Specifications:
The Sparkle Pumps Automatic Restart Pressure Controller PC-15 is another great quality product from the Sparkle brand. Designed to work with any pressure pump that can produce over 294Kpa or 43 PSI (30m head of lift).
With all of its high quality internal components, this pressure controller will work with any pressure pump, jet pump, multistage or rainwater tank pump from any brand. It will also perform when boosting pressure to a home when you install a pressure limiting valve (or PLV) before the pump, restricting the pressure coming into the pump to 120Kpa (1.2 Bar) or less.
The reason for the pressure limiting valve is the way the controller works. The controller uses a combination of sensors to work out when someone is using water and needs the controller to start the pump. When the pump is running, water is moving through the controller. This pushes a flow switch up as water travels past it. Once the water flow has stopped because water is no longer being used, the flow switch spring back to it’s position indicating no water flow. Once the pipes after the pump are full of water the pressure starts to increase. When the pressure reaches 294Kpa for a few seconds, this controller knows that the pump is no longer needed so it stops supplying power to the water pump.
The pump will turn on again once water is being used again. This will cause the pressure to drop in the system. Once the pressure is below 147Kpa or 1.5 Bar, the controller actuates and springs the pump back into life.
This is why you must use a PLV for pressure boosting. If the water pressure coming into the pump is above 1.5 Bar the pressure in the system will never drop low enough for the controller to sense that it needs to turn the pump on. It will also make the pressure consistent in your application and stop the pump going above it maximum working pressure and start leaking water.
The pump also has a few more built in protection features. First if the pressure after the controller is not increasing but the flow switch is showing no water flow, the controller knows that there is no water available. This makes the controller stop supplying electricity to the pump to protect it from dry running.
It also has surge protection in the controller, and protects pump and cuts power if the pump is stalled and is trying to pull too much power.
All of these features are built in to the Sparkle Pumps Auto Restart Controller and show just how good of a unit it really is.
The pressure controller replaces the old system of using a pressure switch with a pressure tank. It has an inbuilt rubber diaphragm that absorbs the pressure spikes in your system when the pump turns on and off. This reduced wear and tear and your entire system by reducing the shock load that all of your fittings and fixtures are exposed to over many years of operation.
The controller only consumes a very little electricity. It has three indicator lights marking power on, pump on and failure making it easy for diagnosis of how the system is operating.
The pressure controller is made of a durable reinforced poly plastic with brass inserts. It has a one inch BSP male thread on both the inlet and outlet lines which is compatible with all Australian brand pumps. The controller also comes with a two meter double insulated three pin Australian plug that plugs straight into a standard GPO or power point.
When installing the controller, you will need to install it facing upright. If it is not installed upright you may have some issues as the flow sensor may not be able to return to it’s no flow position.
Also you will need to put about 6 layers of thread tape on to ensure a tight seal and no water leaks.
Customer Reviews
"Dear 4 Pumps,
I purchased a pump off you mid Feb. Just wanted you to know best value for dollar ever. The little pump is working very hard in a factory pumping liquid with about 20% solids and hasn't missed a beat. Great pumps, thanks."
Stephen - Tasmania
"I have already recommended to you to two other locals up here with wells similar to mine about your pump and how well it was working."
Jim - Girraween
"I picked it up and its going exceptionally well, very good pump."
Evan - Ilbilbie