Hi, I have done a bunch of reading on this site and there seems to be some real quality info! Only problem as I am pretty new to this its all a little confusing... As a background. I moved into a house that has a 2 tanks installed for about 15,000lt in total. It seems to be a decent job done. The pump that they were using ONGA with water switch is stuffed (plumber took it to a pump repairer and they wanted $900 to fix it - apparently the water switch went and water leaked from there into the electronics of the pump). Now I am up for a replacement. Previously the pump was providing water to the whole house plus a sprinkler system for the whole yard (block size 800sqm). I am going to take this opportunity to replumb it just to the toilets (2) and laundry and leave it at that for the time being. there is also about 5% slope to the house (front to back) and the house is on posts if that matters(easy access helps to make the plumbing cheaper).
The plumber recommended a VADA V80 - H with water switch (http://www.reece.com.au/plumbing/products/9501384) - about $750 as a direct replacement - thats 80L/min.
A little reading is a dangerous thing! I would like to spend less than $1000 but i can stretch a bit if necessary. Reading on here it would seem that I have a couple of options - problem is that I don't really know what I need and if it is worth spending the money. So here are my options as I see it.
Option 1 AL-KO Pump
This seems to be the popular option here - but not sure if I understand it right.
i)ALKO 601 - discontinued as far as I can tell. Replacement is this https://www.alkogarden.com.au/products/JET%203500 can be had for $120 delivered on ebay too.
alternate is something like this http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/NEW-1400W-Garden-Jet-Pump-Stainless-Steel-Body-70L-Min-Carbon-Steel-Shaft-/291275919061?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item43d165ced5 looks cheap and nasty but might be a decent option.
ii) a manual presure switch (eg http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/30-50PSI-Single-Phase-240Volt-Pressure-Pump-Switch-Free-Postage-/381034166418?pt=AU_B_I_Electrical_Test_Equipment&hash=item58b767f892 not sure if thats the size i want though - and i would probably pay to get a better quality one such as a Davey Square D Pressure Switch (I think this may need to be wired in by a sparky...)
Another option would be to buy a pump that has a pressure switch and gauge inbuilt and set to the correct start stop psi (circa 30 and 60) - an example would be http://www.asctanks.com.au/product/dab-jinox132mp-pressure-switch/ - note that this is 80L/m max rated - this is a direct replacement for what I have but should I go something smaller like 60lt/min or perhaps 45lt/m... I would probably get one of these.
iii)I would then get a pressure tank between 60 and 100L to help with maintaining pressure (I may attach a shower at a later stage so this should help) (such as this one http://www.justwaterpumps.com.au/davey-supercell-60p-60-litre-pressure-tank)
I would probably need some adjusters and a pressure gauge as well.
I like this method as it seems reasonably cheap and the parts that break (eg the pump) should be pretty easy and cheap to replace.
Water Switch
I have one of these on the current busted onga pump - they seem a nightmare from everything i have read - doesn't matter what brand. It seems the only decent ones are the hydraulic ones (eg acquasaver et al). I am also talking to the plumber about go to a manual changeover system (like the mainrain, but that seems expensive for what it is). But I am a little concerned how I would avoid running the pump dry. Any suggestions?
Other options
different brand pump and water switch - looking at a grundfos pump and switch or an equivalent davey model - not too worried about price - would prefer just to do it right. This is a cheaper ($550) option with a hydraulic water switch http://www.asctanks.com.au/product/zenox-zhr800-zenox-mains-switchover/ there is an equivalent claytech unit http://www.asctanks.com.au/product/claytech-cms-5a-inox-240a-aquasaver-pump/ -$850
Variable speed option.
These seem great - but a little pricey, although if I go a manual changeover system than it starts to look better priced. One of these plus a water switch is expensive.
The 2 units I would consider are :
Dab E.SYBOX http://pumps2you.com/DAB-E-SYBOX-Variable-Speed-Pressure-System_2#.VE7vxPnLde9 this looks a good plug and play system but seems overkill. I would also be concerned about repairs and longevity - ie it looks a bit complicated! Although for $70 more I can get a 6 year parts and labour warranty which seems fair.
and the Grundfos CME3-3 http://www.bidgeepumps.com.au/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=81_437_504&products_id=3028 - I think this is a superseded model hence the price but I am sure it will be ok.
Sorry for the long post-as you can see there are a bunch of ways to go - anyone have any suggestion on which is best???
cheers