Explain something to me about March pumps please.

[jaobrien6]

So right now, I don't do any pumping of anything, and i've been doing some reading to learn what's what. One thing that confuses me is that the march pumps can't be run dry. So when you start pumping, i get that, you gravity prime it. However, what about when you're done pumping? I'm especially thinking about using it to pump out your mash/sparge water. You can't see when the liquid is going to run out, because of the grain bed, so how do you know when to stop pumping? Right now, I stop when the liquid stops flowing. If I'm pumping, though, and I wait for the liquid to run out, won't that damage the pump 'cause I'm now running it dry?

 

[boo boo]

Not speaking from experience, but as I understand it, if you don't run it for a prolonged peroid of time, you should be OK. If you stop the pump when it starts to run dry ( you should hear the sound/pitch of the pump change ) there will still be enough lubricating water/liquid left in there to stop any harm from comming to the pump.

 

[pickles]

Even after setting for a few months without running my pumps still have a bit of water in them. Just dont run them bone dry for any length of time.

 

[willynilly]

"Dry" means BONE dry.

The pump uses the medium you are pumping for lubrication. As long as the impeller is "wet" it is lubed. They remain wet long after your brew session is over.

This is from experience, dont fear it.

 

[jaobrien6]

Ok, cool. Thanks guys, that makes sense.

 

[willynilly]

I would recommend the Little Giant pumps over the March any day though. Much nicer pump. The model 3-MD-HC are great for brewing.

 

[MrH]

Yet another reason to get a Little Giant 3-MD-HC. They're rated for up to 8 hours dry running. I've run mine dry plenty of times and it's still running strong after 15 years...


MrH

 

[willynilly]

They prime much easier than that March and have 2x the flow. They are spectacular.

 

[BrewBeemer]

Yet another reason to get a Little Giant 3-MD-HC. They're rated for up to 8 hours dry running. I've run mine dry plenty of times and it's still running strong after 15 years...


MrH

Just because March pumps are the only pumps available at your LHBS plus posted on many forums people believe this is the only pump that will work for home brewers. A bunch of sheep paying good money just to own a March pump. Open your eyes and expand the mind to alternative pump options, LG is a hands down winner in hp, flow as well a ball bearing vs a cheaper bushing motor. I see member MrH your running a LG pump for 15 years, i'm running one just past 3 years now at 24/7, I bet in total hours i'm running many more hours at 3 vs your 15 years brewing. This plus 100% trouble free, granted i've been inside it cleaning off algae once ot twice a year. At over 27,500 hours running time i'm quite happy with it no problems yet. The best deal was pulling off selling my two march pumps with one only used for less than 2 minutes, sold both for what I paid for them, lesson learned. Like electric element heating, back in 77 my journeyman friend was a homebrewer that had elements heating his brewery years before we became brewing friends. Nothing new just used all manual control switching and relays from job site dumpsters.

 

[lustreking]

Just because March pumps are the only pumps available at your LHBS plus posted on many forums people believe this is the only pump that will work for home brewers.

I think we know that the March 809 isn't the only pump that's suitable for brewing, but it is the least expensive suitable pump.

 

[BrewBeemer]

I think we know that the March 809 isn't the only pump that's suitable for brewing, but it is the least expensive suitable pump.

The tradeoff for saving a little money on a pump that disappointed me right off the bat the first time I plugged it in and saw the lack of flow and lift I needed. I felt like a sap or sucker for thinking I must have a March pump i'm just guilty. Live and learn. It was well worth it for me I dumped my new March pumps within 3 days of delivery. I never looked back as I have piece of mind for what, the cost of four 6 packs of store bought stouts in extra costs for pumps that work for my application? It's not a nornal simple keggle to keggle system needing a 1/25 or 1/12 HP March pump.

 

[lustreking]

That's great that you found a pump that you like, but it's not really nice to insult everyone that doesn't have a pump just like yours.

 

[BrewBeemer]

That's great that you found a pump that you like, but it's not really nice to insult everyone that doesn't have a pump just like yours.

Back it up there bro, I mentioned it the aka March pump was so great from years of postings about it I got sucked into purchasing two myself that didn't work for my needs, if it works for you and your brewing rigs needs go for it and be happy. No insults those are your words besides there are many other postings and replies from members on this forum that are highly displeased with the lack of performance of their March pumps also. I'm not the first, last or only one. I call it a learning curve for not doing my own homework. Those March performance specs are at the pump for maximum flow numbers to make a product sell. I learned this out myself the hard way. The lucky thing I sold them without losing a penny. Cheers try again, you the new Pol Jr. now? LMAO.

