet closed and sucking air into the unit thro a disconnected small bore pipe.

The newer models that you describe have a gas filled sealed rubber bag in the reservoir which acts as the air cushion, thus the air leakage problem is eliminated, the cushioning effect remains constantly.

I would certainly choose the latter unit, should I ever need a replacement.

[scorpio1945]

I think what they refer to here is the difference in the water pump units. I have the taller round unit and the air cushion in the reservoir slowly leaks out causing rapid start/stops of the pump with resultant fluctuating pressure at the shower/tap outlet. I deal with this loss of air problem by running the pump with the water inlet closed and sucking air into the unit thro a disconnected small bore pipe.

The newer models that you describe have a gas filled sealed rubber bag in the reservoir which acts as the air cushion, thus the air leakage problem is eliminated, the cushioning effect remains constantly.

I would certainly choose the latter unit, should I ever need a replacement.

Thanks for the more technical answer.

[Naam]

square good, round no good = rubbish²!

[Naam]

air cushion in "round" pump leaking = more rubbish!

[AjarnP]

The most important thing to look at is not the wattage of the motor but the "head" of the pump. As a general rule (very rule of thumb mind you) you should get at least double the actual elevation from the pump's location to the highest water requirement in the house. Let's say your shower on the second floor is around 1.8M above the floor and the ground to second floor is around 3.5M. 1.8+3.5=5.3M In this instance I would get a pump with a 12M Head and be sure that I would not have to run around in the shower upstairs to get wet. It is still important though to maintain the air pressure in the vessel at whatever the manual tells you. (I think mine is around 18psi). That's why there's a wee schraeder valve on top of the vessel. What's taht saying again "RTFM" read the f%%%%% manual.

Why on earth the sales persons have been trained to see on wattage of the motor only is anyone's guess.

[extexthai]

We use a Hitachi GX Series, W-TP 300 GX, (tall, round) pump and it services an upstairs shower, toilet, wash basin, and terrace faucet, along with two toilets, two kitchen sinks, two lavatories and three outside spigots downstairs, with absolutely no problem what so ever. The wife can be taking a shower upstairs, while her Mom is watering the herb garden, while the niece is washing the car and I am using the sink in the kitchen...all at the same time, without any disruptions at all. To tell you the truth, I was pretty amazed by all this as well. I was at least hoping for the shower upstairs to work sufficiently while the sink in the kitchen was being used. A super pump IMO. ett

[Rotweiler]

Ditto - and concur this is by far the best option and far superior to a rotary fan-type pump system. Select the sainless steel model and it will last (basically) forever.

We use a Hitachi GX Series..........................,

[krobert6]

Ditto - and concur this is by far the best option and far superior to a rotary fan-type pump system. Select the sainless steel model and it will last (basically) forever.

We use a Hitachi GX Series..........................,

I think you are referring to the Mitsibishi units - I have just had one installed and it seems to be working well - I was recommended this over the 'round ones' as well

[Rotweiler]

No - Hitachi. Mitsubishi do make similar models, but..........