What's wrong with this picture? - Pumper Capacity Certification Plate

[txgp17]

See anything odd?

Image edited to hide manufacture's name.

[FyredUp]

Capacity 1500, yet it is rated at 1260 at 150 psi.

[Eng34FF]

Like Fyred, I see capacity listed as 1500, but only getting 1260 at 150 psi.

What's the story behind this, where did you find it?

[SPFDRum]

Pesky details......

[heng11]

It could very well be that this unit is destined for Canada. Canadian apparatus should be tested in either Imperial GPM or liters per minute. 1500 US GPM translates to roughly 1250 Imperial GPM. I say "roughly" because if you were to use a mathematical formula to convert US GPM to Imperial GPM the answer you get will be rounded off to come up with the Imperial GPM equivalent.

For instance, roughly, 500 US GPM = 420 IGPM, 750 = 625, 1000 = 840, 1250 = 1050, 1500 = 1250, 1750 = 1500, 2000 = 1750 etc.

[FWDbuff]

Maybe a 1500 was installed in anticipation of future expansion?????

[CanadianFyrTrks]

Maybe a 1500 was installed in anticipation of future expansion?????

They were asking 1500, but got 1260 instead! good deal?

[FWDbuff]

They were asking 1500, but got 1260 instead! good deal?

What I meant was, maybe they ordered a 1500, but only have enough discharges (right now) for 1250?????????? Perhaps they want to expand in the future- add a deck gun?

[FyredUp]

What I meant was, maybe they ordered a 1500, but only have enough discharges (right now) for 1250?????????? Perhaps they want to expand in the future- add a deck gun?

Sorry not buying that.

I believe one of 2 things is happening here:

1) Stupid mistake by whomever made the pump plate.

2) For some reason, horsepower, or whatever, the pump was unable to make 1500 gpm so was down rated to 1260.

[FWDbuff]

Sorry not buying that.

I believe one of 2 things is happening here:

I don't either, but a mistake by whomever made the plate was too obvious, and not being able to put out 1500 is just such a HUGE boo-boo that I wanted to offer the benefit of the doubt.

[npfd801]

I've never sold one, nor have I seen one, but I have heard of folks buying more "pump" than they need so as the rig ages, it will still maintain the desired pump rating certification. So instead of being at the bitter edge of driving a pump with just enough horsepower, they have some room to compensate for future powertrain losses.

Not saying it is right, but I've heard that argument before.

[txgp17]

What I meant was, maybe they ordered a 1500, but only have enough discharges (right now) for 1250?????????? Perhaps they want to expand in the future- add a deck gun?

According to Table 16.7.1 of NFPA 1901, it has adequate discharges for a pump rated up to 2,000 GPM.

It's being driven by a Cummins ISM, rated at 450 HP/1,450 tq, so horsepower isn't a problem.

Also, every Qmax pump made is designed to flow 2,250 from a draft, assuming you give it adequate intakes, discharges, and horsepower. (This comes verbatim from Gary Handwerk's mouth.)



Ponder this other question for a moment...
Here's a picture of the piping feeding the crosslays and the tankfill.


Note that a single pipe below the valves feeds all three, but they're in a series teed off the single pipe. I don't know if this is 3" or 2½" piping, but consider a scenario where both crosslays are being used for interior attack, both actively flowing no less than 150 GPM each.

What happens to the flow pressure of the preconnects if the operator opens the tank-fill completely? Since it's first in the lineup, it would sap a huge amount of water from the piping. Remember a tank-fill has no nozzle orifice, so the flow is fairly substantial.

[chiefengineer11]

According to Table 16.7.1 of NFPA 1901, it has adequate discharges for a pump rated up to 2,000 GPM.

It's being driven by a Cummins ISM, rated at 450 HP/1,550 tq, so horsepower isn't a problem.

Also, every Qmax pump made is designed to flow 2,250, assuming you give it adequate intakes, discharges, and horsepower. (This comes verbatim from Gary Handwerk's mouth.)



