Cheap compact wort pump

[Homercidal]

These pumps, or ones that look very similar, are available from http://solarproject.co.uk/ and are in fairly general use by UK homebrewers where they are known as "solar pumps". I have the SP20/20 version myself which may be slightly more powerful than the ebay model (it is rated at 14 W). I have yet to put it into use. The output threads are male 1/2" BSP but 1/2" NPT fittings work perfectly well.

It also says that the 14W model is rated for 5 meters of head. That's not insignificant!

 

[alien]

By way of comparison, the $22 ebay versions claim 2 meters head.

 

[HDIr0n]

I just bought 2 of these, I will update when I get to brew with them.

-G

 

[ColonelPanic]

I finally had a chance to use this little pump for a brewing session and I couldn't be more pleased.

I've posted some pictures below with my 1/2" camlocks installed and a short video clip of this pump recirculating wort.

Thanks to Newbeerguy for the Eliot Ness clone recipe.

[ame]http://youtu.be/ZPWFlLJtEp0[/ame]

 

[Jmarsh544]

Thanks all for posting the pump links and video/ comments. After following the link and looking around ebay, I found the following pump that appears very similar, but has a better output and is cheaper: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=121060137711

I purchased once, hopefully I didn't miss something that will make this pump not ok for brewing with. I will post results once I get it and try it out.

 

[ColonelPanic]

Thanks all for posting the pump links and video/ comments. After following the link and looking around ebay, I found the following pump that appears very similar, but has a better output and is cheaper: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=121060137711

I purchased once, hopefully I didn't miss something that will make this pump not ok for brewing with. I will post results once I get it and try it out.

Nice find!

Comparing the specs, it looks like the P-38i has the edge on service life, current draw, and operating temperature, and this one has the edge on noise level, output, pump head, and price. I can't wait to see your results!

 

[snaps10]

Nice find!

Comparing the specs, it looks like the P-38i has the edge on service life, current draw, and operating temperature, and this one has the edge on noise level, output, pump head, and price. I can't wait to see your results!

I ordered one too. Couldn't find specs in the threading, so I hope it's 1/2npt or close. For that price I'll jbweld a camlock coupler on.

 

[SilverZero]

Subscribed.

 

[Rys06Tbss]

Thanks all for posting the pump links and video/ comments. After following the link and looking around ebay, I found the following pump that appears very similar, but has a better output and is cheaper: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=121060137711

I purchased once, hopefully I didn't miss something that will make this pump not ok for brewing with. I will post results once I get it and try it out.

I'm guessing that's a typo with 600l an hour 158 gal a min? And it's 10 amps? Maybe I'm wrong. Plus that doesn't look food grade

 

[Jmarsh544]

I'm guessing that's a typo with 600l an hour 158 gal a min? And it's 10 amps? Maybe I'm wrong. Plus that doesn't look food grade

If my math is correct 600l per hour works out to about 2.6 gallons a min. Once I get it ill take it apart and share some photos of what the head/ shaft area looks like.

 

[Rys06Tbss]

Sorry don't mix home brew and edworts apfelwein. I ment hour did you just order it? I want a pump but at this point in Time can't justify spending 140 dollars on a chugger

 

[Jmarsh544]

I order it about a week ago but the Chinese New Year has caused a slight shipping delay. Worst case I will use it to pump hot water, but if it turns out food grade like its listed, ill use it to whirlpool and chill. Either way, can't really go wrong for the price.

 

[johns]

Interesting thread:

So I wonder if this little pump would be powerful enough to pump water through 50 feet of half inch copper tubing like in my IC? And then pump water through another 25 feet of 3/8 inch copper tubing for me CFC? I seriously doubt it. I have the IC made, but I am thinking of going with a CFC and using the IC as a pre-chiller. Also I can’t help wonder if a previous poster had thier question answered, about a HERMS system and if it would be strong enough to handle such configurations.

On the other hand thinking about how to provide a solution to this problem (if there really is a problem), what about having two or more of these type of pumps running in parallel. Would the head double as well as the flow rate? To my way of thinking it would, but then I am no engineer. Twice or thrice as many pumps would still be cheaper than a chugger, or even still than a march pump.
Just would like to throw that out there to see what other people think about this idea.

 

[fafrd]

Interesting thread:

So I wonder if this little pump would be powerful enough to pump water through 50 feet of half inch copper tubing like in my IC? And then pump water through another 25 feet of 3/8 inch copper tubing for me CFC? I seriously doubt it. I have the IC made, but I am thinking of going with a CFC and using the IC as a pre-chiller. Also I can’t help wonder if a previous poster had thier question answered, about a HERMS system and if it would be strong enough to handle such configurations.

