Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)This Flotec FP5172 1-1/2HP Sprinkler Pump was purchased to replace a 10 year old cast iron pump that had an AO Smith motor. The old pump simply rusted away and hopefully this new Flotec will work and last just as well. The motors are basically the same, both AO Smith 1-1/2HP. I've had this Flotec in use for about 1 month now.
The Flotec seems to be a nice pump, reasonably priced, well constructed, and was very easy to assemble and a lot lighter to lift than the old cast iron pump. The Flotec has lots of plastic which includes the pump body and the motor base/stand. The motor is an AO Smith and the complete unit is just like a Sta-Rite Swimming Pool pump minus the filter basket.
It took me about 2-3 hours to remove my broken pump and install this new Flotec. The Flotec comes prewired for 220VAC but can be switched to 110VAC easily. The hardest part was determining how tight to turn the 1-1/2" fittings that go into the plastic pump body. The instructions gave a formula for installing the fittings but depending on the type of thread lube you use makes this difficult to trust and over-tightening could split the plastic housing around the fitting and under-tightening could allow for leaks??? I used teflon thread tape and got lucky I guess. Hand tight then 1.5 times around again. The plastic on the pump housing is not just regular plastic...it is a high tech glass filled reinforced high strength exotic plastic...way different than the plastic base/stand on this Flotec, which is just regular cheap plastic. I would probably avoid using this this Flotec in direct sunlight and outdoor exposure as rust and corrosion and UV rays would probably not play well with this Flotec, but then again this is the same design used on the swimming pool pumps...go figure.
ASSEMBLY NOTE: Make sure you prime this pump the first time you use it even if you have a free flowing well. Just loosen the plastic plug on top of the pump and allow the artesian well to fill the pump body. If not a free flowing well then remove the plug on top of the pump and prime with a bucket of water. The instructions detail these steps so follow them. I almost didn't because I thought my free flowing well would just fill the pump body but just before I turned the pump on for the first time I decided to loosen the plug just to confirm and sure enough it blew air for a few seconds before the water spewed. Maybe the pump would have just worked this air out when turned on but I would rather be safe and make sure an air pocket didn't burn my pump up. Just follow the instructions, my advice.
As for the final outcome. The Flotec is quieter than my old cast iron pump. The Flotec provides plenty of water pressure and flow rate which is equal or better than my old cast iron pump. Amazon had the best price on this Flotec I could find anywhere including local hardware store and came free shipping and no sales tax. I use it with 220VAC same as old cast iron pump. I run the pump 1.5 times a week for 2 hrs each time covering 4 zones total at 30 mins per zone same as old cast iron pump. So far so good.
We'll just have to wait and see how she holds up. Another ten years would be nice as this pump was half the cost of my old cast iron pump.
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Flotec FP5172 1-1/2 HP Self-Priming High Capacity Sprinkler Pump
This Flotec model is a self-priming, corrosion-resistant, high-capacity sprinkler pump that's constructed of rugged, heavy-duty fiberglass-reinforced thermoplastic. Capable of operating up to 30 sprinkler heads and designed for continuous operation, this pump delivers 115/230 motor voltage and offers dual voltage capability. Ideal for lawn sprinkling, the self-priming design of this efficient model permits use on automatic sprinkler systems as well as on de-watering and water transfer.
For added convenience, this 1.5 HP pump has an easily accessible design that makes it a snap to reach parts that need service due to normal wear and tear. It also comes with a 1-year warranty.
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