March or Chugger Pump?

[day_trippr]

Dont know if this will help anyone but here are the specs on two different pumps from their web sites:

http://www.marchpump.com/series-809/
March 809-PL
Max Flow 4.5 GPM
Max Head 4.3 FT
Power 0.01 HP
Electrical 115V 50/60HZ or 230V 50/60HZ
Plastic Housing
Submersible No

http://www.chuggerpumps.com/product.php?prodid=99
Chugger Model : SS INLINE BREWING PUMP
Max Flow 7 GPM 22.7 LPM
Max Head 18.6 FT 4.1 M
Power .04 HP .029 KW
Electrical 115V 50/60HZ
SS Housing
Non-Submersible
60HZ 50HZ

fwiw, I've added the pumps I use for comparison...

http://www.marchpump.com/815-pl-beer//
March 815-PL
Max Flow 7 GPM 22.7 LPM
Max Head 18.6 FT 4.1 M
Power .04 HP .029 KW
Electrical 115V 50/60HZ
Submersible: Non-Submersible
60HZ 50HZ

Cheers!

 

[Dale_3rd]

Does anybody know the duty cycle of these pumps? I'm assuming they are 100% so one could use recirculation through-out, say a 90min mash/sparge?

 

[Firebat138]

getting ready to buy one of these and need some QD and hoses... but really unsure on what to get...

If anyone has purchased this stuff, can you recommend some direct links... thanx

 

[Zamial]

I will not provide direct links but I own and use a non-stainless chugger. I LOVE it. I got my hardware and hose from bargainfittings.com (great vendor IMO)

Some things to know abouty the chugger...The poly head is ok but I think I would have perfed the SS one. When I got mine it did not work correctly and made a strange noise. I had to take off the head and the part that spins on the motors arbor was loose. A quick tightening of an allen head screw solved the issue, now it runs like a champ! I have run it for near 50 minutes straight and would not think twice about running it for hours as long as it had liquid to pump. (Running them dry is bad I hear)

Some things I recommend: hooking the female QD onto the hoses and and male ends every where else. Also get a male to hose peice. The female parts are a pain to "blow clear" without one as it will not be airtight.

Hope that helps!

 

[BargainFittings]

Good tip!

 

[day_trippr]

Does anybody know the duty cycle of these pumps? I'm assuming they are 100% so one could use recirculation through-out, say a 90min mash/sparge?

Doesn't matter which make/model, they're all the same in that respect: 100% duty cycle for as long as the impeller doesn't cavitate. If that happens they're all 0% duty cycle

Cheers!

 

[mikelikesit2000]

Should be getting my 2 SS chuggers on Thursday. I'm very ex iterative.

 

[TomRep]

Why is it easier to have the female QD's on the hoses? I've never used them yet, but am going to have all camlocks on my new rig. I installed the female ends on the kettles and was going to use the males on the hoses. A buddy of mine told me to switch it as well. So, those of you that have experience with camlocks, why have the females on the hoses? Thanks!
Tom

 

[DakotaRules]

Why is it easier to have the female QD's on the hoses? I've never used them yet, but am going to have all camlocks on my new rig. I installed the female ends on the kettles and was going to use the males on the hoses. A buddy of mine told me to switch it as well. So, those of you that have experience with camlocks, why have the females on the hoses? Thanks!
Tom

For me it's easier to lock and unlock the fittings. Hands are locking away from heat sources and potential burns.

 

[DakotaRules]

I buy from bargain fittings and KegCowboy. Both are great to deal with and have great CS.

 

[DakotaRules]

I have a stainless Chugger and I love it. I'm at least 10 brew sessions into the chigger and no issues. I'm going to get a second to add to my single tier, I'm going to start soon.

 

[dutchoven]

Why is it easier to have the female QD's on the hoses? I've never used them yet, but am going to have all camlocks on my new rig. I installed the female ends on the kettles and was going to use the males on the hoses. A buddy of mine told me to switch it as well. So, those of you that have experience with camlocks, why have the females on the hoses? Thanks!
Tom

The female QDs are more expensive ... depending on your system, its cheaper to buy four females for two hoses than upwards of five to ten for all of the drains, whirlpool fittings, HERMS coils, pumps, chillers, etc.

Plus having the female QDs on your hoses adds a little protection to the sealing surface of the QD ... the sealing surface of the male QDs are exposed and can be easily damaged if a hose is dropped.

 

[Dale_3rd]

I have the chugger ss version and really like it so far. I put the female ends on the hoses for the above stated reasons too; also easier to clean them being on the hoses instead of everything else.

 

[day_trippr]

For me it's easier to lock and unlock the fittings. Hands are locking away from heat sources and potential burns.

+1 Followed the prevailing advice on this and glad I did...

Cheers!

 

[Wayne1]

Why is it easier to have the female QD's on the hoses? I've never used them yet, but am going to have all camlocks on my new rig. I installed the female ends on the kettles and was going to use the males on the hoses. A buddy of mine told me to switch it as well. So, those of you that have experience with camlocks, why have the females on the hoses? Thanks!
Tom

I have always had the female fitting on the hoses. As was mentioned, you are going to drop a hose at some time. With the female end, there is protection. The heat factor will also enter into it. If you are direct heating your kettle, everything will become VERY hot. Even with brewers gloves on, it will be hard to prevent burns trying to lock the cams if they are at the temp of boiling wort.

