February 2014 - PumpProducts.com
  • Pump Products Has the Circulator Pumps to Help You Keep Out the Cold

    February 28, 2014

    Arctic temperatures and a succession of major snow storms have made the winter of 2013/14 one of the worst on record and turned the Pump Products staff into experts on the many ways in which extreme temperatures can damage residential and commercial heating systems. Extreme cold is defined differently by people in different parts of the country but the fact that water freezes at 32 °F/0 °C is indisputable, as is the threat freezing temperatures pose to hydronic heating systems, which depend on hot water circulation to provide a building with heat and warmed water. (more…)

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  • Pump Products Spring Inventory Features Hartell Ice Machine and Condensate Pumps

    February 28, 2014

    Looking toward cool times in 2014, Pump Products has added Hartell replacement ice machine pumps and condensate pumps to its extensive inventory in anticipation of a strong market for these items in Spring 2014. In addition to our already extensive selection of best-selling pumps and accessories at guaranteed lowest prices, we have taken on the two specialty lines, along with Hartell's sink drain pumps and AC/DC circulator models, to enhance our position as a one-stop shop for residential and commercial/industrial customers. Hartell has been supplying pumps to the ice machine industry for over 40 years. Taking on their entire line provides us with one of the most varied pump inventories in the industry, making Pump Products the obvious choice for both popular and specialty models, including replacement ice machine pumps," says General Manager Ed Drejman. Drejman and his team of application engineers took on Hartell's ice making and condensate removal lines following an extensive review to ensure the lines met Pump Product's high quality and performance standards. "High torque motors, reliable switch assemblies and solid design were among the standout features that convinced us these were outstanding pumps," says Drejman, who leads a growing team of product support specialists standing by to provide on-line customers with sizing and selection information on a wide range of pump products including Hartell ice machine and condensate pumps. "January and February were record months in terms of sales," says Product Expert Fred Hettinger. "In the wake of the success we've had with our extensive heating and wastewater pump inventory, the new ice machine and condensate pumps should carry our current momentum into the spring and summer." With an expanding on-line presence and access to a broadening range of markets, Drejman, Hettinger and the Pump Products team are confident that Hartell's extensive inventory of plumbing, HVAC and appliance condensate pumps will enhance Pump Product's utility for restaurants, cafeterias, fast-food chains, hospitals, nursing homes, food processing plants, hotels, resorts and residential buildings. "We now provide replacement pumps for Cornelius, Ross Temp, Ice-O-Matic, Kold-Draft, Mantiwoc, McQuay, Crystal Tips, Scotsman, Whirlpool and Frigidaire ice machine pumps," says Ed Drejman. "These items are not like TVs. They are bought out of necessity. If a pump in your restaurant ice machine fails, you're going to need a replacement fairly quickly. We're offering overnight delivery in many cases, at some of the best prices in the industry. Who would you call" For more information on Hartell residential and commercial pumping equipment, visit Pump Products at http://www.pumpproducts.com or call 1-800-429-0800.

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  • The Pump Products Guide to Troubleshooting Your Ice Machine

    February 20, 2014

    How To Troubleshoot Your Ice-Maker When it comes to being cool, nothing beats an ice machine. Unless it's broken. That's the definition of un-cool. The product experts at Pump Products troubleshoot broken ice machines all the time because, unlike refrigerators and other appliances that run on little more than electricity, ice-makers also require a constant flow of water. While Manitwoc, Scottsman, Ice-O-Matic and every other top brand ice machine uses different control/sequence combos to make ice, the most common problems associated with ice production have to do with variations in water quantity and quality. (more…)

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  • Recirculator Pump Buyers Guide

