Setting Up a Honda Submersible Pump

Setting Up a Honda Submersible Pump
A Honda submersible pump is perfect for stationary pumping, powering fountains, clearing ponds and draining basements. However, you can’t just screw on a couple of hoses and put them to use like a standard pump. To put your WS Series to work, you need to get power to the motor, set up a drainage system and make sure you can retrieve it.

Where Can I Use My Pump?

All pumps are rated for continuous use moving water as hot as 104º and can handle brief spikes up to 140ºF. If the pump does start to overheat, a built-in thermal reset will shut off the motor, then restart it once the pump has cooled down.

The WSP50 and WSP100 can handle solids up to two inches in diameter, while Honda’s other pumps are limited to solids up to 3/8 inches in diameter. All pumps can handle muck water. These pumps should not be used to move corrosive or flammable liquids including mine run-off, seawater, and fuel.

The motors used in these pumps are designed for 115 volts, so they’ll work with household current. Power needs to come from a GFCI-protected outlet on a circuit that can supply 15 amps. Most household circuits supply either 15 or 20 amps, so be aware that it can be easy to overload the circuit if you’re running the pump alongside other appliances.

The pump plug should be connected directly to this outlet. Adding an extension cord can increase resistance, shortening the life of the motor. If you’re looking for a pump that can be used far from an outlet, consider getting a WSP53 or WSP73. Both models come with 50-foot power cables.

The operating location needs to meet the ANSE/NEPA 70-1984 standard, which covers ignitable materials. Fuel cans, sawdust, gas heaters and other natural gas appliances should be kept far away from this pump.

Attaching a Rope

You can lift the pump by the handle, but it’s really there to attach a rope so the pump can be lifted out of deep water. Use a strong rope made out of a waterproof material like pure polypropylene or a polyester and propylene blend. Never pull the pump up by the power cord.

Building a Discharge Pipe

The pump needs to be attached to a PVC or ABS pipe that matches the size of the pump outlet. The highest point of the pipe should be at least 15 inches higher than the highest water surface. Outlets on all models use standard pipe threading, so the discharge pipe can be attached using a standard threaded end. A 90-degree elbow can be attached directly to the threaded end when building a pipe for a side discharge pump.

An in-line check valve should be installed in the pipe to prevent backflow. This valve should be 12-18 inches above the pump outlet. The pipe also needs to have a 1/8 inch hole about 5 inches above the outlet to preventing air locking.

Setting Up a Sump Basin

A sump is the lowest point in a structure, whether it’s a boat or a building. A sump basin is a container placed at this point to collect water, which can then be removed by the pump. This basin should be made of concrete, fiberglass or plastic. The diameter of the basin needs to be sized to keep the pump supplied with water to maintain the pumping rate:

Under 24 inches — Up to 35 GPM
30 inches — up to 60 GPM
36 inches — up to 100 GPM
48 inches — up to 150 GPM

If you’re using an existing basin, clean out any debris before fitting your pump.

Setting Up the Float Switch

The distance between the switch and the pump is set by adjusting the clamp that holds the switch cable to the pump. When the switch is level or tilted upward, it will activate the pump. The seals are oil lubricated so they won’t melt if the pump is starved.

If you’re placing your pump in a sump basin, the switch should turn on when the water reaches a height of 13-14 inches. To test this out, pour water into the area around the pump, check that it’s switching on, and repeat. If you’re getting consistent results, the switch is set up correctly.

Missing Something?

Do you need parts for your submersible pump? Hondalawnparts.com specializes in Honda small engine and power equipment including everything from lawnmower engines to these electric pumps. Our site has factory diagrams and descriptions built in so you can be sure you’re ordering exactly what you need. We ship across the USA and Canada.

Using the WH15X Pump

Using the WH15X Pump

At 20 lbs, the WX15X is perfect for small jobs from garden irrigation to draining the bilge on small boats. Here’s what you need to know to get the most from this water pump.

What Will the WX15X Pump?

This pump is designed to pump fresh water. Pumping corrosive liquids like seawater and mine runoff will damage the pump, while pumping flammable liquids including gasoline and diesel can cause a fire or explosion.

This is a dewatering pump, so it can handle water with solids up to 3/8 of an inch (10 mm) in diameter. It’s strong enough to pick up muck water, so it’s safe to use when draining ponds.

Pump Location

The WX15’s maximum total head is 121 feet under ideal conditions. Suction head can be no more than 26 feet, and may be less in high altitude operation. When setting up the pump, position it so that it is close to the surface of the water, making up the difference in height to the drainage point by using the discharge hose. Reducing suction head will reduce the time the pump takes to self-prime.

Keep the pump at least three feet away from building walls and other equipment. Heat coming off of the engine could start a fire, and confined spaces can concentrate poisonous carbon monoxide from the exhaust.

Hoses

Both the suction and outlet ports are 1.5 inches in diameter. The suction port should be used with a 1.5-inch diameter non-collapsible hose. The outlet can be connected to a standard hose that is at least 1.5 inches in diameter. Using a wider hose will reduce fluid resistance, improving performance. The shorter the hoses are, the better the pump performance will be.

Hose clamps are included with the pump, but separate hose connectors will be needed to mate the hoses to the pump housing. Inspect the packing inside the hose coupling before installation. If this part fails, there won’t be a good seal between the hose and the pump port.

The suction hose should always be fitted with a strainer to keep large debris from reaching the pump and damaging the impeller. A basket strainer is included with the WX15X, but a skimmer strainer is a better choice if you need to completely drain a body of water.