Here is a shot of my rig with lots of CamLocks.

 

[jayrodoh]

I'm still using the same chugger I posted about on here about a year ago. Two sessions a month, runs constantly during filling, mashing (90 min) and sparging and have had zero motor issues. We did a marathon brew day of three batches, I don't think the pump got a break all day.

I've replaced the plastic washer a few times and had to clean the shaft that the impeller spins on but other than that it's been maintenance free.

When it dies I have a spare new pump and head.

 

[castermmt]

I have an update on service from Chugger pumps. I e mailed them asking for a source for spares (I'm a maintenance mechanic by trade and love to have spare parts on hand) and they responded the very next day. They were able to provide the spares I requested and were delivered to my doorstep in just two days.

Great Service and response, I would differently buy from them again. Castermmt

Note: they are currently out of the Chugger pumps at this time. This is not a promotion, I'm Just commenting on my great experience that I had.

 

[jmkratt]

I have two Chuggers currently and they repeatedly fail if 1) the power cord isn't plugged directly in the wall (extension cords won't work) or 2) they get too hot.

Is there anyone out there that has experience with both Chuggers and March pumps that could say whether this is specific to Chuggers? Two batches in a row with serious problems at critical times. I am beyond frustrated and if I need to spend more for March's that actually work I don't care at all. Chugger's customer service at the start was phenomenal but the repeated fails are a serious concern. I'll pay $300 for two new pumps as long as they work.

 

[mattd2]

I have two Chuggers currently and they repeatedly fail if 1) the power cord isn't plugged directly in the wall (extension cords won't work) or 2) they get too hot.

Is there anyone out there that has experience with both Chuggers and March pumps that could say whether this is specific to Chuggers? Two batches in a row with serious problems at critical times. I am beyond frustrated and if I need to spend more for March's that actually work I don't care at all. Chugger's customer service at the start was phenomenal but the repeated fails are a serious concern. I'll pay $300 for two new pumps as long as they work.

Both sound like a voltage issue - what is the voltage at the plug in the wall. If it is way below the nominal 110V then adding a extension cord would drop the voltage seen by the pump even more + at a lower voltage the pump will draw more current and get hotter. Possibly tripping the thermal protection. I'm guessing they just stop working and then after a while they start up fine again?

 

[DaleHair]

Sounds like a voltage issue, you may need a heavier gauge or shorter extension cord. It also may be the wires on the receptacle are not making a good connection.

 

[jmkratt]

Both sound like a voltage issue - what is the voltage at the plug in the wall. If it is way below the nominal 110V then adding a extension cord would drop the voltage seen by the pump even more + at a lower voltage the pump will draw more current and get hotter. Possibly tripping the thermal protection. I'm guessing they just stop working and then after a while they start up fine again?

Sounds like a voltage issue, you may need a heavier gauge or shorter extension cord. It also may be the wires on the receptacle are not making a good connection.

Thanks guys. One pump worked in the garage a year before failing. The other just never worked. Chugger suggested a smaller extension cord, 6'. It works on the side of the house but not in the garage, where it worked for well over a year. Maybe it's my setup? I just don't understand how it would work fine for so long and then fail. It failed outside too, but started working after I put a fan on it. It's 98* outside which is 20* hotter than the garage but again it won't work in that outlet any more...?

 

[DaleHair]

I would check the outlet. I find loose wires on outlets quite a lot, especially if thay are stab lock which relies on a spring type connection.

 

[day_trippr]

I would check the outlet. I find loose wires on outlets quite a lot, especially if thay are stab lock which relies on a spring type connection.

Yup. And that's another invention on my "Should Never Have Been Allowed" sh!t list...

Cheers!

 

[DaleHair]

If you check the voltage at the outlet you may get 120v, but if the wires are not tight the voltage would drop under a load.

 

[Bobby_M]

How old is the receptacle in the garage? Does it feel worn out and loose when you plug in? I would pull the receptacle out of the box and see if the wires are jammed into the back holes or if they are properly wrapped around the side screws (and tight).

 

[fpweeks]

I have a March and a Chugger. The last three brew days my march has seized up.....so ive had to pull the head off, pull the impeller.....put it back together......and voila. Back working again.

No problems with my chugger.

 

[drunkenmonk]

Go with a Chugger or upgrade your March with a Chugger head. Chugger head is stainless steel, has bigger impeller (easier to prime and higher flow rate) and has Teflon bushings (less likely to get stuck).

 

[DaleHair]

It could also be a loose connection on another outlet on the same circuit or on the breaker.

 

[Bobby_M]

That's a great point. Best to kill the breaker and find all the dead outlets. Start opening them all up to be sure all the connections are on the screw and tight.

 

[fermentednonsense]

I have a Chugger with the Stainless Steel head, and have to say that I LOVE it. I'm actually thinking of getting another one to add to my brew system.