Anyone know High Volume Water Pumps

Hugh R · 10-29-2007, 07:09 PM

My HOA has a decorative waterfall and the old pump/motor is kaput. Can't read or find any mfgr. tags. Its 220 volt, single phase only. Pump is about 5 feet above water line and the distance from the pump to the water fall is about 40 feet with another about 15 feet of head to the top. Too small for commercial, and too big for the pool boy to be entrusted with this. Any leads on helpful vendors. I got one quote of $11,000 which seems very steep. We want a self priming pump.

nota · 10-29-2007, 07:37 PM

how many GPH are needed
how big are the pipes

multi pumps? to use the eazy to replace cheap pool type pumps?

Hugh R · 10-29-2007, 07:45 PM

Pipes are 1-1/2" inch in and out. I want this fu(ker to look like Niagara Falls. Only one line in and one out across a paved street, so we're stuck with that. 100 amp dedicated service. I think the existing motor is 7.5 hp, but not sure.

pwd72s · 10-29-2007, 08:14 PM

http://www.lgpc.com/

Hugh R · 10-29-2007, 08:21 PM

Hey thanks but little giant deals in fractions of horsepower, I'm looking for 7-10 hp.

pwd72s · 10-29-2007, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh R

Hey thanks but little giant deals in fractions of horsepower, I'm looking for 7-10 hp.

Hugh, my home's entire water service (i'm on a well) runs on a 3/4 horsepower submersible pump feeding a pressure tank...I can run four lawn sprinkers at a time at 60 PSI. My gawd man..you must have a HUGE fountain.

Are there any well system services there? You might contact one to find the pump you need..

RoninLB · 10-29-2007, 09:57 PM

he may be looking for over 100gal/min ?

tabs · 10-29-2007, 10:09 PM

7hp pump your looking at around 250 to 350 GPM...

HarryD · 10-29-2007, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh R

My HOA has a decorative waterfall and the old pump/motor is kaput. Can't read or find any mfgr. tags. Its 220 volt, single phase only. Pump is about 5 feet above water line and the distance from the pump to the water fall is about 40 feet with another about 15 feet of head to the top. Too small for commercial, and too big for the pool boy to be entrusted with this. Any leads on helpful vendors. I got one quote of $11,000 which seems very steep. We want a self priming pump.

Try these folks: http://catalogs.shoplocal.com/harringtonplastics/index.aspx?circularid=9971&clientpass=311&pagenumber=315

M.D. Holloway · 10-29-2007, 11:30 PM

Ya have a Bellagio thing going on?

David · David's Garage

I've been able to find just about any small pump I've needed at www.grainger.com

legion · 10-30-2007, 04:49 AM

Watching 911 guys discuss water pumps is like watching a group of women discussing jock itch.

TerryH · TerryH's Garage

Most pumps/motors are rebuildable with great results and great savings. Also, you know it will bolt right back up without fitment issues.

sammyg2 · 10-30-2007, 05:59 AM

Grainger is a good source, so is mcmaster carr mcmaster.com but you have to know what you need.
Pumps are rebuildable as mentioned prior.
What is wrong with the old one? Motor shot, seal leaking?
If the motor went to ground it's probably toast and not cost effective to rebuild, if it's just a seal that's simple and cheap.
Where are you at? I might be able to swing by and look at it this weekend if your close, I've been playing with centrifugal pumps for a long time. Last night I was working on an article for a regional trade magazine about a specialty pump application for high pressure-low flow applications (4000 head-feet of differential pressure, 140 gpm).

RickM · RickM's Garage

I would consider running two or three pool pumps in parallel. Two years ago I replaced an old 2hp Anthony pump with a 1 1/2 hp, 2 speed Magnetek High Efficiency unit. It has much better flow characteristics and uses less energy. I'll bet running a couple of these into a common pipe or separately (and on to a diffuser) would do the trick.

Some general #s:

Another option I could recommend would be to go with a Pacer (brand) pump. I used a stand alone unit with a 3 hp gas engine and emptied my 30,000 gal pool in a couple hours. I used a lovejoy connection so I could utilize an existing engine.....inexpensive...about $120 for the pump at Northern Tool.

For more $$$ you can get the Pacer Pump Series 'S' Self Priming Centrifugal Pump ......

Model #: 58-13L2-D5.0C
Model name: SE3LB D5.0C
Max GPH: 280
Power Req: 230/460
Cost: $1,202.00

Model #: 58-13L4 C5.0C
Model name: SE3LL C5.0C
Max GPH: 280
Power Req: 115/230
Cost: $1,662.00

http://www.pumpbiz.com/products/index.cfm?fuseaction=pump_series&series_id=301&startrow=31&sort=prd.product_number&sort_order=asc&max_rows=10

....and you can always ask Henry: http://www.ansimagneticpump.com/products/index.cfm?fuseaction=configurator

sammyg2 · 10-30-2007, 06:21 AM

Running centrifugal pumps in parallel is tricky and usually not the best way, you need to look at the performance curves and apply the pump affinity laws to make sure you will get the efficiency you want.
On a centrifugal pump, the flow goes down as the head pressure goes up. Running two or three pumps into a common header might back them down to the left part of the curve enough to cause low-flow recirculation in the impellers which increases radial bearing load significantly and drops the efficiency rating down as whole bunch.
You need to figure out exactly what flow and pressure you need and then size the pump correctly to be as close as possible to BEP (best efficiency point). Not only from an energy standpoint but for reliablility.

Hugh R · 10-30-2007, 08:12 AM

Thanks for the response guys. The problem is the motors shot and the impeller is rusted out. Also its not a self-priming so we have to run it 24 hours/day. I'd like self priming so that with a timer we can shut it off in the middle of the night and save up to 40-50% in electrical costs. Yes, its large. I'm in Newhalll which is not even close to Orange, thanks Sammy. I'll check out Pacer.

sammyg2 · 10-30-2007, 09:12 AM

A self-priming pump simply has a flapper style check valve in the pump which keeps the suction pipe full when the pump is not running. you can do the same thing with a foot valve on the end of the suction line, as long as you don't restrict the available flow.

Grainger carries dalton pumps, which are decent and affordable. Needing a single phase motor is going to limit your choices a bit. You said you have 1 1/2" suction and discharge pipes? that would tend to be for a 1 1/2 to 2 hp pump, up to 100 gpm but BEP at around 60 gpm.
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/categories/pumps-and-plumbing/centrifugal/self-priming-pumps

nota · 10-30-2007, 08:41 PM

yes an 1 1/2 inch line is small for 7 hp
you are wasting a lot of flow by restricting the size

at 11k replacement cost I would just use 4 2hp pumps each with a PVC 2'' line
up to your head
that should be under a grand for the pumps plus a hundred or two to install the extra lines

if you must use one pump I would think a 3'' line is needed both in and out