Shower pump wont start

[thewaterboy]

Hi

Here's the story. A fortnight ago I fitted a shower pump to a friends existing thermostatic shower.
Basically I ran cold pipe from tank in loft into airing cupboard to pump (on floor), Took a hot feed from the cylinder output again to the pump.

The outputs from the pump had to go back into the loftspace over a hallway and down the wall in the bathroom. All pipework is in 15mm

This worked perfectly untill the pump I installed decided to leak like hell (it was 2nd hand) Anyway he has gone out and purchaced a Bristan 2.0bar pump to replace the leaky one. Problem is now the pump wont start unless the shower head is lowered into the bath.

I gather this is due to a flow/head issue but there is easily 500mm between the bottom of the tank and the showerhead. Its also a rather large tank. Easily enough to fill 2 baths.

Thanks In advance

 

[seco services]

i would put it down to the size of your pipework.
what the instructions say ? have you a link to the instructions ?
i don't know any 2 bar pumps that run on 15mm.

 

[thewaterboy]

I had a feeling that may be a possibility. Unfortunally I have not seen the pump nor the instructions as they live 150miles away. I am going there this weekend so will have a look then, I will give them a call and try and find out what model pump it is so maybe be able to find a link.

When you say you dont know of any 15mm 2.0 bar pumps. even though the inlet/outlets are in 15mm do they still require 22mm up to and after the pump?

 

[seco services]

afraid so
useally even with pumps that use 15mm inlet/outlet if they go back up into the loft and across i will use 22mm reduced to 15mm at the pump to supply it.
nothing worse than a pump thats starved of water.
but as you say 22mm down to shower then reduce before entering the mixer.

you need a good gravity flow from the showerhead as thats what lifts the flow valve in the pump to start it.

 

[thewaterboy]

Joy!

Best get these instructions and have a good read.

Blow torch to the ready then by the sounds of it.

Cheers