Water Filtration Hand Pumps

Water Filtration
Frequently Asked Questions
Instructions

Bosworth’s Guzzler diaphragm pumps have been installed as part of systems for purification of water in developing countries as well as to provide drinking water in disaster relief efforts. Guzzlers can generate up to 15 psi of pressure, sufficient to push water through many commercially available water filters. Additionally, Guzzler pumps can be equipped with a special long-handle option making for virtually effortless pumping for those applications involving extended manual operation.

Guzzlers are simple to maintain; easily replaceable diaphragm and valves require no power tools for maintenance. And Guzzlers are effective, with the ability to pump 25 liters of water (6.6 gallons) in 2 minutes. The capital costs of using a Guzzler to pump 25 liters of water can be as little as $ 0.01.

Guzzler pumps for water filtration/purification systems: effective, reliable, easy to operate, simple to maintain and economical. That’s why you see them all over the world.

See Guzzler Pumps for Water Transfer to download a catalog of these products.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the maximum pressure the pump will sustain?
Our pumps are designed to generate pressures up to a maximum of 20 psi.
Is it better to mount the pump horizontally or vertically?
The horizontal-handle pumps and the vertical-handle pumps are completely equivalent in functionality. Which you choose for your installation is entirely a matter of which style of pumping action (“back-and-forth” for the vertical handle and “up-and-down” for the horizontal handle) is convenient for your use. Additionally, if you equip your pump with duckbill valves, you can mount your pump vertically, which changes the sense of handle action as well.
Where does a check valve go in the inlet line?
Check valves are also called “foot valves”, because they typically are placed at the foot of in the inlet line. There they serve as a “one-way” valve to permit water to be drawn up to the pump, but to help prevent it from flowing backward either when the pump is performing its exhaust stroke or when it is not operating. In this way, the check valve helps to maintain the height of the water column in the inlet line, thus maintaining the pump’s “prime”. We recommend that you use a check anytime the pump lift (i.e., the vertical distance from the fluid source to the inlet of the pump) exceeds 12 feet.
How do I use a check valve to increase pump lift?
A check valve makes it easier for you to use the Guzzler pump to prime for pump lifts in excess of 12 feet. If you had a see-through inlet line, as you begin to pump you would see that the Guzzler draws fluid up the inlet line toward the pump as you execute the suction stroke of the pump. However, as you perform the exhaust stroke, the fluid would tend to fall backward a bit, and then be drawn up further with the next suction stroke. As you are priming at greater distances, this fallback effect on the water column becomes more pronounced. To offset it, install a check valve at the bottom of the inlet line. Also called “foot valves” because they are typically placed at the foot of in the inlet line, check valves serve as a “one-way”valve to permit water to be drawn up to the pump, but to help prevent it from flowing backward either when the pump is performing its exhaust stroke or when it is not operating. In this way, the check valve helps to maintain the height of the water column in the inlet line, thus maintaining the pump’s “prime”. We recommend that you use a check anytime the pump lift (i.e., the vertical distance from the fluid source to the inlet of the pump) exceeds 12 feet.
What should I check if the pump stops working?
If your pump stops working, the first thing to check is whether there is a hole or tear in the diaphragm. If so, the diaphragm needs replacement. If there is no problem with the diaphragm, then check to see if the pump is able to create a vacuum to draw fluid up to it. Disconnect the inlet line and, with your hand directly covering the inlet flange, pull the handle up (or turn the motor on). You should feel a suction on your hand. If not, then remove the outlet flange (opposite the inlet), to inspect that the valve is operating properly and not obstructed by any material. Depending on the type of valve, material in the fluid that enters the pump may become lodged in the valve and prevent it from closing to make a tight seal against the flange. If this happens, then the pump will be unable to create a suction on the inlet side. After checking the inlet suction, disconnect the outlet hose and, with your hand covering the outlet flange, press down on the handle (or turn the motor on). You should feel exhaust pressure against your hand. If not, then make a similar inspection of the inlet valve.

If there is no material lodged in either valve, the valves may simply be old and no longer seating properly. If your pump is a “400” series pump equipped with flapper valves, a simple trick is to turn each valve around. Sometimes flapper valves can warp as they age and simply flipping the valve to change the side that seals against the flange allows the valve to operate properly again. (Note that you cannot do this trick with “500” flapper valves since they have a specific side that needs to face against the sealing flange.) If the pump is operating properly when disconnected from your hoses (i.e., if you feel the appropriate suction and exhaust pressure), then a next step is to check your inlet and outlet lines for any obstruction.

Guzzlers for Water Filtration

Catalog