Cheap compact wort pump

[AnOldUR]

if you do want more flow I recommend putting a female camlock on the pump and connecting it right to the base of the mlt / kettle and doing away with one of the hoses.. the pump being mounted higher means less head pressure and more powerful flow... (although I'm sure its working well the way you have it too)

I could be wrong, but I thought head was measured from the top of the liquid (in this case the level of his MLT), gravity should equalizes anything up to that point. Would the pump being mounted low have any effect on the work required to lift the wort above the level in the MLT?

 

[augiedoggy]

I could be wrong, but I thought head was measured from the top of the liquid (in this case the level of his MLT), gravity should equalizes anything up to that point. Would the pump being mounted low have any effect on the work required to lift the wort above the level in the MLT?

Actually you might be right now that I think about it! (im thinking about my aquarium setup with a refugum located down below the tank so the higher it has to pump the more the flow is effected.

 

[Slow_Day]

I could be wrong, but I thought head was measured from the top of the liquid (in this case the level of his MLT), gravity should equalizes anything up to that point. Would the pump being mounted low have any effect on the work required to lift the wort above the level in the MLT?

The only difference would be any pressure drop resulting from a long hose length and/or a small hose diameter.

I'm just getting my pump operational, so I'm not speaking from experience, but might positioning the pump a bit lower than your mlt reduce dry running at the end of transfer?

 

[jcoxen]

Maybe this has been asked and answered already and I just missed it but does anyone know if this pump is the same as this pump? I realize the head and current ratings are different. I'm referring to the internal structure of the 2nd pump - stainless steel plate behind the impeller, etc.

There's also a 6M head/1.5A version of the 2nd pump listed here.

 

[Mojzis]

I can't say for sure since those eBay sellers of these pumps are a dime a dozen. But I bought the first one and yes it has the stainless plate, ceramic core (I think) and coated magnet.

 

[Slow_Day]

My DC jacks and camlocks should arrive today to finish this project.

The switch that came on this PWM controler Is actually a polarity switch. Center off, +-, -+. I may replace with a push button switch.

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[Slow_Day]

Got it together. Running boiling PBW, (homemade), through it now. It whines a little bit when I throttle it back, but it works like a champ. I probably won't even be able to hear it with my burners going. I think I'm getting around 2.5 gallons/minute lifting a couple of feet on 24V.

I hope to use it this weekend. I'll probably mount it on a mobile stand until I get a second one going.
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[GatorWayne]

Got it together. Running boiling PBW, (homemade), through it now. It whines a little bit when I throttle it back, but it works like a champ. I probably won't even be able to hear it with my burners going. I think I'm getting around 2.5 gallons/minute lifting a couple of feet on 24V.

I hope to use it this weekend. I'll probably mount it on a mobile stand until I get a second one going.
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I'm going to piggyback on your post if you don't mind because I have no pictures and mine is setup nearly the same as yours..

I bought a pump and silicone tubing like yours from Amazon and SS camlocks and ball valve from bargain fittings. This past weekend I had friends over to brew a Delirium Tremens clone. I was very happy with the pump. If we didn't see liquid flowing we would not know it was running as it is very quiet. I used it to circulate cleaning fluid and boiling wort through my CFC. the only issue was having enough connections as my CFC still has just the 3/8 copper tubing and no compression fitting yet. A few zip ties solved the tiny leaks.

 

[augiedoggy]

Maybe this has been asked and answered already and I just missed it but does anyone know if this pump is the same as this pump? I realize the head and current ratings are different. I'm referring to the internal structure of the 2nd pump - stainless steel plate behind the impeller, etc.

There's also a 6M head/1.5A version of the 2nd pump listed here.

Same pumps.... I'm pretty confident the white box is a voltage boost transformer to convert 12v to 24vdc... The main limitation here is the size of the impeller and opening. that said the 24v version is better hands down.

 

[Slow_Day]

I bought a pump and silicone tubing like yours from Amazon and SS camlocks and ball valve from bargain fittings. This past weekend I had friends over to brew a Delirium Tremens clone. I was very happy with the pump. If we didn't see liquid flowing we would not know it was running as it is very quiet. I used it to circulate cleaning fluid and boiling wort through my CFC. the only issue was having enough connections as my CFC still has just the 3/8 copper tubing and no compression fitting yet. A few zip ties solved the tiny leaks.

