To test pumps I use a flow meter and a differential manometer and vary restriction by adjusting a brass gate valve. I adjust the gate valve to give different flow points and measure the pressure “gain” across the pump using the differential manometer. To understand how to read these plots check out this guide.
Performance with a D5 Vario:
Performance with a D5 Strong:
The top therefore does a good bit better than stock regardless of the output used. If we compare to other tops we see that EK is at or very near the top:
D5 Strong:
Summary – Gold Award – At $38 this top provides excellent value for money. It’s one of the top performers and you can offset some of the cost by buying the cheaper topless “bare” edition pump instead of the full model. My only minor complaints are that there is nothing supplied to dampen any vibration/resonance when this is mounted to the case. Also unlike the more expensive Koolance top it doesn’t cover any labels on the pump itself.
Where to buy: PPCs
