Blichmann's new pump

[DasBierBaron]

It looks like there might not be enough room to solder ferrules onto the npt ports, unfortunately.

 

[highland_brewer]

Review and comparison video is done.. Check it out!

https://youtu.be/QFvHAs0LXrA

 

[kal]

Review and comparison video is done.. Check it out!

https://youtu.be/QFvHAs0LXrA

FYI - The mention about PBW dissolving teflon is not accurate I'm afraid. If it was, the ball lock seats and teflon tape that many brewers use would disintegrate too. So do not be concerned with using PBW on the sort of teflon we use in our breweries (ball locks, teflon tape, March/Chugger pumps, etc). The PBW manufacturer (Five Star) has confirming this if you Google around a bit (you'll find people who called them directly to ask)...

There was a BrewStrong show on cleaning some years back where Five Star was the guest and re-confirmed that PBW is fine to use on teflon tape which is the same sort of teflon used on pumps and ball valves. See: http://www.thebrewingnetwork.com/post443/

Cheers,

Kal

 

[Morrey]

I know it is common practice for folks to pick products apart while going to the extreme making mountains out of mole hills. I am just darn glad we have companies like Blichmann supporting our home brew market and designing quality products for us to use which are innovative and user friendly.

to you Blichmann.

 

[highland_brewer]

FYI - The mention about PBW dissolving teflon is not accurate I'm afraid. If it was, the ball lock seats and teflon tape that many brewers use would disintegrate too. So do not be concerned with using PBW on the sort of teflon we use in our breweries (ball locks, teflon tape, March/Chugger pumps, etc). The PBW manufacturer (Five Star) has confirming this if you Google around a bit (you'll find people who called them directly to ask)...

There was a BrewStrong show on cleaning some years back where Five Star was the guest and re-confirmed that PBW is fine to use on teflon tape which is the same sort of teflon used on pumps and ball valves. See: http://www.thebrewingnetwork.com/post443/

Cheers,v

Kal

Any thoughts on what could possibly have cause the Teflon washer to disintegrate in my March pump I am wondering if the PBW being undisolved running through the pump could cause the issue? I always use 160 degree water to dissolve the PBW but from time to time I would still hear granule or 2 go through the pump.

Curious.

 

[kal]

Any thoughts on what could possibly have cause the Teflon washer to disintegrate in my March pump I am wondering if the PBW being undisolved running through the pump could cause the issue? I always use 160 degree water to dissolve the PBW but from time to time I would still hear granule or 2 go through the pump.

Curious.

I don't know - sorry! There have been threads in this forum and others about PBW and the type of teflon that is used in our breweries (pumps/valves/tape/etc) so you could try reviving one of those, or possibly ask March since it deals directly with your pump - they're usually very good at responding. Good luck!

Kal

 

[schematix]

Any thoughts on what could possibly have cause the Teflon washer to disintegrate in my March pump I am wondering if the PBW being undisolved running through the pump could cause the issue? I always use 160 degree water to dissolve the PBW but from time to time I would still hear granule or 2 go through the pump.



Curious.

Probably just friction.

Mine both met the same fate in a short period of time and I've continued to run without them with no issue or sign of additional wear on the housing or impeller.

 

[highland_brewer]

Probably just friction.

Mine both met the same fate in a short period of time and I've continued to run without them with no issue or sign of additional wear on the housing or impeller.

I suppose. I wonder if the performance is effected by the missing washer? I think the comparison deficit had to do with the smaller impeller. Maybe not..

 

[jmark]

I had that happen after probably 20-30 batches... picked up a handful of replacements from Adventures in Homebrewing and solved the ungodly sound one of my pumps was making!

http://www.homebrewing.org/Thrust-Washer-Front-teflon-March-Pump-_p_2498.html

 

[kal]

Would be interesting to throw in a stainless washer like the Blichmann... though normally washers where things rub are supposed to be a low-friction which is probably why teflon was used. The Blichmann design has to be different if they're using a stainless washer. It probably doesn't serve the same purpose. We need some mech engineer to chime in. I'm only electrical.

Kal

 

[mattd2]

Generally that washer is a thrust washer and if it is getting chewed up the likely reason is the inlet line is restricted causing the impeller to be pulled towards the front housing and against the washer - more restriction equal more force equal more wear which will chew out the washer quicker.
Other pumps use a ceramic washer for this as it is hard wearing while still providing a low friction surface (basically combining what you get from the PTFE and SS options). But I didn't have much luck finder general ceramic thrust washers
Looks like March do use ceramic washers in their other pumps so you could see if they have a direct replacement.

 

[highland_brewer]

Generally that washer is a thrust washer and if it is getting chewed up the likely reason is the inlet line is restricted causing the impeller to be pulled towards the front housing and against the washer - more restriction equal more force equal more wear which will chew out the washer quicker.
Other pumps use a ceramic washer for this as it is hard wearing while still providing a low friction surface (basically combining what you get from the PTFE and SS options). But I didn't have much luck finder general ceramic thrust washers
Looks like March do use ceramic washers in their other pumps so you could see if they have a direct replacement.

Cool, Thanks for the info I will reach out to them and see what they have available and post my findings.

 

[RocketBrewer]

Got notified today my new RipTide has been shipped. Anyone received one yet that they want to comment on, or are they all just starting to ship? I'm surprised there hasn't been more comments yet.

 

[Smellyglove]

Anyone know, or have some pointers to when this will be available in a EU version? I guess all the baby-stuff has been sorted out by the time it hits the EU market.