Finding pin holes in a closed loop system - Page 4

my2rotties · #31 02-25-2009, 05:18 PM

My hubby did it. The first pump just could not push the water at all, it goes up about 8 feet. When he gets home we will tear it down again. However, you are welcome to come over anytime you like... It is beautiful out here and if you like hiking, I can take you out...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delphinus

I trust Keith's judgment but I still think there has got to be something else at work here. A pump can't fail because it's not strong enough ... if it's not strong enough to lift the water, you'll just have poor flow. However, if there is restriction on the intake side, then indeed, you are pushing the pump beyond it's limits and risking failure. In short, pumps push, they don't suck. Two pump failures in this short of timeframe may just be coincidence but it's now the point where I'm skeptical. If you have a third pump fail on you then I'll know it's not coincidence.

Who did the actual plumbing on your system, may I ask?

my2rotties · #32 02-25-2009, 05:20 PM

Also what should I take pictures of to post exactly. I have my iphone in hand and can snap some shots.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delphinus

I trust Keith's judgment but I still think there has got to be something else at work here. A pump can't fail because it's not strong enough ... if it's not strong enough to lift the water, you'll just have poor flow. However, if there is restriction on the intake side, then indeed, you are pushing the pump beyond it's limits and risking failure. In short, pumps push, they don't suck. Two pump failures in this short of timeframe may just be coincidence but it's now the point where I'm skeptical. If you have a third pump fail on you then I'll know it's not coincidence.

Who did the actual plumbing on your system, may I ask?

Rbacchiega · #33 02-25-2009, 05:24 PM

if you can get a top down of the sump I'd like to take a look at it...

my2rotties · #34 02-25-2009, 05:28 PM

Give me 20minutes

QUOTE=Rbacchiega;392851]if you can get a top down of the sump I'd like to take a look at it...[/quote]

24storm · #35 02-25-2009, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delphinus

I trust Keith's judgment but I still think there has got to be something else at work here. A pump can't fail because it's not strong enough ... if it's not strong enough to lift the water, you'll just have poor flow. However, if there is restriction on the intake side, then indeed, you are pushing the pump beyond it's limits and risking failure. In short, pumps push, they don't suck. Two pump failures in this short of timeframe may just be coincidence but it's now the point where I'm skeptical. If you have a third pump fail on you then I'll know it's not coincidence.

Who did the actual plumbing on your system, may I ask?

I have seen the setup a few times but i never paid attention to how it was all plumped. I aggree that something is not quite right with this. If you can get some pics of everything from the pump feed in the tank to the pump and then the lines coming into the tank that may help some.

Keith

Delphinus · #36 02-25-2009, 05:32 PM

Ahhh, ok, so the pump didn't fail, it just didn't fit the bill. Ok, I understand now.

Ok when you're back, I'd like to see how the piping for the pump intake looks. Ie., from the sump wall to the pump intake.

If you do indeed have a pinhole, my guess is it's along this section. If it is downstream of the pump (ie., after the output), then the line is going to be pressured up (particularly since you're lifting from a basement to the main floor) and you will have either leaking or saltcreep - ie., there will be a visual indication of a leak. So if you don't know about it, you probably don't have a leak in that particular section.

my2rotties · #37 02-25-2009, 05:52 PM

I hpe these are good enough but if there is anything I missed let me know. You cannt really see the pipes under the tank going to the overflows and I don't know if I can get in there to get a decent pictures.

sphelps · #38 02-25-2009, 06:48 PM

Your pipe size is too small for what you're doing, by my rough calculations you've got over 6 feet of head pressure being created in that intake plumbing. If you jump up to 1.5" you're only adding about 1 foot, 2" you adding less than 1/2 a foot.

That's assuming your pump is wide open on the other end with of course it is not but to me the obvious solution is to swap out the plumbing for at least 1.5" or even 2". This will mean you'll have to re-drill that sump hole.

my2rotties · #39 02-25-2009, 07:18 PM

I sure hope you are wrong.... The LFS that sold us the pump also built the sump

I think I have a headache now...

Quote:

Originally Posted by sphelps

Your pipe size is too small for what you're doing, by my rough calculations you've got over 6 feet of head pressure being created in that intake plumbing. If you jump up to 1.5" you're only adding about 1 foot, 2" you adding less than 1/2 a foot.

That's assuming your pump is wide open on the other end with of course it is not but to me the obvious solution is to swap out the plumbing for at least 1.5" or even 2". This will mean you'll have to re-drill that sump hole.

loveless · #40 02-25-2009, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sphelps

Your pipe size is too small for what you're doing, by my rough calculations you've got over 6 feet of head pressure being created in that intake plumbing. If you jump up to 1.5" you're only adding about 1 foot, 2" you adding less than 1/2 a foot.

That's assuming your pump is wide open on the other end with of course it is not but to me the obvious solution is to swap out the plumbing for at least 1.5" or even 2". This will mean you'll have to re-drill that sump hole.

Im agree, first thing id do is see about upgrading you intake plumbing to something bigger. Even a slight restriction will cause cavitation.