Cheap compact wort pump

[funnycreature]

Well, my pump stopped sometime during racking through my cfc this Saturday. Luckily my setup was more or less gravity-friendly, so it all racked over, but cleaning everything out was a bit more difficult. I'm going to check the PSU to make sure it's not faulty, and I verified liquid flowed through the pump, so the impeller doesn't seem to be stuck (plus, it's making no audible noise). If it's fried I'll try to get the seller to send a new one but I'm also probably saving for a Chugger.

Oh no! I might get my pump this week but I hope it lasts more than just a couple of sessions... The next best thing costs how much?

 

[tre9er]

Oh no! I might get my pump this week but I hope it lasts more than just a couple of sessions... The next best thing costs how much?

The topsflo is about half the flow rate as the Chugger and is about $70 or so, whereas the CHugger can be had for about $127 (recently on Amazon).

 

[tre9er]

I can't recall, has anyone used the last pump on the spreadsheet, the 9.XGPM black chinese ebay pump? It's $48 shipped and supposedly pumps more than the Chuggers. I'm half considering trying this pump, although eventually I'm going to wish I'd just saved for the Chugger, I think...

 

[funnycreature]

I can't recall, has anyone used the last pump on the spreadsheet, the 9.XGPM black chinese ebay pump? It's $48 shipped and supposedly pumps more than the Chuggers. I'm half considering trying this pump, although eventually I'm going to wish I'd just saved for the Chugger, I think...

If I got (get?) burned with a cheap pump I'd be very strongly considering a proven pump. If you can wait I recommend saving for the Chugger... Why risk spending less money twice?

 

[tre9er]

If I got (get?) burned with a cheap pump I'd be very strongly considering a proven pump. If you can wait I recommend saving for the Chugger... Why risk spending less money twice?

That's kinda where my head is at right now. I found out that gravity will do the work for me, even through the CFC, so the pump isn't a must, just makes sanitizing via recirc much easier. At this point I'll have to run starsan through the CFC instead. I would like to get down to single tier, though.

 

[johns]

I serioulythink that those chinese companies get thier bussines from abroad for less than 25 percent of thier asking price (believe me I know). With my little black pump which has about 7 patches though it and runs like a champ, I have had no problem

Now for the depate ( I put it into a sink high enough to make it over the pump just to see if it was working.............WHT (no i did not die),the pump did not work and did not work several times after that experement,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,untill,,,,,,,I reversed the wiring and forgort that these pumps only run in on direction so if you run the electricity in the wrong way it will not work. simply reverse the connection on the other side and it should work (yes even out of water, but I would not do this for prolonged time as it it will brun out)

love there pumps

 

[el_loco]

Because this thread has inspired so many brewers to try out this little pump, we ought to keep tabs on if/when they stop functioning and some background as to how they were being used. For instance whether a potentiometer or dimmer was metering flow or whether restricting flow via ball valve was employed. Perhaps we can determine how to maximize longevity from these cheap little bastards!

First off, is Tre9er the first to experience failure of a verified working pump?

 

[revansCAAD8]

Because this thread has inspired so many brewers to try out this little pump, we ought to keep tabs on if/when they stop functioning and some background as to how they were being used. For instance whether a potentiometer or dimmer was metering flow or whether restricting flow via ball valve was employed. Perhaps we can determine how to maximize longevity from these cheap little bastards!

First off, is Tre9er the first to experience failure of a verified working pump?

Agreed! So far I've been happy with my little tan pump (TL-B07/S, 12V, 8L) w/ ball valve to control flow.

Robert

 

[el_loco]

revans- Looks like you have the Solar Pump, how many batches and how are you powering it?

 

[tre9er]

Because this thread has inspired so many brewers to try out this little pump, we ought to keep tabs on if/when they stop functioning and some background as to how they were being used. For instance whether a potentiometer or dimmer was metering flow or whether restricting flow via ball valve was employed. Perhaps we can determine how to maximize longevity from these cheap little bastards!

