The Simaco EGO 500 puddle pump comes in three variants, the original GI, the fully automatic SE LS, and the low-suction GI LS, all sharing the same Italian-built motor and chassis but offering very different control and drainage capabilities. Compare them below to find the right one for your application.
Simaco have built submersible pumps in Italy for over 45 years, and the EGO 500 is their flagship domestic submersible. The range has evolved in three steps. The GI came first, offering dual manual and automatic operation through a simple lever-set mechanical float. The SE LS followed, replacing the float with adjustable electronic sensors so users could set their own start and stop levels for fully automatic operation. The GI LS is the most recent addition, keeping the GI's mechanical control system but using a low-suction body that pumps down to just 1mm in manual mode.
All three share the same 0.47 kW motor, 304 stainless steel motor casing and triple shaft seal. They all flow up to 170 litres per minute against a maximum head of 7.5 metres, and all come with a 10m heavy duty cable and 3-pin domestic plug. What changes between them is how they control the pumping cycle and how low they can draw the water down.
The deeper read: what's in this range, how to pick, and when to talk to us before you buy.
Simaco's model suffixes are Italian in origin and tell you exactly how each pump is configured:
So EGO 500 GI is the Incorporated Float model, EGO 500 SE LS is Electronic Sensors with Lowest Suction, and EGO 500 GI LS is Incorporated Float with Lowest Suction.
Simaco have built submersible pumps in Italy for over 45 years, and the EGO 500 is their flagship domestic submersible. The range has evolved in three steps. The GI came first, offering dual manual and automatic operation through a simple lever-set mechanical float. The SE LS followed, replacing the float with adjustable electronic sensors so users could set their own start and stop levels for fully automatic operation. The GI LS is the most recent addition, keeping the GI's mechanical control system but using a low-suction body that pumps down to just 1mm in manual mode.
All three share the same 0.47 kW motor, 304 stainless steel motor casing and triple shaft seal. They all flow up to 170 litres per minute against a maximum head of 7.5 metres, and all come with a 10m heavy duty cable and 3-pin domestic plug. What changes between them is how they control the pumping cycle and how low they can draw the water down.
| EGO 500 GI | EGO 500 SE LS | EGO 500 GI LS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Control type | Mechanical float, dual-mode | Electronic sensors, automatic only | Mechanical float, dual-mode |
| Manual / Auto | Both | Automatic only | Both |
| Lowest pumping level | 10mm (manual mode) | ~1mm (automatic) | ~1mm (manual mode) |
| On level | 130mm (fixed) | 125mm (adjustable to 15mm) | 130mm (fixed) |
| Off level | 70mm (fixed) | 40mm (adjustable to 3-5mm) | 70mm (fixed) |
| Free passage | 9mm | 9mm | ~1mm (clean water only) |
| Supplied with NRV and hosetail | Hosetail only | NRV and variable hosetail | Hosetail only |
| Outlet | 25mm | 25mm | 25mm |
| Power | 0.47 kW | 0.47 kW | 0.47 kW |
| Voltage | 230V | 230V | 230V |
| Max flow | 170 l/min | 170 l/min | 170 l/min |
| Max head | 7.5m | 7.5m | 7.5m |
| Weight | 3.6 kg | 4.0 kg | 3.6 kg |
| Cable | 10m H07RN-F | 10m H07RN-F | 10m H07RN-F |
Choose the EGO 500 GI if...
You want the affordable workhorse of the range.
The GI gives you dual manual and automatic operation, handles 9mm solids, and pumps down to 10mm in manual mode.
It's a good choice for general flood response, basement and cellar drainage, and any application involving leaves, grit or lightly soiled water.
Choose the EGO 500 SE LS if...
You need fully automatic operation with adjustable start and stop levels.
The SE LS uses electronic sensors instead of a mechanical float, so you can set the on level anywhere from 125mm down to 15mm and the off level down to 3-5mm.
It's the right choice for permanent installations, lift shafts, properties on flood plains, and any situation where the pump needs to draw water down low without anyone there to operate it. Supplied with a non-return valve and variable hosetail as standard. See our step-by-step guide to adjusting the SELS sensors.
This pump has to be setup suitably for its fixed environment in order to prevent dry running or rapid cycling that can cause premature failure.
Choose the EGO 500 GI LS if...
You need to drain to 1mm but only handle clean or very lightly soiled water.
The GI LS uses a low-suction body that pumps down to just 1mm in manual mode, but the same body restricts the free passage to 1mm, so it isn't suitable for water containing grit, leaves or debris.
It's ideal for final drain-down of swimming pools, drying out clean water leaks on tiled and laminate floors, and use internally as a pump for Property Flood Resilience.
Simaco are an Italian pump manufacturer based in Corte Palasio, Lodi, with over 45 years of experience designing and building submersible pumps.
Every EGO 500 is made in Italy, with a 304 stainless steel motor casing, PPS thermoplastic pump body and triple hydraulic shaft seal.
Flood Protection Solutions has supplied Simaco EGO pumps across the UK since 2012.
The 1mm free passage figure can be slightly misleading at first glance, so it's worth explaining what's actually happening:
For applications involving leaves, grit, mud or any chunky debris, the standard EGO 500 GI with its raised-leg base and 9mm free passage is the right choice.
Look closely at the bottom of each pump and you'll see the engineering trade-off behind the spec sheet:
In short, legs equal solids handling, a flat base equals low pumping. You can't have both in the same pump body, which is why Simaco offer the choice across the range.
The GI is the original dual-mode pump with a mechanical float. The SE LS replaces the float with adjustable electronic sensors for fully automatic low-level pumping. The GI LS keeps the GI's mechanical float but adds a low-suction body that pumps down to 1mm in manual mode. All three share the same motor, flow rate and head.
Only the SELS achieves low-level pumping without manual intervention, making it the best choice for unattended installations.
Yes. The GI is dual control and has a switch for either manual or automatic mode. In manual mode the float is bypassed and the pump runs continuously while powered, allowing it to draw water down to 10mm. In automatic mode it starts at 130mm and stops at 70mm.
Every EGO 500 puddle pump is manufactured in Italy by Simaco at their Corte Palasio facility in Lodi. Simaco have over 45 years of experience producing submersible pumps for domestic, industrial and agricultural use, with the EGO range as their flagship domestic submersible.
The GI has a 9mm free passage, so it can handle leaves, fine grit and lightly soiled water.
The SE LS and GI LS has a restricted 1mm free passage as a trade-off for its 1mm low-suction capability.
