Waterax Versax Owner's Manual
VERSAX
Owner's Manual
Publication Date: 11/2015
Publication Number: 701244, Rev. 4
This document provides information proprietary to WATERAX Inc. and cannot be used
or disclosed without WATERAX’s written authorization.
WATERAX Inc. reserves the right to make changes without notice in its products or
components as research and development or marketing conditions warrant. Changes
affecting the operation of any component in this manual will be reflected in a subsequent
revision. WATERAX Inc. assumes no responsibility for any omissions or errors that may
appear in this document or for any damages that may result from the use of information
contained herein.
The following are trademarks or brand names of WATERAX Inc.: WATERAX, ‘WE
MOVE WATER’. All other trademarks used in this manual are the exclusive property of
their owner.
VERSAX Owner's Manual
Publication No.: 701244, Rev. 4
Publication Date: 11/2015
First Edition: March 2015
Published by:
WATERAX Inc.
6635 Henri-Bourassa W.
Montreal, Quebec, CANADA
H4R 1E1
Copyright © 2015 WATERAX Inc.
All rights reserved
Printed in Canada
WATERAX VERSAX Owner's Manual
Contents
Important Safety Instructions ............................................................................................ 2
Personal Safety Advisory .................................................................................................................. 2
Warnings ........................................................................................................................................... 2
Preventing Damage to Equipment .................................................................................... 3
Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 3
About this Manual ............................................................................................................................. 3
Abbreviations and Terms .................................................................................................................. 4
About the VERSAX Series ................................................................................................................ 5
Parts Identification ............................................................................................................................. 6
Installation .......................................................................................................................... 6
Plumbing ........................................................................................................................................... 6
Fastening to Truck/Apparatus ........................................................................................................... 6
Installing a Control Panel .................................................................................................................. 7
Using a Battery for Electric Starters and Control Panels .................................................................. 7
Operating VERSAX Series Pumps .................................................................................... 8
Pre-Operation Checklist .................................................................................................................... 8
Flooded Suction ................................................................................................................................ 8
Drafting .............................................................................................................................................. 9
Priming the Pump ............................................................................................................................ 10
Startup and Discharge .................................................................................................................... 11
Shutdown ........................................................................................................................................ 11
Cold Weather Operation ................................................................................................................. 12
Basic Care and Storage .................................................................................................................. 12
Troubleshooting .............................................................................................................................. 13
Service .............................................................................................................................. 15
Parts Breakdown ............................................................................................................................. 15
Disassembly and Assembly of the Pump End ................................................................................ 20
Disassembly Procedure for VERSAX Pump End ........................................................................... 17
Assembly Procedure for VERSAX Pump End ................................................................................ 17
VERSAX-9 Wiring ........................................................................................................................... 22
FastWire Wiring Diagrams .............................................................................................................. 23
Pump End Technical Data................................................................................................ 24
Warranty............................................................................................................................ 27
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WATERAX VERSAX Owner's Manual
Important Safety Instructions
It is recommended that all information provided in this manual be carefully read and
understood before performing any operation of or maintenance to the pump.
The procedures listed in this manual are general operating and maintenance procedures.
They should be taken in addition to any procedures, policies and guidelines established
by the authority having jurisdiction or the apparatus manufacturer. Where conflicts arise,
all parties (authority having jurisdiction, the apparatus manufacturer, and WATERAX Inc.)
will need to be contacted to determine the best resolution. The solution will need to
address the safety of the operator along with the proper performance and life expectancy
of the unit.
Personal Safety Advisory
READ YOUR ENGINE MANUAL FIRST!
Before proceeding further, locate and read the engine manufacturer’s manual. It contains
very important safety information that MUST be read, understood and followed to
safeguard you and your equipment from harm, as well as specific information on the
proper use and care of your engine.
READ THIS MANUAL BEFORE OPERATING YOUR PUMP!
The improper use of the WATERAX pump could result in serious injuries as well as
damage to the pump. Any operator should familiarize himself with the apparatus and its
capabilities before trying to operate the equipment in an emergency situation. Please read
this entire manual before using your WATERAX pump and follow all Personal Safety
Advisories.
Warnings
Always wear eye and ear protection when operating the pump unit.
Do not operate if mentally or physically fatigued.
