Shorten circulator pump life?

TommyPak

I'm new to this business, but I've been picking it pretty well. Anyway i recently read Dan's "pumping away" and I decided to suggest this method to my boss. He says that he's been putting the circulators on the return for years and that "pumping away" would lead to a shortened circulator life due to the higher temp. I think that is bull. He's the type of guy that if it's not his idea then it's a bad idea. Is he wrong? Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks.
tp.

joe_14

WRONG



your boss is wrong. years ago it did make a difference because of the seals. but with the seals they use today its not a problem putting the circs where they belong ,PUMPING AWAY. as mark e. would say there is no right way to do it wrong. maybe you could take the boss to on of dans seminars worth every dime and ill bet your boss will see thinks differently.


keep the open mind

joeg.

Kal Row

it used to be a problem

with the old 3 piece pumps - not only the high temps, but the large temp swings also, with the new wet rotor pumps, anthing below 250f is actualy "cooling" the motor's windings, and the sealed pump, has no seals to leak, and the bearings are water lubricated - so it's no longer and issue

we use the old pumps when we need lots and lots of torque, like and open basment loop of a stemp boiler - i use a B&G model 100 in bronze - it can pump the sludge and not rust out in that environment

ps: you can pump away by also putting the expansion tank on the return - but the air seperator works best where the static (ie non pumping) pressture is the highest and the temp is hottest - so they put the air seperator past the boiler, and the expansion tank, and water feed into it, then the pump past it - it's no big deal

remember to devide the highest point in the system by 2.309
and if it's higher than 12, you need to pump that air pressure into the air valve of the emppty exp tank and set the automatic feeder to that pressure too

hr

The trade off

Excessive heat will shorten the life of most electrical and mechanical components. Motor service factor ratings take this into account.

I suppose over a long period of time there could be a difference in life expectency.

The trade off of pumping away for air removal and quieter running systems is worth it! And for the price of a wet rotor pump...

B&G knows heat kills motors, and there PL series has a fan cooled motor. Cooler running and a tad bit more efficient by not spinning a rotor in fluid. Also a cheaper motor to build.

The B&G series 100 pumps, if oiled and maintained last decades. I seen 50 year old ones still running! I yet to find many 30, or even 20 year old wet rotors in service.

All things considered pumping away is the prefered method of the pros.

hot rod



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