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Franklin Electric Booster Pumps
Franklin Electric VersaBoost Pro Booster Pump
Franklin Electric
Franklin Electric VersaBoost Pro Booster Pump
- Price
- From $1,491
Franklin Electric BT4 Cast Iron Booster Pump
Franklin Electric
Franklin Electric BT4 Cast Iron Booster Pump
- Price
- From $1,378.60
Franklin Electric VR SpecPAK Triplex Booster System
Franklin Electric
Franklin Electric VR SpecPAK Triplex Booster System
- Price
- From $103,370
Franklin Electric VR SpecPAK Quadplex Booster System
Franklin Electric
Franklin Electric VR SpecPAK Quadplex Booster System
- Price
- From $120,410
Franklin Electric VR SpecPAK Duplex Booster System
Franklin Electric
Franklin Electric VR SpecPAK Duplex Booster System
- Price
- From $86,320
Franklin Electric Inline SpecPAK Booster System
Franklin Electric
Franklin Electric Inline SpecPAK Booster System
- Price
- From $43,440
Franklin Electric Inline Controls Booster System
Franklin Electric
Franklin Electric Inline Controls Booster System
- Price
- From $157.22
Franklin Electric BT4 Multi-Stage Booster Pump
Franklin Electric
Franklin Electric BT4 Multi-Stage Booster Pump
- Price
- From $1,316.19
Franklin Electric MH Multi-Stage Booster Pump
Franklin Electric
Franklin Electric MH Multi-Stage Booster Pump
- Price
- From $1,538.87
Franklin Electric Booster Pumps
Franklin Electric
Booster Pumps & SpecPAK Systems
Stainless multi-stage booster pumps, tank-free inline controls, a turnkey constant-pressure unit, and the Inline and VR SpecPAK packaged pressure boosting systems. Sized against Franklin’s published performance data by our technical desk in Houston.
5–2,400GPM Across the Range
to 400 psiMax Pressure
1/3–50 HPPer Pump
2–4 PumpsSpecPAK Duplex to Quadplex
36 MonthsSpecPAK Extended Warranty
A booster pump raises the pressure of water that already reaches you — unlike a jet or submersible, which lifts water up. Franklin Electric covers that job four different ways, and picking the right layer is the whole selection. If your fixtures are simply weak you need more pressure, which is a pump. If the pressure swings every time a tap opens you need steady pressure, which is a control or a drive. If the building is bigger than one pump, you need a staged multi-pump system, which is a SpecPAK.
BT4 and MH are the stainless multi-stage pumps — BT4 for maximum pressure at 400 psi discharge, MH for hot fluid to 225°F and 10 ft of suction lift. Inline Controls start a pump on flow at 0.25 gpm and replace the pressure tank and switch outright. VersaBoost Pro puts pump, drive, check valve and expansion tank in one 45 dB enclosure that scales to four units wirelessly. BT4 56C pump ends cover the bare-hydraulics case.
The Inline SpecPAK is Franklin’s patented zero-footprint duplex, triplex or quadplex system — wall, floor or ceiling mounted, all stainless, up to 300 GPM and 100 psi of boost on single-phase power. The VR SpecPAK is the skid-mounted commercial system: two to four VR Series vertical multi-stage pumps on Cerus X-Drive VFDs, staged by a PLC with a 7 in color touchscreen, up to 2,400 GPM — in duplex, triplex and quadplex.
Genuine Franklin Electric equipment, factory-new in original packaging — sold and supported by Watermain Supply, an independent industrial supplier. Send your source pressure, target pressure and peak flow to 1-888.510.4036 and we will size it.
Why Specifiers Reach for Franklin
Eight things Franklin publishes that decide this purchase.
01
400 PSI of Discharge in a Slim Body
Multi-stage means each impeller adds pressure to the last, so stacking stages builds hundreds of psi without an oversized motor. The BT4 carries a 400 psi maximum discharge rating — far beyond domestic boosting, which is why this pump turns up in pressure washing, misting and spray-cooling work well past the range of a domestic booster.
02
Patented Tri-Seal Floating Stage
The BT4 is built on Franklin’s patented Tri-Seal floating stage system, U.S. patent 7,290,984. Acetal impellers, modified PPO diffusers, and 300-series stainless hub, eye seals, shaft and shell.
03
Serviced Without Breaking the Plumbing
Two-compartment square-flange motors are serviced or replaced without dismantling the pump end or disturbing the plumbing connections. On the 35–45 GPM BT4 the back pull-out design does the same.
04
225°F Fluid and 10 ft of Lift
The MH runs an all 300-series stainless wet end to 225°F / 107°C and lifts suction to 10 ft — two things most multistage boosters cannot do at all. That is what puts it in process water, evaporative misting, poultry houses and wash-down rather than only domestic supply.