First off, is Tre9er the first to experience failure of a verified working pump?

I think so, and if I am, that's not a bad success rate I guess. My thinking at this point is that possibly hop matter or something got stuck in the impeller while I was pumping through CFC, with music on and fan running, etc. and these pumps are quiet.

It still seems unlikely though because I recirc'd and had been pumping (getting close to verify pump operation) for 20 minutes at that point, so it's hard to imagine a hard chunk of hop pellet still existed...but at one point it seemed like I couldn't get flow through the pump with gravity, after it stopped, so I back-flushed it, then it would flow (not run, but liquid would flow through it using gravity).

So either it seized on it's own momentarily and burned itself up, or debris clogged the impeller. That's the down-side to low-powered pumps. If you do get something minor in there, it doesn't have the power to bust it up and keep going. These are my thoughts, anyway.

 

[mattd2]

I think so, and if I am, that's not a bad success rate I guess. My thinking at this point is that possibly hop matter or something got stuck in the impeller while I was pumping through CFC, with music on and fan running, etc. and these pumps are quiet.

It still seems unlikely though because I recirc'd and had been pumping (getting close to verify pump operation) for 20 minutes at that point, so it's hard to imagine a hard chunk of hop pellet still existed...but at one point it seemed like I couldn't get flow through the pump with gravity, after it stopped, so I back-flushed it, then it would flow (not run, but liquid would flow through it using gravity).

So either it seized on it's own momentarily and burned itself up, or debris clogged the impeller. That's the down-side to low-powered pumps. If you do get something minor in there, it doesn't have the power to bust it up and keep going. These are my thoughts, anyway.

I don't have a 12Vdc pump, just a 230Vac Iwaki knockoff. But I have notice that when I do take mine appart for a good clean there is grain/hop matter lodged around the impellor magnet. Have you taken the pump apart to see what is stuck in there. Also since they are centrifugal pumps they will still allow fluid to flow through them even with a stuck impellor.

 

[revansCAAD8]

revans- Looks like you have the Solar Pump, how many batches and how are you powering it?

Yep, bought the 8LPM/ 3meter head model. Have completed 2 test runs at temps and 1 full brew-day batch with it so far.
Powering it with the 12V 2.0A power supply from Amazon. Works BUT it comes with a very short cable (45" long)

Hope this helps,
Robert
GypsyBrew

 

[ClemsonDV]

Did they run out of the tan model. Is the black China model the same thing?

 

[tre9er]

I don't have a 12Vdc pump, just a 230Vac Iwaki knockoff. But I have notice that when I do take mine appart for a good clean there is grain/hop matter lodged around the impellor magnet. Have you taken the pump apart to see what is stuck in there. Also since they are centrifugal pumps they will still allow fluid to flow through them even with a stuck impellor.

At first no liquid flowed through it in the normal direction. I backflushed and then it would run both directions.

 

[user 144271]

Yep, bought the 8LPM/ 3meter head model. Have completed 2 test runs at temps and 1 full brew-day batch with it so far.
Powering it with the 12V 2.0A power supply from Amazon. Works BUT it comes with a very short cable (45" long)

Hope this helps,
Robert
GypsyBrew

Thanks for the link I just bought one. I figure with gas money to goodWill it can't get much cheaper

 

[sennister]

Did they run out of the tan model. Is the black China model the same thing?

From what I have seen both are available. The specs are a little different between the two. They are two different pumps but you can get either one from what I have seen.

 

[Rys06Tbss]

I decided I was going to rewire my black pump to use with the computer PSU I had laying around. I wanted to add more length to the harness coming out of the pump. I set it on my chair and walked to my tool box to grab some electrical tape and i heard a thud. Turned around and saw my pump sitting on the ground with the camlock fitting not attached anymore. I just went to the brewstore and bought a chugger. I need to brew today and dont have time to waste waiting for a new pump to come in 2 weeks. Anyhow. This little pump worked great for at least 4 brews. If anybody needs the motor, send me a PM and Ill send it to them for shipping.

