VSD Pump vs. Pressure Tank

[pjhansman]

I'm sure this has been discussed in the past.....but I couldn't find it.

I want to upgrade my water system.

There are a number of VSD pumps available that provide excellent volume and pressure, and apparently are much quieter than the low-end Shurflo pump that came with my 5ver.

On the other hand there is the option of putting in a pressure tank with a new/better "conventional" pump to reduce noise and the lessen the constant pump cycling.

I guess my question is....do the VSD pumps actually run quieter and with less water hammer than the regular pump, or is the pressure tank the way to go?

[Steve S]

Good post and great question, I'll be following this.
I'm pretty sure Javi might have the answers

[SAD]

Also interested in this conversation.

[Tbristol]

I bought a VSD pump. Mounted it on some hard rubber. It is just as noisy as the stock traditional pump. I was very disappointed in the upgrade. Everyone else may have a different opinion.

Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk

[GMcKenzie]

I just added a tank.

Couple of things I've noticed. When the pump is running, it really draws down the voltage while filling the tank. Not sure if I need more air pressure or less in the tank, but my charge indicator will go from three lights to one when the tank is being filled.

The pump comes on when flushing the toilet right away, but with the pump off, you can flush at night with no pump 3-4 times. With the pump off I got about 15 cups of water.

I am not sure if my voltage drop is a bad battery (had one 6V die last year and just replaced the one, not both) or the pump going south but I only have one more non-power weekend this year so I won't be changing either out until spring.

I need to play more with my tank pressure, but am happy with the result. Bit of a pain to install as under the sink is a bit tight and I am not a small person, but the tank and hose clamps were ~$60 at Home Depot, father had extra pipe and the proper tool so was pretty cheap in the end.

Nice not hearing the pup at night when I get up to pee.

[SAD]

When in pairs, a bad battery nearly always kills his friends.

[dave-g]

with a expansion tank the air pressure in the tank- with no water pressure should be 1/2 the pressure you want to maintain.
so if water pump shuts off a 40 psi. air in tank with no water pressure on it should be 20 psi.

[WaltBennett]

Originally Posted by dave-g

with a expansion tank the air pressure in the tank- with no water pressure should be 1/2 the pressure you want to maintain.
so if water pump shuts off a 40 psi. air in tank with no water pressure on it should be 20 psi.

Not too certain about that. The plumber that installed our new sticks & bricks tank said to keep it just below house pressure. I'd think that anything over it would be counterproductive for certain, but too low would also not let it help.

[christopherglenn]

In a stick and brick it is so absorb the water hammer when valves close fast, like the toilet, washer, sprinklers, etc. In the trailer you want more of a low pressure to allow it to store more water to reduce cycling of the water pump (it runs the same amount, just less often and for longer each time).