05
Skip the Tank Entirely
Inline Controls start a pump on flow at 0.25 gpm and replace the external pressure tank and the differential switch outright — with dry-run, dead-head and over-current protection, a 24-hour autorun that stops the motor locking, and an automatic restart that clears a trip without a site visit.
06
Buy One Pump, Add Three Later
VersaBoost Pro scales to four units wirelessly in parallel — no control panel, no rewiring, no PLC. Most boosters fix the pump count at purchase. This one does not, which is the right answer when the building may grow and the budget will not stretch today.
07
A Multi-Pump Booster With Zero Footprint
The Inline SpecPAK hangs on a wall, a ceiling or a floor stand, with a pump assembly under 8 in deep. Two to four all-stainless inline variable speed pumps, grooved 3 or 4 in headers, a UL 508A panel and a 7 in touchscreen — a 2022 AHR Expo Innovation Award winner, and the answer when the mechanical room has no floor left.
08
One Platform From 10 to 2,400 GPM
The VR SpecPAK puts VR Series vertical multi-stage pumps, NEMA Premium TEFC motors and Cerus X-Drive VFDs on one welded frame with a PLC, a backup discharge transducer and fused branch disconnects, so a pump or a drive can drop out and the building keeps its pressure. NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 and 372, ASHRAE 90.1-2010.
Pump, Control or System — Which Layer Do You Need?
Franklin splits the booster job into four layers. Deciding which one you are buying is the whole selection.
| Layer | What it is | What it gives you | What it still needs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. The Pump | BT4 and MH stainless multi-stage | Raw pressure and flow. Stage count buys the pressure; the nominal rating buys the flow. | A pressure switch and tank, an inline control, or a drive in front of it. |
| 2. The Control | Inline SWC, ADJ, CTL | Demand-led starting, protection, and no tank or switch in the installation. | A pump. The control makes an existing pump behave, it does not make pressure. |
| 3. The Unit | VersaBoost Pro | Pump, drive, check valve, tank and app in one enclosure, four-unit scaling. | Nothing. Plug it in and set the pressure. |
| 4. The Multi-Pump System | Inline SpecPAK · VR SpecPAK duplex, triplex, quadplex | 2 to 4 variable-speed pumps staged by a PLC: constant pressure, lead-lag alternation, redundancy, Modbus. | Site piping, power, a relief valve and, where specified, a hydropneumatic tank. |
| Hydraulics only | BT4 56C pump ends | The 5–25 GPM Tri-Seal stainless wet end, bare. | A customer-supplied NEMA 56C keyed-shaft motor. |
The Range
Seven products across the four layers. Every figure below is from Franklin’s published 60 Hz literature.
Inline SpecPAK
Zero footprint · duplex, triplex, quadplex
to 300 GPMSystem flow
to 100 psiBoost
1.5–3 HPPer pump
230V 1-phInput
Two, three or four Franklin inline variable speed pumps between grooved stainless headers, with a UL 508A panel, PLC, 7 in color touchscreen, Modbus and fused branch disconnects. All stainless wetted parts, NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 and 372. Pump modules can be added to the base package as demand grows.
Best forMulti-residential, light commercial and retrofit boosting where floor space is gone and the service is single-phase.
View Inline SpecPAK
VR SpecPAK
Commercial · industrial · HVAC · municipal
to 2,400 GPMSystem flow
to 400 psiOperating
15–50 HPPer pump, as listed
460V 3-phAs listed
VR Series vertical multi-stage pumps with NEMA Premium TEFC motors, one Cerus X-Drive VFD per pump, 316 stainless manifolds, silent check valves, one suction and two discharge transducers, all on a welded frame with fork pockets. Ships programmed and tested. Twelve pump models in each configuration.
Best forHigh-rise and campus domestic water, HVAC and process make-up, municipal boosting and any duty past 420 GPM or 150 psi.
DuplexTriplexQuadplex
BT4 Series
Maximum pressure · 87 models
5–45 GPMNominal
400 psiMax discharge
1/3–3 HPMotor
75 psiMax inlet
Two families under one name. The 5–25 GPM half carries the patented Tri-Seal floating stage system, a stainless bracket with a carry handle and 1 in NPT connections. The 35–45 GPM half has enhanced hydraulics, 1.5 in NPT to cut friction loss and back pull-out servicing.
Best forHigh-pressure boosting, pressure washing, misting, RO and spray cooling — anywhere the duty needs pressure rather than volume.
View BT4 Series
MH Series
Hot fluid & suction lift · 26 models
15, 30, 45GPM nominal
225°FMax fluid
1–2 HPMotor
10 ftSuction lift
An all 300-series stainless wet end on UL 778 approved square-flange two-compartment motors, with the three-phase versions inverter-duty rated so the pump can sit in front of a drive. Shut-off head from 47 to 135 psi depending on stage count; 140 psi maximum working pressure.
Best forProcess water, evaporative cooling and misting, poultry houses, filtration, wash-down, and any duty drawing a suction lift.
View MH Series
VersaBoost Pro
Turnkey constant pressure · 3-year warranty
18–25 GPMFlow
14–80 psiAdjustable
45 dBNoise
25 ftSuction lift
A Franklin encapsulated 4 in submersible pump-motor with a Franklin-engineered VFD, integrated check valve and expansion tank in one enclosure. NEMA3R indoor or outdoor, FE Connect over Bluetooth and WiFi, and four units link wirelessly in parallel.
Best forCity boosting, private wells, cistern tanks above or below the input, re-pressurizing after filtration, and hydroponic or irrigation duty.
View VersaBoost Pro
Inline Controls
SWC · ADJ · CTL
0.25 GPMActivation
to 3 HPMotor size
174 psiMax operating
No tankRequired
Flow-activated controls that pair with a submersible or surface pump to 20 amps and replace the tank and switch. SWC is the base unit with a fixed 22 psi backup. ADJ adds a gauge and a selectable 22 / 29 / 36 psi cut-in. CTL adds a pressure-reducing valve to cap output pressure.
Best forMaking a pump you already own run on demand, and retrofits where a tank has waterlogged or a switch has failed.
View Inline Controls
BT4 56C Pump Ends
Hydraulics only · 36 models
5–25 GPMNominal
1/3–3 HPRating
1 in NPTIn and out
5–19Stages
The same Tri-Seal stainless hydraulics as the complete BT4, supplied bare for a customer-supplied NEMA 56C keyed-shaft motor. Stainless bracket with a support foot and built-in handle, 1 in NPT inlet and outlet on all models.
Confirm firstThese pair with NEMA 56C keyed-shaft motors; the square-flange complete assemblies are a separate build. Confirm your motor frame with us before ordering.
View BT4 Pump Ends
SpecPAK Pressure Boosting Systems — Inline and VR
Two packaged multi-pump booster systems on one control platform. Both arrive pre-engineered, factory programmed and ready to pipe and power.
Every SpecPAK shares the same brain: a Programmable Logic Controller behind a 7 in color touchscreen, so the system is set up and adjusted without opening the panel. Lead/lag or parallel operation is a setting. The PLC rotates the lead pump for even wear, holds constant pressure with a pump out of service, and fused branch disconnects let one pump be serviced while the rest stay online. Modbus gives the building management system remote monitoring and control, and the controller is field programmable for firmware updates. Both systems are classified to NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 and 372 for drinking water and are ASHRAE 90.1-2010 compliant.
Inline SpecPAK vs VR SpecPAK
| Feature | Inline SpecPAK | VR SpecPAK |
|---|---|---|
| Markets | Residential, light commercial | Commercial, industrial, HVAC, municipal |
| Pump type | Inline multi-stage variable speed pump | VR Series vertical multi-stage pump |
| Flow range | 10–300 GPM | 10–2,400 GPM |
| Maximum pressure | 100 psi of boost | 400 psi operating pressure |
| Horsepower per pump | 1.5–3 HP | 2–60 HP across the series; 15–50 HP as listed here |
| Input power | Single-phase 208-230V | 208-230V 1-ph and 3-ph, 460V, 575V |
| Drives | Inside the control panel | Cerus X-Drive, one per pump, on the frame |
| Mounting | Zero footprint — wall, floor or ceiling; pump assembly under 8 in deep | Welded steel frame with fork pockets |
| Connections | 3 or 4 in grooved stainless headers | Grooved 316 stainless manifolds, either end |
| Pressure sensing | 316SS transducer and gauge | 1 suction transducer, 1 primary and 1 backup discharge |
Franklin’s published product and performance range (M5237, 02-26). The grey envelope is the Inline SpecPAK; the blue envelopes are the VR SpecPAK by pump size.
Inline SpecPAK — models
| Pump model | HP per pump | Max boost | Max flow — duplex / triplex / quad | Max amps — duplex / triplex / quad | Headers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5VL04 | 1.5 | 90 psi | 90 / 140 / 180 GPM | 11 / 16.5 / 22 | 3 in grooved |
| 5VL05 | 2 | 100 psi | 90 / 140 / 180 GPM | 13 / 19.5 / 26 | 3 in grooved |
| 9VL03 | 2 | 70 psi | 160 / 240 / 300 GPM | 13.6 / 20.4 / 27.2 | 4 in grooved |
| 9VL04 | 3 | 100 psi | 160 / 250 / 300 GPM | 19.6 / 29.4 / 39.2 | 4 in grooved |
Model numbers read SPIL2-5VL04-S2: SpecPAK, Inline, number of pumps, pump model, single phase, 208-230V. Max boost and max flow are the two ends of each curve, to the nearest 10 and held to Franklin’s published 300 GPM and 100 psi limits — never a duty point. Width 26 to 47 in, height 50 to 59 in, depth under 8 in. Source: Inline SpecPAK catalog M5122 04-26. Full PSI-at-flow tables are on the product page.
VR SpecPAK — models listed, 460V three-phase
| Pump model | HP per pump | Max boost | Max flow — duplex | Max flow — triplex | Max flow — quadplex |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30VR 3 / 4 / 5-stage | 15 / 20 / 25 | 150 / 200 / 250 psi | 420 GPM | 630 GPM | 850 GPM |
| 45VR 2 / 3 / 4-stage | 15 / 25 / 40 | 100 / 150 / 200 psi | 630 GPM | 950 GPM | 1,270 GPM |
| 65VR 2 / 3 / 4-stage | 25 / 40 / 50 | 120 / 170 / 230 psi | 920 GPM | 1,390 GPM | 1,850 GPM |
| 95VR 1 / 2 / 3-stage | 20 / 30 / 50 | 80 / 140 / 210 psi | 1,230 GPM | 1,850 GPM | 2,400 GPM |
Model numbers read SPV2-30VR0300-T4: SpecPAK, VR series, number of pumps, pump model, stages, trim, three phase, 460V. Stage count is how you buy pressure; pump size and pump count are how you buy flow. Figures are from Franklin’s tabulated 60 Hz VR hydraulic performance with flow multiplied by the pump count, shown to the nearest 10 and held to the published 2,400 GPM; PSI-at-flow tables are on each product page and every selection is confirmed in Franklin FE Select before an order is released. Smaller VR pumps, 208-230V and 575V builds are quoted.
What ships, and what the installer brings. A SpecPAK arrives assembled: pumps, drives, panel, manifolds, isolation and check valves, gauges and transducers. The installer supplies the site piping and grooved couplings, power to the panel disconnect, isolation valves at the package, and a pressure relief valve sized for full pump flow piped to a drain — Franklin requires it. Panels are NEMA 1 for indoor installation to 104°F ambient.
Published Performance
Franklin tabulates most of this range, so the tables below are the manufacturer’s own figures. The Inline SpecPAK figures are read from the catalog’s published system curves.
Inline SpecPAK duplex — PSI boost at system flow
| Model | HP each | 0 GPM | 40 GPM | 60 GPM | 80 GPM | Curve end |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPIL2-5VL04-S2 | 1.5 | 92 | 73 | 58 | 35 | 13 psi at 92 GPM |
| SPIL2-5VL05-S2 | 2 | 114 | 88 | 67 | 38 | 11 psi at 92 GPM |
| SPIL2-9VL03-S2 | 2 | 73 | 69 | 64 | 58 | 11 psi at 158 GPM |
| SPIL2-9VL04-S2 | 3 | 98 | 90 | 85 | 79 | 12 psi at 164 GPM |
Read from the system curves in catalog M5122 04-26, rounded down to a whole psi. Triplex and quadplex systems carry the same pumps to 139–246 and 185–328 GPM; their tables are on the product page. Select inside Franklin’s published 300 GPM and 100 psi.
BT4 35 GPM — PSI boost at flow
| Model | HP | Stages | 0 GPM | 20 GPM | 30 GPM | 40 GPM | 45 GPM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3503FBT1S4 | 1 | 3 | 43 | 42 | 38 | 27 | 20 |
| 3505FBT15S4 | 1.5 | 5 | 72 | 68 | 64 | 44 | 33 |
| 3507FBT2S4 | 2 | 7 | 100 | 94 | 84 | 57 | 42 |
| 3509FBT3S4 | 3 | 9 | 128 | 122 | 113 | 76 | 58 |
BT4 45 GPM — PSI boost at flow
| Model | HP | Stages | 0 GPM | 20 GPM | 30 GPM | 40 GPM | 50 GPM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4502FBT1S4 | 1 | 2 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 22 | 17 |
| 4503FBT1S4 | 1 | 3 | 40 | 39 | 35 | 33 | 26 |
| 4504FBT15S4 | 1.5 | 4 | 54 | 51 | 47 | 44 | 35 |
| 4505FBT2S4 | 2 | 5 | 67 | 64 | 59 | 50 | 44 |
| 4506FBT2S4 | 2 | 6 | 80 | 72 | 71 | 65 | 51 |
| 4507FBT3S4 | 3 | 7 | 93 | 88 | 83 | 77 | 60 |
Stage count is how you buy pressure. At the same 35 GPM nominal rating, 3, 5, 7 or 9 stages gives 43, 72, 100 or 128 psi at zero flow. The 5–25 GPM BT4 families are published as plotted curves with best-efficiency bands of 3–7, 5.5–9, 6–13, 8–18, 15–25 and 15–30 GPM; we send the factory curve for any duty point you name. Source: Franklin Electric RLC Surface catalog M5049.
