Pump question about filling pressure tank

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NO. Those sump pumps won't build any pressure. If you want to use a submersible you will need one like goes in a well. A regular 1/2HP, 10 GPM pump will work, but here is a cheap one that works as well.

https://www.ebay.com/p/Hallmark-Submersible-Well-water-Pump-1-HP-115V-33-GPM-207-ft-MAX/711114494

Or you can use a jet pump and hook it up to a pipe that comes out of the storage tank. You might also want a CSV or a PK1A kit instead of just a pressure tank.

https://cyclestopvalves.com/collections/frontpage/products/custom-pk1a-pside-kick-kit

Sized Jet pump PK1A.jpg
 
You cannot use a submersible pump for that application unless the tank is deep enough that the pump can sit vertically in the tank. The bearings are not designed for a horizontal position. The pump will fail much quicker if you lay it on its side.
You need to use a jet pump.
 
Thanks for your replies, the reason i want to use a submersible pump is that I hear jet pumps are really loud, is that true?
 
Submersibles are much quieter. And submersibles can be lain on their side no problem. You just need to keep some backpressure on them to keep the bearings from failing. The 40/60 pressure switch is enough pressure for that. Also need a flow inducer or shroud over the pump to keep it cool, and you can make a cradle to keep it off the bottom and out of the muck.
shroud 3 pics.jpg

Horizontal Bracket for Sub.jpg
 
thanks, this might be a dumb question but I can submerge the pump in the tank right? The wire is waterproof? I plan on hanging it through a 5" pvc pipe to keep it vertical and off the bottom of the tank but it will be underwater, that is the purpose of a submersible pump right?
 
Shur! lol. But they may not let you get any water out of a pressure tank. They all say work up to 45 or 55 PSI. But they have an internal pressure switch and are really made for on demand, not filling a tank. You can fill 40 gallon size tank to 55 PSI with about 10 gallons of water, but you can't get that 10 gallons out until the pressure drops to 35 PSI. If the internal pressure switch only works with like 5 PSI difference between on and off (and they don't say in the specs), then you will only get 2.5 gallons out of a 40 gallon pressure tank before the pump comes on.
 
thanks for your replies valveman, could i get around that by having an external pressure switch that cuts power to the pump at 50psi and then lets it back on at 30psi?
 
If you can bypass the internal switch then yes. But running that long may not be good for those little pumps. Check the duty cycle and see it they are made for "continuous duty", which I doubt. Probably 50% duty or something like that.
 

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