I used mine the first time a week ago for a double brew day. It worked great. I just need to work out my new layout. Lots of connecting and disconnecting.

You're right about it being quiet. Can't hear it at all with burners on. My favorite aspect so far is how I can use my CFC. I can recirculate full throttle until the temps coming out of the chiller are what I want, then switch directly to the fermenters. Much faster than what I had with just gravity.

 

[GatorWayne]

I used mine the first time a week ago for a double brew day. It worked great. I just need to work out my new layout. Lots of connecting and disconnecting.

You're right about it being quiet. Can't hear it at all with burners on. My favorite aspect so far is how I can use my CFC. I can recirculate full throttle until the temps coming out of the chiller are what I want, then switch directly to the fermenters. Much faster than what I had with just gravity.

That is exactly what we did. It was certainly a group effort for us even if that is not what I wanted. I pumped the wort back into the kettle and checked the temperature. It was nearly ninety. I then looked at the valve on the garden hose and it was barely on. Opened up the chill water and the temperature dropped within seconds to 82. Then I unplugged the pump (I really need a switch), lined up the fermenting buckets, and filled them up.

 

[Ctayl9jq]

So I have read through almost every post in this thread and still have questions. I just got a new plate chiller and think I need a pump to push wort through and to push pbw through after chilling... Is there a consensus on what he best and CHEAPEST option is? I know it sounds like chiggers are the way to go, but sounds like I can get the little tan pump to suffice. Is that the best option or I'd there something else out there I should be considering? If he tan 12 or 24 volt, I don't really do electricity so explaining like I'm 5 is much appreciated. Lastly I brew with a bayou brew kettle with a screen attached to the female not ball valve at the bottom, what is the best way to get everything connected into my plate chiller?

Thanks for all the help guys

 

[wbarber69]

The little 2gpm pumps are fine for wort. You may want something a little more powerful to run the pbw. That's your preference though. If get the cheapest one first to get started. You'll still have to run pbw through the pump anyway to clean out the pump. If you find you need something stronger to clean with then just go to lowes and get a 1/4 hp pump and build yourself a cleaning rig. It really depends on the size of your chiller and how much flow is lost to restriction.

 

[Mojzis]

It would also help it you posted some pics of your setup so we can visually see what you are trying to do.

 

[GatorWayne]

So I have read through almost every post in this thread and still have questions. I just got a new plate chiller and think I need a pump to push wort through and to push pbw through after chilling... Is there a consensus on what he best and CHEAPEST option is? I know it sounds like chiggers are the way to go, but sounds like I can get the little tan pump to suffice. Is that the best option or I'd there something else out there I should be considering? If he tan 12 or 24 volt, I don't really do electricity so explaining like I'm 5 is much appreciated. Lastly I brew with a bayou brew kettle with a screen attached to the female not ball valve at the bottom, what is the best way to get everything connected into my plate chiller?

Thanks for all the help guys

Best and Cheapest? These are not paralleling options. I don’t think you can get best and cheapest. A sliding scale but I truly believe the little tan pump from Amazon or Ebay is worth the money.
I wanted a Chugger but found the tan pump on Amazon and I have a few DC adapters around so $26 and some electrical tape and I had a pump.

Brew Day: 3/7/2015

Lots of new equipment for a delirium tremens clone; tan pump, counter flow chiller, camlocks, silicone tubing, brew stand, and hop spider. Lots to break in and learn how each affects the brew process.
I didn’t use it to move strike water or wort to the boil kettle. I typically heat my strike water in my MLT. I typically empty MLT into buckets, sparge and fill boil kettle.

I did use it to initially pump boiling wort from BK to CFC back to BK as the wort was still a tad bit too hot. It worked great. Then into the fermentation buckets. No problems. Later I ran cleaner through silicone tubing, pump, valves, etc and it worked great.

I’m excited to see how it works next time as I work into the routine with my new equipment. The DT clone nailed temps, pre-boil volume, OG, and came up .04 shy of finishing on FG.Might have been a bit underpitched even with a 2 smack pack starter or I typically ferment a 10 gallon batch in 3 five gallon buckets for headspace. We might have exceeded our anticipated post-boil volume as it is a bit inaccurate to measure and we had been drinking 5-6 hours. Also, I was gathering yeast when they filled the buckets. It tastes amazing g and will get bottled this weekend.