    February 14, 2014

    A hot water recirculating pump rushes warmed water through a piping system from a water heater, ensuring that hot water is always available at the consumption point, be it for a morning shower or evening dishes. Because they are made for use with potable water,  recirculating pumps are made of lead-free, corrosion-resistant materials such as brass and stainless steel.  Recirculating Pump Animation Video courtesy of Xylem Recirculators can be installed near a water heater or near a point of use fixture. They are available in timer-driven and "on-demand" designs. Dedicated Return Line Systems Water heater-based recirculator installations are generally found in buildings with dedicated return line systems where hot water pipes branch out from a main supply line to individual fixtures. This is a system common to new buildings. A recirculator pump can be sized for this type of system using the following formula: Water flow     qc= Φ/ΔT x 4200
 qc = the circulating water flow [m3/s] Φ = heat loss from the circulation system [kW] ΔT = the water cooling, normally 5°C determined at the farthest consumption point [°C]. Our team of application engineers is available to assist you in sizing a recirculating pump for your system. Point of Use Systems In buildings without dedicated hot water return lines, recirculator pumps can be installed at a point of use fixture, such as a kitchen or bathroom faucet, making hot water available to that fixture very quickly. Timer Driven Systems A timer driven hot water recirculator can be set to run during periods of peak hot water usage. During these times, a homeowner can set the pump to run and maintain hot water through the pipes. The pump can be timed to shut off when demand dwindles. This type of system minimizes energy usage and produces hotter water due to the pre-heating of pipes by recirculated hot water. On Demand Systems On demand systems are user-activated pumps that rush hot water from the water heater to the hot water side of the point-of-use fixture and send cold water into the cold water side. They can be activated with the push of a button or with an optional wireless remote transmitter/receiver. This type of pump is energy efficient because it only runs when needed and minimizes construction costs as it makes return line installation unnecessary. If you would like to eliminate waiting for hot water and want to minimize water waste, a reciculator may be right right for you. Pump Product application engineers are standing by to provide sizing assistance, price quotes and to answer any questions you may have regarding hot water recirculating pumps by leading manufacturers including Armstrong, Bell & Gossett, Grundfos and Taco. Call our Toll Free Number 1-800-429-0800.

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  • The Pump Products Guide to Pond Pump Winter Care

    February 14, 2014

    Pond Pump Winter Care How's your pond pump weathering this winter Is it laying on a shelf in your garage or frozen at the bottom of your pond along with your plants and fish If you live in an area that doesn't get colder than 5C/23F, your pump may be running problem-free all winter, and that's great! But be careful not to subject the warmer water on the bottom of your pond to cooling with a pump that pulls water from the bottom. The cold currents could harm ornamental fish which pass the winter months hibernating in warmer bottom water. If you have a submersible pump, raise the pump from the bottom of the pond and set it on a shelf or crate so that it only circulates top water. This will help to prevent surface ice and protect your fish. (more…)

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  • Float Switch Buyers Guide & Review

    February 12, 2014

    Many submersible pumps are float switch activated. It's important to choose a float switch that's correctly sized and configured for your application as the right switch can extend a pump's life and the wrong one can cause a pump to prematurely burn out or malfunction. Float switches are available in tethered, vertical and diaphragm designs. Each type has benefits and drawbacks. Choosing the float switch that's right for you depends on your budget, the amount of time are you are willing to spend monitoring a pump and your tolerance for pump malfunction. PHCC Pro Series Float Switch Options  Tethered Float Switch A tethered float switch consists of a cord and a float that moves up and down on the water's surface and turns the pump on and off as the water level rises and falls. Tethered floats are among the simplest and least expensive switches and are commonly used in large diameter, deep pit sump and sewage applications. Tethered floats allow the pump to be off longer between pump cycles, which allows the motor to cool more completely. This can extend the life of a pump and lower usage costs. Tethered floats are available in mechanically activated and mercury activated designs and in "pump up" and "pump down" styles. A pump down switch will turn on the electricity when the float is in the up position. A pump up switch will turn on the electricity when the float is in the down position. Tethered floats often have a "piggyback plug" to facilitate installation and operation.  However, they require frequent checks. In addition to burning out and getting caught in sump pit debris, tether floats can get pinned against the wall of a well or sump pit when vibration causes a pump to drift. Vertical Float Switch A vertical float switch consists of a float attached to a pole that is vertically placed inside the sump pit. As the float moves up and down along the pole, it turns the pump on and off. Vertical float switches are ideal for narrow sump basins. They tend to run a pump more often than tethered floats and prevent pit water from getting too deep. They require frequent checking as they are prone to the same obstructions as tether floats. Diaphragm Switch Diaphragm switches contain a membrane that is convex when the water is at low levels, and concave when the water rises.  The concave membrane kicks in the pump. When the water level falls the membrane moves back to its convex shape and disengages the pump. These switches rely on changes in water pressure and are ideal for use with submersible well pumps and applications where space is limited. Diaphragm switches require less monitoring than float switches as they are less mobile. They are, however, subject to obstruction by small pebbles and loss of flexibility in the activating membrane. PumpProduct.com application engineers are standing by to provide technical assistance, price quotes or to answer any questions you may have regarding float switches by leading manufacturers including Goulds, Zoeller and Little Giant.  Call our Toll Free Number 1-800-429-0800.

