VFD Water Pump?

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Turfhead

Active member
Joined
Jul 19, 2008
Posts
25
Location
Central Illinois
So, I'm sick of waking up my kids when I need to flush or use the sink after they go to bed.  Has anyone ever found a quiet water pump that isn't a diaphram pump?  I work on my golf course and we have VFD irrigation pumps (variable frequency drive) that spin slow when demand is low and ramp up their speed when demand goes up, as opposed to the "off and on" nature of a diaphram pump.  My VFD pumps are centrifugal pumps so maybe a small version wouldn't generate enough pressure, but it seems like there has to be a quieter solution out there!
 
I work with VFD's also and understand your idea but don't think it's practical from a cost standpoint. One of the things I have been promising to do is remount and tighten my pump which would quiet it down a bit. The stock units are pretty bare bones to save on cost. I can usually flush a couple times without even having the pump on but not run the sink etc. Google rv water pumps and have a look. There are a lot of websites that advertise whisper quiet water pumps. I have not used one besides the stock unit but I'm sure others here will be able to share their experiments. I would also go to a local Rv dealer to have a look and "a listen" to compare to what you have.
 
Have a look at this Shurflo pump towards bottom of page, variable speed is the basic VFD idea. Good suggestions for checking pumps also.

http://www.aboutpumpsguide.com/rv-water-pumps.html
 
I think Aquajet makes a better variable flow pump than Shurflo. Or at least their track record is better.

http://www.rvupgradestore.com/Aquajet-RV-Variable-Speed-Water-Pump-p/aquajetrv.htm

But a noisy pump is more often a matter of how it is mounted and plumbed than the type of pump. If the pump can vibrate against a wood floor, or the stiff inlet or outlet hose or pipe can vibrate, any pump will be loud. Pex tubing and PVC pipe  are very stiff and can vibrate easily, so pump manufacturers recommend a piece of flexible tubing between any Pex or PVC and the pump. Even a foot or so will help.  And the pump itself can be mounted on rubber to absorb vibration.

Here are some ideas on silencing a noisy pump:

http://www.rvdoctor.com/2011/01/noisy-rv-water-pump.html
http://www.newrver.com/publish/noisypump.shtml
http://www.aboutpumpsguide.com/rv-water-pumps.html
 
Great suggestions guys!  I like the idea of a mouse pad under the pump and some foam insulation around noisy pipes... maybe when the old pump dies I'll upgrade to the variable speed model!
 

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