Ponder this other question for a moment...
Here's a picture of the piping feeding the crosslays and the tankfill.


Not that a single pipe below the valves feeds all three, but they're in a series teed off the single pipe. I don't know if this is 3" or 2½" piping, but consider a scenario where both crosslays are being used for interior attack, both actively flowing now less than 150 GPM each.

What happens to the flow pressure of the preconnects if the operator opens the tank-fill completely? Since it's first in the lineup, it would sap a huge amount of water from the piping. Remember a tank-fill has no nozzle orifice, so the flow is fairly substantial.

I've seen this setup before. At least one builder uses it pretty much as standard, but I can't remeber who it is. If the manifold pipe is of adequate size and looped (tied in on both sides of the pump discharge casting) it wouldn't be too bad. This one looks to be 3-1/2" or 4" which I really don't think would be enough if you opened the tank fill completely.

We learned very quickly about opening the tank fill completely. One of our members called me one morning saying that he doing a weekly run of the CAFS compressor. He was getting an overheat warning for the compressor oil. When I arrived at the station and he recreated what he had done it became apparent very quickly. He had opened our 2" tank fill all the way. He was getting exactly what you describe. All of the water that was being circulated was going right back into the tank through the fill. Because the "nozzle" pressure was so low, none of the water was going into the compressor oil cooler. I got out a triangular file and filed a groove on the valve's operating rod about 1-1/2" in. Our operating instructions now say that when using CAF, do not open the tank fill past that groove.

[fire2eagle]

Withdrawn because of previous post

[txgp17]

OK folks,
Garage Supervisor called the Salesman, and the Salesman was not happy. The pump was supposed to be UL tested at 1,500, and in fact, the pump model plate provided by Hale is marked "QMAX150-23L", which translates to:

• Qmax Pump
• 1,500 rating
• "L" series pump transmission
• 2.28 drive ratio

Basically, someone got the facts mixed up for the UL Certification Test.

We performed our Acceptance Test at 1,500 GPM, and it passed with flying colors.

Also, I've secured permission to use this truck for the Practical Portions of a Service Testing class on Thursday and Friday. When I get it hooked up, I'll measure the actual flow loss in that discharge header extension when the tank-fill is opened.

I'll do it once when both preconnects are flowing 150 each (300 total), and 200 each (400 total). Facts will be posted then.

[FIREMECH1]

Thanks for the info on the screw up.

I'm also very interested in what you get when you perform your tests. I don't have that set up, but the info would be nice to have, to put in the gray matter.

FM1

[CaptOldTimer]

See anything odd?

Image edited to hide manufacture's name.

Probably made and installed by a goofy mechanic, aka -> parts changer!!

[nameless]

the capacity was done in U.S. dry gallons and the pump test data is in U.S. wet gallons.

[GTRider245]

What happens to the flow pressure of the preconnects if the operator opens the tank-fill completely?

You rob the pump of water in a hurry. I figured this out when our newest engines was delivered. If the tank fill is more than cracked the EPG will sense low supply and shut it down.

Crappy design in my book.

[FIREMECH1]

What happens to the flow pressure of the preconnects if the operator opens the tank-fill completely?

You rob the pump of water in a hurry. I figured this out when our newest engines was delivered. If the tank fill is more than cracked the EPG will sense low supply and shut it down.

Crappy design in my book.

I'm not sure if I am reading what "txgp17" is asking is right, or not. But if your flowing water through the preconnects and open the tank fill valve, you are going to have some very unhappy guys holding the line.

If you have the newer electronic governor set in pressure mode, it should ramp up quite a bit to keep the pressure up on the preconnect, depending on the size of the pipe to the tank.

This is also controlled by your water source at the intake. If you have a good hydrant system, then there shouldn't be a problem.

Please correct me if I'm wrong on what I think is being asked.

FM1