Sizing Water pumps or adding a pressure bladder

[Erikksen]

I upgraded my water pump from a 2.9 gpm unit to a positive displacement 3.5 gpm unit from Lippert and it worked great for a few days then it started switching off and back on during use, such as showering or running the faucet. It is annoying because it causes the shower water temp to go up and down each time the pump cycles. Has anyone else had this problem with upgrades and what did you do about it?

[rohrmann]

The last pump I installed is a Shurflo revolution 4008 pump, and it is a bypass design which keeps it from cycling. Works great and no need for an extra tank.

[DQDick]

Same for me. Never had the recycling, but again it was a Sureflow.

[Recumbent]

We put in a 3 gallon bladder tank behind basement wall. While camping without city water we get two to three flushes before the pump turns on to replace the fresh water used. If showering it will run until you stop running water, then continue on until the bladder tank is filled again. The bladder tank allows the pump to cycle less and hopefully last longer.

[Mudchief]

I added the bladder and it was was a good mod. If you have to run water in the middle of the night there is no pump running to wake others up.

[Hblick48]

Ditto Recumbnt and Muddhief. Added a bladder and it made a huge difference as described above. My water heater pressure valve was seeping water. I replaced it with new one and it still seeped. Added bladder and no more seeping.