Vera and, maybe, the world’s oldest circulator

It reached the age of 47. Until recently it was still operating and almost as fine as when it left the factory at Grundfos HQ in Bjerringbro. We are talking about one of the very last VP3501 still operating. Since the summer of 1964 the pump was located in the scullery of Mrs Vera Hofmand Jensen’s hose in Viborg, Denmark, where it contributed to keeping the house warm as well as ensured hot water in the taps. Only in brief periods during summer it was turned off. Now it is over.

Light taps on the pump
- It has been operating ever since we bought the house and it has never broken down or been sent to service. However, lately I have noted that it was unstable after it had been turned off for some weeks. But a light tap on it made it start again, said Mrs. Hofmand Jensen.

Recently she received a visit from a fitter who replaced the VP3501 with an Alpha2 pump. It was not because the old pump had failed but only because her son convinced her of the good idea in saving energy by changing to a new model.

Lasting quality
The pump at Mrs Hofmand Jensen’s house is one of the very last of its kind. VP3500 was manufactured from 1962 to 1968. It was the first circulator in the world with stepless regulation and from the start, Grundfos guaranteed a lifetime of at least 15 or 20 years. No one expected a lifetime of close to 50 years.
- We don’t hear about the very first pumps so often any more. There are still some out there but only very few, said Ole Berg, Senior Service Technician.

Now the pump with the production number 207932 has arrived at the Grundfos Museum, where it will be part of the permanent exhibition.

Facts about VP3500

• First pump with stepless regulation
• VP3500 was manufactured from 1962 to 1968.
  
• It was primarily sold in Denmark, UK, Germany, Norway and Sweden.
  
• It consumed 45 Watt, which was a very low consumption for a pump then.
• It pumped about 1 cubic metre an hour.
  
• This means the pump in Mrs Hofman Jensen’s scullery through 47 years has pumped 411,720 cubic metres of water – corresponding to 328 swimming pools of Olympic standards.