I have a Water Furnace Premier 2 with three vertical wells 200+ feet deep. The flow center was installed two years ago to replace the original geosystem flow center installed in 1986. The pumps in the current flow center have started a pulsating vibration which results in a low frequency sound throughout the house. Annoying, yet the technician tells me this is normal. When I first noticed the vibration and called the technician, the outlet hose coming out of the top of the flow center was partially collapsed. Tech used galvanized pipe to square off the loop. I just checked again and now the inlet side is compressed. The unit is currently in heat mode (we are in northwest Oklahoma) and has no problem keeping up. What might be causing the pulsating vibration in the flow center pumps?
A collapsed hose is an indication of low pressure in the loop. I would goose the loop pressure up to house domestic pressure via the pt ports on the system. If that does not resolve the vibration issue in the flow center installing vibration pads or relocating the flow center to another location may also help. Eric
The noise you describe could be as Eric says, causing pump cavitation. Cavitation is when a pump turns liquip into vapour. Not good for wet roter pumps.
Flow Center should be nearly silent. I have to hold my ear to an individual pump in one to convince myself that it is running
Pump cavitation not only leads to poor performance but will eventually possibly seize one of the pumps up. Sounds like you need to add some pressure to your loops and if a significant amount, check for possible causes.
Thanks for the assistance The tech is here tomorrow morning. I really appreciate the insight. After reading my post again, I noticed that I did not mention when the new flow center was installed, the tech didn't have enough hose so he used a galvanized pipe section so he could get it connected which caused the hose to kink a bit going into the top of the flow center. If we have a hole or link in the loop, once pressure dropped, it sounds like the pump vibration could have started at that point. The owner of the installation company had told me that they have had to hook some of the older loops in our area to domestic water system with a backflow prevention valve, etc. to maintain pressure.
Does improper hose installation cause impeller/pump damage Tech claimed that leaking o-ring on top of flow center was causing the pressure loss. Removed both pumps and then replaced them. Said there was wear around the impeller. Everything is quiet now. Question: when the flow center was installed, there was a kink in the inlet hose going into the top of the flow center. How long before damage to the pump?
