Shower Pump Help

[johnsmith21]

Hi all,

I have recently installed a single impeller Watermill PR50s which I bought on ebay. I have fitted the pump myself using polyplumb pipes and connections.

The pump works fine for about 2 minutes, then splutters and cuts out. It'll keep spluttering and starting and stopping until I switch the tap off. If I then leave it for a few minutes it will start up properly and then start doing it again.

I'm a complete novice when it comes to plumbing, so any help would be really appreciated.

 

[seco services]

whats it on hot/cold tap ?
hows it piped up ?
is it new ?

need more info

 

[johnsmith21]

The pump was described as new on ebay, and to be honest it didn't even look like it had been out of the box, but it does say Watermill on the front, and I know they changed to Grundfos in 2008.

I have a supply head of about 5/6 meters. I have used the existing 22mm copper pipe work, then at the point where it used to connect to the taps, I have diverted it to the bottom of the bath using plastic pipes, and connected the shower pump, then back up into the mixer taps.

I haven't fitted a surrey flange because I don't believe my setup would support one.

I have done a quick drawing to give you a better idea.

Untitled

• johnsmith21
• 2 May 2009
• 2

Forgot to mention, I don't have a cold water storage tank, it's fed directly from the mains.

 

[kevplumb]

Forgot to mention, I don't have a cold water storage tank, it's fed directly from the mains.

you can't pump the mains

you will get your rear end slapped by the water co

and will prob pagger the pump

 

[johnsmith21]

Forgot to mention, I don't have a cold water storage tank, it's fed directly from the mains.

you can't pump the mains

you will get your rear end slapped by the water co

and will prob pagger the pump

I haven't pumped the mains, i have a single impeller on the hot. Mains has enough pressure as it is.

 

[kevplumb]

so what feeds the cylinder

 

[seco services]

Forgot to mention, I don't have a cold water storage tank, it's fed directly from the mains.

what feeds the hw cylinder then ?

 

[johnsmith21]

I believe the mains feeds the cylinder. It comes into my property through the floor, goes to a stop cock, and then T's off into the cylinder and to the rest of the flat.

I've had a plumber in for unrelated things and he said I have a strange system. Also when the water company fitted my water meter, they said I had a strange system.

 

[kevplumb]

I haven't pumped the mains, i have a single impeller on the hot. Mains has enough pressure as it is.

I believe the mains feeds the cylinder

so your pumping the main

 

[johnsmith21]

I haven't pumped the mains, i have a single impeller on the hot. Mains has enough pressure as it is.

I believe the mains feeds the cylinder

so your pumping the main

I supose, in a sense, but not directly.

My tank is split in 2. The top half where the mains go in is controlled by a simillar device that controls the toilet, so it only trickles in when the water gets below a certain level. It then drops down into the hot cylinder, goes out to the bathroom, and thats what I'm pumping.

 

[kevplumb]

if you have one of these its emptying the tank and drawing air

 

[johnsmith21]

That is very similar to what I have. Is there anything i can do? Would an essex flange fix it?

 

[kevplumb]

your problem is you have not got enough stored water to keep pace with the pump

not a lot you can do ex run the hot slower

which defeats the object of the exercise

 

[johnsmith21]

your problem is you have not got enough stored water to keep pace with the pump

not a lot you can do ex run the hot slower

which defeats the object of the exercise

And the moral of the story is.... Do some research before spending hundreds of pounds!!!

Thanks for your help, much appreciated.

 

[plumskull]

your problem is you have not got enough stored water to keep pace with the pump

Well we better tell everyone who has a power shower normally run from the cylinder hot water wise to buy a big cylinder or a slower pump.