External Pump... Intake questions

Reeferon · 05/05/2007, 10:04 AM

I recently bought a little giant pump and will be putting it on my new tank/sump that I am building.

The problem with the pump is that it only fits under the stand vertically to the sump. Which means i will have to put an elbow between the sump and the intake of the pump.

My question is will this affect the performance of the pump?

Should I put a sweep elbow instead of a regular one?
If yes.... the sweep will be a 1/2" larger than the rest of the plumbing... so, will this matter at all?

Thanks

RandyStacyE · 05/05/2007, 11:14 AM

I have a Little Giant as a return pump though mine sits horizontally on the floor between the stand and the wall. I used the same size plumbing as the inlet ... I wish I didn't. I have no way of proving that it would be better to use larger plumbing, but I do believe I would be better off.

I plumbed mine up and over the sump wall (not through) so I have a bunch of 90s ... hence the desire for larger plumbing. I'm sure a 90 sweep would be nice if you have the room, but were not building a space shuttle here

I can think of only ONE reason NOT to mount your pump vertically. If you read the absolutely pathetic manual that comes with your pump and if you're lucky you might find where it vaguely states that you should lubricate the bearings or something.

If your pump is horizontal you would be able to easily put a couple drops of the proper oil in there. If I recall correctly you are actually 2 locations to lube the pump. For this reason I highly doubt the manufacturer suggests to mount your pump vertically.

I didnâ€™t realize that my pump needed lubed when I bought mine. I went about a year without lubrication and it started to become loud and intolerable. When I learned about lubricating the pump it made it much quieter, but I feel it suffered irreparable damage. Maybe I can replace those bearings or something.

Reeferon · 05/05/2007, 11:33 AM

well the pump will be sitting flat on the inside of the stands floor. so lubricating will not be a problem.

i think a better decription will be that my pump will sit perpendicular to the tank. llsumpll--II <-Pump

RandyStacyE · 05/05/2007, 02:13 PM

Oh you place the pump any which way you want to. I think that you wouldn't even be able to measure the difference between using a 90 sweep to a regular 90 ... especially if you used 1 size larger inlet plumbing. I would do the same with the outlet plumbing too ... just one size larger. This makes up the the narrow ID of the fittings that are used. If you use really oversized outlet plumbing it may start to increase the head pressure.

ieatqiue · 05/05/2007, 03:54 PM

a larger diameter sweet would be best... least flow restriction from friction (compared to smaller L shaperd 90...)

05/05/2007, 10:04 AM	#1
Reeferon Moved On Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Gainesville Posts: 748	External Pump... Intake questions I recently bought a little giant pump and will be putting it on my new tank/sump that I am building. The problem with the pump is that it only fits under the stand vertically to the sump. Which means i will have to put an elbow between the sump and the intake of the pump. My question is will this affect the performance of the pump? Should I put a sweep elbow instead of a regular one? If yes.... the sweep will be a 1/2" larger than the rest of the plumbing... so, will this matter at all? Thanks

05/05/2007, 11:14 AM	#2
RandyStacyE Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Indiana Posts: 2,659	I have a Little Giant as a return pump though mine sits horizontally on the floor between the stand and the wall. I used the same size plumbing as the inlet ... I wish I didn't. I have no way of proving that it would be better to use larger plumbing, but I do believe I would be better off. I plumbed mine up and over the sump wall (not through) so I have a bunch of 90s ... hence the desire for larger plumbing. I'm sure a 90 sweep would be nice if you have the room, but were not building a space shuttle here I can think of only ONE reason NOT to mount your pump vertically. If you read the absolutely pathetic manual that comes with your pump and if you're lucky you might find where it vaguely states that you should lubricate the bearings or something. If your pump is horizontal you would be able to easily put a couple drops of the proper oil in there. If I recall correctly you are actually 2 locations to lube the pump. For this reason I highly doubt the manufacturer suggests to mount your pump vertically. I didnâ€™t realize that my pump needed lubed when I bought mine. I went about a year without lubrication and it started to become loud and intolerable. When I learned about lubricating the pump it made it much quieter, but I feel it suffered irreparable damage. Maybe I can replace those bearings or something.

05/05/2007, 11:33 AM	#3
Reeferon Moved On Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Gainesville Posts: 748	well the pump will be sitting flat on the inside of the stands floor. so lubricating will not be a problem. i think a better decription will be that my pump will sit perpendicular to the tank. llsumpll--II <-Pump

05/05/2007, 02:13 PM	#4
RandyStacyE Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Indiana Posts: 2,659	Oh you place the pump any which way you want to. I think that you wouldn't even be able to measure the difference between using a 90 sweep to a regular 90 ... especially if you used 1 size larger inlet plumbing. I would do the same with the outlet plumbing too ... just one size larger. This makes up the the narrow ID of the fittings that are used. If you use really oversized outlet plumbing it may start to increase the head pressure.

05/05/2007, 03:54 PM	#5
ieatqiue Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: nj Posts: 83	a larger diameter sweet would be best... least flow restriction from friction (compared to smaller L shaperd 90...)