Always inspect hoses and piping to avoid burst injuries.
Use only pipe, hose, and fittings that are rated at or above the maximum pressure
No modifications and/or alterations may be made to the pump. Any such modifications
Do not operate the pump higher than the maximum rated pressure. Always run the unit
Slowly close valves and use slow close valves wherever possible to prevent danger to
Relieve all system pressure before doing any service work on the pump.
Never run the pump in a closed or confined area. Exhaust gas contains carbon
Refuel engine with care. Gasoline is flammable, and gasoline vapor can explode.
Be alert and never touch any part of the engine exhaust system (muffler, shield,
rating of the pump shown below, or according to what maximum pressure the system
was designed for, whichever is lower.
Maximum Allowable Pressure: 190 PSI (13 bar)
not only void the pump warranty but can make the unit dangerous to anyone operating
the pump.
at the lowest pressure required for the application to enhance operator and equipment
safety.
other line operators and to prevent water hammer which could damage the pump and
its piping components.
monoxide which is poisonous to humans. Avoid inhalation of exhaust gas.
Refuel in a well-ventilated area, with the engine stopped.
header pipes, etc.) while the engine is running. Always allow enough time, after
stopping the unit, for proper cooling of the muffler and surrounding parts.
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WATERAX VERSAX Owner's Manual
Pump designation
Engine used
VS2-6V
Honda GX200 6 HP gasoline engine
VS2-6P
Honda GX200 6 HP gasoline engine
VS2-9P
Honda GX270 9 HP gasoline engine
VS2-9EV
Honda GX270E 9 HP gasoline engine
Do not ground the battery (if applicable) through the pump’s frame members; always
ground to a bare metal (unpainted) part of the engine block to ensure proper ground.
Disconnect battery before any maintenance to the pump unit.
Preventing Damage to Equipment
The following recommendations will help avoid damage to your equipment:
Flush the pump with fresh water if the pump has been used to pump salty, brackish,
high mineral content water, water containing debris, or foam injected water. Check that
debris is cleared before using pump again.
Always draft water using a suction hose strainer.
During freezing weather, drain the pump, manifolds, and lines of all water. You can
also pour some antifreeze into the pump and circulate it through the pump and
plumbing system.
Let the engine warm up before using the unit at full speed.
Always use the proper unleaded gasoline fuel as recommended in the engine
manufacturer’s manual.
Always check for sufficient oil quantity in the engine crankcase before use (see engine
manual for details on checking the oil level, as well as for the type of oil to use).
Pumps should not be operated without water for any extended period of time or without
discharging water. Operating the pump in such a manner can overheat the pump
causing damage to seals, or pump internals.
It is recommended that all fasteners be replaced with genuine WATERAX parts.
When mounting manifolds to the pump, the manifolds must be self-supporting and
coupled to the pump by means of a flex coupling such as a Victaulic® coupling or flex
hose.
When hoisting the pump onto an apparatus, take care when using lifting hooks (if
applicable) and avoid any contact with components adjacent to the fixation points.
Never disconnect the battery (if applicable) while the engine is running, as this may
damage the control panel’s electrical components.
Introduction
About this Manual
This manual contains general operation, care and servicing procedures for the following
WATERAX VERSAX-6/9 2-stage self-priming pump.
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WATERAX VERSAX Owner's Manual
Cavitation
Formation of air bubbles in a liquid inside a centrifugal pump,
causing low pressure points and loss of pump capacity.
Dead-heading
Also called shut-off. Leaving the pump running with all the
discharge valves closed. The pump should not be left in this
mode for more than a minute since the pump can overheat and
become damaged. To avoid this, a re-circulation line (if
provided) should be opened or a discharge line left slightly open
to allow fresh water to continue to enter the pump.
Drafting
Process of using vacuum (suction) to take water from a stream
or impoundment.
NH
National Hose. This is a type thread specified in NFPA 1963.
Formerly known as NST (National Standard Thread).
NPSH
National Pipe Straight Hose. This is a type of thread that is
slightly smaller in diameter than NH, with more threads per inch
than the same nominal size of NH thread. NPSH is also called
IPT (Iron Pipe Thread).
NPT
National Pipe Thread Taper. This thread is similar to NPSH
thread except for the taper. A sealant compound or Teflon tape
must be used when installing NPT fittings for a leak-free seal.
