7
5.6 Basic Operating Constraints
1. PUMP IS NOT SUBMERSIBLE
Your pump must NOT be submerged in water, or rained
or dripped on.
2. WATER MUST BE FILTERED
Your pump is a
PRECISION MACHINE
. Traces of sand,
clay, rust or other solids will cause rapid wear or
immediate damage, just as they would in your automo-
bile engine. lf your water is
CRYSTAL CLEAR ALL THE
TIME
, our Fine Intake Strainer will provide sufficient
protection. lf you have an intake strainer already, it is
probably not fine enough - openings must be no more
than several hairs wide -, or additional filtration is
required. Since water conditions are subject to change,
it is good insurance to use a filter regardless. Many
dealers refuse to sell our pumps without a filter since it
minimizes call backs.
Our 30 INCH INTAKE FILTER/FOOT VALVE is necessary
for pumps lowered into wells.- Otherwise our INLINE
FILTER is best, installed close to the pump’s intake. lf
filters are expected to clog often, maintenance may be
minimized by plumbing two or more filters in parallel.
The INLINE FILTER has a clear bowl so its condition
may be observed.
KEEP SPARE CARTRIDGES HANDY!
FILTER CARTRIDGES
are available from your dealer or
the factory. 9 7/8 inch cartridges for the INLINE filter may
also be obtained from local water system suppliers.
The 10-20 -micron “spun polypropylene” type is best.
Paper filters have less capacity. The kind that look like
string has more resistance to flow. Carbon taste and
odor cartridges have less capacity for dirt, more
resistance to flow, and cost more. Use them only if you
have, taste and odor problems.
A filter cartridge may look clean and still be clogged,
due to fine silt embedded in the fibers. If the pump,
becomes increasingly noisy over time, it is usually due
to a clogging filter cartridge. On the other hand, a
cartridge that looks discoloured may not be clogged, As
long as your pump runs quietly, the filter is OK. Use
pump noise to indicate the need to change cartridges.
IRON PIPE OR FITTINGS
will introduce abrasive rust
particles if installed on the intake side of the pump
(they rust, every if galvanized). Pipe that is dirty inside
(even new pipe) or has mineral deposits in it will also
introduce dirt. Dirt is introduced as pipe joints are
assembled, especially in a trench. Therefore, make
sure inlet lines and fittings are
FLUSHED CLEAN
before
hooking up to pump.
The
INLINE FILTER
may have a red push button valve to
release pressure for maintenance. If filter is placed
more than a few feet higher than water source (at
lowest level) the suction may pull the valve open and
introduce air. Prevent this by sealing around the push
button with silicone sealant or epoxy, or replace the
button with a nut, tightened down,
3. PUMP MUST NOT RUN DRY
Water is the lubricant for your pump. lf it runs com-
pletely dry, it will overheat and fail. As an option you can
install a well probe to terminals 1-2 to shut the pump
off if water source is low.
6 PLUMBING SYSTEM DESIGN
If you are not experienced in
water supply
design and
installation, you may wish to
seek professional
assistance.
Many
people are surprised to find how
“com-
plex” water system design
can be. See
diagrams on p. 16, for typical groundwater installations.
MINIMIZE SUCTION LIFT
to max.
3 m
total pressure
loss (
2 m
for pumps with flow rate greater than 400l/h).
The practical suction limit for any pump is 6m (20
vertical ft) at sea level (subtract 0.3 m/1 ft for every 300
m/1,000 ft of elevation). The more you minimize suction
lift, the more reliable and quiet your pump will be. Just
be sure the motor will not be submerged if the water
level rises, or it will be ruined. Your pump may be
placed DOWNHILL from your water source, if feasible.
YOUR INTAKE PIPE
may run any reasonable horizontal
distance, although it is
BEST TO KEEP IT SHORT
. (We
know of installations where the pump is placed 200 ft
from the water source, using 1 1/2" pipe.) USE LARGE
PIPE for the intake (1 to 1 1/2" for larger Booster Pump).
Slope the intake line from the water source UP toward
the pump. AVOID HUMPS in the intake line. They trap air
pockets which can block the flow. AVOID LEAKS IN
SUCTION LINE. They are hard to locate and will cause
constant problems.
INTAKE PIPE MUST BE SIZED GENEROUSLY
to allow no
more than a slight pressure drop at peak flow rate, or
pump will be noisy and will wear rapidly. USE PIPE
REDUCER FITTINGS to adapt your pump’s inlet or
outlet to larger pipe size where necessary. Excessive
pipe sizing will do no harm!
INTAKE MUST NOT BE RESTRICTED
by undersized
pipe, excessive suction lift, or a CLOGGED FILTER.
Excessive suction at the pump intake causes CAVITA-
TION (formation and implosion of vapor bubbles). This
causes very loud buzzing noise and RAPID PUMP