Let's talk about fresh water pumps

Ace · January 09, 2015, 06:34:34 PM

What's your choice? Shut-flo, sea-flo, generic or what? Also what size such as GPM etc? I'm planning on building this system from scratch for the truck using pex. Already have ball valves, T's, elbow's, and 100' of tubing, 50' each of blue and red.
Yes I'm using plastic tanks too but those are soon on the list!
Thanks

Nick Badame Refrig/ACC · January 09, 2015, 08:39:27 PM

Hi Ace,

If your asking about which is the best, then I would have to say Headhunter.. Only problem is

that they are about $1000 bucks but they last and PSI better then your house.

Everything else is just apples... Sureflow got rid of their 5.7gpm pump (glad I still have 2) about

2 years ago and only have the 4.3 now. The seaflow is just another line of sureflow.

Nick-

Nick Badame Refrig/ACC · January 09, 2015, 08:46:26 PM

Sorry,

Here is the link.
http://www.headhunterinc.com/products/waterpressure/WaterPumps/xcaliber.html

skihor · January 09, 2015, 09:01:20 PM

I don't know much about which brand is better. We have used Flo-Jet for years. I get 5 years or so out of one. We live full time in our MCI 5A. Most any current end use device uses 2.5 GPM per code. So if someone is running dishwater no pressure for shower, toilet etc... I have my next one ready. It's a Shurflo Extreme Series Smart Sensor 5.7 5GPM, 65 lbs pressure.
Don

06 Bill · January 10, 2015, 05:54:35 AM

Have run Shurflow for years no problems. However I mount mine motor up unlike most I see with
motor down. First sign of leak, motor gone mounted below pump. 06 Bill

digesterman · January 10, 2015, 06:32:11 AM

Bill that is a good way to mount, never thought about that before, appreciate you mentioning it
Lee

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TomC · January 10, 2015, 06:43:31 AM

I have two Shurflo Whisper King pumps-which I don't think are made anymore. They have mechanical on/off pressure switches which are much more reliable then variable flow electronic switches. They are plumbed in parallel for more flow. I usually use both at the same time. I have had instances where one started to leak. Just turned off the electric switch and turned off the valve to the intake and was able to continue. Just last year replaced both pumps after 20 years. Good Luck, TomC

gumpy · January 10, 2015, 07:36:11 AM

I use Aquatec variable speed with two 2-gallon accumulators. Been in for about 10 years and not a problem.

here's my writeup on my distribution system. The manifold provides everything I need. Suction inlet for winterizing, Pressurized outlet for washing the
toad windshield or putting out the odd tire fire. Filters, pressure tanks, etc.

http://www.gumpydog.com/Bus/MC9_WIP/Plumbing/Fresh_Water_Distribution/fresh_water_distribution.htm

Oonrahnjay · January 10, 2015, 07:51:16 AM

Quote from: gumpy on January 10, 2015, 07:36:11 AMI use Aquatec variable speed with two 2-gallon accumulators. Been in for about 10 years and not a problem.

here's my writeup on my distribution system. The manifold provides everything I need. Suction inlet for winterizing, Pressurized outlet for washing the toad windshield or putting out the odd tire fire. Filters, pressure tanks, etc.

http://www.gumpydog.com/Bus/MC9_WIP/Plumbing/Fresh_Water_Distribution/fresh_water_distribution.htm

Are the two accumulators useful, Gumpy? Why two? Do accumulators work OK with electronic pressure switches? I put my system together without an accumulator, but I need to do some relocation work on my pump so if it was worthwhile, I could add an accumulator.

gumpy · January 10, 2015, 01:35:20 PM

It's not necessary to use accumulators with the variable speed pumps, but I personally like having them. I have run it both with and without the
accumulators (valve in the manifold to isolate the accumulators) and I like it best with them in the system. The pumps runs fast and furious when
it turns on, pressures up the system to 60 lbs, including the accumulators, and then shuts off. It takes some considerable water usage before the
pump has to turn back on. Typically 2 or 3 flushes of the toilet can be made before the pump has to turn on. That's really nice in the middle of the
night when someone has to use the bathroom because the pump can be heard through the bus frame, especially when everything else is silent.
Navy showers consist of 2 pump cycles at most.

Without the accumulators, the pump runs at a speed necessary to replenish the water as it's being used. The pressure has to drop to 40 lbs or so
before it turns on so then you get a change in the flow at the faucet and a different sound from the pump based on the amount of water
being used. I personally like to hear the same tone from my mechanicals all the time, rather than the variation based on usage. Just my preference.
I know many others don't use an accumulator with the variable speed pumps. It's just what works for me.

I used two because I wanted about 4 gallons worth of capacity, and I had room to fit two 2-gallon accumulators in the back of my fresh water frame.
They are simply tied together with a tee.

Cary and Don · January 10, 2015, 03:49:47 PM

Shur-Flo got rid of those 5.7 pumps because the died for no reason. We had one with about two months of actual use on it. Of course, the warranty was out. It took a lot of irate conversation before they relented to replace it. They didn't even have the parts to repair it. I wouldn't buy another Shur-Flo pump just because of their customer support.

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