12-Volt Stainless Steel Centrifugal Pumps - A Comparison

 
"Beware of little expenses; a small leak will sink a great ship."
-- Benjamin Franklin

One of our specialties at SampleServe.com is sampling groundwater. As such, we have used a variety of types of pumps in a multitude of makes and models. In this article I am going to tell you about two 12-volt stainless steel centrifugal pumps I've used and explain why I like one over the other.

The two pumps I am reviewing are the Geotech SS Geosub 12 VDC Sampling Pump and the Proactive Stainless Steel Hurricane® XL.  I am not aware of any other makers of "stainless steel" environmental 12-volt pumps sold in the US. There are plastic 12-volt pumps; however, plastic pumps are not part of my evaluation.

I've had the opportunity to use both of these pumps at length. I used theGeosub Pump recently on a large project in Ohio and sampled approximately 30 - 40 wells with the pump. The pump performed fine without any maintenance or operational problems. It was easy to decontaminate and appeared well built and sturdy.  It is slightly larger than the Hurricane XL and came with 200' of wire and was rated as being able to pump water from up to 200' below grade.  Water at the site was in the range of 30' to 40' below grade so we never tested the maximum depth on this pump.

One of the issues, or draw backs I had with the pump was the Geotech SS Geosub Controller that is used with the Geosub Pump. To operate the pump in the field, we had to have a car battery connected to a 12-volt AC inverter which was connected to the 110-volt power cord of the Geosub Controller convertor, which then powers it back down to the 12-volt pumps operating range. It seemed like an unnecessary and energy consuming step. 12-volts, up to 110-volts, back down to 12-volts.

Although the controller was mounted in a pelican case and was sturdy, it was also overly large and heavy.  One final issue with the controller was during initial pump start up, the pumps digital default speed is set at full speed.  Upon starting the pump, after a few wells, we learned to immediately throttle the pump down or deal with the rush or water. While sampling, the controller was able to dial down to very low flow rates and was also able to maintain precise flow rates without any noticeable flow rate fluctuation.

The Geosub Pump and the Geosub Controller are sold separately. I was recently quoted a price of $2,087.00 for the Geosub Pump and $2,195.00 for the Geosub Controller, for a total price of $4,282.00.  You will also have to purchase a 12-volt AC invertor for approximately $80.00.

The Hurricane XL is an updated version of the older Hurricane pump of which I own 2. The difference between the old version and the new version are the following.  The new version has a rounded top which minimizes well hang ups when pulling the pump out of the well. The easily replaceable motor has also been redesigned. I have not used the XL, however the differences between the versions are inconsequential in my critique of the pump.

I've used the Hurricane extensively and have sampled hundreds of wells using the pump.The pump has always performed fine with minimal maintenance or operational problems. The pump comes with a field replaceable motor the can be exchanged in seconds. The motors cost approximately $250.00 apiece and if maintained properly can last for a couple hundred wells. The pumps are easy to decontaminate and are well built and simple.The Hurricane XL comes with 150' of wire and is rated as being able to pump water from up to 150' below grade. I have personally used the pump at sites with a depth of water of 85' and had no problem maintaining decent flow. I have not used the pump at a site with water greater than 85' below grade so I've never tested the maximum depth on this pump.

The Proactive Low Flow Controller With Power Booster 2.5 XL "LCD" is straight forward and simple to use. You simply connect the controller to a 12-volt car battery and the other end to the pump. A dial controls the flow with the voltage output to the pump displayed on the digital screen. The controller is slightly smaller than a six-pack of beer (cans), mounted in its own metal case and is light, sturdy and durable.

The controller is able to dial down to very low flow rates, however the controller periodically mysteriously fluctuates flow up and down by 10% to 20% sometimes making maintaining a precise flow rate difficult. Having clean good battery connections minimizes this problem.

The Hurricane XL Pump and the 2.5 XL "LCD" Controllers are sold separately. I was recently quoted a price of $1,645.00 for the Hurricane XL Pump and $860.00 for the 2.5 XL "LCD" Controller, for a total price of $2,505.00.  No 12-volt AC inverter needed.

Both pumps performed for the tasks required, however, my favored pump based on price and simplicity of use is the Hurricane XL. It's less than 58% of the cost of the Geosub and is less cumbersome and simpler to use. I am not affiliated with either of these companies other than I have bought 2 Proactive Hurricanes pumps and rented the Geosub. 

If you have a opinion different than mine, I would love to hear about it. I can be reached at schindler@sampleserve.com or at 231-218-7955.

-- Russell 

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