 

[lustreking]

A bunch of sheep paying good money just to own a March pump.

I'm just sayin' it's not very nice to insult people.

I agree that the Little Giant pump is a better pump. However, for most people, the 809 works just fine at $100 less. It's not a better pump, but it is a better value.

 

[BrewBeemer]

I'm just sayin' it's not very nice to insult people.

I agree that the Little Giant pump is a better pump. However, for most people, the 809 works just fine at $100 less. It's not a better pump, but it is a better value.

This is not ment as an insult just that many members responded like sheep and purchased what was the only pump avaiable or offered to them, this happens to be a March pump to many hombrewers. I don't care it it costs only $40 it's not a "better value" if it does not perforum to the job it's required to do it's still a totally useless pump, can't put a "better value" on something that fails on the performance or output. Plan and simple. End of discussion!

 

[willynilly]

Yah, some of your responses seem like nothing more than an excuse to jab at people, and put yourself on some pedestal. Your gallery looks like vapor, show us what you have been working on, inquiring minds want to know. Maybe we can learn something from photos and details of your brewery.

The March doesnt fail at what it is meant to do, it is just different than the LG. Both do the job, they are different, and it is cool to inform people of the differences, but insults are not really necessary.

 

[Lonnie Mac]

it's still a totally useless pump

Actually, let me be the first in this thread to simply call BS.

I have had the LG's running my reef tanks for dang near half my life now. Dang nice pumps they are I'll say, but to imply that the March sucks for brewing shows me you are using it wrong.

 

[willynilly]

Actually, let me be the first in this thread to simply call BS.

I have had the LG's running my reef tanks for dang near half my life now. Dang nice pumps they are I'll say, but to imply that the March sucks for brewing shows me you are using it wrong.

BINGO... they are excellent pumps and pump much faster than necessary in most brewing applications. They prime pretty easy if you know what you are doing, and will probably never fail in a home brewery, ever.

I like the LG... but like Lonnie said... But Lonnie you were second to call BS

 

[ReeseAllen]

Your gallery looks like vapor, show us what you have been working on

Chuckling a bit to myself at a guy who joined HBT a couple weeks ago acting like a big man towards a member who's been around for four years...

 

[willynilly]

Chuckling a bit to myself at a guy who joined HBT a couple weeks ago acting like a big man towards a member who's been around for four years...

So there is seniority here on HBT?

 

[ReeseAllen]

At my job, if a guy who just got hired last month starts to criticize someone who's been around for a few years right off the bat, we all have a chuckle, if only because we like to see a new guy with some backbone

 

[Lonnie Mac]

Here's my point... Unless you are trying to blast your wort through 50' of 5/8" garden hose or something (I don't know what the deal is really), the March works perfectly for brewing applications. Jebus, most, including me, can chill down an 11 gallon batch from boil to 65 in about 10-15 minutes. Any more flow rate than that is useless. It does it's job very well.

 

[Lonnie Mac]

At my job, if a guy who just got hired last month starts to criticize someone who's been around for a few years right off the bat, we all have a chuckle, if only because we like to see a new guy with some backbone

Ha!

I have a kid in the Marines older than you... I am that old man starring at you at work saying to himself, yea buster! One day you will be me!

 

[ReeseAllen]

I surmise that BrewBeemer's point is that the March shouldn't be held up as the supreme peak ultimate triumph of pump technology for homebrewers. March pumps work fine for typical brewing applications for ordinary folks who just need something to get the job done. But if you want to hold up a particular pump as the golden standard for extreme high quality, then there are other much better products available on the market...if you're willing to pay for that quality.

 

[Lonnie Mac]

I surmise that BrewBeemer's point is that the March shouldn't be held up as the supreme peak ultimate triumph of pump technology for homebrewers. March pumps work fine for typical brewing applications for ordinary folks who just need something to get the job done. But if you want to hold up a particular pump as the golden standard for extreme high quality, then there are other much better products available on the market...if you're willing to pay for that quality.

I would agree with this analogy, except it's like a beamer owner bitching at a VW beetle in heavy traffic when they are both going the exact same speed.

 

[ReeseAllen]

I would agree with this analogy, except it's like a beamer owner bitching at a VW beetle in heavy traffic when they are both going the exact same speed.

