24 replies to this topic

[miniobsessed]

Hi Guys.

Has anybody had any experience with the KAD Electric Water Pump?

Does it flow enough water to keep a modified engine cool? How does the flow rate and pressure compare to the standard cast impellor pump?

Not to knock KAD, because I think they do great work, but it looks a bit like a bilge or water feature pump with a couple of alloy adaptors and I'm wondering if it's actually up to the job...

[MintecMiniSpares]

Not sure about the Kad pump but i've had good results with the Davies Craig pumps and I know they're widely used.

www.daviescraig.com.au

[Curley]

Holly Thread Resurrection Batman! I was about to post something similar when doing a search I found this, so rather than start a new thread I'll update here.

 

The current KAD electric water pump they are selling is a Bosch 0392020034 pump. Yours' for about £70 online. Who knows why KAD charge £240 for it! Specs for this pump is 850L/Hr or 85L/min. I'm told standard water pump is 80L/min.

 

The 'Craig David' VFD/PWM pump controller is useful way of increasing pumping speed based in engine temp. Low temps, low flow. High temps, higher flows.

Edited by Curley, 10 September 2020 - 03:55 PM.

[skoughi]

I wonder how much energy the standard water pump uses compared to (is it measurable) how much the elec one uses? I've often thought about changing to an elec pump even though my mini is a road use only. If only to save a little power from the engine and hopefully a bit more control on temp when standing in traffic. Does it make it "safer" for the engine when it's warming up in that there will be a very slow movement of coolant through the engine instead of stagnant coolant waiting for the thermostat to open and then the possibility of hot spots being created? Maybe this is irrelevant in a small engine?

[PoolGuy]

It certainly looks the same as the pump that Amazon sell for £55. There are a few advantages of electric pumps aside from any differences is power consumption, they don’t cavitate, they can run after the engine is switched off, they can run at variable speeds. They’re particularly useful in race environments, we started using them in Miglias in 1990, that was a motorhome pump used for supplying the sink and shower. 

[sonscar]

Is the power used driving the water pump then used to drive the alternator?Steve..

[johnR]

Is the power used driving the water pump then used to drive the alternator?Steve..

Good question

[GraemeC]

Is the power used driving the water pump then used to drive the alternator?Steve..

 

The alternator would still be driven off the crank, just with a shorter belt.

 

I think you'll only see any real power saving advantage from an electric water pump when a front mounted rad is used.

[mini13]

Is the power used driving the water pump then used to drive the alternator?Steve..

Yes, but allegedly the mechanical pump will use a fair bit of excess power at high revs compared to a electric pump. i seem to remember a figure of a couple of horseower for the mechanical pump, and 1/2 hp for an electric pump.

[sonscar]

Like in the good old days when they guessed how much power the water pump,alternator oil pump and anything else they could think of then added this to the quoted power.Today's problem is "I read it on the internet so it must be true", Steve..

[skoughi]

Do you use the thermostat with an electric pump or is there no need as the speed of the pump is controlled by the engine and/or coolant temp?

[sonscar]

I understand you remove the stat and restrict the hole and the pump controller does the rest.Automotive quality parts throughout I would think as failure is not really an option.Mainstream manufacturors are using the tech so it has some merits if designed as a package,but as a retrofit?I personally will sacrifice a potential few HP.Steve..

[stoneface]

I use the Davies Craig on my engine.

No thermostat needed. But as above a restriction is needed. I use a thermostat with the inner removed as the restriction.

[PoolGuy]

In the back of my mind you should also run without a bypass fitted, but that's probably more to do with the stat being removed?

[burchy35]

I also use a Craig Davis pump with a front mounted radiator, when its cold weather I have to put a thermostat in because it wont get up to temperature. And I have a controller fitted which slows the pump right down to get the engine up to temperature quicker.
The car is a 1460 turbo track car which does generate plenty of heat. Water cools the turbo which also acts as a bypass. In warmer conditions it's perfect with the thermostat removed and a sleeve in place.