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travis
Joined: 10 Oct 2017 Posts: 9
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Link Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2018 2:20 am Post subject: Pump not working out of the box? |
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Hi all,
My brewery build is nearing completion, I was hoping to get my first batch going in a week or two, as I'm testing everything out at the moment now that basement construction is done. I bought two of these pumps: https://www.morebeer.com/products/march-pump-stainless-steel-center-inlet.html?a_aid=theelectricbrewery?a_aid=theelectricbrewery
One of them is working fine, but the other one is just making a humming/buzzing noise when I try to power it on. I've tried both electrical ports on each pump, and it's definitely the pump. Like a dummy I already cut the power cord and wired everything up before even testing the thing out of the box, so it's not returnable. Am I out $200, or is there some troubleshooting I can do to try and salvage this? I've already cut and re-terminated the wiring 3 times, with no luck. Any thoughts or suggestions would be helpful.
Cheers,
Travis
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Firebrewmedic43
Joined: 23 Dec 2014 Posts: 104 Location: Tennessee
Drinking: barrel-aged Foreign Export Stout
Working on: Helles
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Link Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2018 6:12 am Post subject: |
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"I've tried both electrical ports on each pump" Did you mean both electrical ports on the control panel?
1. is the pump being primed well? since most of the pumps used in these systems are not self priming pumps (ie. march /chugger)
2. Open the pump housing and check your impeller, if its defective then you won't be moving any liquid. a new impeller kit isn't much.
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kal Forum Administrator
Joined: 12 Dec 2010 Posts: 11121 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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travis
Joined: 10 Oct 2017 Posts: 9
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Link Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2018 8:54 pm Post subject: |
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Yes @Firebrewmedic43, I am referring to both ports on the control panel. I am priming this one just how I am my working pump with no luck still.
I have taken off the head assembly and plugged the pump in. Still just a buzzing/humming. Verified the impeller spins freely and everything looks to be aligned. The fact that the motor isn't turning is a problem. I am wiring green to green screw, white to silver screw and black to black screw, just like my other pump that is working. I'm not sure really what else to try on this one.
Thanks for the advice, I'll keep troubleshooting.
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Ozarks Mountain Brew
Joined: 22 May 2013 Posts: 737 Location: The Ozark Mountains of Missouri
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Link Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2018 11:37 pm Post subject: |
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check the fan on the back, if its bent it can get stuck
_________________ "Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world."
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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 Nov 19, 2018 1:07 pm Post subject: |
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Ozarks Mountain Brew wrote: | check the fan on the back, if its bent it can get stuck |
This is common. One of the blades can get bent slightly and be hung up. Doesn't take much to keep it from spinning. THere are some videos on the internet. I think even on Chuggers site.
_________________ Visit dp Brewing Company
Hangovers hurt....but good memories last forever!
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travis
Joined: 10 Oct 2017 Posts: 9
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Link Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2018 4:10 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the recommendations. At the very least I was able to get familiar with my pump layout and how to troubleshoot it, but it turns out I didn't need to and it works. I was wiring it correctly and everything was aligned as it should be. My problem was a unique one, and self-inflicted. I have a stainless steel table, and planned on mounting the pumps to a wooden frame, I just haven't gotten around to building it yet since I'm still testing and verifying everything.
What did I do in the meantime? Well stainless steel and a metal bracket, I'll just use a magnet to hold the pumps in place so they don't tip forward due to the valves that I added, and I didn't want them to vibrate and move at all. It turns out that I put the magnet further back on the pump that works, but more in the middle of the one that wasn't. That magnet was actually preventing the pump motor from turning over. I removed the magnet and it powered right up. Silly mistake, but at least it's resolved. I'm not going to use the magnets obviously, as I don't want extra stress to be put on the pumps. Guess I'll be making that wooden frame sooner rather than later!
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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 Nov 19, 2018 4:23 pm Post subject: |
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Haha. Glad you figured it out! Not sure I've heard that one before but explains the issue.
_________________ Visit dp Brewing Company
Hangovers hurt....but good memories last forever!
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Firebrewmedic43
Joined: 23 Dec 2014 Posts: 104 Location: Tennessee
Drinking: barrel-aged Foreign Export Stout
Working on: Helles
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Link Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2018 7:02 pm Post subject: |
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wow..that was a unique problem. Glad you got it figured out and working
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kal Forum Administrator
Joined: 12 Dec 2010 Posts: 11121 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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