Pmup alternatives

nycfishy · Dec 3, 2018

are there any good “upgrades” to the pmup?
I have my ato tank in the basement and M using the pmup for top off with atk.
It been about a week and this morning it was just grinding away. Turned it off off till tonight when I had to undo my wiring, plumbing and drain my salt tank which sits over the RODI tank so I can get to the pump. Had fine black plastic bits floating around the tank. Took the pump apart and it started again but I no longer trust it as a ato pump. Are there any easy upgrades any one can suggest ? I don’t have a power bar in the basement but might be willing to buy one. It’s anout 10 feet of head pressure through apex Dos tubing.

Options?

DLHDesign · Dec 4, 2018

Any idea where the plastic bits came from? If not from the PMUP, might be indicative of something else going wrong...

Any small submersible pump (example) should work; you'll just need to convert the standard pipe fitting to the 1/4" line - which should be easy enough. That, of course, does mean getting controlled power down to it...

nycfishy · Dec 4, 2018

so do I make investment in a power bar or dos pump?
would that little sicce pump have any issues with 10 feet of head pressure?

DLHDesign · Dec 4, 2018

Not sure how a DOS would solve anything for you?
Honestly; not sure on the Sicce pump. The reduction in pipe sizes makes the charts they provide rather useless (they are based on 1/2" pipe, I believe). I'd think it should be able to handle it, but I can't say that for sure, sorry...

nycfishy · Dec 4, 2018

DLHDesign said:
Not sure how a DOS would solve anything for you?
Honestly; not sure on the Sicce pump. The reduction in pipe sizes makes the charts they provide rather useless (they are based on 1/2" pipe, I believe). I'd think it should be able to handle it, but I can't say that for sure, sorry...

Would use Dos as pump for ATO but seems like an expensive option.

nycfishy · Dec 4, 2018

DLHDesign said:
Any idea where the plastic bits came from? If not from the PMUP, might be indicative of something else going wrong...

Any small submersible pump (example) should work; you'll just need to convert the standard pipe fitting to the 1/4" line - which should be easy enough. That, of course, does mean getting controlled power down to it...

With plastic bits my tank is white and only thing in it is float valve from rodi which is also white and two Neptune optical sensors for high and low levels. So can’t think of where else these would come from other than pmup

Water Dog · Dec 4, 2018

Want an almost bombproof ATO pump? Take a look at the Avast Marine diaphragm pump. It will easily handle the head pressure from your basement.

https://www.avastmarine.com/products/diaphragm-pump

Fin · Dec 4, 2018

Maybe check out the Avast ATO pump. Pumps up to 130ft in height. Diaphragm pump, so not submersible. Kind of like an Aqualifter on steroids.

nycfishy · Dec 4, 2018

Water Dog said:
Want an almost bombproof ATO pump? Take a look at the Avast Marine diaphragm pump. It will easily handle the head pressure from your basement.

https://www.avastmarine.com/products/diaphragm-pump

Interesting. Also as a 12v pump it can be powered by the same setup I have for pmup. ?

Fin · Dec 4, 2018

Ha! Doubled up on that one.

Water Dog · Dec 4, 2018

The Avast diaphragm pump can push out 60 psi at 130 ft of head pressure, so if you need to plug it into your power bar, it won’t be a problem.

nycfishy · Dec 4, 2018

Water Dog said:
The Avast diaphragm pump can push out 60 psi at 130 ft of head pressure, so if you need to plug it into your power bar, it won’t be a problem.

Could I not use the 12v connection from apex and not have to buy another power bar for basement?

Fin · Dec 4, 2018

I think those power ports on the energy bar are 24volts.

Water Dog · Dec 4, 2018

Email the guys at Avast and see if they can rewire it for you, or try to rewire it yourself for the 12v accessory cable. If it is in fact a 12v and not 24v. My point is, if you have a free outlet open in your power bar near your tank, the Avast diaphragm pump is strong enough to pull water from your basement with the pump itself being located near the power bar.

*Edit - just read the specs... As @Fin stated, the PMUP uses a 24v accessory cable, not 12v.

Fin · Dec 4, 2018

nycfishy · Dec 4, 2018

Water Dog said:
Email the guys at Avast and see if they can rewire it for you, or try to rewire it yourself for the 12v accessory cable. If it is in fact a 12v and not 24v. My point is, if you have a free outlet open in your power bar near your tank, the Avast diaphragm pump is strong enough to pull water from your basement with the pump itself being located near the power bar.

*Edit - just read the specs... As @Fin stated, the PMUP uses a 24v accessory cable, not 12v.

My bad, thought they were both 12V. Wanted to avoid pump in cabinet because of noise but I guess it can work in the short term.
as always thanks for all the great help, love this forum for bouncing ideas off of knowledgeable people.

nycfishy · Dec 4, 2018

Fin said:

think I could use this to step down the voltage?
https://www.amazon.com/Converter-Re...&sr=8-6&keywords=voltage+regulator+24v+to+12v

Fin · Dec 4, 2018

nycfishy said:
think I could use this to step down the voltage?
https://www.amazon.com/Converter-Re...&sr=8-6&keywords=voltage+regulator+24v+to+12v

Well, the pump comes with its own 12 volt transformer. Do you have an empty socket on your EB832? That would be the easiest way, I would think. Like @Water Dog mentioned, that pump could be mounted by your EB832 upstairs and be strong enough to pump water from your basement to your sump.

If you are still wanting to use those 24v ports, maybe write to Avast (again like @Water Dog suggested) and tell them what you want to do. I did recently see on the forum where someone used one of those step down transformers to attach some 12v switches to their control board, so I would think that would be possible. I am not the electrical guru though.

nycfishy · Dec 4, 2018

Fin said:
Well, the pump comes with its own 12 volt transformer. Do you have an empty socket on your EB832? That would be the easiest way, I would think. Like @Water Dog mentioned, that pump could be mounted by your EB832 upstairs and be strong enough to pump water from your basement to your sump.

If you are still wanting to use those 24v ports, maybe write to Avast (again like @Water Dog suggested) and tell them what you want to do. I did recently see on the forum where someone used one of those step down transformers to attach some 12v switches to their control board, so I would think that would be possible. I am not the electrical guru though.

I ordered the pump and a step down transformer. If that doesn’t work will mount the pump upstairs in the cabinet as suggested.
Will let you guys know how it works out.

ca1ore · Dec 4, 2018

Avast diaphragm pump highly recommended here as well. Been using a trio since about the time they first came out. They’ll pull or push with equal facility. Had one of mine pulling through 25’ of airline tubing. No problem. Not quiet, certainly, but only runs occasionally.