Anyone use a Centrifigal water well booster pump?

[Huntindad]

I spoke with a guy at "tanks for less" in Austin today about a water storage tank. I asked him about booster pumps. He shows me a "centrifigal" pump.

It pumps straight into the house... NO bladder tank needed. On demand type of pump. It would pump from the storage tank when the water is turned on. Turns off when the demand is gone.

Has anyone used one of these??? I like the concept... just do not know about life expectancy of the pump. Seems to be about the same price.

Not sure which way to go... convential booster pump or this "new to me " design.

If anyone has any insight into them... I'd like to hear...

thanx,

david

[eastex56]

I don't know anything about water wells but centrifugal pumps are very common, used in all kinds of applications, and have been around for a long time. They are everywhere in chemical plants, refineries, and power plants. Most (if not all) swimming pool pumps are centrifugal pumps. As long as the pump is right for the application, centrifugal pumps are very reliable and usually last a long time. I would think that most of them used in residential applications would be fairly inexpensive to repair when needed. I just replaced the impeller and seal on one of my pool pumps about two weeks ago and i think the total cost was about 35 dollars. That was with me doing the labor. It took me about 30 minutes from start to finish. Most damage to centrifugal pumps is caused by either no flow (running with no supply or the discharge valve closed for long periods of time) or trying to pump abrasive materials (which would be an incorrect application). It sounds like the system you talk about probably uses a pressure switch to start and stop the pump. It probably would work fine as long as the supply tank has plenty of water in it and the pump does not lose suction.

[Huntindad]

thanx,

I kinda like the idea of not having to go through he bladder tank. I will have a 2500 - 3000 gallon tank. Hopefully will have a good amount of water.

[Shooter]

I'm with eastex56, very common pump in industry. As long as they are moving some water when running, it will keep them cool.

[jmoore2006]

We use a grundfos brand of pumps on our towing vessels and get great life with them. You can buy them in 110v or 220v versions and ours have lasted 4-5 years before we ever seen any issues. They maintain around 65-72 psi of water pressure. Just make sure your water heater has a expansion bladder because heat expansion will set the t&p valve off with these pumps.

[cosmiccowboy]

I put in a similar system at the ranchito with a 2000 gallon tank and a centrifugal pump on a pressure switch, but I also used a bladder tank. I would think you are running the risk of getting a water hammer on shut off without one.

[Huntindad]

We use a grundfos brand of pumps on our towing vessels and get great life with them. You can buy them in 110v or 220v versions and ours have lasted 4-5 years before we ever seen any issues. They maintain around 65-72 psi of water pressure. Just make sure your water heater has a expansion bladder because heat expansion will set the t&p valve off with these pumps.

you lost me on that... water heater is in the house.

[az2tx]

I put in a similar system at the ranchito with a 2000 gallon tank and a centrifugal pump on a pressure switch, but I also used a bladder tank. I would think you are running the risk of getting a water hammer on shut off without one.

The bladder tank will also keep the presure pump from cycling on and off so much which should extend the life of the pump

[Huntindad]

this is an option. If the bladder tank goes south, I can just bypass it without issues.

[Draco]

Grunfors pumps are excellent pumps but do have a weak spot in the cast iron that can split with a good freeze. I repair several every year for the local well men. The crack is always in exactly the same place.