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KB
Joined: 06 Nov 2014 Posts: 334 Location: Virginia
Working on: Next brew
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Link Posted: Sun Dec 17, 2017 8:57 pm Post subject: March pump will not pump |
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Thought I encountered a disaster when brewing on Saturday, December 16, 2017. Reached the point in the brew day were I needed both the wort and the water pumps running for the 90 minute mash. Turn on the wort pump -- it's not pumping. Check the lines and the pump is primed. Hearing a noise from the pump, but it's not pumping.
Both pumps worked fine when I last brewed on October 21, 2017.
Notice the "fan" in the rear of the housing is not moving (I'm not writing about the impeller in the pump housing).
Try to move the fan with a screwdriver. I don't want to touch metal with metal while the pump is on so I use a wooden craft stick (aka popsicle stick). I'm able to move the fan and the pump then begins pumping.
No other problems with the pump thru the rest of the brew day.
Any idea why the pump acted up? Time for me to oil the pump or some other problem with the pump?
Thanks.
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kal Forum Administrator
Joined: 12 Dec 2010 Posts: 11116 Location: Ottawa, Canada
Drinking: Pub Ale, Electric Creamsicle, Mild, Pliny the Younger, Belgian Dark Strong, Weizen, Russian Imperial Stout, Black Butte Porter
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dp Brewing Company
Joined: 08 Jul 2013 Posts: 664 Location: Midwest
Drinking: Chocolate Taco, Raspberry Mango Cider, American X, Sandy Dunes
Working on: Nothing
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Link Posted: Mon Dec 18, 2017 4:43 pm Post subject: |
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Only time something similar has happened to me was when my propeller was gunked up with nasty stuff from the previous brew. I took apart and cleaned. Worked great ever since.
_________________ Visit dp Brewing Company
Hangovers hurt....but good memories last forever!
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kwdriver
Joined: 19 Jan 2013 Posts: 113 Location: Eagle, CO
Drinking: Munich Helles, Schwarzbier
Working on: Guinness clone, Vienna Lager
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Link Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2017 1:59 pm Post subject: |
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dp Brewing Company wrote: | Only time something similar has happened to me was when my propeller was gunked up with nasty stuff from the previous brew. I took apart and cleaned. Worked great ever since. |
Same thing happened to me (wort pump) although it appeared to be gunk from multiple brews. I've since disassembled and cleaned both pumps just to ensure there wasn't a potential problem lurking. Works like a champ now.
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hopster54
Joined: 11 May 2014 Posts: 188 Location: Vancouver, Canada
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Link Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2017 5:04 pm Post subject: |
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Same here, i open the pump head and soak in PBW after every brew to avoid the sticky wort, it doesn't take much to stop the impeller from free wheeling under power.
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KB
Joined: 06 Nov 2014 Posts: 334 Location: Virginia
Working on: Next brew
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Link Posted: Fri Dec 22, 2017 1:47 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for the input. New item added to my "Day Before Brewing" list. Check the pumps!
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fseider
Joined: 10 May 2013 Posts: 156 Location: Two Naked Frogs Brewery; Reading, PA (USA); Interests: Beer, Frogs, Steampunk, Being Naked
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Link Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2018 1:38 pm Post subject: Re: March pump will not pump |
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KB wrote: | ...
Notice the "fan" in the rear of the housing is not moving (I'm not writing about the impeller in the pump housing).
Try to move the fan with a screwdriver. I don't want to touch metal with metal while the pump is on so I use a wooden craft stick (aka popsicle stick). I'm able to move the fan and the pump then begins pumping.
... |
Isn't the fan connected to the motor shaft? If that is the case, I would think that cleaning the impeller should have no bearing on this as the impeller is not directly tied to the motor shaft. Or am I misreading this? I have had issues in the past with motors in general that previously worked fine, would not start after some (short) period of time, and then needed a small 'kick start' to get going, at which point it was fine starting and stopping. This can be caused by a 'dead spot' on the brushes or commutator, and is usually caused by some minor corrosion. (Or any insulating film between the parts.) Once running again, this corrosion is worn off and the motor is back to 'normal'. Considering the environment we run in, something to watch for.
_________________ Fred Seider
Two Naked Frogs Brewery, Winery, & Meadery
Reading, PA
"What's in your goblet?!"
---
Model 30A; SN 0130
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kal Forum Administrator
Joined: 12 Dec 2010 Posts: 11116 Location: Ottawa, Canada
Drinking: Pub Ale, Electric Creamsicle, Mild, Pliny the Younger, Belgian Dark Strong, Weizen, Russian Imperial Stout, Black Butte Porter
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