has anyone actually done it successfully? I have a very small sump pit
about 15" wide by 18" deep and would like a smaller pump so it will
cycle less often. I only need it from Feb-April but we sometimes get
some big rainstorms (5+ inches) here in CT so I'm just worried that
the 1/3 hp (40gpm 10 ft lift) wont keep up with the 1/2 hp (53gpm -
10 ft lift).

On Dec 22, 8:38*am, Joe wrote:
has anyone actually done it successfully? I have a very small sump pit
about 15" wide by 18" deep and would like a smaller pump so it will
cycle less often. I only need it from Feb-April but we sometimes get
some big rainstorms (5+ inches) here in CT so I'm just worried that
the 1/3 hp (40gpm 10 ft lift) wont keep up with the *1/2 hp (53gpm -
10 ft lift).

You can adjust the float valve so it cycles less, have you tried that.
Only you know how much water comes in and if a smaller pump will work,
but what will you do with the 1/2hp pump. If the power goes out when
it returns you might need that 1/2hp pump.

"Joe" wrote in message
...
has anyone actually done it successfully? I have a very small sump pit
about 15" wide by 18" deep and would like a smaller pump so it will
cycle less often. I only need it from Feb-April but we sometimes get
some big rainstorms (5+ inches) here in CT so I'm just worried that
the 1/3 hp (40gpm 10 ft lift) wont keep up with the 1/2 hp (53gpm -
10 ft lift).

The pump is going to come on when the pit has a certain amount of water in
it regardless of the HP of the pump. If the pump is controlled by a float,
you may be able to raise it, to allow more water into the pit before it
comes on. If it's controlled by a pressure switch, you could raise the pump
higher in the pit to do the same thing. A smaller pump will just take longer
to evacuate the water

On Dec 22, 9:56*am, "RBM" wrote:
"Joe" wrote in message

...

has anyone actually done it successfully? I have a very small sump pit
about 15" wide by 18" deep and would like a smaller pump so it will
cycle less often. I only need it from Feb-April but we sometimes get
some big rainstorms (5+ inches) here in CT so I'm just worried that
the 1/3 hp (40gpm 10 ft lift) wont keep up with the *1/2 hp (53gpm -
10 ft lift).

The pump is going to come on when the pit has a certain amount of water in
it regardless of the HP of the pump. If the pump is controlled by a float,
you may be able to raise it, to allow more water into the pit before it
comes on. If it's controlled by a pressure switch, you could raise the pump
higher in the pit to do the same thing. A smaller pump will just take longer
to evacuate the water

Which means it will also cycle less than the 1/2 hp pump, because as
it's
pumping longer, more water will continue to run into the pit and get
pumped
out too before it shuts off during that one cycle. However, I doubt
it's going
to make that much difference. I sure wouldn't be changing the pump
just for
that. But if he's changing it anyway and 40gpm is enough for the
worst case
scenario, then I don't see any problem with going with the 1/3hp.

A solution that would give a more significant improvement in cycle
time would
be to install a larger sump pit. If it's easily accessible, that
should not be too
hard.

"Joe" wrote in message
...
has anyone actually done it successfully? I have a very small sump pit
about 15" wide by 18" deep and would like a smaller pump so it will
cycle less often. I only need it from Feb-April but we sometimes get
some big rainstorms (5+ inches) here in CT so I'm just worried that
the 1/3 hp (40gpm 10 ft lift) wont keep up with the 1/2 hp (53gpm -
10 ft lift).


Frequent cycling is often caused by the lack of a back-flow valve. With out
one all the water in the pipe flows back to the pit when the pump shuts off.
On a 6 foot run of 1.5" pipe with a small pit this can be a third of the
pit.

Changing the pumps is not going to add much space or volume to the pit.


--
Colbyt
Please come visit http://www.househomerepair.com

"Joe" wrote in message
...
has anyone actually done it successfully? I have a very small sump pit
about 15" wide by 18" deep and would like a smaller pump so it will
cycle less often. I only need it from Feb-April but we sometimes get
some big rainstorms (5+ inches) here in CT so I'm just worried that
the 1/3 hp (40gpm 10 ft lift) wont keep up with the 1/2 hp (53gpm -
10 ft lift).

How often does it run now? How fast does the water come in. It will run
about the same number of times with a smaller pump, it will just run longer
to empty the sump. If the sump is full, it will hold about 15 gallons. The
larger pump can empty it in 17 seconds (.88 gallons per seconds), the
smaller pump will take 22 seconds at .66 gallons per second.

