Need Grundfos SQE parts

[harleyhf]

The way pumps are built these days, there is not much that can be recycled anymore. Plastic or "composite" impellers, internal electronic circuit boards, and encapsulated windings makes it practically impossible, and certainly non profitable to try and recycle. Manufacturers have turned it into a "throw away" society. Products are suppose to be trendy, expensive, short lived, and non-repairable. Electronic products can be made of materials that are mined and smuggled out of the Congo with slave or child labor. They can be manufactured in third world countries with no heath or environmental concerns. Their use can cause "stray voltage" or "harmonics" that can be devastating to animal or human health, as well as the electrical grid. Profits go to non-American corporations, and even countries with dictators and despots in control.

Then after their short life, products end up filling our landfills and leaching heavy metals into our water supply. If corporations can deceptively convince the public that a product will save energy, then they can still call it "green", and people will eat it up. However, the only thing "green" about it, is what is coming out of your pocket to make all this happen.

Products that are made to last can even use more energy, and still be more "green" than products designed for "planned obsolescence". Not that well built products will use more energy but, they could use more energy and still be better for the environment.

The worst thing you can do is fall for the products that big corporations are spending the most money advertising. They don’t push products to help save you money or save the environment. No mater what they actually say, they spend the most money advertising products that make them the most money. Whatever makes big corporations the most money, cost you the most, and is usually the worst thing for the environment.

Your "specs" should not only be concerned with gallons per minute, pressure required, and energy savings, but should also require long lasting products that can be recycled, which causes the least damage to the environment and your pocket book.

Hello Valveman - Regarding Grundfros insights - related question as new member. I had just ordered for install today a Grundfros 15 SQE for my 5 ton Comfort-Aire GeoMax 2 geothermal heat pump (when calling for heat or cooling, 7 gpm demand at normal operation and 15 gpm at extreme weather) when I read your comments on short life and repeated failures - I was afraid of this but the well installer pooh-poohed it, but it only makes logical sense. I read your comments, am in agreement, saw the drawing you attached from http://www.cyclestopvalves.com/index2.html and realized this might be a better future alternative for my lake house, which doesn't have alot of water demand, except on weekends when kids come over and use the house along with us. May I ask, would I be better off putting in a oversized large pressure tank and a 15 gpm or 20gpm 2 wire pump than going with the Grundfros 15SQE, in view of pump life? Any recommendations on what size well to install when mixing 5 ton geothermal in with two bathrooms, dishwasher, washer for 2600 sq ft house? Thank you in advance

[valveman]

If 15 GPM is the maximum demand for the heat pump, then a 20 GPM pump would be perfect for the heat pump/house use. A standard 3450 RPM pump will last much longer than the 10,600 RPM SQE. All you have to do is limit the cycles per day to make a standard pump last a long time. A big pressure tank will probably not limit the cycling enough by itself. Three or four big tanks would. However, big tank(s) can cause problems with the flow through the heat pump. With a big tank the pressure will continue to vary between 40 and 60 PSI. As the pressure varies, the controlled flow rate through the heat pump will also vary. The house would also see this variation in pressure. And the variation in pressure means the pump is still cycling.
A small tank and a CSV can be used with a 20 GPM pump. The CSV will maintain constant pressure for the heat pump and the house. The tank will supply water for small intermittent uses of water like rinsing a toothbrush or filling the ice maker. When long term uses of water are required, as for the heat pump or a shower, the CSV will maintain a constant pressure and keep the pump from cycling.

The SQE has only been available for about 11 years. I doubt that you will find anyone with an 11 year old SQE. Even if there are a couple that old, the SQE has had no less than 5 updates or major change ups since it began. They don’t make changes to them continually because they are working properly but, because they continue to have problems. Some areas they seem to last longer than others but, I think you will find that 3 years is about the average life expectancy. A standard 3450 RPM pump with a CSV to limit the cycling could last 20+ years. Figure the cost of replacing the pump every 3-5 years compared to a pump system that will last 20 years, and you will see why longevity of the pump equipment is the most important thing required for a heat pump to be saving energy.