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  • The Pump Products Float Switch Primer

    February 10, 2014

    One of the most important things to consider when choosing a sump pump is the type of switch that will operate it.  A float switch monitors the liquid level in a sump pit and automatically turns a sump pump on and off. The right float switch could mean the difference between a dry basement and thousands of dollars worth of water damage. Float switches are available in a variety of designs and there are a number of factors to weigh when selecting the switch type that's right for you. How much time are you willing to spend monitoring your pump  What is your tolerance for malfunction How much space do you have What is your budget (more…)

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  • Pump Products Explains How To Check Your Water Pressure Booster Tank

    February 6, 2014

    Our Product Experts field a lot of calls from customers who experience a loss in water pressure and wonder if their water booster system has gone kaput. If this is a question in your mind, the first thing to do is to check your booster system pressure tank. The pressure tank usually sits adjacent to the booster pump. Tap on the tank. If you hear a hollow sound, it means there is air inside and it is functioning properly. If you knock on the tank and it sounds full, it may be waterlogged and require replacement. (more…)

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  • Zoeller Pumps Top Pump Products’ List of Best Selling Pumps in 2014

    February 5, 2014

    Zoeller Shark Grinder wastewater packages, M53 Mighty-Mate Effluent Pumps, Pro Pak 53 Backup Sump Pump Systems, and Zoeller WM266 Quick Jon Replacement Pumps were among the standout models in Pump Products' extensive inventory of  residential and industrial wastewater pumps at the start of 2014. "Zoeller's reputation for quality products precedes it in many cases," says Product Expert Fred Hettinger of Zoeller's popularity among our customers. "There's a lot of Zoeller already out there, especially out in the Midwest. Many of our customers have gotten 10 years out of a Zoeller pump and they want an exact  replacement." Hettinger factors Zoeller's quality construction in the U.S. from premium materials into the brand loyalty he has seen. He also cites the savings to be derived from direct replacement. "Replacing an old pump with a new version of the same model makes costly system adjustments unnecessary," says Hettinger. Equipped with 500,000 square feet of warehouse space in New Jersey’s Meadowlands, Pump Products maintains a large Zoeller inventory and provides same-day shipping in many cases. Quick delivery and guaranteed low prices set the stage for our strong Zoeller sales as the year began. "Our customer base is currently about half residential and half commercial/industrial," says Hettinger. "This corresponds with Zoeller's offerings which are equally strong for both markets. Zoeller waste water pumps and package systems are popular among our residential customers, while Zoeller's large engineered pumps are strong sellers among our commercial and industrial clients seeking multi-phase, high-horsepower, industrial grade pumps." In recent years, Pump Products has invested the resources necessary to supply both markets and currently ranks as a Master Zoeller Distributor.  A deep inventory of residential and industrial grade pumps and a staff of in-house Application Engineers who are able to expertly size pumps for both simple domestic and complex industrial applications, enables us to serve a larger segment of the market than many other on-line retailers. Contractors, facilities managers, mechanical companies, and other larger end users such as universities, shopping malls, and small commercial buildings are among our heavy-use Zoeller customers. "Zoeller puts out a strong product and we stock a lot of it," says Hettinger "I would say that anyone would be hard-pressed to find another Master Zoeller Distributor who stocks as many sewage pumps as we do.” We currently stock every pump in the Zoeller 280 and 290 Series in every voltage. We also have a deep inventory of Zoeller Wastemate single phase sewage ejectors in 115 and 230 volts and three phase models in 200, 230, and 460 volts. For more information on our Zoeller residential and commercial pumping equipment, visit us at  www.pumpproducts.com or call 1-800-429-0800

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