A big **** you to Chugger Pumps

[indianaroller]

So I am in need of a replacement motor for my chugger pump. I called chugger to purchase one. After some questions the sales guy told me he could not sell me a motor. He said they just cant do that. I asked him if he could tell me who manufactures the motor so I could find one myself. He said they make it and no other motor will fit the head.

Is this guy true in saying no other motor will fit the pump head? Does the motor on the march pumps fit the chugger? From pictures it looks like it would.

I was offered a brand new poly chugger pump for $90 but I would rather not give these guys more money.

 

[poptarts]

What did you do to your pump from what I have ready they have really good service.

 

[Gar]

Look around your area and see if there is a motor rebuilder. id bet they can make it more durable then factory. if all else fails look on the internet or pm me and ill get you the info from the rebuilder here in marion

 

[hillybilly]

Post a pic of the motor I see all types of motors and I am sure that motor isn't made just for them. Hilly

 

[indianaroller]

What did you do to your pump from what I have ready they have really good service.

The pump stops running after 15-20 min of use. Then starts back up after 15 min. It sounds like it is getting overheated but the other chugger I have does not do this. And that pump is one of the originals.

The pump in question recirculates the mash. Last time it stopped mid mash. The mash burner hardly ever kicked on because it was so hot outside.


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

 

[LandoLincoln]

The pump stops running after 15-20 min of use. Then starts back up after 15 min. It sounds like it is getting overheated but the other chugger I have does not do this. And that pump is one of the originals.

The pump in question recirculates the mash. Last time it stopped mid mash. The mash burner hardly ever kicked on because it was so hot outside.


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

If you take the head off and run the motor without the head for a half hour, does it stop working?

Is this motor inside some kind of enclosure?

 

[dcarter]

I had this problem once and it was because the motor was binding due to my shelf being slightly higher than my plumbing. Made the adjustment and haven't had a problem since.

 

[indianaroller]

If you take the head off and run the motor without the head for a half hour, does it stop working?



Is this motor inside some kind of enclosure?

I don't know. I'll have to hook the pump back up and try. What would this prove?

The pump has a piece of flashing over it to protect in from splashes.


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

 

[logdrum]

Maybe run a fan on the motor? On hot days, one of mine would occasionally cut out, I now just keep a little fan blasting at the back of the motors.

 

[LandoLincoln]

I don't know. I'll have to hook the pump back up and try. What would this prove?

The pump has a piece of flashing over it to protect in from splashes.


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

If the motor doesn't fail while the head isn't on it, then perhaps something could be done to the head to make the motor work. I've heard that some heads have to be drilled out a tiny bit to make them work right.

If the motor fails while the head isn't on it, then it's definitely not the head that's the problem.

If you remove the flashing and the motor (with the head on it) works fine, then your flashing is stopping too much air flow.

 

[jammin]

has been lubricated recently? my chugger is supposed to oiled at least once a year i think and also according to use.

 

[day_trippr]

The whole thread is a bit surprising, given the past history of Chugger has consistently been to almost fall over themselves helping out their customers...

Cheers!

 

[Bobby_M]

Chugger possibly has the best customer service in the business. Now that they are wholesale only, their dealers are expected to have similar customer service. Posting a f*ck you thread about them probably isn't the best way to get that service. I'm sure there's a reasonable business reason they don't want to sell motors alone (whether it's up to your satisfaction or not) but the tone of your post sucks. If things were different, I would have deconstructed a pump and sold the motor to you.

 

[indianaroller]

Chugger possibly has the best customer service in the business. Now that they are wholesale only, their dealers are expected to have similar customer service. Posting a f*ck you thread about them probably isn't the best way to get that service. I'm sure there's a reasonable business reason they don't want to sell motors alone (whether it's up to your satisfaction or not) but the tone of your post sucks. If things were different, I would have deconstructed a pump and sold the motor to you.

I purchased a product from them and now need to BUY a replacement part from them. They have it but won't sell it to me. And, according to them, they are the only ones with a motor that will fit the head. I tried.


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

 

[indianaroller]

has been lubricated recently? my chugger is supposed to oiled at least once a year i think and also according to use.

Yep.


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

 

[WPStrassburg]

So I am in need of a replacement motor for my chugger pump. I called chugger to purchase one. After some questions the sales guy told me he could not sell me a motor. He said they just cant do that. I asked him if he could tell me who manufactures the motor so I could find one myself. He said they make it and no other motor will fit the head.

Is this guy true in saying no other motor will fit the pump head? Does the motor on the march pumps fit the chugger? From pictures it looks like it would.

I was offered a brand new poly chugger pump for $90 but I would rather not give these guys more money.

