Welcome! Here are the website rules, as well as some tips for using this forum.
Need to contact us? Visit https://heatinghelp.com/contact-us/.
Click here to Find a Contractor in your area.

Can a Circulator Pump Past a Stopped Downstream Pump?

VelvetFoot
VelvetFoot Member Posts: 48
I'm thinking about a piping schematic. I was wondering if a boiler circulator pump can pump past a downstream zone circulator that is stopped. I'm hoping it can't. Thanks.

Comments

  • Charlie from wmass
    Charlie from wmass Member Posts: 4,318
    why would it not be able to?

    yes it can. unless the head for that zone exceeds the pump curve.
    Cost is what you spend , value is what you get.

    cell # 413-841-6726
    https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/charles-garrity-plumbing-and-heating
  • VelvetFoot
    VelvetFoot Member Posts: 48
    I thought maybe the motor

    might be involved. Thanks for clearing it up for me.
  • Ironman
    Ironman Member Posts: 7,367
    Motor

    The impeller in the down stream circ will cause some resistance to flow, but like Charlie said, it won't stop it.
    Bob Boan
    You can choose to do what you want, but you cannot choose the consequences.
  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 22,022
    that's common in solar drainbacks

    two circs run to fill and establish the siphon, then the downstream one drops off, and goes along for the ride. A small pressure drop thru the un-powered one is all..



    I've heard of problems with trying to start the downstream one when it is spinning? Maybe they spin backwards sometimes.



    Also if you flow thru an unpowered ECM, like an Alpha the display lights up! Wonder if it turns into a generator?
    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
  • Gordy
    Gordy Member Posts: 9,546
    Water turbine gen.

    To cancel out power used in the hydronic system. Even if it reclaimed something. System is circulating anyway.
  • Paul48
    Paul48 Member Posts: 4,469
    Hmmm

    There might be a government grant for that one. If you could fold enough facts in to the nonsense, they'd probably go for it.
  • NYplumber
    NYplumber Member Posts: 503
    ashp

    I wouldn't be surprised if there is a grant for ecm circulator generators before ashps....
    :NYplumber: