pump "problem" on trnc villas

timaloy


Joined: 30/06/2011
Posts: 171

Message Posted:
07/02/2012 15:25

Hi need some advice,we have a pump that pumps water from the ground floor tank to the tank on the roof,trouble is ,the pump goes on and off continuolsly,even tho theres no water flowing in the house,my first thought was that the float switch on the roof is faulty,which controls the pump (i think),but i soon realised that this problem seems to be with all villas,or the one ive seen anyway,the pump run on and off for ages even tho theres no demand,the pump should surely stop once the top tank is full, any answers please.cheers

ttoli


Joined: 24/03/2007
Posts: 1172

Message Posted:
07/02/2012 15:32

A dripping tap or toilet?

timaloy


Joined: 30/06/2011
Posts: 171

Message Posted:
07/02/2012 15:35

No,ive checked all this ,no flow of water in house,cheers

yrret


Joined: 17/08/2010
Posts: 761

Message Posted:
07/02/2012 15:35

check to see if there is a non return valve on the pipework between the pump and the pressure sensor switch, as otherwise any pressure will leak back through the pump and it will continuously kick in.

If there is an NRV, you need to work throught the system from there until you find the leak.

timaloy


Joined: 30/06/2011
Posts: 171

Message Posted:
07/02/2012 15:40

sounds good to me vrret,will give it a go,cheers

waddo


Joined: 29/11/2008
Posts: 1966

Message Posted:
07/02/2012 15:43

As I understand the system, the pump will only switch on due to a demand from the float switch in the top tank telling the float switch in the bottom tank to switch the pump on. As far as I am aware the float switch in the top tank should be connected to a similar switch in the bottom tank and not directly to the pump! This is to stop the top tank being able to switch the pump on when there is no water in the bottom tank, that would simply run the pump dry until it burned out.



Suggest you check the bottom tank for a float switch as well and make sure that both are working properly.



I AM NOT A PLUMBER - I JUST LIVE HERE AND FIX MY OWN FAULTS WHENEVER POSSIBLE.



That was my disclaimer by the way - lol.

Kibris


Joined: 07/11/2007
Posts: 372

Message Posted:
07/02/2012 15:47

This happened to me - in my case it was the pressure control valve - an easy change - 2 types available - cheap and not cheap - go for the not cheap one about 130 - 170 TL made in Italy

timaloy


Joined: 30/06/2011
Posts: 171

Message Posted:
07/02/2012 15:51

nothing electrical in the bottom tank,the water from the beledesi flows into this tank,a simple ball cock prevents overflow,its a strange one,we now turn the pump of when we dont requre shower/washing /tap use etc etc,peice and quiet,like i said in my original post,every place ive been in seems to have this prob,lemon grove apartments in lapta most of the pumps are on and off all night??( i stayed there a few weeks)

AlsancakJack



Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 5762

Message Posted:
07/02/2012 16:05

What type of pump control system do you have? Is it the usual metal globe on top of the pump or is it electrically controlled?

timaloy


Joined: 30/06/2011
Posts: 171

Message Posted:
07/02/2012 16:26

you lost me there pal,metal globe??/,please explain,cheers

Geoff1131


Joined: 12/07/2007
Posts: 276

Message Posted:
07/02/2012 16:55

From what you discribe, you have a ground water tank and a simple pump ( not a pressure pump ) to lift the water up and into the rooftop tank. From where gravity takes over to supply water through the house. If the only control you have on the pump is one float switch in the top tank, then you will get the pump coming on and off continually because the float switch is doing just that ( floating ) it is making and breaking its electrical connection and causing your problem. You need to have two float switches fitted, one for low level to bring the pump on and one set at a higher level to turn the pump off until the water level reaches the bottom setting again. You should also have some form of control in the lower tank to ensure that there is water in the tank to run the pump. Hope all that makes sense, it does to me, but then again i'm a plumber.

timaloy


Joined: 30/06/2011
Posts: 171

Message Posted:
07/02/2012 17:23

cheers geof,what i needed,i will fit and test soon,

waddo


Joined: 29/11/2008
Posts: 1966

Message Posted:
07/02/2012 17:44

Magic - I got a plumber to agree with a non-plumber. I must have done something right in an earlier life - but I probably did not explain it as well as the plumber did. Well done all, the board proves its worth again and solves a problem for somebody.

Jovial_John


Joined: 31/01/2009
Posts: 1024

Message Posted:
07/02/2012 17:52

A year ago I wrote down my understanding of TRNC pressurised water systems for a friend - although I am not a plumber it was checked and agreed (indeed praised) by a plumber. I have found the file - 2 pages in .RTF so readable with Word or Wordpad at least.

If anybody would like this document I will be happy to email it to you - and if you are a plumber then I would be interested in your comments.

Geoff1131


Joined: 12/07/2007
Posts: 276

Message Posted:
07/02/2012 18:15

timaloy, i was just going to try to explain to you how to make the connections to the 2 float switches but have just seen on your profile that you are a ' spark ' so do it your ruddy self!!!!!

timaloy


Joined: 30/06/2011
Posts: 171

Message Posted:
07/02/2012 18:48

geof,read my post,i did say i was going to fit and test,,it was the plumbing side i wanted advice on

timaloy


Joined: 30/06/2011
Posts: 171

Message Posted:
07/02/2012 18:57

jovial john,could you send your document to me



amooreelectrical@sky.com



cheers

Geoff1131


Joined: 12/07/2007
Posts: 276

Message Posted:
07/02/2012 19:01

timaloy, sorry i did'nt mean any offence with my post. Its just my stupid sense of humour.



Hope you get everything sorted out.



Geoff.

bigjuss


Joined: 09/09/2010
Posts: 221

Message Posted:
07/02/2012 19:07

hi,ive had exactly the same problem myself....and it seemed an absolute mystery at the time..its nothing to do with floats in the tank or running water.....its a simple thing that can be fixed in minutes....

take the top off your toilet ctstern ,inside you will see a rubber seal that sits in the bottom.these get caked in limescale which allows the water to run away.even tho its only a small amount of water,it makes your pump kick in every minute or so.....well it did mine anyway......give them a clean and bobs yer uncle!!!!

call me if you like,i'll explain in detail.

05338389334

timaloy


Joined: 30/06/2011
Posts: 171

Message Posted:
07/02/2012 19:13

cheers geoff