The chuggers are a knock off of the March pumps so a march motor would work. Most likely the motor bracket (O) that connects the motor to the pump head isn't lined up quite correctly and causing the magnet (L) to rub and bind on the back side of the rear volute housing (I). Loosen the M screws and adjust the motor bracket to center up the magnet in the housing.

http://www.marchpump.com/storage/966/files/0809-0053-1100.pdf

 

[iijakii]

Do the suggestions and see if the pump is still turning off. You're either overheating or it's binding up.

 

[indianaroller]

Do the suggestions and see if the pump is still turning off. You're either overheating or it's binding up.

I am working on them now. I'll report back soon.



Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

 

[insanim8er]

I have SS center inlet chugger heads on my march pumps 815s, so ya... It fits, but I'm guessing even if they sold a motor, it would probably be close enough to full cost anyway.

It sucks they're not trying to get you taken care of or helping you figure out the issue or offering to look at it/repair...etc.

 

[indianaroller]

The chuggers are a knock off of the March pumps so a march motor would work. Most likely the motor bracket (O) that connects the motor to the pump head isn't lined up quite correctly and causing the magnet (L) to rub and bind on the back side of the rear volute housing (I). Loosen the M screws and adjust the motor bracket to center up the magnet in the housing.



http://www.marchpump.com/storage/966/files/0809-0053-1100.pdf

It is working after doing this. Not sure if I really fixed it but it is working now.

Chugger said this motors are splash resistant. Would it not course problems getting wort/water on the motor coils?





Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

 

[insanim8er]

It is working after doing this. Not sure if I really fixed it but it is working now.

Chugger said this motors are splash resistant. Would it not course problems getting wort/water on the motor coils?

My understanding is if liquid damages the pump, they replace it.

 

[cyberbackpacker]

Two times, due to my own fault, I needed parts from Chugger and they bent over backwards to help me out, and didn't even charge me a cent, not even for shipping.

Just putting it out there for others that read this to hear another perspective on the customer service of Chugger.

 

[acidrain]

Two times, due to my own fault, I needed parts from Chugger and they bent over backwards to help me out, and didn't even charge me a cent, not even for shipping.

Just putting it out there for others that read this to hear another perspective on the customer service of Chugger.

Same here... I offered to buy some replacement o-rings and thrust washers, but they said no. Sent them free of charge including shipping.
Chugger service is second to none.

 

[govner1]

Chugger possibly has the best customer service in the business. Now that they are wholesale only, their dealers are expected to have similar customer service. Posting a f*ck you thread about them probably isn't the best way to get that service. I'm sure there's a reasonable business reason they don't want to sell motors alone (whether it's up to your satisfaction or not) but the tone of your post sucks. If things were different, I would have deconstructed a pump and sold the motor to you.

I fail to see the f**k you attitude in the OP. Just a straight forward description of what happened and an unsatisfactory outcome from a customer perspective.
Makes me want to reconsider adding a Chugger pump to my system & just stick w/ March.
Your belligerent tone is distressing as well.


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

 

[passedpawn]

I fail to see the f**k you attitude in the OP. Just a straight forward description of what happened and an unsatisfactory outcome from a customer perspective.
Makes me want to reconsider adding a Chugger pump to my system & just stick w/ March.
Your belligerent tone is distressing as well.

It's right there in the thread title. That' wasn't "thank you" that got bleeped out.

 

[Bobby_M]

I fail to see the f**k you attitude in the OP. Just a straight forward description of what happened and an unsatisfactory outcome from a customer perspective.
Makes me want to reconsider adding a Chugger pump to my system & just stick w/ March.
Your belligerent tone is distressing as well.


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

The OP literally posted "F**K you chugger pumps" as the thread title and my stepping in to defend a good company is belligerent? Please read it again slowly. It's completely reasonable to be disappointed when a vendor doesn't do exactly what you think they should. It's how he went about it that rubs me the wrong way.

 

[iijakii]

The part I like all along is how he had a housing over it that was making it overheat. **** them tho

 

[indianaroller]

The part I like all along is how he had a housing over it that was making it overheat. **** them tho

If the piece of flashing I have suspended over the pump is causing it to over heat then I also need to remove my kettles. When I was testing the pump, I had it on my garage floor recirculating cold tap water. After 20 minutes in 75 degree ambient temps, the motor got so hot I couldn't touch it. There is defiantly a lot less air coming off the fan then my other chugger.

And I stand by my belligerent rant.


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

 

[passedpawn]

And I stand by my belligerent rant.

IMO getting emotional rarely helps one's cause, and usually hurts it.

 

[indianaroller]

IMO getting emotional rarely helps one's cause, and usually hurts it.

Your right. Now I'll never be able to buy a replacement motor from Chugger.


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew