shower pump problem

zxcvbnm12

i have a problem with my shower pump.it works perfect when im using the shower but if a hot tap is turned on downstairs or in a bathroom the pump keeps cutting in for a second an out for a second until i switch it off and on again.the pump is piped to only pipe the shower.any suggestions

zxcvbnm12

i should probably tell ye that the pump is located in the hot press (upstairs) and the pipes are ran up to the attic and down to the shower which is also upstairs

sullzz

Where on the cylinder is the hot supply to the pump taken from

Joey the lips

As said above a photo of where your pump supply is taken from the cylinder would be a good idea. It sounds like your pump was fitted without using a surrey or warrick flange on the expansion pipe for the hot water.

If this is the case this is incorrect. 1, Its incorrect for the reason you highlited. The pump comes on with the hot tap. 2. Its incorrect cause it can cause cavitation of the pump. This is where the air in the expansion pipe gets into the pump houseing and over time shortens the life of the pump by causeing damage to the rotors.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flange

zxcvbnm12

no there is no flange fitted.the expansion pipe is coming out the top of the cylinder and goes across to a tee.the top half of the tee goes up over the water tank and the bottom half goes down through the floor boards.about 3 inches underneath the tee is another tee and this is piped straight over to the pump.someone mentioned something about a non return.sorr if the explanation isnt great

Joey the lips

zxcvbnm12 wrote: »

no there is no flange fitted.the expansion pipe is coming out the top of the cylinder and goes across to a tee.the top half of the tee goes up over the water tank and the bottom half goes down through the floor boards.about 3 inches underneath the tee is another tee and this is piped straight over to the pump.someone mentioned something about a non return.sorr if the explanation isnt great

Your pump is fitted incorrecty. Its comeing on because it senses the pressure change in the flow to the hot taps.

If you know the plumber have him come back and fit it correctly with a surrey or warrick flange.

zxcvbnm12

it is fitted with 5 yrs.wud this sort the problem.it only started happenin last wk.sorry i cant give a photo.im not great with computers

Joey the lips

zxcvbnm12 wrote: »

it is fitted with 5 yrs.wud this sort the problem.it only started happenin last wk.sorry i cant give a photo.im not great with computers

Hard to say. It can happen at any point. If its fitted 5 years it can also be a faulty flow switch.

zxcvbnm12

ok thanks for the advice.how much is one of them flanges u are talkin about?

SEVERA

zxcvbnm12 wrote: »

ok thanks for the advice.how much is one of them flanges u are talkin about?

hi its me from the stove thread ,and what i always do is fit a 3/4 spring loaded non return valve on the hot inlet to the shower pump, this will sort it, as flow switches are very sensitive even with surrey flanges they have been know to trigger. you can fit it after the hot inlet isolating valve so there would be less funking around than with fitting a flange. you may also fit a non return on the cold inlet but its not necessary if the pump is getting an independent cold supply from your storage tank.......best of luck

zxcvbnm12

thanks for that severa. i have one final question.do u think i should take the expansion pipe up at 45 degrees and tee off for the pump first or should i bother

SEVERA

zxcvbnm12 wrote: »

thanks for that severa. i have one final question.do u think i should take the expansion pipe up at 45 degrees and tee off for the pump first or should i bother

yes do this if you want as this is best practice but the non return will solve the immediate problem.

Sparkpea

Joey the lips wrote: »

Your pump is fitted incorrecty. Its comeing on because it senses the pressure change in the flow to the hot taps.

If you know the plumber have him come back and fit it correctly with a surrey or warrick flange.

you used to be able to take the tee off the first tee below the expansion tee (not above or it would suck air) but it looks like salamanders instructions have been changed to allow for the 45 degree vent.

Joey the lips

Sparkpea wrote: »

you used to be able to take the tee off the first tee below the expansion tee (not above or it would suck air) but it looks like salamanders instructions have been changed to allow for the 45 degree vent.

Not down here. Modern plant the agents for Monsoon would not allow it.

Salamander, I was the irish agent at one stage, we would never allow it

Grundfos...I dont know but thats salamander now or vice versa

Techflow never allowed it

Shires watermill....Law into themselves...

zxcvbnm12

SEVERA wrote: »

yes do this if you want as this is best practice but the non return will solve the immediate problem.

thanks severa.worked like a dream

SEVERA

zxcvbnm12 wrote: »

thanks severa.worked like a dream

good to hear zxcvbnm12, or not to hear, the pump that is:D.can i ask what do you work at, or in if its not too nosy of me?

zxcvbnm12

SEVERA wrote: »

good to hear zxcvbnm12, or not to hear, the pump that is:D.can i ask what do you work at, or in if its not too nosy of me?

im an apprentice plumber.never came across this problem before so thanks for ur help