GOULDS BOOSTER PUMPS BUYER'S GUIDE

Booster pumps are supplemental pumps used to increase the pressure of a fluid (usually water) traveling to a home or building.

Water pressure could be lacking due to factors such as friction loss, gravity and dispersion among multiple fixtures. Multi-story buildings often use booster pumps when water pressure dissipates on the top floors. Homeowners will often install a booster pump when their home is at the end of a municipal water line or if they are installing a new water fixture that will draw water pressure from existing fixtures. Some just prefer stronger water pressure.

The breakdown diagram below shows a typical booster pump installation in a system that gets water from a municipal line. In this particular instance, the pump is a Goulds Aquavar e-ABII package with tank, gauge and transducer included. Other installations might look roughly similar. The key point is that booster pumps do not have suction power; water must be fed into the booster for it to operate properly.

The expansion tank holds excess water to relieve pressure so that the pump does not short cycle. Once the tank is full, the air bladder inside the tank contracts and the pump is shut off. The extra water can then be pumped out of the tank.

In addition to home and office use, booster pumps are often used for agricultural washdown, farming and irrigation, as well as for extreme pressure washing.

In this buyer’s guide, Pump Products will be highlighting three series of Goulds booster pumps: the GB series, the HB series and the Aquavar ABII package series.

A note:

It is important to not “deadhead” these pumps or run them dry. That’s a sure guarantee for burnt plastic and a damaged pump. A recirculator pump could be useful in making sure that water is always flowing through the pump.

BEST PRICE GUARANTEE

Many of the Goulds booster pumps listed on our site qualify as Best Price Guarantee products. Find a lower price and we’ll match it! Check the Best Price Guarantee button on each product page for full terms and conditions.

For more information on the Goulds booster pumps or the Best Price Guarantee program, call us at 1-800-429-0800.

The Goulds GB series pumps are horizontal multistage pumps that are designed for high head, low-flow pressure boosting applications. Models are designated with a best efficiency flow rate, and the GB series includes 5 GPM, 7 GPM, 10 GPM, 18 GPM and 25 GPM models (Note that the maximum flow rates for these models are higher than the best efficiency flow rate). The Total Dynamic Head for this series can range from 200 ft. to over 600 ft. depending on the specific model.

GB series booster pumps are designed for durability and corrosion resistance. The elements of each stage are particularly tough: the impeller and diffuser are made of glass filled engineered composite material while the bowl is 300 stainless steel. The multistage design also allows for pumping to high heads while simultaneously operating quietly and vibration free.

Models marked with “C” have cast iron diffuser heads, while models marked with “S” are stainless steel for filtration applications.

Goulds GB Series Top 10 Best Sellers Comparison Chart

The Goulds HB series is similar to its cousin the GB series in that it is a close coupled high head multistage pump. HB series pumps can reach total heads ranging from 200 ft. to over 700 ft. depending on the number of stages in a specific model. The main difference is that the HB series can also operate in applications with higher flow capacities. The series includes pump models with best efficiency flow rates of 45 GPM and 70 GPM.

HB series pumps feature multiple stages that are durable and corrosion resistant, with both the impeller and diffuser constructed of glass filled thermoplastic, while the bowl is 300 series stainless steel.

Models marked with “C” have cast iron diffuser heads, while models marked with “S” are stainless steel for filtration applications.

Goulds HB Series Top 10 Best Sellers Comparison Chart

The Goulds Aquavar e-ABII is a popular package kit for larger residential and light commercial applications with low to mid-range head requirements. The package can come in a variety of configurations, but each package will include the e-HM pump model (some will be multistage), a variable speed intelligent controller and a transducer to measure the pressure within a system.

Packages that include the expansion tank (pictured above) will also feature a compact one piece e-HM pump. 1HM and 3HM pump models with this package can contain sizes up to 6 stages while 5HM models can reach up to 5 stages.

The other Aquavar package without the tank (pictured below) will feature a sleeve design pump with separate suction housing. 1HM and 3HM pumps of this type will have at least 7 stages, while the 5HM pumps have at least 6 stages.

The difference between the compact pumps and the sleeve pumps is in the maximum working pressure each can handle. Compact pumps can handle up to 145 psi (pounds per square inch) while sleeve pumps can handle up to 230 psi.

The intelligent controller works by sensing water use and adjusting the speed of the motor accordingly. The controller can also regulate the motor through remote commands and monitors the system to alert you of any hazards. Goulds advertises the system as “cruise control for your pump.” Each includes a power cord. Some can be wall mounted. Be sure to install the controller in the proper enclosure based on its rating.

Models in this series can reach heads ranging from the Total Dynamic Heads ranging from 25 ft.at the low end to over 250 ft. at the high end.

Goulds Aquavar e-ABII Top 10 Best Sellers Comparison Chart

Pump Products application engineers are standing by to provide technical assistance, price quotes or to answer any questions you may have regarding Goulds Booster Pumps. Call our toll free number 1-800-429-0800.