MH Series — capacity in GPM at total head
| Model | HP | 60 ft | 90 ft | 120 ft | 150 ft | 180 ft | Shut-off |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15FMH1S4 | 1 | 26.0 | 23.0 | 18.0 | 14.0 | 8.0 | 88 psi |
| 15FMH15S5 | 1.5 | — | 25.0 | 23.0 | 20.0 | 16.0 | 111 psi |
| 15FMH2S6 | 2 | — | 27.0 | 25.0 | 22.0 | 20.0 | 135 psi |
| 30FMH1S3 | 1 | 41.0 | 35.0 | 26.0 | 11.0 | — | 69 psi |
| 30FMH15S4 | 1.5 | 43.0 | 39.0 | 35.0 | 28.0 | 19.0 | 93 psi |
| 30FMH2S5 | 2 | 44.0 | 42.0 | 39.0 | 35.0 | 30.0 | 116 psi |
| 45FMH15S2 | 1.5 | 64.0 | 43.0 | — | — | — | 47 psi |
| 45FMH2S3 | 2 | — | 62.0 | 48.0 | 22.0 | — | 71 psi |
Franklin’s published operating ranges: 8–25 GPM on the 15 GPM models, 15–40 GPM on the 30 GPM, 25–60 GPM on the 45 GPM. Shut-off head is the pressure at zero flow — a ceiling, not a working point. Convert head to psi by multiplying feet by 0.433. Source: M5049.
VersaBoost Pro and Inline Controls
VersaBoost Pro — FE-VBPRO-115 (120V) and FE-VBPRO-230 reach 18 gpm, FE-VBPROXT-230 reaches 25 gpm, all to 80 psi. Both sizes hold a flat 80 psi from zero flow out to roughly 8–9 gpm, then pressure falls as flow rises. Maximum system pressure is 100 psi — incoming plus added must stay below it, so on a strong main set the unit lower.
Inline Controls — SWC and ADJ to 16 A, CTL to 20 A and 3 HP. All three: 0.25 gpm minimum flow, 174 psi maximum operating pressure, 131°F maximum temperature, built-in check valve, and all replace the external tank and differential switch. The control itself costs head — roughly 3 psi at 20 gpm on a 1 in x 1 in installation; a 1 in x 1-1/2 in bypass holds that to about 8 psi at 80 gpm.
Compare the Range
Find the layer you need, then the line.
| Line | Type | Flow | HP | Key limit | Reach for it when |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inline SpecPAK | Packaged 2–4 pump system | to 300 gpm | 1.5–3 each | 100 psi boost · single-phase | Zero-footprint multi-pump boosting |
| VR SpecPAK | Packaged 2–4 pump system | to 2,400 gpm | 15–50 each, listed | 360 psi pump casing · NEMA 1 panel | Large commercial, HVAC, municipal |
| BT4 Series | Multi-stage pump | 5–45 gpm | 1/3–3 | 75 psi max inlet · 120°F fluid | Maximum pressure boosting |
| MH Series | Multi-stage pump | 15, 30, 45 gpm | 1–2 | 140 psi working · 225°F fluid | Hot fluid, suction lift, higher flow |
| BT4 56C Pump Ends | Bare hydraulics | 5–25 gpm | 1/3–3 | Motor supplied by customer | Pairing with a 56C keyed-shaft motor |
| Inline Controls | Control device | 0.25 gpm start | to 3 | 174 psi · 131°F | Tank-free start on a pump you own |
| VersaBoost Pro | Complete unit | 18–25 gpm | 0.8–1.1 | 100 psi max system | Turnkey constant pressure, scalable |
Franklin SpecPAK vs A.Y. McDonald DuraMAC vs DAB Esybox Max
Three variable-speed packaged boosters we supply and size every week. Each one is the right answer somewhere; this is where.
