Problem with Water Pressure Pump

DUBintheSTICKS · 18-10-2013 6:15pm #1

Over the past few months my water pressure pump has been cutting out, sometimes it starts working itself and sometimes I have to get up into the attic to reset it for it too work properly again.

The pressure in the house is really terrible without it working. I just wondering has anyone any knowledge/advice with this pump - Watertech , Ecopress.

I have attached a few pics of the pump and as you can see the water is quiet hard in my area (no water softener yet) and was wondering is this the cause of the cutouts.

K.Flyer · 19-10-2013 8:47pm

You have one of two problems, either the controller is on the blink or the windings in the pump are breaking down. Either one is a replacement job.
I would change the controller first as its the cheaper part, if thats not it then its onto the pump. Controllers go fairly regularly so the replacement wont go to waste or use you could use it on the new pump.
Hope that helps.
P.s. I don't think the switch should be mounted to the tank cover like that, I think it should be away from the tank in case of contact with water. A sparks might clarify it better.

Paranoid Mandroid · 23-06-2014 10:20am

Sorry to raise a 9 month old thread. I have the exact same pump in my attic and after a weeks holiday I come home and the pressure in the house is lousy. When I flush toilet or run water I don't hear the pump coming on. Just wondering what I should check if anything or just get a plumber? Cheers.

OP, what did you do after all, replace pump? Cheers

corkgsxr · 23-06-2014 11:57am

Check whats coming up on controler.

Most problems are controler related. Except the capacitor which is in the pump. And not changeable.

When you reset is the pump doing anything

Paranoid Mandroid · 23-06-2014 3:03pm

corkgsxr wrote: »

Check whats coming up on controler.

Most problems are controler related. Except the capacitor which is in the pump. And not changeable.

When you reset is the pump doing anything

Cheers corkgsxr. The 'pump on' light is always on, as is the 'power on' button obviously. When I hit restart, it's humming but not like before when I could hear the pump really working. This hums for about 10 seconds. A couple of times as i observe things while running water & flushing, the black switch (I assume is a trip switch) on the switch box, trips. The pump is humming randomly now every few mins, but not pumping like before and the 'pump on' light is still on. Cheers.

Edit: I just realised there may have been a leak with a trickle of water running into the toilet over the last week. I've stopped that now and the 'pump on' light isn't on anymore, yet the pressure is still low. i.e pump ain't working right.

corkgsxr · 23-06-2014 3:57pm

Sounds like a capacitor to me. Its a quiet hum? Not at all like a pump going?

Thats a new pump. Dripping toilets are murder for killing them

Paranoid Mandroid · 23-06-2014 4:05pm

corkgsxr wrote: »

Sounds like a capacitor to me. Its a quiet hum? Not at all like a pump going?

Thats a new pump. Dripping toilets are murder for killing them

Balls , yes it's a quiet hum and not like a pump is running.

Seems our whole neighbourhood have problems with dripping toilets. Cheap parts installed. I wouldn't mind as much but the tanks/cisterns are installed behind a wall panel which we've tiled all around, so it's a bitch to get at.

Thanks for the info.

corkgsxr · 23-06-2014 4:57pm

Hums for 5-10 seconds then the board goes to reset? Thats a capacitor.

Easy test. Take the wires out of the board for the pump. Plug them into a extension or socket. If the pump runs its the control board. If not its the pump.

its not necessarily cheap parts. The torbec valves weren't cheap but a very bad offender. They just go very slow to fill. The standard valve the rubber goes hard and goes slow to fill.

There just not designed for toilets. Or a expansion vessel should be fitted

kerryplumber · 23-06-2014 6:31pm

corkgsxr wrote: »

Sounds like a capacitor to me. Its a quiet hum? Not at all like a pump going?

Thats a new pump. Dripping toilets are murder for killing them

Is the capacitor not inside that grey switch box for those pumps. I could be wrong!!!!!

kerryplumber · 23-06-2014 6:31pm

corkgsxr wrote: »

Sounds like a capacitor to me. Its a quiet hum? Not at all like a pump going?

Thats a new pump. Dripping toilets are murder for killing them

Is the capacitor not inside that grey switch box for those pumps. I could be wrong!!!!!

Paranoid Mandroid · 23-06-2014 8:38pm

corkgsxr wrote: »

Hums for 5-10 seconds then the board goes to reset? Thats a capacitor.