If the discharge hose needs to cross a road, run it directly from one side of the road to the other. Place boards along the hose to support vehicles crossing the road: this will keep the tires from pushing down on the hose and cutting off water flow, which can damage the pump.

Priming

Before starting the engine, water needs to be added to the pump chamber to prevent overheating and seal damage. If the engine is accidentally started with a dry pump, shut it off immediately and let the pump cool off before priming and restarting.

To prime the pump, remove the cap on top of the pump housing. Add water until it’s even with the bottom of the pump outlet, then reinstall the filler cap. Once the engine is running, it can take a couple of minutes for the pump to draw water through the hoses.

Starting the Engine

1. Move the fuel valve lever, located to the right of the air box, to the “ON” position.
2. If the engine is cold, move the choke lever, located above the air box, to the “CLOSED” position. If the engine was recently started, leave the choke in the “OPEN” position.
3. Move the throttle lever, located below the fuel lever, halfway between “SLOW” and “FAST.”
4. Turn the ignition switch to the “ON” position.
5. Hold the carrying handle and pull the starter grip.
6. As the engine warms up, gradually move the choke to the “OPEN” position.

Stopping the Engine

1. Move the throttle lever to the “SLOW” position.
2. Turn the ignition switch to the “OFF” position.
3. Turn the fuel valve to the “OFF” position.

After Use

Once the engine is off, remove the drain plug on the base of the pump and the priming cap on the top of the pump. Pour fresh water into the pump to flush out any dirt or debris. Once all the water has drained, reinstall the plug and cap.

Get the Parts and Accessories You Need for Your Honda Water Pump

Hondalawnparts.com can ship OEM parts and accessories for you WX15X to your door whether you live in the U.S. or Canada. We carry the full line of Honda water pump accessories including hoses, strainers, and clamps as well as parts like spark plugs and pump seals. Browse our pump accessory section to find the right combination of hoses and adapters to fit your needs, or search by pump model and serial number to find compatible parts for your pump.

What Type of Pump Do I Need?

What Type of Pump Do I Need?From powering fountains to cleaning construction sites, Honda makes a pump that will do the job. Which pump is right for your needs? Knowing how each design functions can help you narrow down your choices from Honda’s 16 model lineup.

Flow Rates in the Real World

The flow rates below are in ideal conditions, but there are two factors that can reduce the actual flow rate once put in use:

The head, which is the difference in height between the end of the intake hose, the pump and the end of the outlet hose, will affect pumping performance. If all three points are at about the same height, the pump should work at the rated gallons per minute. If the height difference is high, say, when pumping water out of a well, the pump has to overcome gravity, reducing the flow rate.

When it comes to trash and chemical pumps, the fluid being moved may be heavier than water, which further decreases pumping speeds.

Before you buy a pump, check the detailed specifications to make sure the pump will be able to support the total head you’ll need the pump to handle. If you need to maintain a specific flow rate, download Honda’s free “Pump Select software“. It can do the flow calculations for you and make model recommendations.

The gallon per minute rating may get the most attention, but the main factor when selecting a pump is its intended use:

Portable De-Watering

The WX Series is built for high portability with the WX10 weighing just 13 lbs. These models are great for occasional use for gardening, boat maintenance, and general household usage, moving between 32 and 74 gallons of water per minute.

General De-Watering

The WB series trades the WX’s low weight for more pumping power. Commercial grade components including silicone carbide seals and anti-vibration mounts help with long term reliability. They can move between 164 and 290 gallons per minute.

Nozzles, Sprinklers and Long Distance Applications

The WH series is built for high-pressure applications while still being portable, making them a great choice for irrigation and fire suppression. These models can pump up to 119 GPM under pressures as high as 64 psi.

Chemicals

The WMP20 is designed with materials that resist corrosion and damage from a wide range of industrial and agricultural chemicals as well as salt water. Keep in mind that while it can handle both base and acidic fluids, it can’t pump just anything: Honda keeps an updated list of approved chemicals on their site. This pump has a maximum flow rate of 220 GPM.

Trash, Debris, and Big Jobs

The WT Series is built for moving massive amounts of water that is mixed with solids up to 1 1/16 inches in diameter. A quick clean out port and design features for easy maintenance make these pumps more than up to the task of handling the demands of contractors and rental businesses. These pumps can move between 185 and 433 gallons of water per minute, although high trash content will reduce performance.

Severe Duty and Slow Seepage

The WDP30 uses a positive displacement diaphragm pump that can move water that contains up to 25% solids including mud and trash. This design can also run dry without harming the seals, while a rock channel in the volute case and spring-loaded connecting rod protect the components from impacts. That capability comes at a cost of pumping speed, limiting it to 80 GPM.

Fixed Locations

Honda’s WSP electric pumps are powered by 120 AC current, making them a great choice in areas that have frequent need of pumping and have ready power access. These units have switches to pump automatically once the water reaches a certain level, and they’re also set up so they can be put in continuous use. Electric pumps are great for draining water from tanks and containers including pools and hot tubs as well as removing seepage in basements and powering fountains and garden irrigation systems.

Most models are designed for plain water, but the WSP 50 and 100 models are both trash pumps, able to handle solids up to two inches in diameter. Pumping speed ranges from 40 to 150 gallons per minute.

Servicing and Accessories

Need to fix your current Honda pump or replace the hoses? Hondalawnparts.com has everything you need. As a certified Honda Power Equipment dealer, we carry parts and accessories for all of Honda’s small engines and equipment. Our site makes it easy to find the parts you’re looking for by integrating factory parts diagrams into our search engine so you can see where the part fits on your pump. We ship across both the U.S. and Canada.