March or Chugger Pump?

[hammis]

Guys,

I need your advice, i need to buy a pump sometime this week (due to shipping reasons). And i can't decide between the tried and tested march 809 or the new, shiny looking, cheaper chugger pump.

Thought?

 

[ellijo89]

wow 99 dollars and free shipping. i wish i could answer this for you, because if it is a good replacement i don't think you could beat the price. Not having the stainless head really dropped the price compared to the one that did a few weeks ago on ebay. hope you get a knowledgeable answer soon.

 

[hammis]

so i went for it and bought the chugger pump, we will see what happens.....

 

[Jewrican]

that is what i would have done but i am very curious to hear you report back. I need a pump too and that looks a little better price wise

 

[pickles]

Updates??

 

[hammis]

i've got the pump, waiting for some tubing from mcmaster carr, should be here this week, hoping to test it all this week/ next weekend

 

[brettwasbtd]

subscribed

 

[hammis]

ok so my high temp silicone hose came in today, looks sweet. I haven't decided if i should just test the pump as is, or if I should get my electrical panel wired up before i test it. We will see what happens.

 

[chicagobrew]

I brewed my first batch using the chugger last weekend. I've never used a March, so I can't give a side by side comparison but I'm happy with the purchase. As I've read with the march, priming took a little getting used to but wasn't too challenging. Other than that, it was quiet, moved fluid at a reasonable rate, and did what it was supposed to do. Probably not that different from the March. The real test will be how long it lasts. No word on that yet.

 

[hammis]

thanks for the update chicagobrew. I'm trying to finish my control panel tomorrow/friday after which point my pump will be wired up and i should be able to test it out.

cheers!

 

[Grimm]

bumping this to see if there are any other updates and if anyone noticed a difference between the stainless steel pump head vs the food grade plastic? with a $20 difference in price, wondering whether the SS is that much better.

 

[azscoob]

My thoughts on the stainless head is simply that stainless is harder to strip out if it needs to be dismantled, and warpage should be non existent, not that it is much of an issue in the composite head from what I understand.

 

[jetfire6]

I have a March and a Chugger on my stand and they both work identical. If I had it to again I'd get the stainless head just because it's so pretty honestly the plastic has been fine so far

 

[JonW]

My thoughts on the stainless head is simply that stainless is harder to strip out if it needs to be dismantled, and warpage should be non existent, not that it is much of an issue in the composite head from what I understand.

Not only is it better for re-threading, but it will take a direct hit much better than the plastic ones (believe me I know). I tend to think that with the plastic heads that they are being stressed with a metal pipe fitting on them and getting smacked just right will snap it off.

I have not seen any difference in performance between the two (speaking of the heads only as all my pumps are March).

 

[Grimm]

thanks for the feedback!! much appreciated. I think I will be placing an order for a SS Chugger today.

 

[DakotaRules]

Thanks for this thread! I'm trying to decide on the chugger or the march!

 

[lanvp]

I just ordered a Chugger Pump for $79 with free shipping!!!

I already got a March pump and was planning to get another but $79 was to good of a deal to pass. Did I mentioned free shipping !

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220667100055&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Hope this helps.

Cheers!

 

[DakotaRules]

I just ordered a Chugger Pump for $79 with free shipping!!!

I already got a March pump and was planning to get another but $79 was to good of a deal to pass. Did I mentioned free shipping !

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220667100055&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Hope this helps.

Cheers!

When you get your pump will you take pictures side by side? (March X Chugger)

Thanks in advance!

 

[dogtailale]

For what it's worth my chugger is a _______ Ill never buy another.

The cord is to short( 3 FEET ) other than that its fine.
6 foot cord on the march from what I understand.

 

[Hermit]

For what it's worth my chugger is a _______ Ill never buy another.

The cord is to short( 3 FEET ) other than that its fine.
6 foot cord on the march from what I understand.

Your only complaint is the cord length?

 

[dogtailale]

Your only complaint is the cord length?

yep

I believe they have the same motor as a march It sure looks like a fasco

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/replacing-march-pump-cord-200396/

 

[Hermit]

yep

So to save $30/$40 or so on the purchase price, you wouldn't buy a $10 extension cord or move the pump three feet?

 

[lanvp]

When you get your pump will you take pictures side by side? (March X Chugger)

Thanks in advance!

Yes sir!

 

[dogtailale]

So to save $30/$40 or so on the purchase price, you wouldn't buy a $10 extension cord or move the pump three feet?

I dont like splices in any of my cords.

How do you move the pump? They are not self priming.

 

[EuBrew]

I don't like splices in my cords either, but I like having a stainless head for 109 shipped even more than I dislike splices!

 

[DakotaRules]

That shouldn't be an issue because you can always make the cord longer.

 

[ParadiseBeer]

i have used my chugger for two batches and dont see any reason to get a march. i just finished building a tool box housing w/ a weather prof switch and gfic outlet all connected by a 25foot ext cord. make sure you protect whatever you get.

 

[DakotaRules]

i have used my chugger for two batches and dont see any reason to get a march. i just finished building a tool box housing w/ a weather prof switch and gfic outlet all connected by a 25foot ext cord. make sure you protect whatever you get.

What size tool box did you use? I'm planning to do the same thing but Ive been buying individual parts to save money, not knowing the actual sizes of any pumps. I figure that i can use the tools boxes if the pump doesnt fit. Im planning on a switch to 2 outlets and then 2 steady running outlets.

Show a couple of pics of your pump housing enclosure.

 

[Grimm]

got mine in the day after ordering, shipping was super fast, the stainless threads don't look too bad, the brand logo is clear, looks better than some pictures i have seen. packaging is secure, dis-assembly instructions included,can't wait to use it!

 

[ParadiseBeer]

What size tool box did you use? I'm planning to do the same thing but Ive been buying individual parts to save money, not knowing the actual sizes of any pumps. I figure that i can use the tools boxes if the pump doesnt fit. Im planning on a switch to 2 outlets and then 2 steady running outlets.

Show a couple of pics of your pump housing enclosure.

here are my picks of my chugger in a toolbox. i picked everthing up from homedepot last night and did the entire project in 2 hours. have not tested yet, but sure it will work. i was thinking of using two switches, one controlling the pump and one controlling another two plug gfic outlet. after thinking about it for a bit, i am not sure why i would need this. if i have something else i need to shut off it will prob be a another pump. so i left mine as one switch. i took the 25foot outdoor ext cord and cut the end off, 10" and ran that out of the switch. then cut another 16" section to go between the outlet and the switch and then the end of the cord comes in the back and into the gfic plug. no need any other wireing, just a few wire end caps and some time. i cut a 2 1/4" hole on the end to put the pump head though and mounted the pump to a short pice of ipe wood. good luck and if you have any question please let me know, very easy project and with the cost of the pump worth protecting and having a nice switch next to it.

with cutting the end off the ext cord i can still use the pump w/ the reg ext end.