Easy test. Take the wires out of the board for the pump. Plug them into a extension or socket. If the pump runs its the control board. If not its the pump.

its not necessarily cheap parts. The torbec valves weren't cheap but a very bad offender. They just go very slow to fill. The standard valve the rubber goes hard and goes slow to fill.

There just not designed for toilets. Or a expansion vessel should be fitted

I'll give that a shot tomorrow. There are two exp vessels in my attic, I'm not sure if they are both piped into the heating system but both have pipes running into the hot press. Anyway thanks again.

Paranoid Mandroid · 23-06-2014 8:44pm

kerryplumber wrote: »

Is the capacitor not inside that grey switch box for those pumps. I could be wrong!!!!!

Yes, I just had a look, there's a big capacitor in the switch box. I'll check it with a multimeter.

corkgsxr · 23-06-2014 9:51pm

kerryplumber wrote: »

Is the capacitor not inside that grey switch box for those pumps. I could be wrong!!!!!

The acuabox its usually in the pump. Iv never seen them in the controller

Edit. These seem to be wired different to iv seen. Its done more like a deep well pump.
If the capacitors can be changed how bad there cheap

Paranoid Mandroid · 24-06-2014 9:53am

Great, I tested the capacitor, 16uF was measuring 5uF. Replaced it, pump working fine. I'll have to do something about the intermittent dripping toilets might get an external cistern set up. Anyway, thanks for all of the advice. Very much appreciated!

Pump101 · 25-06-2014 8:14pm

Paranoid Mandroid wrote: »

Great, I tested the capacitor, 16uF was measuring 5uF. Replaced it, pump working fine. I'll have to do something about the intermittent dripping toilets might get an external cistern set up. Anyway, thanks for all of the advice. Very much appreciated!

A small pressure vessel will ensure the pump does not cycle if you have small drips or leaks. Just tee in a 12ltr vessel after the pump controller. Drips will kill any pump that doesnt have some reserve.

cubix · 28-06-2014 9:18pm

Lads
Having a similar issue to most, if my issue is a capacitor/ control board is there any stockist for these pumps/ parts round Dublin that I could try on Monday.

Second question what's the benefits of these pumps over the likes of neg head monsoon/grunfos. Is it cost or something else. I understand these are like submersible type pumps where as the other type rely on water to fall into them.

corkgsxr · 28-06-2014 9:40pm

Better flow rates. Cheaper too. Quieter

cubix · 28-06-2014 9:45pm

IF my power light is on and pump run light is on is this still a possible capacitor problem as the pump is not making any noise.

K.Flyer · 29-06-2014 12:45am

cubix wrote: »

Lads
Having a similar issue to most, if my issue is a capacitor/ control board is there any stockist for these pumps/ parts round Dublin that I could try on Monday.

P.M. sent.

cubix · 30-06-2014 4:57pm

Thanks K.Flyer, couldn't get through to Flowpumps today but sourced a capacitor elsewhere. Glad I found this thread;)

gaz wac · 12-02-2015 3:57pm

Hey, im also sorry for bringing up an old thread, but I have the exact same pump as OP.

A workman was in the attic and he said..."your pump comes on too much" !! Ive never really noticed it tbh, last night, it was coming on every 7 mins for say, 5 seconds. Looked on old threads for tips, ive checked for dripping toilets/taps...went up to attic and cant see any leaks....anything else I can look out for? Pump is working fine.

Cheers
Wac

K.Flyer · 12-02-2015 10:57pm

Have you checked the ball-cock in the toilet cisterns. Even the smallest drip can cause the problem.

Calahonda52 · 12-02-2015 11:16pm

K.Flyer wrote: »

Have you checked the ball-cock in the toilet cisterns. Even the smallest drip can cause the problem.

Agree 100%, the tiniest drip does it, hard to detect with the modern ball cock.
K, can u pm me the pump repairs details pls referred to earlier Tks

gaz wac · 13-02-2015 12:14pm

K.Flyer wrote: »

Have you checked the ball-cock in the toilet cisterns..

ive even got up at 3am and looked into the toilet pot with a torch to see if there are any drips!! how would I check the ball-cock? I can take the top of but what then?

thanks for the help lads

Calahonda52 · 13-02-2015 2:42pm

The way I find best to find these problems is to isolate the different items that may be a problem.

