Taco 1915 Installation Question

RPK · April 2020

There's a warning message on the instruction sheet for this pump (Taco 1915) that says "Caution: Do not support, suspend or brace motor and/or bracket. Support provided by casing is sufficient for structural integrity of pump..." I can understand why the extra support is not necessary, but why is it so strictly forbidden? The pump I'm looking at has the motor shaft horizontal and a pretty sizeable motor hanging out there to the side. I can see that the installer had good intentions installing a bracket under the motor. I would prefer to have a better answer than "because Taco says so" when I point out that the bracket should be removed. My only guess is that tension on the motor may effect alignment in some slight way, potentially damaging the seal.

STEVEusaPA · April 2020

RPK said:
...My only guess is that tension on the motor may effect alignment in some slight way, potentially damaging the seal.

You’re on to something:)

Gary Jansen_4 · April 2020

I work as a service technician for a Taco rep in the midwest. I see this support problem on what is almost a daily basis. The "cover", that metal bracket that carries the motor onto the volute, has been manufactured by Taco to carry, support and align the motor on any Taco 1900 series pump in it's proper position. Applying an additional "support" is unnecessary and causes all kinds of problems. It puts stress on the motor casing, affecting the motor bearings and shaft. It can result in the motor overamping and overheating. It can affect the seal, resulting in premature leakage. The impeller can be forced to rub in the volute. Odd noises, chirping and squealing happen. Excessive vibration can be carries by the "support " into the building.

I also see this problem on the Taco 1600 series pumps. The pump motor on a 1600 pump has resilient motor mounts, carried in a cradle for support. Adding support causes all of the problems listed above, plus bending or distortion of the cradle.
Even worse is when the cradle is not installed under the motor. I see the cradle to the sides, or above the motor.

Taco 1900 series pumps should be installed with the motor shaft in the horizontal position. They can be mounted in the vertical position if need be, if the motor is above the volute. 1600 series pumps HAVE to be mounted with the motor in the horizontal position, with the cradle under the motor. To the best of my knowledge, Taco does not allow any pump of any sort to be mounted with the motor hanging down facing the ground.

My guess would be other pump manufactures have similar recommendations.

I see these issues everyday, regardless if the pump is a Taco, or a B&G, a Grundfos, or some other brand. Typically, when I bring it up to the contractor's attention. they get out the mechanical drawings. And the drawings show the engineer specifying a support bracket of some sort. I will normally loosen or adjust the bracket so it looks like it is doing something, but in reality it's not.

I hope this helps.
Thanks, Gary

RPK · April 2020

Thank you very much for your comments, Gary. That is exactly what I was looking for. Sometimes those mechanical detail drawings cause more trouble than they're worth.

SteveSan · April 2020

Everything that both Steve & Gary is correct on why we say never support or use hangers on our 100 , 1600, & 1900 series pumps. It will throw off the alignment, cause motor vibration, and seal damage. If you ever have any questions please feel free to contact Taco Tech Support @ 401-942-8000 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm EST WE are working from home and are available.

Taco 1915 Installation Question

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