 

[ianw58]

I snapped the input tube off my little tan pump before I even had chance to brew with it. I put the two pieces back together and then JB welded the outside with a few layers of epoxy over a few days. Still works great.

The break was very clean. The epoxy is no the outside, NOT inside in contact with wort. The unit gets cleaned after use by circulating PBW through for 10 minutes or so hen StarSan for a similar time.

No problems.

I'm at zip code 95648. Would love o gave your black pump if you still want to part with it and gave all the pieces!

 

[ulsh72]

FINALLY got to brew with my pump over the weekend after FINALLY building my dual 120v ebiab kettle.
It worked like a champ! No problems with the pump itself, just some minor hiccups in developing a new brew process on a new rig. In fact, at a few points I had the pump running with the my valve closed(valve mounted before the pump) and it didn't seem to hurt anything thankfully!

All in all, I am incredibly happy with it and find it a good cheap alternative to a chugger, at least for my needs...

I received my tan ebay pump yesterday. Small is an understatement. I just can't get over how tiny this thing is. I was also surprised by the material its made out of. I was expecting a regular plastic that is cheap and semi-soft feeling, like most of the goods coming from china, but the material this pump is made out of is very hard, and almost feels ceramic. It feels tough as nails, but maybe a bit brittle (again, the best I can describe is it feels like ceramic). I had doubts about connecting this in line on my ball valve on the kettle, but now I feel a little better about it.

 

[two_hearted]

Anyone know where to source the tan ebay pumps? The original seller is sold out.

 

[ulsh72]

Just search for the pump name: P-38I

Like this: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.XP-38I&_nkw=P-38I&_sacat=0&_from=R40

Anyone know where to source the tan ebay pumps? The original seller is sold out.

 

[revansCAAD8]

Anyone know where to source the tan ebay pumps? The original seller is sold out.

More expensive but shipped from the US:
http://stores.ebay.com/US-Solar-Pumps
https://www.ussolarpumps.com/pages/pumps.html

Robert

 

[DrHops]

I have one of the US Solar pumps from eBay. It works great, it has NPT threads and they are stainless steel.

 

[liquid134]

anybody running these with the input hooked straight to either your mashtun or brew kettle ball valve? im just debating if i should try n make a pump box given that ive heard multiple people say the threads break off the pump......

any thoughts?

 

[DrHops]

I also have one of the US Solar pumps from eBay with the stainless steel threads. I have it attached directly to my boil kettle, ( electric BIAB) with a ball valve directly on the output side before it goes into the tubing for the plate chiller. I works great! I don't attach it until the boil is finished, I have quick disconnects on everything it's much easier when it comes time to use it.

 

[NMSU4ever]

What about a power head pump used in fish tanks? You can submerge them. Just a thought.

 

[liquid134]

fish pumps arent food grade. nor do i think they can handle hot temperatures.

 

[brettwasbtd]

How are these pumps on handling hop pellets for recirculation during whirlpool? I think I saw someone post saying they had a beer with like 2 oz and it did ok. but what about 8+ oz in and ipa or something? I really prefer not to use a hop bag

 

[two_hearted]

How are these pumps on handling hop pellets for recirculation during whirlpool? I think I saw someone post saying they had a beer with like 2 oz and it did ok. but what about 8+ oz in and ipa or something? I really prefer not to use a hop bag

I haven't let more than 2 oz loose go through it on my whirlpool. I use a combo of hop bags and SS mesh. No issues though. I'm really happy with this pump so far.

 

[Mojzis]

I ordered one of these a few weeks ago. It came with part of the bottom broken off. I emailed the seller and they asked for pictures. I sent them pictures and they said to go get it fixed for under 10$ and send them the bill. Screw that. I told them that if it was packaged correctly we wouldn't be having this conversation. Pretty disappointed....I don't want to be a jerk to the seller but if I pay money for something I want to at least break it myself.