d) Fitting the submersible pump
1) The routing connections and inclines are shown in the
manufacturers’ instructions (below).
2) Clean out from the bottom of the tank any grit or debris
which might have fallen there. Use a separate dirty water
pump.
3) Ensure the pump cartridge filter (if supplied) is attached
to the inlet of the pump (usually entering the cylindrical pump housing from the narrow
end) with its arrow pointing towards the pump. And that the 1 inch strainer is attached
onto the input of this filter. The floating intake (which might appear in out-of-date print
material) has been discontinued because in some circumstances it permitted air to be
sucked into the pump.
4) The pump has a 25mm (1 inch) BSP fitting at its outlet, which point upwards. Use the
pipe connector provided with the kit. Fit piping with rainwater markings of 25mm
diameter (1 inch) from the outlet port of the pump. 32mm pipe is acceptable and
better when you are pumping larger distances. It is strongly recommended that you
only use the high density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe supplied between the pump outlet
and the building supply connection.
Fill the pump with
clean water (needs
about 5 litres) and
replace the cap
5) Priming. Before lowering the pump into the tank, prime it by
removing the black screw cap, inserting a funnel and filling it
(about 5 litres of water required). Failing to prime in this way will
burn out the pump and invalidate the guarantee.
6) Pump connections: output pipe (usually supplied and 25mm
HDPE) runs out of the top of the pump (HydroForce or Series 3
type) and is cut to length to run straight upwards to a right angle
connector (Supplied) from which the pipe runs in to the house
through the 4 inch service pipe. This right angle connector must
be within 30cms of the surface of the ground (even if extension
sleeves are fitted) so that it can be undone in the future for
removal of the pump. Note that it is not permitted under the
Water Regulations to feed both mains and rainwater to the
washing machine selectable by a two position cock (risk of
backflow). To provide choice of water source at the washing
machine, fit both the mains and rainwater pipes with the correct
thread to permit the flexible pipe from the washing machine to be
connected to either, manually.
¾ inch: 19 mm
1 inch: 25 mm
1¼ inches: 32 mm
Get the right fit for
pipes and connectors
with the following
conversions:
½ inch: 13 mm
7) Pump float switch: if the pump is fitted with a float switch, connect the cable with a
nylon tie wrap to the pump output pipe such that the float is free to fall to just above
the floor of the tank when rainwater runs out. If your system has a second float switch
for the mains backup, its float switch must be adjusted so that it is higher than the
pump’s float switch (both in down (empty) position).
8)
Lower the submersible pump (with supply pipe and electric cable fitted), into the
bottom of the tank, using a cord permanently connected to the pump. The pump must
sit securely on the floor of the tank in an upright position. Secure the cord to the inside
of the tank dome so that you can pull the pump out for maintenance.
© 2011 Rainwater Harvesting Ltd - All rights reserved.
Carat with Optimax and Rain Director or Mains Backup
RWH 042
Rain Director
®
and Mains Backup in a Box
®
are registered Trade Marks and may not be used without permission.
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