sta-rite vs flotec

[dnoyeB]

I'm about to pull the trigger on a sprinkler pump. I'm deciding between
these two

Flotec FP5242, 1.5HP 27GPM @10' lift and 40PSI, 2" intake, 1.5"
discharge. Iron with NOryl impeller. $328

Sta-Rite DS3HF, 1.5HP 30GPM @10' lift and 40PSI, 2" intake, 1.5"
discharge. Iron with Noryl Impeller. $420


Both have 1 year warranties and both are made by Berkeley.

My application is a lawn sprinkler pump that will be used during the
summer months, once or twice per week.


Thanks for your advice.


CL

[Daddy Dave]

I'm about to pull the trigger on a sprinkler pump.  I'm deciding between
these two
discharge.  Iron with NOryl impeller.  $328
discharge.  Iron with Noryl Impeller. $420

I have Flotec with the plastic housing, not iron, and was just
searching for parts when I found your question. The best advice I can
give you is to search for replacement parts for these pumps before you
buy them. You'll have a whole lot of trouble finding parts for the
Flotec. I imagine you'll have similar problems finding parts for the
Sta-Rite but I really don't know. Again - my pump is the plastic
version - cheaper, but it has been a headache for almost the entire 7
years that I've owned it. The design with all the o-rings is prone to
vacuum leaks and it won't self-prime (after initial season prime). I
have to reprime it every single time I use it and I'm getting tired of
that. I'd recommend a Goulds GT15 at $369 internet price free
shipping (several places). Parts are available. It is a standard
industry pump manufacturer with good products. I'm about to pull the
trigger on that one or the GT20 2HP version. I have rights on an
irrigation ditch so I pump 24 hours one day a week.

[g***@aol.com]

On Tue, 1 Jul 2008 07:00:25 -0700 (PDT), Daddy Dave

Post by Daddy Dave
I imagine you'll have similar problems finding parts for the
Sta-Rite but I really don't know

My pool store has the impeller and gaskets for most StaRites hanging
on the wall behind the register. They can order the housing. Pump
motors are all pretty generic so a good motor shop will have all of
those parts

If you are not in a huge hurry the internet is the best place to buy
parts.

[Bob F]

Post by g***@aol.com
On Tue, 1 Jul 2008 07:00:25 -0700 (PDT), Daddy Dave

Post by Daddy Dave
I imagine you'll have similar problems finding parts for the
Sta-Rite but I really don't know

My pool store has the impeller and gaskets for most StaRites hanging
on the wall behind the register. They can order the housing. Pump
motors are all pretty generic so a good motor shop will have all of
those parts

I doubt is pool stores stock parts for sprinkler pumps. They are considerably
different from pool pumps. Maybe they carry them for emptying pools.

[Bob F]

I'm about to pull the trigger on a sprinkler pump. I'm deciding between
these two
discharge. Iron with NOryl impeller. $328
discharge. Iron with Noryl Impeller. $420

I have Flotec with the plastic housing, not iron, and was just
searching for parts when I found your question. The best advice I can
give you is to search for replacement parts for these pumps before you
buy them. You'll have a whole lot of trouble finding parts for the
Flotec. I imagine you'll have similar problems finding parts for the
Sta-Rite but I really don't know. Again - my pump is the plastic
version - cheaper, but it has been a headache for almost the entire 7
years that I've owned it. The design with all the o-rings is prone to
vacuum leaks and it won't self-prime (after initial season prime). I
have to reprime it every single time I use it and I'm getting tired of
that. I'd recommend a Goulds GT15 at $369 internet price free
shipping (several places). Parts are available. It is a standard
industry pump manufacturer with good products. I'm about to pull the
trigger on that one or the GT20 2HP version. I have rights on an
irrigation ditch so I pump 24 hours one day a week.

**************************************************************

Interesting. Reading this thread got me interested in self-priming pumps, as I
have a non-self-priming sprinkler pump. I had to add a small vacuum pump and a
air trap to the pump input to catch air in the incoming water and avoid
air-locking the pump. Additionally, I have a simple controller that stops and
restarts the pump several times if it doesn't get water flow to flush the air
out, and turns it off if the water doesn't flow during the timeout, to avoid
pump damage.

I guess the self priming pump is not the solution I was beginning to think.