Shower Technical Advice Forum - VIP code: 4446

warrerosen · Joined: 21 Jul 2009 Posts: 8

Afternoon,

I have the above pump in a loft conversion and it has been working very well up to now!

I've checked for leaks in the plumbing (there aren't any) and the problem occurs whether you use hot or cold water. The pump controls a power shower, sink and WC.

The pump occasionally carries on running after use and doesn't turn off automatically. The only way to stop it running is by turning it off at the mains. If you do this and leave if off for about 5 minutes and then switch it on again the pump is OK and may be OK for a number of days and then the same thing happens again.

Any ideas?

The Doc · Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2010 2:52 pm Post subject:

Check the pressure in the pressure vessel
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warrerosen · Joined: 21 Jul 2009 Posts: 8

Thanks for you respone.

I tried your suggestion this morning and either I'm doing something wrong or we have the strangest pump in the world.

I switched off the pump at the mains and opened a tap so that i could check the pressure in the vessel. Pressing a gauge into the Shrader valve it didn't read anything (I did check to see if the gauge was OK and it was fine on my car tyres!). I preceeded to pump air into the pressure vessel and after a while checked with the gauge which still read nothing! Pumped more air (having cheked the pump was working) and still the gauge reads zero! I then tried to see if I could get air out of the pressure vessel by pressing on the pin in the centre of the Shcrader valve and no air came out!

Switched the pump back on and it operated fine but after a little while the pump started running on its own again.

What's happening as I'm currently driving myself mad?

Your help and suggestions will be greatrly appreciated.

The Doc · Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2010 9:05 am Post subject:

I still have the feeling that the problem is with the pressure vessel.

You will have the check the book but off hand I think the pressure in the vessel should be around 14psi ½ a bar

To pressurise the vessel switch the pump off turn the water off and open the taps then pressurise the vessel
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warrerosen · Joined: 21 Jul 2009 Posts: 8

Sorry for delay in responding.

I tried what you suggested last night but...?

I switched off the pump, turned off the hot & cold water supply and open the hot & cold taps in the sink.

Checked the pressure in the vessel with a gauge and the gauge read zero!
Pumped up the vessel and re-checked the pressure - still zero. Pumped up a bit more - still zero!

Tried to see if I could get any air out of the pressure vessel by pressing the pin inside the Schrader valve but no air came out - surely you should be able to get air out of the vessell this way?

Stopped pumping an closed every thing and switched the pump on and it worked as normal but the water seemed to come out at a much higher pressure than before or was I imagining it?

After a little while the pump started running on its own agai!

The Doc · Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 3:30 pm Post subject:

My best guess is you have a problem with the valve on the pressure vessel if the gauge says there is no pressure then I guess you have to believe it.

Try pressing the pin in the valve down with something and then try to pump some air in alternately see if you can get the vale to release.
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warrerosen · Joined: 21 Jul 2009 Posts: 8

I have pushed, pulled, wiggled, tapped at the Schrader valve and still it doesn't appear to want to work.

Do you think that buying a new pressure vessel will solve all my problems as per our previous postings?

If so do you sell a suitable pressure vessel and if so what is the cost including VAT + p&p ?

The Doc · Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 11:07 am Post subject:

I was just waiting for the price of a pressure vessel .....I know that they are not cheap!

When I thought that these are the same valves that they use in cars.

When you take your car in for new tyres or whatever they remove the core of the valve to let the air out before they remove the tyre.

So what you need is a valve core and the little tool for removing them so try Halfords or ask Kwik Fit they are bound to have some old ones kicking around!
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warrerosen · Joined: 21 Jul 2009 Posts: 8

That's an excellent idea but out of curiosity can you still provide the cost of a pressure vessel?

If I need to take the existing vessel off the pump and take it in somewhere are there any issues or does it just unscreww anti-clockwise as you would expect with nothing flying out or off that I should watch out for?

If I can get the Schrader valve core replaced should I pressurise it to 14psi before or after I put it back on?

Again, does this just screw on clockwise and should I use any thread sealent or tape when I put it back on and how tight should it be screwed up?

Sorry if these seem like silly questions as I don't want to damage the pump further

The Doc · Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 4:31 pm Post subject:

Waiting for a reply to come back re the price (it’s not a stock item for us)

I doesn’t matter when it is pressurised.

Make sure you switch off the water and power put an old towel over the junction box.

Use thread tape and as tight as you can get it without wrecking things roundabout it
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warrerosen · Joined: 21 Jul 2009 Posts: 8

Sorry for the delay in replying but I had to wait and get the bits.

I did as you suggested and change the valve core in the Schrader valve and it seems to have solved my problem.

The only thing I haven't got is a tyre pressure gauge so I'm not sure if I have the correct pressure yet - hope to rectify that for by the weekend.

Thanks for all your help

The Doc · Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 9:22 am Post subject:

Really pleased to hear that the valve worked.

George
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