Shower Pump choice

[penguinventures]

I know this subject appears frequently in the forums but I can't make a decision.

I need a positive shower pump that is quiet -

Choices are based on what is available online and from local suppliers

Techflow CT45-2
Salamander CT-50
Monsoon Showermate 1.8

Can anyone advise which is the better please?

 

[minimoog]

Some adverts for the Salamander CT50 state that it emits a high-pitched hum. Whether this is over and above their more expensive pumps I don't know but this, the low price, and the model name 'Contract' lead me to suspect it's to be avoided in noise-sensitive applications.

 

[penguinventures]

Thanks for that - I can't help thinking that you get what you pay for as is the general rule in life. I have gone for a Stuart Turner Monsoon albeit a secondhand unit off eBay. I am hoping it will be serviceable with maybe the need to give the pumps a clean and fit new impellers. Am keeping my fingers crossed!

 

[seco services]

i would

 

[minimoog]

The info on the high pitched hum on the CT model Salamanders comes from Salamander themselves, I've since learned. It applies to their NP range too. The 'Right' pump models are supposedly much quieter.

I rang Stuart Turner and asked what their noise rating was. They said all their pumps are less than 70dB, though how much less they weren't saying. Since 70dB is pretty damn loud (vacuum cleaner loud) I've decided to avoid them, however high quality they are.

Techflow quote 62dB for their QT80 pump, which is significantly quieter (noise level doubles with every 3dB increase). Think I'll risk one of them...

 

[penguinventures]

I hope the shower pump is not as loud as 70db. The equivalent of a vacuum cleaner in the loft is gonna sound pretty bad and I will be disappointed if its as bad as that. I am going to mount the pump on a concrete paving slab as I read somewhere this helps prevent resonance and I may fabricate a oversized box to go over the top of it lined with marine engine bay soundproofing foam.

For the sake of finishing the forum subject I will report on how the pump installation fairs.

 

[davedasave]

i have a ct50 and it is very very quiet, would recommend

 

[penguinventures]

Installled a Stuart Turner Monsoon 1.5 bar on a paving slab in the loft. The pump is amazingly quiet and can barely be heard within the house. Less noise than the central heating pump.

So all good

 

[mmm006]

we've got a stuart turner showermate 1.4 bar twin pump (which i've enclosed in an acoustic felt lined foam box), and it's really hard to live with; the noise is loud, but also the type of noise, especially when it kicks in.
Would having it sitting on a concrete slab or similar help? (not sure if we've got room for a concrete slab though?)

 

[Richard C]

we've got a stuart turner showermate 1.4 bar twin pump (which i've enclosed in an acoustic felt lined foam box), and it's really hard to live with; the noise is loud, but also the type of noise, especially when it kicks in.
Would having it sitting on a concrete slab or similar help? (not sure if we've got room for a concrete slab though?)

As this topic is nearly a year old, I think it's pretty safe to assume the OP has made a choice by now!

 

[penguinventures]

The Monsoon's been in the loft a year and is doing really well for a secondhand unit. Its as quiet as it was and really is unobtrussive - not as loud as vacuum cleaner. All I did as a precaution was to mount it on the slab - an acoustic box was unnecessary.

Only thing an issue is the way the dumb-arse plumber took the feed off the immersion tank - he tee'd into the main outlet and now you can occasionally hear the pump kick into life briefly when hot taps are turned on. A Tee off the main outlet is not recommended in the instructions and my symptoms are probably the reason why. My plumber could'nt read.