NPSH female fittings are often used on NPT male threads; the
gasket makes the seal.
BSP
British Standard Pipe
RPM
Revolutions Per Minute.
These instructions cover most wildland and municipal pump applications. If the application
the pump is being used for does not fall into these general guidelines, consult WATERAX
Inc. for any additional safeguards, operating, or maintenance considerations that may be
required.
For full service and maintenance instructions regarding the pump, please refer to the
Service section. For maintenance instructions regarding the engine, as well as for oil and
fuel recommendations, refer to the engine manufacturer’s manual.
Please see www.waterax.com additional documentation related to this product such as
the WATERAX product guide, technical notes, links to the engine manufacturer’s
manuals, news and other updates about WATERAX and its goods and services.
Abbreviations and Terms
The following terms and abbreviations are used in this manual:
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WATERAX VERSAX Owner's Manual
About the VERSAX Series
Features
For full specifications and performance curves, see the Product Data Sheet for your
pump end model.
Applications of the WATERAX VERSAX series include:
Firefighting
Tank filling
High head general water transfer
Boom spraying
Irrigation
Features and Benefits of the WATERAX VERSAX series include:
Twin impeller design provides additional pressure for longer & higher pumping actions.
Pump casing and diffusers manufactured from quality corrosion resistant grade
aluminum for long life.
Nylon glass fiber reinforced impellers fully corrosion proof and lightweight.
3-way discharge port for easy installation.
Powder coated casing for added corrosion resistance.
Self-priming for more versatile installation options.
Easy to access drain port
Low oil protection.
Comprehensive manuals
EPA Certified
Configurations
The VERSAX series is used for a variety of wildland and municipal firefighting
applications. Your model may be configured as a portable, standalone pump equipped
with a carry handle, or it may be purchased in the vehicle-mount configuration that can
be directly fastened onto a fire apparatus.
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WATERAX VERSAX Owner's Manual
VERSAX 6/9
A. Priming port (2” BSP)
B. Pump discharge (1” NPT)
C. Pump discharge (1-1/2” NPT)
D. Pump intake - suction (2” NPT)
E. Pump drain
F. Oil fill (not shown)
G. Ignition switch
H. Recoil starter*
I. Fuel cap
J. Throttle (not shown)
K. Fuel valve (not shown)
L. Choke (not shown)
M. Muffler
Note: VS2-6 model shown with GX200 engine. Carry
handle available on portable models.
* Electric starter available on GX270E engine
models
A
B
C
D
F
G
H
J
K
L
E
M
I
Parts Identification
Installation
Depending on your model and configuration ordered, you may require additional
accessories from WATERAX or from third-party vendors, for example, control panels and
batteries. You will also require hoses and nozzles as well as other fire apparatus
plumbing which can be purchased through your WATERAX representative. Follow the
instructions and heed all warnings in any documentation that you receive with the
accessories you purchase.
Plumbing
When installing any plumbing on a pump fixed to a platform, the plumbing MUST be selfsupported and coupled to the pump by means of a flex coupling such as a Victaulic®
coupling or flex hose.
Fastening to Truck/Apparatus
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When adding any equipment to a vehicle, follow all instructions and heed all warnings
provided by manufacturers of the apparatus and any third-party accessories. WATERAX
provides certain accessories used in vehicle-mount configurations of the VERSAX series
pumps. Follow all documentation that ships with any accessories you have ordered.
Before installing the pump in a vehicle, plan for adequate access to any fill caps such as
those for oil or fuel, as well as any other part of the pump or engine that is frequently
accessed or inspected (valves, panels, filters, etc.). Make note of components that
become hot when operating such as mufflers and engine blocks, and always ensure a
safe clearance around them.
WATERAX VERSAX Owner's Manual
Installing a Control Panel
See User Instructions shipped with the specific model of control panel you ordered for
your pump.
Using a Battery for Electric Starters and Control Panels
The VS2-9EV requires a battery to power electrical and electronic components such as
starters, and control panels. Make sure to follow all instructions and heed all warnings
provided by your battery manufacturer. Refer to the engine manual for battery
requirements. Always follow safety guidelines set out by your company. Never connect or
disconnect a battery to a pump that is operating.
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