| Franklin Inline SpecPAK | Franklin VR SpecPAK | A.Y. McDonald DuraMAC IQ1000 | DAB Esybox Max | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration | Duplex, triplex, quadplex | Duplex, triplex, quadplex | Simplex, duplex, triplex | 1 to 4 units, grouped wirelessly |
| System flow | to 300 GPM | to 2,400 GPM | 28 to 420 GPM | 63 to 306 GPM |
| Boost | to 100 psi | to 250 psi as listed | to 150 psi | to 136 psi |
| Power per pump | 1.5–3 HP | 15–50 HP as listed | 1.5–10 HP | 2.7–4.7 HP input |
| Input power | 230V single-phase | 460V three-phase as listed | 230V 1-ph, 230V 3-ph, 460V | 230V 1-ph or 460V 3-ph |
| Footprint | Zero — wall, floor or ceiling | Welded skid | Compact skid | Floor unit or docking base |
| Suction | Flooded or pressurized | Flooded or pressurized | Flooded or pressurized | Self-priming |
| Where it is strongest | No floor space, single-phase service | Past 420 GPM or 150 psi; quadplex redundancy | 28–420 GPM commercial duty with factory submittals | Tight rooms, a source below the pump, phased growth |
The honest verdict. Between 28 and 420 GPM at up to 150 psi, DuraMAC is a proven, widely specified package and often covers the duty with fewer pumps. DAB Esybox Max is the most compact way to get constant pressure, the only one here that self-primes, and lets a building start with one unit and add more. The Inline SpecPAK earns its place when the mechanical room has no floor left or the building only has single-phase power. The VR SpecPAK is the platform when the duty runs past the others — above 420 GPM, above 150 psi, four pumps, or 25 to 50 HP per pump. Send us the duty and we will quote the one that fits, and say why.
DuraMAC and DAB figures are from the manufacturers’ published data as carried on our own product pages and sizing calculator.
Warranty & Extended Warranty
What Franklin publishes, line by line, and how to qualify a SpecPAK for the longer term.
| Line | Standard warranty | Extended warranty |
|---|---|---|
| Inline SpecPAK and VR SpecPAK | 12 months from the date of install or 24 months from the date of manufacture, whichever occurs first | 36 months from the date of installation with a completed and approved Start Up and Commissioning Checklist |
| VersaBoost Pro | 36 months — Franklin publishes a three-year term | — |
| BT4, MH, BT4 pump ends, Inline Controls | 12 months from the date of purchase | — |
How to secure the 36-month SpecPAK warranty. The terms are the same on the Inline and the VR, stated in each owner’s manual. 1. Install to the owner’s manual — indoor NEMA 1 location, relief valve, vented pumps, power sized to the nameplate. 2. Have the installer complete Franklin’s Start-Up and Commissioning Form at start-up. 3. Submit it for Franklin’s approval. We send the form with every SpecPAK order and help your installer through it. Keep your invoice and the approved form.
Where These Pumps Go to Work
Franklin publishes an unusually wide application list for this range. These are the duties the lineup is specified for.
| Application | What makes it a fit | The line |
|---|---|---|
| Apartments, condos, hotels & high-rise | Variable demand across many floors, redundancy required, constant pressure at the top fixture. | Inline SpecPAK to 300 GPM; VR SpecPAK beyond |
| HVAC, cooling tower & process make-up | Steady and variable loads together, building management integration over Modbus. | VR SpecPAK |
| Municipal, campus & industrial boosting | High flow, high pressure, a pump out of service without losing the system. | VR SpecPAK — to 2,400 GPM |
| Retrofit with no floor space | The room is full and the service is single-phase. The system mounts on the wall or ceiling. | Inline SpecPAK |
| City main boosting | Supply arrives pressurized but short. Stage count sets the boost; inlet pressure sets the ceiling. | BT4 or MH, or VersaBoost Pro for constant pressure |
| Private well & cistern | Stored or well water needing pressure. VersaBoost lifts 25 ft, MH lifts 10 ft. | VersaBoost Pro, MH |
| Lawn, crop & turf irrigation | High flow at moderate pressure, often on a seasonal duty cycle. | MH, BT4 |
| Reverse osmosis & filtration | Boosting feed pressure, or re-pressurizing downstream of a system that has taken its share. | MH — 300-series stainless wet end |
| Pressure washing & misting | Duties that need the 400 psi discharge rating rather than volume; MH where the fluid is hot. | BT4 |
| Poultry houses, spray cooling & wash-down | Continuous or intermittent duty in hot, humid conditions with variable draw. | MH — 225°F fluid rating |
| Retrofit — failed switch or tank | Pump is sound; the switch has failed or the bladder tank has waterlogged. | Inline Controls — replaces both |
Sizing & Best Practices
Three numbers and one decision pick the product. Five checks catch the mistakes.
