Micky Mouse Water Pump Set-Up

**Marmite the Dog** · 16-03-2009, 06:22 PM

I can't work it out.

I've got 2 taps on my water pump set-up and I don't know why. I assume it's to let the water come into the house using the mains pressure if there is any, but it doesn't seem to work very well as the pump always turns on when a tap inside the house is turned on.

If I turn off (or is it on) tap number 1 the pump just runs continuously. I could undestand it if it was filling up a water tank, but I don't seem to have one, so I guess it's pumpin water back into the mains system or something equally as daft.

I ask as the pump has been cutting on & off over the last few days instead of just being on when a tap is turned on. I assume this is due to either low or high water pressure in the mains system.

If anyone out there can explain my system for me, I'd be very grateful and would refrain from redding you for a few days.

**dirtydog** · 16-03-2009, 06:29 PM

If you open both and turn off the pump then you will be running on mains pressure, if you leave the pump on at this time it will pump into the taps if open or out into the mains, at present it is set to run from the pump, to set it up properly you need a 3rd valve on the high pipe on the left.

**Spin** · 16-03-2009, 06:30 PM

During a power cut, open valve number 1

**Marmite the Dog** · 16-03-2009, 06:40 PM

Yes, that makes sense.

**baldrick** · 16-03-2009, 07:03 PM

^ they are attempting to confuse the issue

the taps are a feng shui device to allow bad water to pass under the bridge - misalign at your own peril

**Thetyim** · 16-03-2009, 07:39 PM

Originally Posted by dirtydog

if you leave the pump on at this time it will pump into the taps if open or out into the mains,

It can't pump out into the mains because it has no water supply
It will just pump in a loop from pump outlet to pump inlet

**benbaaa** · 16-03-2009, 07:42 PM

Blackgang's your man for all this kind of stuff. (Well, he knew everything on my Illegal Water Pump thread, anyway).

**dirtydog** · 16-03-2009, 07:56 PM

Originally Posted by Thetyim

It can't pump out into the mains because it has no water supply

The pump will run till it over heats regardless.

**Fabian** · 16-03-2009, 08:10 PM

I really thought your water pump had a micky mouse design on it.

**Marmite the Dog** · 16-03-2009, 08:13 PM

Originally Posted by Fabian

I really thought your water pump had a micky mouse design on it.

You poor thing.

**Fabian** · 16-03-2009, 08:21 PM

Well, I pitied you when I read the thread title.

**lom** · 16-03-2009, 08:23 PM

Just make sure you turn off the mains switch for the pump every time you open valve 1.
You may not be home (or sleeping, or shagging , or something) when mains power returns.
No need for a 3rd valve if you strictly follow that procedure.

**blackgang** · 16-03-2009, 08:47 PM

If the pump runs intermittently with the valves in the position as pictured then you have a water leak somewhere, if you have a western type toilet it could be leaking water and refilling the tank on it, thats what the problem is at my house if the pump short cycles, so check to see if your water tank on the toilet refills often when you are not flushing it.
But anyway you are leaking water someplace for the pump to short cycle.

Other than that, follow info from Lom, he is correct

**Thetyim** · 16-03-2009, 09:00 PM

I would redo the plumbing
Both valves are on the output side which cannot be right.
Also it is handy to be able to shut off the mains if you need to work on the pump

**Marmite the Dog** · 16-03-2009, 09:00 PM

^^ Thanks BG, but it only pumps when the water is actually being used in the house, so I'm certain there isn't a leak.

**Marmite the Dog** · 16-03-2009, 09:06 PM

Originally Posted by Thetyim

Also it is handy to be able to shut off the mains if you need to work on the pump

I think that's what DD was getting at with the additional tap/valve.

Originally Posted by Thetyim

I would redo the plumbing

If it was my place, I would sink a water tank into the garden, but it isn't so as long as I have water I'm doing nowt.

Strangely, the Midget is all nekkid and soapy in the shower at the moment and the pump isn't running at all. Therefore I can only assume that the stop/starting when a tap is running (as it uses more water than the shower) is due to the water pressure being high at the moment.

**blackgang** · 16-03-2009, 09:45 PM

Why would you need to bury a tank in the ground, why not have one standing by the pump, mine is not buried in the ground.

**CharleyFarley** · 16-03-2009, 10:17 PM

try this marmers Hot Water Game

**DrAndy** · 17-03-2009, 08:31 AM

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

Strangely, the Midget is all nekkid and soapy in the shower at the moment and the pump isn't running at all. Therefore I can only assume that the stop/starting when a tap is running (as it uses more water than the shower) is due to the water pressure being high at the moment.

Pics please

if she was as dirty as your pump, she should be ashamed of herself

if your pump isn't running and she is using water, something is weird with your set-up. If she is using mains water, then the water is not going through the pump.

**Whiteshiva** · 17-03-2009, 09:34 AM

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

OK - to clear this up, the flow is from right to left. Valve 2 is to isolate the pump (and the house) from the mains. Valve 1 is used to bypass the pump in case of power outage or pump failure. Opening valve 1 would be pointless when the pump is operating, as the water would simply recycle through the valve, while the discharge pressure remained the same as the mains pressure.

It would be a good idea to install a third valve on the pump outlet line, so that you can isolate, and thus remove/replace the pump, without losing water supply to the house.

Normally the pump will start automatically on low discharge pressure, so if the pump keeps cutting in and out you probably have a leak somewhere, or there might be something wrong with the pump, or rather the pressure sensor. It may be as simple as valve 1 leaking, or more likely the check valve on the pump outlet.

**Marmite the Dog** · 17-03-2009, 09:55 AM

Originally Posted by Whiteshiva

Normally the pump will start automatically on low discharge pressure, so if the pump keeps cutting in and out you probably have a leak somewhere, or there might be something wrong with the pump, or rather the pressure sensor. It may be as simple as valve 1 leaking, or more likely the check valve on the pump outlet.

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

it only pumps when the water is actually being used in the house, so I'm certain there isn't a leak.

The pressure sensor might need adjusting, but as I said, I was more wondering how the set-up worked than anything else. Thanks for all the replies though.

**Travelmate** · 17-03-2009, 09:58 AM

So? What ya gonna do now?

**blackgang** · 17-03-2009, 09:59 AM

here a pic of mine and it is not buried in the ground,

**lom** · 17-03-2009, 10:00 AM

Originally Posted by Whiteshiva

OK - to clear this up, the flow is from right to left. Valve 2 is to isolate the pump (and the house) from the mains.

I don't think so.
All my pumps have the outlet near the bottom and the inlet a good bit higher up.
The flow in this picture is from left to right and valve 2 is only for closing water supply to the house.

**Marmite the Dog** · 17-03-2009, 10:15 AM

Originally Posted by lom

The flow in this picture is from left to right and valve 2 is only for closing water supply to the house.

That is correct.

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