Any experience with US Solar Pumps? Only $50.

[wbarber69]

I'd also like to see how others are mounting their pumps. I use mine inline with a BIAB setup, but I've had problems with priming and am thinking that it should be mounted below my kettle like most people have their March pumps.

I don't see how your having priming issues. Your probably pumping steam from boiling water. With that config u should not have any issues with priming.i would recommend though that you have you hose or your pump outlet 90 up so any air that may be trapped in there can get out naturally.

 

[Woodbrews]

I don't see how your having priming issues. Your probably pumping steam from boiling water. With that config u should not have any issues with priming.i would recommend though that you have you hose or your pump outlet 90 up so any air that may be trapped in there can get out naturally.

So, you're suggesting putting a 90 degree elbow after the pump?

My other worry is the amount of weight hanging off the weldless fitting; I know these pumps are pretty light, but that's a lot of hardware pulling on the fitting.

 

[wbarber69]

Just use a bl camlock with the 90 on the hose. It looks like you have the pump supported by the table there.

 

[wbarber69]

Use 1 on both ends cause it looks like your hose is getting pinched off at the lid too. This will also shorten the hose and reduce the amount of work your pump has to do.

 

[Woodbrews]

Just use a bl camlock with the 90 on the hose. It looks like you have the pump supported by the table there.

It's hard to see, but's kind of hovering over the table there and is not being supported by the table. That said, I could easily shim underneath it to add support.

I like the idea about adding two 90 degree elbows.

 

[wbarber69]

If there is anywhere for air to get trapped you'll have issues with prime. I put my pumps inline of my pot outputs and I haven't had an issue. The occasional blast of steam will come through but it doesn't stop pumping it just pushes it right on through.


Plus if your hose is short enough and attached properly it should offer some support to the pump instead of dragging it down.

 

[Stealthcruiser]

Woodbrews, from the best I can tell in the pic, it looks like your pump outlet is @ "6o'clock" position, we'll call it.

If it was @ "12o'clock" it would work better, as any trapped air would tend to migrate upwards naturally.

The other pump pics posted with the inlet on the bottom, and outlet on the top are ideal for eliminating priming issues.

 

[wbarber69]

What he said

 

[lousbrews]

Here's a picture of my set up. Got it inline and its a ebiab recirculation system using a rtd probe. Control box not shown. But the pump is freaking sweet.

 

[djrebello]

Hi, i reacently ordered my pump from us solar pumps. And i found this ac adapter laying around (it says the output is 12v and 3A) and i was wondering if its compatible for running my pump. It's the 12VTSS11.5L - 3.00 GPM / 11.5 LPM - 9.80 Feet / 3.0 Meter Head

12 Volts - 1.25 Amps - 15 Watts Solar.

Please let me know if i need to get a new adapter.

Cheers!

 

[wbarber69]

Did it work when you hooked it up?

 

[AngryMonk]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ohm's_law

12V@3A = 36W
More than what you need for the pump. Make sure you get the polarity right though.

 

[zack67360]

Here is the one I've bought to put together a wort pump. Looks like the same pump except for the threads are not ss.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/171421348963?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
Everything else looks to be the same on specs.

 

[djrebello]

have you recieved it yet? i'm picking mine up tomorrow and powering it.. lets hope it works fine.. ill post an update. cheers

 

[zack67360]

Hasn't been shipped out yet as far as I know. Son in Law does the extract brewing BIAB with the grains, hops, so the pump hopefully will not have any issues.

 

[djrebello]

connected and tested my pump and it works great with the adaptor that i posted a week ago. here's a quick setup of hoy i had it connected. I was recirculating the water to see how much flow rate there was and it's what the description says. (3gpm) hooked up a switch and works great too to turn it on and off

 

[zack67360]

Good to hear it works as advertised. Did you have any trouble with air causing the pump not to pick up fluid immediately? I was thinking of putting the connectors right on the pump, so the pump could be quickly connected right out of the ball valve coming out of the brew kettle. Maybe increase the flow rate some? Not sure if there will be a heat issue that way or not though.

 

[Indian_villager]

I had one seize on me after a few uses. But I called them up and they set up an exchange immediately. The customer service is great!

 

[djrebello]

well not really, i had it just below the water level, it just needs to be primed(with fluid inside the pump) to work perfectly. and regarding it beeing close to the burner y dont thinks its a problem because it can withstand 110ºC, i would recommend you putting a heat shield to trap some heat from the burner. cheers!

 

[wbarber69]

Ummm a gas burner exceeds temperatures of over 750f your pump is rated for 110c that's right around 200f you better not trust the plastic to stand up to a burner…

 

[zack67360]

The configuration of the pump would be to include quick connects on the valve and pump; male on the valve and female on the pump. Once boiling was finished, figured could turn the heat off and connect the pump to the valve with the quick connect, eliminating the danger of direct heat to the pump (although the blichmann did come with a heat shield to be placed below the valve). Once connected I would think the higher level of fluid in the brew pot would cause the liquid to equalize in the pump/tubing, priming the pump. At least that's the way it ought to work in theory in my head.

 

[wbarber69]

It will prime as long as the outflow if the pump is able to release the air in the lines. Example: you have a whirlpool port lower down in the pot maybe an inch higher than the pickup. You cannot just attach the hoses and go. You'd have to allow liquid to flow past the pump before hooking up the whirlpool.

As long as your outflow hose is held higher than the pump you can just let it fill up then turn off the valve, connect the hose to the whirlpool and then let her rip.

If your hose isn't connected to the pot lower than the liquid level in the pot, you won't have a problem.

 

[zack67360]

Thanks for the answer. Plan on buying a whirlpool wand with the wort chiller so will keep this in mind.