Seems to me, you have to either make the sump larger, adjust the float
switch to go on and off with greater differential, or just let the cycling
stop bothering you. I don't see any sensible reason to swap out the pump
for a few seconds longer run time. Put that money towards something that
makes sense like a flat screen TV or a bottle of good bourbon.

On Dec 22, 4:44*pm, "Ed Pawlowski" wrote:
"Joe" wrote in message

...

has anyone actually done it successfully? I have a very small sump pit
about 15" wide by 18" deep and would like a smaller pump so it will
cycle less often. I only need it from Feb-April but we sometimes get
some big rainstorms (5+ inches) here in CT so I'm just worried that
the 1/3 hp (40gpm 10 ft lift) wont keep up with the *1/2 hp (53gpm -
10 ft lift).

How often does it run now? *How fast does the water come in. *It will run
about the same number of times with a smaller pump, it will just run longer
to empty the sump. *If the sump is full, it will hold about 15 gallons. *The
larger pump can empty it in 17 seconds (.88 gallons per seconds), the
smaller pump will take 22 seconds at .66 gallons per second.

Seems to me, you have to either make the sump larger, adjust the float
switch to go on and off with greater differential, or just let the cycling
stop bothering you. *I don't see any sensible reason to swap out the pump
for a few seconds longer run time. * Put that money towards something that
makes sense like a flat screen TV or a bottle of good bourbon.

has the OP looked to see if the sump can be drained to daylight, it
amazes me how many homes use pumps that dont have too.........

ideal if home sits higher than street, power failure is no longer a
problem, gravity tends to be highly reliable

or perhaps add sound insulation around the existing pump?

"Colbyt" wrote in
m:


"Joe" wrote in message
.
..
has anyone actually done it successfully? I have a very small sump
pit about 15" wide by 18" deep and would like a smaller pump so it
will cycle less often. I only need it from Feb-April but we sometimes
get some big rainstorms (5+ inches) here in CT so I'm just worried
that the 1/3 hp (40gpm 10 ft lift) wont keep up with the 1/2 hp
(53gpm - 10 ft lift).


Frequent cycling is often caused by the lack of a back-flow valve.
With out one all the water in the pipe flows back to the pit when the
pump shuts off. On a 6 foot run of 1.5" pipe with a small pit this
can be a third of the pit.

Changing the pumps is not going to add much space or volume to the
pit.



Certainly add a back-flow valve if you don't already have one - many sump
pumps come with a back-flow valve either built into the pump or screwed
on the discharge. You don't need to replace the pump to get less flow.
Add a ball valve and set it partly closed to adjust the flow rate. Find a
setting which empties the sump in a rasonble amount of time and then
leave it there.

"Joe" wrote in message
...
has anyone actually done it successfully? I have a very small sump pit
about 15" wide by 18" deep and would like a smaller pump so it will
cycle less often. I only need it from Feb-April but we sometimes get
some big rainstorms (5+ inches) here in CT so I'm just worried that
the 1/3 hp (40gpm 10 ft lift) wont keep up with the 1/2 hp (53gpm -
10 ft lift).

The ONLY reason to keep your 1/2 hp pump is that during a very, very heavy
rain it runs more than a few minutes at a time and runs more than 1/2 (more
or less) of the time.

Your 1/3 hp pump is clearly more efficient than the 1/2 hp pump.

On Dec 27, 8:03*pm, "John Gilmer" wrote:
"Joe" wrote in message

...

has anyone actually done it successfully? I have a very small sump pit
about 15" wide by 18" deep and would like a smaller pump so it will
cycle less often. I only need it from Feb-April but we sometimes get
some big rainstorms (5+ inches) here in CT so I'm just worried that
the 1/3 hp (40gpm 10 ft lift) wont keep up with the *1/2 hp (53gpm -
10 ft lift).

The ONLY reason to keep your 1/2 hp pump is that during a very, very heavy
rain it runs more than a few minutes at a time and runs more than 1/2 (more
or less) of the time.

Your 1/3 hp pump is clearly more efficient than the 1/2 hp pump.

I'd say there is another reason and that would be that the 1/2hp pump
can move
33% more water, if it comes to the point that it's running
constantly. Doesn't sound
too likely for most applications, but it's possible.