Cheap compact wort pump

[lustreking]

I only got around 60 pages into this thread so far, but I was wondering if the following is the same as in the original post.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Solar-12V-D...608?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19f7c4d9f8

The pictures look the same, and the specs seem the same, and it's a couple bucks cheaper.

Anybody know?

 

[Slow_Day]

I only got around 60 pages into this thread so far, but I was wondering if the following is the same as in the original post.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Solar-12V-D...608?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19f7c4d9f8



The pictures look the same, and the specs seem the same, and it's a couple bucks cheaper.



Anybody know?

Yep. Looks like it. That may be a photo of the 24V version though. Augie posted some good links and info just a few pages back that are worth looking at.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showpost.php?p=6660853

 

[lustreking]

Yep. Looks like it. That may be a photo of the 24V version though. Augie posted some good links and info just a few pages back that are worth looking at.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showpost.php?p=6660853

Thanks! I just ordered it.

 

[Weezy]

You know, this thread is far from useful anymore. I'd like to suggest that you guys in the know work on a cohesive commentary and make a new post with what works, what doesn't, what to look for when shopping, etc.

 

[mattd2]

You know, this thread is far from useful anymore. I'd like to suggest that you guys in the know work on a cohesive commentary and make a new post with what works, what doesn't, what to look for when shopping, etc.

And the send it to TX for an article

 

[Slow_Day]

If it can't be a group effort, I would like to see Augiedoggy submit an article. He appears to have done the most research on this thread, even though others have taken issue with some of his conclusions.

It would be valuable to have all if all of his comments and links in one place. Then everyone can continue the discussion in the comments.

 

[KPSquared]

A sticky or article would be cool. Long term results as well. I know several people have abandoned these pumps after a while or they break. Buy more than a couple and the chugger starts to look good..

 

[augiedoggy]

I dropped and broke one last week but besides that I still have all the other 5 pumps in good working order... I think the key is correct voltage and amperage as well as good filtering to prevent the pumps from sucking in grain. thats and not running them dry.
I know for me they work better with my system since I use three which stay connected inline during my whole brewing process since I dont disconnect or move any hoses during my brew process.

 

[mascervesa]

I just ordered 2 more black pumps and one tan pump since my last black pump stop working correctly. The first pump I bought one used to pump fine for about 3 brewdays, and then it started "surging", then stopping. It would only pump water about 6 inches up the line, drop back down, and then continue this repeating about every 2 seconds. Now the new pumps I ordered are doing exactly the same thing, all 3 of them? Anyone have this problem? I have the pump primed with gravity fed water.

 

[AnOldUR]

Silly question, but did you take them apart and clean them?

 

[mascervesa]

I did for the first pump, but I wouldn't think I would need to for the 3 brand new pumps. Maybe I will when I get home from work. If that doesn't work, I'm chucking these and buying another Chugger, I've already spent about $80 on non-working Chinese pumps.

 

[wbarber69]

You may have a bad power supply

 

[mascervesa]

You may have a bad power supply

Thanks barber, that might be the problem. I was so upset that this happened right before my sparge on brewday that I almost threw the pump at my block wall before even troubleshooting other possibilities.

 

[wbarber69]

You mentioned that you have multiple pumps. I think the black ones need at least 2 amps. I could be wrong. But if you're running multiple pumps on one supply you may be overloading it. The cycling is probably the pwm trying to rectify the voltage issue. Or it's just capping out and dying over and over again. Always start at the power when troubleshooting.

 

[mascervesa]

Yes it was the power supply. I wasn't running multiple pumps at the same time, but the 2 amp power supply was cycling for some reason as you suggested. I figured if it died, I would have no response from the pump at all, therefore I blamed the pumps. Thanks for the help.

 

[wbarber69]

There's probably a blown capacitor in it.

 

[Slow_Day]

Just received my 24v tan pump and pwm controller.

Do I need to ensure the DC polarity is wired correctly? There is a red and a black wire. I assume black is negative. Correct?

My Riorand pwm controller has 2 sets of terminals. The first set is labeled +-, the other labeled (something obscured)1, (something obscured)2. I'm guessing the +- is the input, the 1,2 is the output (motor).

Any machine builders out there want to help educate me a bit?
View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1424638546.516233.jpg

 

[augiedoggy]

Do you have a meter to check for continuity? Yes the + is always red/ positive with DC ... most of these pwm controllers actually control the negative side by pulsing the voltage. The + and - are likely the power input side. You can test with meter

 

[Slow_Day]

Do you have a meter to check for continuity?

Not yet, but will be getting a cheap one (on line recommendation?). These builds are starting to get more common for me, and are pretty fun.

I saw one comment that the motor side terminals were labeled M1, M2. How would you verify with the meter?

