Pump question

[Egon]

The pump produces 12 gpm so it may be ok as long as the 8 gpm line size will handle the extra 4gpm

Uh-oh; some bad advice here without knowing exactly what type of pump!:ashamed:

 

[gpflepsen]

You do not want to cap an outlet. Case go break! You could plumb the lesser outlet to tank, through a cooler/filter or secondary circuit of some sort. Depending on the supply line used, you may be able to plumb the lesser output to the suction side and be fine. Just watch the heat generated.

Is this the pump?

 

[ParkerFly]

That looks like the pump in that picture. I'd have to look at ours, but it definitely has 3 lines (2 pressure, one return), I just can't remember where they all are on the pump.
What about using a T to tie both lines in together? Instead of capping one, feed both into one line? I probably should have thought of that earlier, but it seems like that would be simple to do.

Justin

 

[gpflepsen]

Well, it may work to combine the outlets. As was said earlier, there is probably some type of flow divider. I'll let others comment on the wisdom of this approach.

Check this exploded view at http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/yhst-85473676144382_2081_9846328, which may be the pump in question.

 

[Farmerford]

The parts between caps #22 and #23 on gflepsen's attachment are probably a flow divider. Because it has springs on each end of the spool (between the caps) it is probably a proportional flow divider rather than a priority flow divider. That is, whatever fluid exits the pump will be divided 1/3 to one port and 2/3 to the other port. Depending on the design, if you block one port the spool may shift to send all the fluid to that port in order to try to keep the proper balance between the ports. Of course, with a blocked port that will not happen and pressure will build up in the pump; there appears to be a relief valve in the pump body to avoid damage.

So, it should probably work fine to connect both out ports to a single line, which will combine both flows. But if it were me, I would just remove the proportional flow divider parts: everything between the caps (except the sealing o-rings under the caps, of course). There is bound to be some pressure loss in the fluid as it winds its way through the flow divider, and you might as well eliminate that if you can.