Who can tell me about a Goulds BF03S pump?
#1
06-04-13, 10:37 AM
Who can tell me about a Goulds BF03S pump?
I have this ancient "Balanced Flow" pump at my cottage:
It works fine and I have an unused spare just like it. I've never seen anything like it before. The alien-looking bulged head is a built-in small storage tank. I have 2 questions about this feature:
Can I add a larger bladder tank after the pump (to replace the tiny 5gal one) without causing cycling problems?
There is a small box on the front of the reservoir that's described as an "air volume control" and inside it's connected to a float. I have no idea the purpose of it.
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It works fine and I have an unused spare just like it. I've never seen anything like it before. The alien-looking bulged head is a built-in small storage tank. I have 2 questions about this feature:
Can I add a larger bladder tank after the pump (to replace the tiny 5gal one) without causing cycling problems?
There is a small box on the front of the reservoir that's described as an "air volume control" and inside it's connected to a float. I have no idea the purpose of it.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]13480[/ATTACH]
#2
06-06-13, 07:20 AM
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I lovingly refer to those things as "Watermellon Pumps". LOL. I don't know much about them. You should be able to add a tank with no problem. The AVC looks like an air release type. If you add the bigger tank you might be able to do away with the AVC. Good luck!!
#3
06-06-13, 09:25 AM
Watermelon pump--LOL! I could stick a couple big googly eyes on it & it would look like the alien characters in Mars Attacks 
But what does the AVC do? I've don't see one on other type pumps, or on a bladder tank, so why is there one on an integrated pump/tank? What does the float do in the middle of the tank--isn't it supposed to be full of water at all times?
But what does the AVC do? I've don't see one on other type pumps, or on a bladder tank, so why is there one on an integrated pump/tank? What does the float do in the middle of the tank--isn't it supposed to be full of water at all times?
#4
06-06-13, 11:52 AM
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An automatic volume control is only used on a non-bladder type of tank. I don't know how they work but they let a little bit of air into the tank if the water level is too high. The air rises to the top of the tank and provides a "cushion" the same as a bladder in the newer tanks. Without the air cushion the pump will short cycle.
In your case the automatic volume control is adding air into the "watermelon" casting. If you have this pump connected to a bladder tank then you don't really need the volume control but neither will it hurt anything as long as it isn't leaking.
In your case the automatic volume control is adding air into the "watermelon" casting. If you have this pump connected to a bladder tank then you don't really need the volume control but neither will it hurt anything as long as it isn't leaking.
#6
06-07-13, 07:36 AM
Now that I know this is some crazy complete pump/tank "system" I'm betting it's original to the cottage, built in the 50's. There's a cabinet in the kitchen next to the sink that has a large sliding door on the front instead of the usual pair of swinging doors. Inside is a capped galvanized 1.5" pipe and a duplex outlet & light. As the story goes when a septic field was installed for the cabin the health department made the owner close the well and dig a new one on the other side of the house from the septic. I'm betting this pump was originally in that cabinet. There may have been enough space left over for the small electric water heater (or one like it) that's now in the crawlspace under the bathroom. Back then there were still lots of cabins with hand pumps & outhouses so this would have been pretty swank
#7
06-07-13, 12:21 PM
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If I disable the AVC will I need to move the pressure switch off the "watermelon" to prevent short-cycling?
Whether or not you would need to move the pressure switch depends upon the piping between the pump and the bladder tank. If you have a check valve in this line then I would suggest moving the pressure switch sensing line to the bladder tank.
#8
06-10-13, 06:55 AM
Nah--no problem now. I just wasn't sure if having air in the on-board pressure tank would be an issue when I add the 20 gal. horizontal tank later. Would this trapped air cause any oxidation, bad taste or bad smell?
The pump has an included check valve (#8 in the diagram). The in-service pump has the pressure switch mounted on the back side of the "watermelon" (up in the air pocket?) but the unused spare has it attached to the motor, with a small plastic pressure line going to a port on the lower rear of the pump. Probably doesn't matter but I thought I better mention it.
The pump has an included check valve (#8 in the diagram). The in-service pump has the pressure switch mounted on the back side of the "watermelon" (up in the air pocket?) but the unused spare has it attached to the motor, with a small plastic pressure line going to a port on the lower rear of the pump. Probably doesn't matter but I thought I better mention it.
#9
04-15-15, 05:18 AM
can you please post a link to the manual you got this diagram or email me the link EFShufelt@aol.com thanks