It's all German, anyway!

 

[lacykay]

brewbeemer is just saying hes owned both and thinks the lg is better. ive also owned both and wouldnt trade one of my lgs for 2 marchs. it is a better pump in every way(i got mine on ebay for 110) im pretty sure thats all he was trying to say. im not saying the marchs dont work but lg wins in every category imo.

 

[olllllo]

brewbeemer is just saying hes owned both and thinks the lg is better

That and alot of condescending subtext.

brewbeemer, the March pump is a well known pump, the LG not so much. Why not post some useful links instead of admonishing people for not being as informed as you.

Everyone else, stick to facts and knock off the drama.

 

[BrewBeemer]

Yah, some of your responses seem like nothing more than an excuse to jab at people, and put yourself on some pedestal. Your gallery looks like vapor, show us what you have been working on, inquiring minds want to know. Maybe we can learn something from photos and details of your brewery.

The March doesnt fail at what it is meant to do, it is just different than the LG. Both do the job, they are different, and it is cool to inform people of the differences, but insults are not really necessary.

True you are the March pump is a good pump in my case with too much head pressure, hard pipe lengths with tight 90 degree fittings plus lifting over 5' vs the specs on it they failed me. Times two as I got a deal on buying two. I was lucky as my friend was in the market for pumps so it was a no money loss deal. My kegs were not normal like twice as tall this was the biggest problem, needed a more powerful pump.

I must add my last brewery build as well the next were kegs cut and welded for 25.5 gallons before the top radius curved inwards, add to this 10 inches off a pony keg bottom and it's skirt welded to the bottom. These were rather tall converted kegs. Much taller than the March pump could handle. This included the IC restriction problem as I had 60' of 1/2" copper not adding the silicone lines it all added up to very low flow from a March pump. I was pissed after reading their performance specs, didn't allow for all the tubing and hose frictional losses, every 90 degree fitting kills flow big time. I borrowed a LG from a friend and bingo instantly I wanted two of them. At this time I had a big offer for my complete rig with my new LG pumps thinking another better build is next. Job back injury then started with spinal surgeries. Builds on ice. I borrowed my friends LG pump it became an emergency for the Koi pond while i'm disabled hell its still running 24/7 like I posted above. I'm very impressed with the LG running this long, kind of a super test. If I could walk without this damn walker looking like someone in a rest home at age 98 I would gladly start my next build and post pictures. Lifes at total standstill after two surgeries and recoveries with more in my future. Check my hours on this forum, about 20 hours a day, walker or computer, pain pills or in bed. The real pisser I have the power tools in the shop and 9 motorcycles I was active. Put me into SSD.
Maybe i'm rude or opinionated I say what's on my mind no punches it's just me. You would too being a frustrated cripple at only 57 the past 5 years not showing much back surgery progress just pain 24/7. So i'm collecting slowly items for the next build. Done dribbling on myself take care all.

 

[MrH]

When I built my RIMS rig in '94, there wasn't a whole lot of info on pumps, nor was there much of an internet to search. There was just the HBD and catalogs. Back then it came down to the March and the LG. There was another that I can't think of now, but it didn't have spec's as good as the others. I spent a lot of time looking at data sheets for both and finally decided on the LG and I'm glad I did.

Quite a few people were choosing the March, partly because of cost, but also because it was rated for 212F, where the LG was rated to 200F. I know that was my biggest concern at the time, but I was able to get reliable advise to take those ratings with a grain of salt (at least for homebrewing application). I see this data sheet gospel all the time, in all sorts of areas (computers, A/V hifi, etc.) I think we all want the best we can get for the money we're willing to spend.

Lonnie has a point about the March being adequate, but I don't agree that the LG is overkill. I like having the flexibility to mount my pump just about anywhere on my rig I want without worrying about head pressure. My current (re)design pushes my recirc through a lot more fittings/tubing/pipe than my old setup, and from my experience with March pumps, I don't think one of those would be able to handle it. I applaud Lonnie for his ingeniously simple design that is easily serviced by lower powered pumps. But I've also seen discussions around flow problems that wouldn't be problems with a more capable pump.

The original question posed by the OP was about concern over running a magnetically coupled pump dry. That's a legitimate concern, and was one of the factors I considered when buying my LG. At the time, I remember specifically that the March had a big bold warning to not let it run dry, where the LG said it could run up to 8 hours dry. I don't know what the March pumps say now.


MrH