For the loo, take off the lid and GENTLY tie up the b/cock so as the valve is 100% shut, better if u have a penny valve on it.
Don't know what sort of kit or setup u have but is there a blue or white pressure vessel anywhere that may have lost pressure.

chef D · 07-04-2017 10:09pm

Ok so mine just wont shut off. Came on a 3am one morning. Its one week now - no leaks anywhere.
I have to climb up every morn and eve before and after turning on the shower and taps.

corkgsxr · 16-04-2017 11:10pm

chef D wrote: »

Ok so mine just wont shut off. Came on a 3am one morning. Its one week now - no leaks anywhere.
I have to climb up every morn and eve before and after turning on the shower and taps.

Replace the controller most likely.

If you can shut it off after the pump on the water line and it won't stop that's the controller.

But it would most likely go on and off of it was something running or leaking

chef D · 17-04-2017 10:03pm

Thanks, Just to be sure - the controller is the blue box right ? I replaced the white Power switch box last year !

Sam Russell · 16-06-2024 12:16pm

Sorry to resurrect an old thread but I have a related problem.

I have a submersible pump installed in 2008 with the same controller - Ecopress as pictured in post #1.

The system works OK most of the time, but on occasion, the pump runs continuously with no water being drawn. I suspect that it is due to a small leak somewhere, but I cannot see it. Now, it occurs when there is heat in the attic (I think) or when a very small amount of water is taken - like just a few drops. Otherwise, it works properly.

Now, if I turn it off for a while, and then turn it back on, it turns on for a short while and turns off. However, when a shower or a tap is turned off, the pump runs for a much longer time before turning off. I do not know if that is relevant.

Now there is a white pressure vessel installed that may or not be functioning correctly.

Any ideas?

Wearb · 16-06-2024 4:01pm

I don't know anything about those pumps, but -seeing as it's a simple job- I'd check the pressure in the expansion vessel. Turn off power to the pump, open a connected tap to let off the pressure and check the vessel with a gauge.

Sam Russell · 16-06-2024 7:37pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122266211#Comment_122266211

I'll try that. The pressure be 3 bar I think. Is that right.

Wearb · 16-06-2024 7:41pm

Pressure depends on the the pressure produced by the pump. Even if you don't know that, it's still worth checking to see if you have at least 1 or 2 bars in the vessel. That'll let you know if it's a vessel problem or not.

Sam Russell · 16-06-2024 10:47pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122266874#Comment_122266874

I did as you suggested and put 3 bar on the pressure tank. Pump turned back on and all ok for the moment.

Can the Ecopress be adjusted to change turn on and turn off pressure?

Wearb · 17-06-2024 8:24am

"I did as you suggested and put 3 bar on the pressure tank."

Am I loosing my mind 🤪

Sam Russell · 17-06-2024 5:46pm

No, I misunderstood your advice. I had the 3 bar in my head. However, the pressure tank looks as if it is defunct anyway, and has been for a while.

There are four elements that could be wrong - or at least not operating as they should.

The pump pumps and starts and stops so should be OK unless it is not achieving the correct pressure. It is a submersible type. The pump needs to be tested for pressure and flow as could be the source of the problem.. Can these be refurbished? I have no easy way of measuring the pressure.

The controller (Ecopress) appears to work OK most of the time but fails to turn off on occasion. That would put it in the frame for faulty, but it is mostly OK. Maybe a temperature fault or a pressure sensor not reliable.

The pressure vessel appears to be faulty, and probably has not worked for years as when a tap is opened, the pump starts immediately. So I will look to replace it, but the Ecopress is supposed to not need a pressure vessel. The vessel is a 25 litre with a working pressure of 8 bar. Pre charge should be 1.5 bar. It is a white unit. [Varem Extravarem - 2008 date.]

The capacitor for the pump is external. The original one was faulty on delivery (motor dead), and had to be replaced from new. It could be below value effecting the pump's flow rate and pressure, but it might only figure for starting which if so, it is fine. I can check this myself with a multi meter to certain extent. I can prove it faulty, but not necessarily good.

It is worth getting the pressure vessel working as it should cope with a toilet flush during the night without the motor starting. So I will look into that.

Any ideas where I go from here?

Sam Russell · 23-06-2024 12:45pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122268450#Comment_122268450

I have found that the pressure tank should be set at about 1 bar or so, depending on the pump controller.

My problem is that I have no way of measuring the pressure that the pump produces, or at what pressure the Ecopress turns on or off. So that is the first thing I must do is fit a pressure gauge.

Thanks for your help.

Problem with Water Pressure Pump

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