1. Measure the inlet first
On the BT4 this is a hard limit before anything else applies: 75 psi maximum inlet, across the whole series. On the VersaBoost it is the 100 psi total system cap. On a VR SpecPAK, incoming pressure plus boost has to stay inside the 360 psi pump casing rating. A strong main rules out models before you have looked at a single curve, so start here rather than at the boost figure.
2. Calculate the boost you actually need
Required boost = target pressure at the highest fixture + 0.433 psi per foot of elevation + friction loss − inlet pressure. A two-story house wanting 45 psi at the top, 22 ft up, with 5 psi friction and 30 psi arriving: 45 + 9.5 + 5 − 30 = 29.5 psi of boost. A 14-story building wanting 25 psi at the top, 150 ft up, with 17 psi of friction, backflow and meter loss and 45 psi arriving: 25 + 65 + 17 − 45 = 62 psi of boost — an Inline SpecPAK or DuraMAC duty, not a VR.
3. Estimate peak flow honestly, then pick the stage count
Peak flow selects the pump size and pump count; stage count selects the pressure. Use fixture units through the Hunter curve (IPC Table 604.3) for residential, the IAPMO Water Demand Calculator for multifamily, and add continuous loads at full flow. Our booster sizing calculator does the arithmetic and checks any pump on this page against the result.
4. Decide the pump count on redundancy
A duplex shares the load and keeps the building running at reduced flow with a pump out. A triplex or quadplex keeps near full capacity with one pump down while the lead pump runs near best efficiency through the quiet hours. Pump count is fixed at purchase on a VR SpecPAK; the Inline SpecPAK accepts added pump modules.
5. Check the limits before the curve
Temperature: BT4 to 120°F, MH to 225°F, VersaBoost to 104°F; contact us above 104°F on a SpecPAK. Suction: MH lifts 10 ft, VersaBoost 25 ft; SpecPAK systems want a flooded or pressurized suction. Power: Inline SpecPAK is single-phase 230V; VR SpecPAK as listed is 460V three-phase; BT4 and MH are 115/230V single phase or 208-230/460V three phase.
Sizing rule of thumb. If the duty point lands past 70 percent of a model’s maximum pressure at design flow, step up a model. A booster running at the far right of its curve runs flat out continuously, which is where motors and seals wear out. Well left of the published operating range a pump recirculates internally — most booster failures are pumps that were oversized for the building.
Other Brands We Supply for This Job
Franklin covers most boosting duties. Where another platform fits the building better, we supply it and we will say so.
Source Below the Pump
The MH lifts 10 ft and VersaBoost Pro 25 ft. Where the source is a tank well below the pump, the DAB Esybox self-primes to 26 ft, holds constant pressure natively, and publishes 43 dB.
EsyboxMini 3Diver28 to 420 GPM Commercial
A.Y. McDonald DuraMAC vertical multistage VFD packages in simplex, duplex and triplex, with lead-lag alternation and factory submittals — the mid-range between a VersaBoost and a VR SpecPAK.
Vertical Multistage VFDDuraMACConstant Pressure in One Box
The DAB Esybox Max and the Esybox range are constant-pressure by design, with an app and wireless four-unit grouping — a compact alternative to a skid up to about 306 GPM.
Esybox MaxEsybox RangeWhy Buy Here
We hold the published curve data for this range and size against it before you order. Genuine Franklin equipment in the correct US 60 Hz build, complete systems on one purchase order, net-30 for qualified accounts, commissioning-form support, and an honest note if another brand fits better.
Request a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
What our technical desk gets asked most about this range.
Is the PSI figure what I will see at the tap?
No — it is what the pump adds on top of what arrives at its inlet. On a 50 psi main, a pump making 100 psi of boost puts 150 psi into the system. This is why the BT4 caps inlet pressure at 75 psi and the VersaBoost Pro caps total system pressure at 100 psi. Measure your main before you select.
Inline SpecPAK or VR SpecPAK — which one do I need?
Flow, pressure and power decide it. The Inline SpecPAK is Franklin’s zero-footprint system for residential and light commercial work: 2 to 4 inline pumps of 1.5 to 3 HP, up to 300 GPM and 100 psi of boost, on single-phase 230V. The VR SpecPAK is the skid-mounted system for commercial, industrial, HVAC and municipal duty: 2 to 4 vertical multi-stage pumps, up to 2,400 GPM and 400 psi operating pressure, on 208-230, 460 or 575V. Send us the peak flow, the boost and the power at the panel and we will name the model.