On the other hand thinking about how to provide a solution to this problem (if there really is a problem), what about having two or more of these type of pumps running in parallel. Would the head double as well as the flow rate? To my way of thinking it would, but then I am no engineer. Twice or thrice as many pumps would still be cheaper than a chugger, or even still than a march pump.
Just would like to throw that out there to see what other people think about this idea.

Parallel configuration should increase the flow rate (close to double) at the expense of a little more plumbing (these things are so inexpensive that the cost of the fittings will end up being a significant portion of the overall cost).

Can't wait to hear the first performance review on these...

-fafrd

 

[Monster Mash]

Because these are 12vdc it would be simple to use a voltage regulator to control the speed of the pump. Since they are not magnetic drive I probably wouldn't adjust the flow with a ball valve.

 

[Merzeone]

Ordered mine should be here soon I plan to run it through its paces. I already have a March 809 I would like to do a comparison (prob not much of one) but at least its a low cost option for some people.

 

[ColonelPanic]

Because these are 12vdc it would be simple to use a voltage regulator to control the speed of the pump. Since they are not magnetic drive I probably wouldn't adjust the flow with a ball valve.

Great idea! A simple inline potentiometer like the ones used on the diy stir plates might do the trick.

 

[ColonelPanic]

Ordered mine should be here soon I plan to run it through its paces. I already have a March 809 I would like to do a comparison (prob not much of one) but at least its a low cost option for some people.

I'm sure these two pumps aren't in the same league, but it will be nice to see your comparison so we know how many leagues apart they are.

I would guess that the low pump head spec will be the biggest limiting factor when compared to a March or Chugger for some brewing configurations.

 

[Monster Mash]

For most people doing 5 gallon batches and want a pump to recirculate and transfer this looks like a cost effective solution.

 

[alien]

Great idea! A simple inline potentiometer like the ones used on the diy stir plates might do the trick.

Search on eBay for "12V 8A LED dimmer". You'll need a 12 VDC power supply as well.

 

[ilikeguns]

just picked one up.. this would make a nice addition to circulate the water around my bucket heater. I don't have the funds for a march pump right now so this seems like a fun little cost effective solution.

 

[millstone]

Because these are 12vdc it would be simple to use a voltage regulator to control the speed of the pump. Since they are not magnetic drive I probably wouldn't adjust the flow with a ball valve.

Not knowing what 'm talking about, but would a PWM be another solution to controlling the pump output?

thanks

tom

 

[fafrd]

Not knowing what 'm talking about, but would a PWM be another solution to controlling the pump output?

thanks

tom

Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) controls by changing duty cycle between full-on and full-off states. It s the best solution to control something like a heating element which is difficult to put into a controllable intermediary state.

Using PWM with a pump would mean having the pump start and stop for varying lengths of time (for example, on for one second and then off for 9 seconds out of a 10 second period).

If these motors have a flow rate proportional to voltage applied, that would be a better way to control them - this way you could have a variable and continuous flow rate rather than the repeated on-and-off interrupted flow you would get with PWM.

For anyone who has one of these pump, the easy way to check if they will support variable speed would be to put a potentiometer (variable resistor) in the circuit and check if the pump flow decreased as the potentiometer is dialed to higher resistance (less voltage to the pump). You could also just hook it up to a single 1.5V battery (or 2 1.5s in series to make 3V) and see if it pumps but at a lower flow rate...

-fafrd

 

[fafrd]

just picked one up.. this would make a nice addition to circulate the water around my bucket heater. I don't have the funds for a march pump right now so this seems like a fun little cost effective solution.

'picked one up' sounds like you are still waiting for delivery, right?

-fafrd

 

[millstone]

fafrd, thanks for the explanation.

tom

 

[ilikeguns]

'picked one up' sounds like you are still waiting for delivery, right?

-fafrd

sorry.. yeah.. just ordered today. I have very little knowledge about electric work, but I'm learning. I need to go through my wall warts and see what I have that will run this. I might mount it to a small project box with a potentiometer if that works.

 

[Monster Mash]

Since these are DC (direct current) and not AC (alternating current) a simple speed controller will work. You cannot do this with AC motors because it changes the wavelength of the power and it throws the timing off in the motor.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/12V-Dc-Moto...797?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27cff09fc5

http://www.ebay.com/itm/12V-24V-36V...692?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item337a7582fc

 

[ColonelPanic]

Here are some close-ups of the pump with my 1/2" camlocks from Bargain Fittings. Cleanup is really easy because I just flush it with hot tap water through both ends.

 

[whitehause]

These look like a nice option for my small scale. Might just have to get one of these on the way to play around with.

Thanks to everyone that posted info on them

 

[movet22]

So I just picked one up myself (ordered it 5 min ago hahaha)

Did we confirm that this guy can handle what little trub would escape from my hop spider? Or should I just use it for hot water?