Water pumps too loud - building a soundproof box - ventilation needed?

Sam&Max

Active Member
Hi,
I only knew the sound levels of submersible pumps and they are very quiet, obviously because they are underwater.

This time I decided to go with a pump like this



This one sucks the water from the outside. I did choose it because it is strong and has no parts which can be corroded from fertilizer, which was a concern with a submersible pump.

Unfortunately the pump is too loud. Maybe it has to do because there is still a bit air in the system when sucking water automatically. But of course it is because these types of pumps are much louder than submersible pumps.

I was thinking to build a soundproof box of osb/drywall with some soundproofing material.

I need to know if the pump can overheat if it runs in such an eclosure and if I need to do some sort of air hole? On the website is written: "A thermal protection switch protects the motor against overload." https://www.gardena.com/int/products/watering/pump/garden-pump-3000-4/966625801/ So that means it will shut off before it starts to burn itself to death? :-D

How to do an airhole so the noise doesnt get trough it? Space is restricted, so no sonoduct construcition ;-)

What is best material for soundproofing?
 

SSR

Well-Known Member
Mount it on antivibration rubber feet. The kind that bolt to the motor and floor, screw it onto a sheet of ply then build your box around it if it's still loud.
If you do box the pump in you'll be best leaving ventilation slots, they don't have to be big just enough for a bit of fresh air in down low and heat out the top.
Last thing you want is a pump cutting out every time it gets warm

Remember sound travels along the pipes too so you might need to suspend them on rubber or clamp firmly to solid supports depending on your structure.
Hope that's some help
 

SSR

Well-Known Member
Brilliant link @BostonBuds
Sorry @Sam&Max I was stoned when I wrote my original reply and missed this bit:

Is your pump definitely self priming and is it at the lowest point in your plumbing loop to help it prime?
Reason I ask is because if it isn't priming properly and air remains within the pump casing you'll suffer cavitation which causes excess noise but more importantly it will wear your impeller excessively and shorten the life of the pump.

Last point is to check for a bleed point on the pump casing, usually a screw or bolt meant for letting the air out of the pump casing to prevent the above. Just crack it open slowly till you see fluid and/or bubbles. When the bubbles stop close er back up.

Hope that's not too wafflesque. Stoned again
 

SPLFreak808

Well-Known Member
You can transfer most of that acoustical energy into heat by making a box insulated with butyl rubber based sound deadener.
 
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