I hope you don't mind my asking in home *repair* but I think you experts would know. We now have a captive air tank as well as a pump. We live on catchment system. We are thinking of getting a Grundfos Water Pump which apparently doesn't need a captive air tank. Any opinions? Or should I just tell SO to go for it? aloha, Thunder
"Smithfarms Pure Kona" wrote
More information on the pump would help, Grundfos must make a dozen or more models of pumps. Is it a constant pressure pump?
Gary Quality Water Associates
Grundfos
Yes- a constant pressure pump, I think. I'll try and get more information but one of the benefits is the constant pressure. Apparently the pump goes on each time you turn on the water. With our current and soon to be old system, there is a notable difference in the pressure which also affects our Paloma water heater. aloha, Thunder
"Smithfarms Pure Kona" wrote
I take it model is a Grundfos. All I know about them is how to spell the name and that they are a German company, I think. I sell Goulds and Sta-Rite. You can't go wrong with any of the three.
Gary Quality Water Associates
No pump needs an air tank, however, the captive air tank is a great option as it allows the pump not to have to cycle on and off for small, occasional uses.
"Rob Reali" wrote
ummmm not really. All pump/motor manufacturers want a minimum rest period of 60 seconds between starts for motors up to 1.5 hp; And over
1.5 hp it's 120 seconds. Water is basically unable to be compressed. So since the pump would start as soon as water was used, it would also build pressure all but instantly and shut off if the fixture being used can't handle the flow the system delivers to the fixture. That would cause an instant drop in the pressure and the pump would come on again to repeat this over and over while the pressure fluctuated drastically but, and here's the real problem, this would cause the system to experience and be damaged by water hammer. Probably until something broke and a pressure tank was installed, if only a 1.5 gallon tank that would act like a water hammer arrestor but also allow the pump to stay off for some time while water was used in small volumes. Also as important as water hammer problems is that without a pressure tank, the pump motor would likely as not burn out in a short period of time due to not being able to cool sufficiently between starts.Gary Quality Water Associates
again
drastically
So Gary, in your opinion, is a $500+ grundfos worth buying? Or would you suggest something with a captive air tank. This is a big purchase and we have two neighbors saying it is the thing to buy but if it will burn out more quickly due to having to run for every water *turn on*, maybe it isn't the right thing. Oh well, our Paloma water heater died- after 20 years- last night, so we are off into Kailua Kona to buy a new Paloma. Hot showers tonight Always something! TIA aloha, Thunder...
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