Wet/Dry plumbing

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
I would think that the return pipe should be the same size as the outlet of the pump.

I would also think that bigger ISN'T better for the return. With a 1/2" outlet on the pump, wouldn't the pump be working harder with a 1" return pipe then it would be with a 1/2" return pipe? The 1" return pipe would have more water in the return pipe. This water would weigh more. This increase in weight would be more back pressure, which would make the pump have to work harder.

Is this thought process correct?
 
qumqats said:
I would also think that bigger ISN'T better for the return. With a 1/2" outlet on the pump, wouldn't the pump be working harder with a 1" return pipe then it would be with a 1/2" return pipe? The 1" return pipe would have more water in the return pipe. This water would weigh more. This increase in weight would be more back pressure, which would make the pump have to work harder.

Is this thought process correct?
Click to expand...

I've wondered about this and I am thinking the same, the bigger diameter the return piping the more head pressure you will be loading onto your pump? But thats just my thinking, someone must have some real knowledge of fluid dynamics that can answer this properly?
 
The same height of water is still above the pump, thus the same head pressure. It is based on height above not volume above.

Why use larger pipes?
The larger pipe diameter will cut down on frictional resistance.... decreased pump work, decreased flow loss, decreased heat generation, decreased pump failure.
 
Well, I figured out the pump is a mag drive Model 12A. The return outlet is 3/4", the previous owner bumped it down to 1/2". I'm going with the 1" return , so I'm not gonna be increasing it much. I have a ball valve for both sides for volume control and maintanance purposes. Thanks all.
 
go bigger then if it is not good then just reduce the endcap to a smaller one that way you will increse the presure on the output the not put it on the moter
 
Just a quick point that is fairly relevant here, when using a ball valve to restrict return flow, rather than just putting more resistance against the flow with a ball valve, put a T in with one path going to the tank, the other back into the sump/wet-dry with a ball valve on each branch.

This will mean that rather than just working against the pump you will be pumping the water to a different place, putting less pressure on the pump.
 
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