How does a Franklin SpecPAK compare with A.Y. McDonald DuraMAC and DAB Esybox Max?
All three are variable-speed packaged boosters and all three are good machines; they cover different ground. DuraMAC IQ1000 runs simplex to triplex from 28 to 420 GPM with up to 150 psi of boost. DAB Esybox Max is an all-in-one unit that self-primes, groups up to four units wirelessly and reaches about 306 GPM. The Inline SpecPAK is the wall, floor or ceiling mounted option on single-phase power to 300 GPM, and the VR SpecPAK carries on past all of them to 2,400 GPM. We supply all three and size against the published curves for each.
What is the warranty on a SpecPAK, and how do I get the extended warranty?
Franklin Electric warrants both the Inline SpecPAK and the VR SpecPAK for 12 months from the date of install or 24 months from the date of manufacture, whichever occurs first. A completed and approved Start Up and Commissioning Checklist extends that to 36 months from the date of installation. The form is linked on this page and we walk your installer through it.
BT4 or MH for my job?
Decide on temperature and suction first. The MH handles fluid to 225°F and lifts 10 ft of suction; the BT4 stops at 120°F and does not lift. On pressure the BT4 wins outright — 400 psi maximum discharge against the MH’s 140 psi working pressure. Send us your target flow, pressure and fluid temperature and we will point to the right curve.
Do I still need a pressure tank?
It depends on the layer. The Inline SWC, ADJ and CTL replace the external pressure tank and differential switch, starting the pump on flow demand down to 0.25 gpm. The VersaBoost Pro includes its own expansion tank. A SpecPAK sleeps at low demand, and a hydropneumatic tank on the discharge, sized with the quote, lengthens those sleep periods. On any system with a storage water heater a separate thermal expansion tank is required at the heater.
What power does a SpecPAK need?
The Inline SpecPAK runs on single-phase 208-230V; Franklin also lists 480V and 208V transformers for it. The VR SpecPAK is built for 208-230V single-phase to 15 HP, 208-230V three-phase to 30 HP, 460V to 60 HP and 575V to 50 HP. The VR models listed on our site are 460V three-phase, 15 to 50 HP per pump; other voltages are quoted.
What if I need more than 45 GPM?
A single Franklin booster pump reaches 45 GPM nominal; past that, Franklin’s answer is a SpecPAK. The Inline SpecPAK carries 2 to 4 pumps to 300 GPM and the VR SpecPAK to 2,400 GPM, both staged by a PLC with lead-lag alternation. For 28 to 420 GPM we also supply A.Y. McDonald DuraMAC vertical multistage VFD packages with factory submittals. Send the flow and the number of floors and we will size it.
Can I run two pumps for redundancy?
Yes, three ways. A SpecPAK is redundant by design: the PLC rotates the lead pump, holds pressure with a pump out, and fused branch disconnects let one pump be serviced while the others run. The VersaBoost Pro links four units wirelessly in parallel with no controller. The BT4 and MH are single units; multi-pump operation depends on the control or panel in front of them.
What is the warranty on the other Franklin boosters?
12 months from the date of purchase on the BT4, MH, BT4 pump ends and Inline Controls, and 36 months on the VersaBoost Pro, for which Franklin Electric publishes a three-year term on its own product literature. Keep your invoice — it is the document a claim is evidenced by.
Let’s Spec Your Booster
Send your source pressure, target pressure, peak flow, fluid temperature and the power at the panel. We will come back with a sized selection against Franklin’s published data — pump, stage count, pump count and motor — and an honest note if another brand suits the job better.
Technical data on this page is taken from Franklin Electric literature — RLC Surface catalog M5049, Inline SpecPAK catalog M5122, SpecPAK owner’s manuals 106983101 and 10000007073, VR SpecPAK catalog M5222, SpecPAK comparison tool M5237 and the VR Series 60 Hz catalog — and is subject to change by the manufacturer. Confirm against the current installation manual and performance curve before specifying.
Franklin Electric, FPS, SpecPAK, VersaBoost, Tri-Seal, Cerus, X-Drive, FE Connect, FE Select, DAB, Esybox, A.Y. McDonald and DuraMAC are trademarks of their respective owners, used here for product identification only.
Watermain Supply is a DBA of E4 Industrial LLC, an independent industrial supplier based in Houston, Texas.
Franklin Electric, FPS, SpecPAK, VersaBoost, Tri-Seal, Cerus, X-Drive, FE Connect, FE Select, DAB, Esybox, A.Y. McDonald and DuraMAC are trademarks of their respective owners, used here for product identification only.
Watermain Supply is a DBA of E4 Industrial LLC, an independent industrial supplier based in Houston, Texas.
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