Btw augie, I found this controller via one of your suggestions in another post. Thanks. View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1424644831.547978.jpg

 

[wbarber69]

Using a continuity tester to find ground. It should be common throughout. Then by process of elimination you can imagine which terminal is positive

 

[augiedoggy]

Not yet, but will be getting a cheap one (on line recommendation?). These builds are starting to get more common for me, and are pretty fun.

I saw one comment that the motor side terminals were labeled M1, M2. How would you verify with the meter?

Btw augie, I found this controller via one of your suggestions in another post. Thanks. View attachment 258627

its very similar to the ones I have used but not exactly the same... That said I may have suggested it for this reason.

Honestly You don't need the meter... just use the + and - for the input and either trace the leads on the board from the positives side to the lead on the output or just guess.. the pump will either work or not work if wired backwards but it wont damage anything... I have done it myself twice when wiring my pump cords.

You can use a meter two ways here that im aware of.... either test for continuity from the + input to the each output to find it and that will tell you which is which or just turn up the pwm controller all the way and put your meter leads on the output terminals . It they are placed correctly you'll see a +12 or 24V depending on which you have and if they are backwards you will see a _12 or 24v...

 

[Slow_Day]

Cool. Thanks guys.

 

[augiedoggy]

BTW if you read this thread you will find that most who complained of problems with these pumps and bothered to actually check and report back have admitted that the power supply was the issue... some used ones that weren't rated for enough amps and some used a lower voltage than speced... And then theres the possibility that the supply can just fail which is not uncommon (especially from bad caps as wbarber mentioned) There are also many cases where the pump was dryfired of jammed with grain...
I can only speak for myself but with proper power and prefiltering of the wort this has not been an issue at all for me in over 40 brew sessions with these pumps.

I did have one pump that froze up twice on me and when I pulled it apart I found the shaft bushing seemed to be molded too large and the fit was too tight..
I actually took that part from the pump I dropped and broke and swapped them and I have not had the issue occur since.

 

[Slow_Day]

BTW if you read this thread you will find that most who complained of problems with these pumps and bothered to actually check and report back have admitted that the power supply was the issue... some used ones that weren't rated for enough amps and some used a lower voltage than speced...

I plan on using this power supply. 24v, 2A. Should be enough to power 2 pumps at once if needed. Once I prove this out, I will probably buy a couple more pumps. One to use, and another for backup.
View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1424658700.791184.jpg

 

[augiedoggy]

I plan on using this power supply. 24v, 2A. Should be enough to power 2 pumps at once if needed. Once I prove this out, I will probably buy a couple more pumps. One to use, and another for backup.
View attachment 258704

They sell pwm controllers that have the powerports your powersupply uses soldered directly to the pwm boards...I use one for my homemade yeast stirplate...
the ones you have will eork fine as well its just they need to be hardwired without additional hardware added..

 

[Slow_Day]

They sell pwm controllers that have the powerports your powersupply uses soldered directly to the pwm boards...

Didn't see one of those. That would have been clean.

My plan is to put one of these on the box containing the pwm.
View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1424699894.635038.jpg

 

[augiedoggy]

Didn't see one of those. That would have been clean.

My plan is to put one of these on the box containing the pwm.
View attachment 258759

that will work well too

 

[dstauth]

Thanks for all the info on this thread. I recently bought a 24v solar pump and AC adapter off ebay along with the PWM speed controller and power button. Used it this past weekend and it worked like a charm. I thought at one point the pump had failed but I soon found out my hop bag was clogging the intake on the kettle (woops). Hopefully I didn't damage the pump. At $18, if I ever do burn up the pump, a replacement won't break the bank. Still making some adjustments but here are a couple picks of the current setup.

 

[Brewitt]

Thanks for all the info on this thread. I recently bought a 24v solar pump and AC adapter off ebay along with the PWM speed controller and power button. Used it this past weekend and it worked like a charm. I thought at one point the pump had failed but I soon found out my hop bag was clogging the intake on the kettle (woops). Hopefully I didn't damage the pump. At $18, if I ever do burn up the pump, a replacement won't break the bank. Still making some adjustments but here are a couple picks of the current setup.

Great minds....or is it week minds in this case? I had exactly the same problem with my hop bag on my last brew which frustrated me for about 10 min. Short time but really frustrating. All turned out well in the end.

 

[augiedoggy]

Thanks for all the info on this thread. I recently bought a 24v solar pump and AC adapter off ebay along with the PWM speed controller and power button. Used it this past weekend and it worked like a charm. I thought at one point the pump had failed but I soon found out my hop bag was clogging the intake on the kettle (woops). Hopefully I didn't damage the pump. At $18, if I ever do burn up the pump, a replacement won't break the bank. Still making some adjustments but here are a couple picks of the current setup.

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)