Negative head pumps, 3 broke within 3 years

julgin

Hey,
I'm living in my apartment just over 3 years and within that time the negative head pump has broken and needed replacement twice, and now it has just broke again.
Each time we have had to get a new pump, which is quite costly.

Just wondering if it is normal for them to break so often?

Or could there be another issue, maybe with the apartment complex that would cause the pump to break?

Thanks

Joey the lips

No its not normal. What exactly happens to them.... ie has a plumber explained what has happened. Have you considered dending the pump off for repair.

What type of pump is it.

CBYR1983

Pretty sure this is the same thing, but my mother replaced 3 "pumps" 3 years in a row as well in an apartment in Blanch.

Every time the plumber just said - oh, the pump's gone. He was happy out - he was getting paid every time.

The "pump" in question was water pump in the apartment - without it the water pressure was much lower - it was powered by switch in the hallway.

My mother always had the switch turned on. However, someone then told her that the pump only needed to go on when the shower or bath was being used, other than that, e.g. kitchen, presssure ought to have been sufficient.

She stopped leaving the pump switched on constatly and hey presto, 4 years down the line with the same pump.

I imagine you've had the pump switched on all the time, and they can't handle it. Sure let us know.

Joey the lips

If an apartment is pumped the pump should always be left on.

If its not it can actually cause pump damage....How?


If you are drawing cold water through the pump one propeller is being pulled and the other dragged it actually can unbalance the shaft of the pump...

Not my feelings but modern plant(moonsoon) advice.

slavetothegrind

maybe your pump was cycling on and off constantly because of a leaky tap?
do you have lime in your kettle?
Ask plumber exactly what was gone? pcb? flow switch?

julgin

Joey the lips wrote: »

No its not normal. What exactly happens to them.... ie has a plumber explained what has happened. Have you considered dending the pump off for repair.

What type of pump is it.

Not sure what exactly happens to them, I'll ask the plumber tomorrow. All I know at this stage is it's a negative head pump, how/where can I obtain more information on the pump type?

Joey the lips

julgin wrote: »

Not sure what exactly happens to them, I'll ask the plumber tomorrow. All I know at this stage is it's a negative head pump, how/where can I obtain more information on the pump type?

On the badge on the pump... Are you sure they are negative head...sounds stupid but it could be a pump installed incorrectly as well.

You might just have a combination of problems occuring.

Can you take any photo;s

julgin

Ye course I'll take pics when I'm home. Checked name as its M330N.

copacetic

do a search for m330N,

eg: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055754847&highlight=m330n

there are a few issues with them that are easily repaired, but some plumbers would just replace them every time. I'd very much doubt that each one was beyond repair and needed replacing. What did the plumber say was wrong with them?

Frank Spencer

How much are you paying for a replacement pump?

Joey the lips

If its an M330N then its most likely a monsoon 330n as apposed to a Stuart turner. But check.

If its a monsoon and you ring modern plant on the naas road they will take it in for servicing. As they are the only repair engineers you will have to go with them.

The good thing about sending it to them is they give you a quote before they do the work but they will also give you a reason...If a reason can be found, which is more important and will help you in the future.

julgin

The plumber said he confused about why it broke, it appears to be burnt out due to lack of water but that cannot be the case as our main water supply is working fine.