AC Mcdonald

 

A.C. McDonald played a zombie in the original Night of the Living Dead.

A.Y. McDonald is a waterworks manufacturer.

What is the model number of the pump? For a straight centrifugal pump, there are a zillion options. If you want something that won't die from cracked flanges, you have to pay more.

 

I have had good luck with Gould’s J10

 

Goulds Irrigator

 

The mentioned Goulds pumps have robust construction. I switched to the JS+ series when an otherwise-fine Jacuzzi pump's cover bolts rusted out and broke while attempting disassembly, after several years of outdoor service.

 

In my opinion, Goulds is the industry leader.

 

If the flow is not too much, you'll get more performance with a jet pump, to the extent that a 1/2 HP jet pump might increase pressure more than a 1 HP centrifugal will.

Both the named Goulds models have an advantage over pumps that use square-flange motors. Their designs, with an adapter piece between the round-face motor and the pump, expose some of the motor shaft, which is ever so useful in the event that the motor shaft gets stuck in place from extended non-use.

 

A.C. McDonald played a zombie in the original Night of the Living Dead.

A.Y. McDonald is a waterworks manufacturer.

What is the model number of the pump? For a straight centrifugal pump, there are a zillion options. If you want something that won't die from cracked flanges, you have to pay more.

It is a LSP-100-C

Depends on how much of an upcharge we are looking at, but I can tell that the Little Giant pump is definitely been designed around a specific price point. I know cast iron has its benefits for the cost but I have had to deal with cracks on both sides of this pump housing 18 months apart.

Not many people look at an irrigation pump and say "that is sweet, I'll gladly pay double" but I don't like to save a few bucks in exchange for a lot of grief either.

I had to call Franklin (owns Little Giant) for clarity on something and was so disgusted by how they handled the call that I would have switched brands based on that experience alone.

What is it that you guys like about Gould pumps in particular?

 

Goulds pumps have some advantages you will never need in a booster pump, relating to their holding prime and lifting water.

The LSP100 is a knockoff of a pump made by Wayne, who got a metric ton of sales from the name Lawn Sprinkler Pump. It is a centrifugal pump. Very basic.
And basic is all you need in a booster pump, but that doesn't mean the best choice will be a centrifugal pump. What is the flow rate(s) in this sprinkler system? I am guessing the system runs on city water from a curbside meter, but I won't guess at flow rates.

 

Goulds pumps have some advantages you will never need in a booster pump, relating to their holding prime and lifting water.

The LSP100 is a knockoff of a pump made by Wayne, who got a metric ton of sales from the name Lawn Sprinkler Pump. It is a centrifugal pump. Very basic.
And basic is all you need in a booster pump, but that doesn't mean the best choice will be a centrifugal pump. What is the flow rate(s) in this sprinkler system? I am guessing the system runs on city water from a curbside meter, but I won't guess at flow rates.

Yes, city water in an area with fairly variable pressure, hence the pump.

It direct feeds off of a 5/8in meter and the majority of the system is designed at ~12gpm.

 

At 12 gpm, you could boost pressure with a 1/2 HP jet pump, and do better than that 1 HP centrifugal, which might add 40 psi if all the stars aligned. Nothing is wrong with centrifugals, but they are most efficient best with a large water flow, like 40 gpm for that 1HP Little Giant. Jet pumps trade off that maximum flow in exchange for some additional pressure. The 1/2 HP jet pump is designed for about 15 gpm maximum, making it a great booster for a 5/8 water meter supply. You could get a Goulds J5S delivered to your door for less than $400, but you should try to connect with a local pump source.

Goulds gets two additional endorsements. Right now there's a scam website offering a J10S for $99 and there is a knockoff JS version from Asia, with the brand name Shakti.

 

Who makes this pump? I have to think that it must be a private label deal?

Self Priming Lawn Sprinkler Irrigation Pump | Rain Bird

 

I don't recognize it as any other brand. I give it props for having a motor configuration that exposes some of the shaft, which puts it ahead of most square-flange motors.

 

Just an addendum. When a city water supply is genuinely low capacity, you don't want to overdo the pressure boosting. I remember one time a system was running, and the homeowner opened a kitchen faucet. Instead of water coming out, the faucet was sucking air. Bad juju. Negative pressures anywhere in the supply line make it possible to suck ground water into the supply line.

My smallest-flow off-the-shelf booster choice would be the high-head Goulds jet pump, the J5HS. I first used one to rescue an install where a then-common jet pump was over-drawing from a well point in very heavy soil, with loss of prime resulting. But moving away from off-the shelf choices, the best tiny booster would be one with a tiny motor, and last time I checked Grundfos still made a jet pump with a 1/3 HP motor, capable of handling a 13 gpm flow. They aren't any cheaper than a 1/2 HP model, and they will give 5 psi less boost than the 1/2 HP model (and a whole lot less than a Goulds J5SH) but they might be a safer choice with a really weak water supply.

In most cases, the faucet-sucking-air phenomenon is dealt with by adding a good sized pressure tank, and boosting the entire house pressure.

 

Just an addendum. When a city water supply is genuinely low capacity, you don't want to overdo the pressure boosting. I remember one time a system was running, and the homeowner opened a kitchen faucet. Instead of water coming out, the faucet was sucking air. Bad juju. Negative pressures anywhere in the supply line make it possible to suck ground water into the supply line.

My smallest-flow off-the-shelf booster choice would be the high-head Goulds jet pump, the J5HS. I first used one to rescue an install where a then-common jet pump was over-drawing from a well point in very heavy soil, with loss of prime resulting. But moving away from off-the shelf choices, the best tiny booster would be one with a tiny motor, and last time I checked Grundfos still made a jet pump with a 1/3 HP motor, capable of handling a 13 gpm flow. They aren't any cheaper than a 1/2 HP model, and they will give 5 psi less boost than the 1/2 HP model (and a whole lot less than a Goulds J5SH) but they might be a safer choice with a really weak water supply.

In most cases, the faucet-sucking-air phenomenon is dealt with by adding a good sized pressure tank, and boosting the entire house pressure.

Interesting to hear your breakdown.

When I discussed it with the local irrigation supply house the only real option I got was a 1hp centrifugal Little Giant.

As mentioned previously... Franklin Electric (owns Little Giant) is so insufferable to deal with I would have done just about anything else to avoid giving them a dime.

Sounds like the replacement will likely be a Goulds.

 

I think you have to look beyond your irrigation suppliers. Find a local distributor who serves the well water trade. It's nice to have their knowledge on your side.