Shower pumps - which one to go for?

[jwhite1]

Hi,

Our shower pump has broken so I'm looking to replace it. I can't imagine it's difficult to swap in a new one (just a case of turning off the water + electricity, disconnecting the old one, and connecting the new one, right?).

The one we currently have is an old model of this one:
http://www.plumbworld.co.uk/stuart-turner-monsoon-20-bar-1653-18610

I'm tempted to get it because installation should be very easy as the pipes look identical.

However, I'm also tempted by the one below,

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001CW2YJA/ref=oh_details_o00__i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

as it's half the price and has great reviews but am concerned installation might harder as it looks different and I'm not sure if the connectors will be the same.

Another consideration is that is lives under the bath behind a tiled panel so once this has been replaced I don't want to take the panel off ever again.

I'd appreciate any advice:
- is it as simple as I think?
- will installation be just as easy with the cheaper one?

I've attached photos of my existing broken pump.

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• jwhite1
• 25 Apr 2014
• 2

Untitled

• jwhite1
• 25 Apr 2014
• 2

Untitled

• jwhite1
• 25 Apr 2014
• 2

 

[Gasguru]

You've got a negative head pump...normally fitted where the shower outlet to cold water cistern height is below that necessary to start the pump.

The two pumps you've linked will not therefore work.

What's wrong with the pump?

The pump you have requires maintenance from time to time eg. checking and re-charging the silver vessel. All pumps must be accessible for maintenance.

Might be something simple wrong with it...most spares available...

http://www.stuart-turner.co.uk/where-to-buy/spares-finder//46345/5

 

[jwhite1]

Thank you for your response.

That's very strange. I wonder if they installed the wrong kind of pump in the first place.

Our cold water tank is higher than our pump (it's on the same floor but on top shelf of airing cupboard).

The problem with the pump is that it just makes a humming noise when you switch it on.

It gradually broke. At first it just required us to wait for ages with the tap running to get it going. Then it just couldn't get going altogether.

Also, it never automatically came on with water pressure. We would keep it off at the mains until we needed to use it and then switch it on. If we kept it on at the mains it would pump every 15 minutes and the drop would drip.

Thanks again for your advice and any further advice.

 

[Gasguru]

It's a negative head pump because the cold water cistern isn't sufficiently higher than the SHOWER head.

The fault may just require a new start capacitor or perhaps a bearing (service kit).

The pump cycling on/off is probably down to lack of maintenance...the vessel's low on pressure or flat.

 

[jwhite1]

Great. Thank you. I'll try some maintenance then.

I can't seem to find the manual for the N2.0 on this page:
http://www.stuart-turner.co.uk/downloads/

Do you know if this would be the same thing (as it says it can be positive or negative):
http://www.stuart-turner.co.uk/media/4331-Monsoon-Universal-Twin.pdf

Many thanks

 

[Gasguru]

Manual Here..


http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rc...vceCwEfrBlvZJXIK45UI2Kg&bvm=bv.65397613,d.d2k

 

[longdogs]

After you have fitted the new pump, run hot and cold water through it before turning the pump on at the switch.