shower pump nightmare

[NRG81]

Hi all, first things first i had a concealed mixer shower installed and my shower pump did not kick in unless i dropped the shower head below the level of my tap heights. The bathroom installers were baffled, so they suggested uprating my shower pump which was a salamander 1.5 bar to a 3.0 bar to see if this solved it. Alas no it didn't, they got back to me after speaking to a plumber who suggested fitting a semi automatic negative head air switch. Now by my understanding if i have that fitted will i have to switch that on before i start a shower everytime?

Also should i have just bought a negative head shower pump instead of the positive one?

 

[stem]

With a positive head pump, when the mixer is opened, some water must flow through the pump under its own pressure. This flow then operates the flow switches and starts the pump motor running. If there isn't any flow, then the pump motor won't run, regardless of the discharge pressure of the pump. Probably in your case when you drop the shower head down there is then sufficient pressure to get some water to flow and so the pump will start.

If there isn't a positive head present in order to provide some 'natural' flow, then a negative head pump would be required.

 

[just pumps]

Have the same problem however by running the hot tap on the basin for 2 seconds before turning the shower on works until I get round to changing the pump.

 

[muggles]

You went wrong twice...
You bought a positive head pump when you needed a negative head/universal
You bought a Salamander. Stuart Turner are much better and similar money

If you fitted the conversion switch you would indeed need to press it every time you turned the shower on

 

[steve32]

This is the one you need to fit

https://www.showerdoc.com/stuart-turner-monsoon-universal-3-0-bar-twin-shower-pump-46410

 

[AGAS]

dam I'm starting to feel sorry for you for having a salamander also they are really quiet aren't they