Looking for economy pump input

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TxBigHops

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Time to buy my first pump. It won't be my last, so I don't need the best or the most powerful. Upgraded from 10 gal kettle to a keggle so I'll be doing both 5-6 and 10-12 gal batches. Gonna use it to move mash and sparge water from kettle to mash tun, Possible future mash re-circulation, wort back into the kettle, and post boil through a plate chiller. Leaning towards camlock fittings on the hoses.

Enough background, my decision is between the topsflo TD5:
https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/topsfloss.htm

Or the Brau Supply BR19-1:
https://brausupply.com/products/brau-120v-brew-pump-1-2-npt

I'm aware that neither is as powerful as a chugger or march. But both are quieter, and should transfer fast enough. And both are more water resistant.

Questions:
  • Is the topsflo better and why? Is it quieter than the Brau? Does it have any other advantages that make it worth the little higher cost?
  • I read that the topsflo mount is a PITA. I want to mount the pump and not worry about it. Can I do this out of the box, or will it require modification or fabrication of a custom mount?
  • There are a couple of other pumps out there that physically look a lot like the Brau BR19. Are they basically the same pump, or is the Brau better?
Here are the links to those similar pumps:
https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/mark2ss.htm
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073P19L8P/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Thanks. Appreciate the help.
 
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I like the Topsflo pumps, close to Chugger performance, and with quick disconnects you can connect it directly to the kettle - eliminating a stretch of tubing.
 
I like the Topsflo pumps, close to Chugger performance, and with quick disconnects you can connect it directly to the kettle - eliminating a stretch of tubing.

Yeah, I've been thinking about that. Which QD do you use, or does it matter? I'm leaning towards going with camlocks. Do you know if the Topsflo is lighter than the Brau Supply or MKII?
 
Yes the topsflo is the lightest of the bunch the bria pump is the same pump as anvil sells I believe. I think it's also the same pump as the grai father uses but not sure. It's a weakest of the bunch but as you already indicated, all these pumps are actually a bit overkill as far as flow goes.. that's why I still use the tan 24v pumps myself in my home setup, even though I have bought a bunch of others for my brewpub.
 
Yeah, I've been thinking about that. Which QD do you use, or does it matter? I'm leaning towards going with camlocks. Do you know if the Topsflo is lighter than the Brau Supply or MKII?

Cam lock, was cheaper for all of the connections I wanted. Otherwise I wouldn't imagine there is much of a strength difference between the styles.

As Auggie stated, any of them will provide plenty of flow, but I would make sure they are at least the 24v models. I have a couple of the 12v versions of the tan pumps, and while they are just fine for my RIMS, whirlpool from them is on the weak side. Whirlpool with the Topsflo is not noticeably different from my Chugger pump.
 
Great info all. Thanks! Leaning strongly towards Topsflo. I tried to gravity feed through a plate chiller yesterday and no go. It worked okay with water one a test run last weekend. I guess the thicker wort requires more oomph.
 
Well just as reference, I use 2 td5 pumps in a 3bbl setup and its powerful enough to push 3bbl of water from the bottom of one kettle and into another through the bottom port which kinda surprised me. Since the main goals of these are for rims and sparging, even as small as they are, They still will need to be throttled down in use.
 
Yes the topsflo is the lightest of the bunch the bria pump is the same pump as anvil sells I believe. I think it's also the same pump as the grai father uses but not sure. It's a weakest of the bunch but as you already indicated, all these pumps are actually a bit overkill as far as flow goes.. that's why I still use the tan 24v pumps myself in my home setup, even though I have bought a bunch of others for my brewpub.
Augie, do you have any links to the 24v tan pumps you're using? Most of what I'm seeing on Amazon are 12v. The only 24v I can find is branded Sican? It's $19 and doesn't include a power supply. Looking at the budget, I've spent too much the past couple of months and need to reign it in a bit. I'll eventually get a topsflo, but if I can save $100 and still get sufficient power, then why not. Thanks!
 
I bought mine for around 18-20 bucks each and bought a 24v powersupply to power it. All that you need is a 2amp or larger DC power supply. The same supply that would power a topsflo td5 actually.. I put my supply in my control panel but you could use a wall wort style too. The red wire is positive and black is negative. Is pretty simple to wire and a complete setup could be built for under 30 bucks.
There are many on Ebay and Amazon Just search for a food grade 24v pump.
 
These are what I use at home, I have 4 permenently plumbed into the piping from my kettles to my rims and chiller.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/DC-24V-Bru...h=item3d397de9e7:g:JJoAAOSwcgNZA1qf:rk:6:pf:0

this power supply would work and even comes with the barrel connector to wire onto the end of the pump to have a detachable power cord.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/12V-2A-24W...=item25c50097db:g:2nUAAOSwcXpZm~l2:rk:33:pf:0

This power supply will likely work a bit better from my experience, I tried a 2 amp supply and even though its speced to work fine with it , it was stronger and more responsive to starting with the larger amp power supply.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/AC-to-DC-A...h=item3af58f6d17:g:eQ4AAOSwclVbt32X:rk:6:pf:0
 
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Thanks for the links! I had a $10 off PayPal coupon in my email today, so picked up this pump, the 3A power supply and some DC connectors for $23! What a deal!

Changing the wiring scared me a little. I like DIY, but usually avoid electrical if I can. This looks pretty simple though, especially with you pointing me to exactly what to buy. So thanks again for the help!
 
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