Do I have to compromise silence in order to get higher PSI from a water pump?

May 8, 2007 12:02 AM

Do I have to compromise silence in order to get higher PSI from a water pump?

I would like a water pump that can produce ~40+ PSI, but I don't want something very loud. Silent if at all possible. Every pump I have had that could do 40+ PSI has been terribly loud. Are there alternatives? It will operate indoors, submerged or unsubmerged is not important.

posted by torpark to home & garden (8 answers total)

Nicely insulated building around the pump?
posted by Steven C. Den Beste at 12:18 AM on May 8, 2007

What is the flow rate? You are leaving out details. It is for a shower, or what? Car washer?

Running intermittently is an option if you can store sufficient water at your desired flow rate. Then you get noise, but it is not continuous. (This is how home water wells work... a pressure tank is periodically refilled, usually by a remote, submersible pump that has no trouble with the volume/pressure needs. By default, it's quiet because it is submerged in a well!)

PSI+high flow takes horsepower, hence noise. Additional info would be nice.

Consult McMaster Carr website for a boat load of pump options.
posted by FauxScot at 4:03 AM on May 8, 2007

How will the pump be powered? That also has a bearing on the noise.
posted by TedW at 5:05 AM on May 8, 2007

The multistage turbines in well pumps produce very high pressure with low noise, but the pressure (several hundred PSI) is kind of over the top for anything but wells. I have a booster pump and air/water pressure tank that boosts my water pressure from 27 psi (gravity supplied) to 40-60 psi. It is a centrifugal pump made by Jacuzzi and it runs about a minute to pressurize about 140 gallons of water. (The pressure tank is 550 gallons).

You'll need to supply a few more details on the application to get more specific help.
posted by jet_silver at 7:41 AM on May 8, 2007

A friend recently bought a pump to refill an inground pool. He placed the pump in a whiskey barrel surrounded by sound-proofing foam. I have heard the pump run and it is very quiet.

Would a sound-proofed enclosure work for your application? (Also, I think that submerged or unsubmerged IS important because your options will differ.)
posted by boreddusty at 12:16 PM on May 8, 2007

Flow rate is very low. This is to be used for a 40 psi plug mister. So even 0.1 gal/hr would be fine, or even up to 10 gal/hr.
posted by torpark at 4:20 PM on May 8, 2007

Regarding power source, ~120VAC, indoors.
posted by torpark at 4:20 PM on May 8, 2007

mcmaster carr....

4272K3
Bronze Gear Transfer Pump W/Motor, 1/3 hp, 1/4" NPT Female Port, W/Relief Valve
In stock at $344.47 Each

will get you your flow rate/pressure. Quiet? I don't know. It's a gear pump... usually noisier than others. 40 PSI is 92 feet of head, and most impeller pumps (in McM/C) have a lot lower pressure rating. I'd consider going the pressurized tank route to minimize the duty cycle and locating the pump far, far away from the point of use of the water.

good luck...
posted by FauxScot at 4:16 AM on May 9, 2007