I loved the camlocks and will order more soon. So easy and no leaks. The ½” silicone tubing easily screwed onto the camlock B.

 

[wbarber69]

I'd love to see that recipe

 

[GatorWayne]

I'd love to see that recipe

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f73/pink-elephant-delirium-tremens-clone-112957/

 

[wbarber69]

Thanks for the link. Is that a 5 gallon recipe? It seems a bit light on the ingredients

 

[Ctayl9jq]

Thanks guys, gatorwayne it sounds like we have similar setups so I think I am going to run with the tan pump and go from there just gotta figure out all the connections and stuff. Excited about using the plate chiller just heard horror stories of cleaning it

 

[GatorWayne]

Thanks for the link. Is that a 5 gallon recipe? It seems a bit light on the ingredients

It is a 3 gallon recipe. I multiplied by 3.33 to make 10 gallons. I only doubled the yeasts and split the sugar between Belgian candi and table sugar. I have not taken the final gravity but it was at 1.010 last time I checked. Thursday I'm bottling it so it might have lost another point or two and get closer to the predicted 1.006. My son is the real DT fan as I have not actually tasted the original. My small taste while checking gravity was very good but I thought it would be a bit spicier. It will be ready to drink by the time the pool warms up enough to swim. Love having beer while sitting around the table we had built into our pool.

 

[GatorWayne]

Thanks guys, gatorwayne it sounds like we have similar setups so I think I am going to run with the tan pump and go from there just gotta figure out all the connections and stuff. Excited about using the plate chiller just heard horror stories of cleaning it

I'm doing the same thing. I am a bit concerned about getting something from the MLT stuck in the little pump's impeller. Next brew day I'm going to use the pump to pump strike water, sparge water, and finally wort through CFC.

End of day I'll use it help with clean up. I'm using camlocks with silicone tubing which is much easier to me than using hose barbs. I even have hose fittings on my CFC so hopefully no more silicone over vinyl over the copper tube ziptied together to stop leaks. Zip ties certainly stopped the leaks though.

 

[Mojzis]

FWIW I use the tan pump for everything from HLT, MT, to kettle. The only time I've have issues is from the kettle when I'm trying to drain as much as I can from around the mound of hops.

 

[wobdee]

How are you guys cleaning these pumps after your brew day? Do you need to take them apart occasionally?

 

[mjc999]

How are you guys cleaning these pumps after your brew day? Do you need to take them apart occasionally?

I run near boiling water through it (and my CF chiller) after brewing is complete. Even with that, I've had to disassemble each brew session to free the impeller. I've also had them stop during each of the last two brew sessions. Has become annoying enough that I've stepped up to a chugger pump.

 

[steveoatley]

I was wondering if Yous Guys that have had success with the pumps
could post a Picture of how you are mounting it - or enclosing it ?

I have bought the pump & speed control, and I am looking for ideas before I build something

Like Dstauth - thanks for the idea

Thanks to those who will post a Photo !
S

 

[Slow_Day]

I was wondering if Yous Guys that have had success with the pumps

could post a Picture of how you are mounting it - or enclosing it ?

I mounted mine on a mobile stand for now. I have used it on 2 ten gallon brew days, pumping from the MLT and BK through the CFC. I gravity sparge the MLT prior to transfer to avoid grain particles. Works like a champ so far and cleaned up great with circulated hot pbw (home made).
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[Riot]

I e always just threaded right on to my kettle valve. Never had any issues doing this, though I imagine it would break if I hit it the wrong way

 

[wobdee]

Do you guys run these little pumps wide open or do you install a valve on the output flow?

 

[iijakii]

Do you guys run these little pumps wide open or do you install a valve on the output flow?

Not a clean easy answer.

Some seem fine with running it wide open. Some use ball valves on the output. Some use PWMs to regulate.

 

[dstauth]

I use a PWM. Not sure whether that or a ball valve are better for the pump or if it makes a difference. As for cleaning, I just run hot water through the pump at the end of the brew day for a little while. I don't worry too much about it since the next thing to run through that pump will be next brew days strike water.