New Replacement for March Pump

[tt314]

Having just looked closely at photos of the innards of these pumps I see that there is a clear path both ways through the housing. The impeller doesn’t per say force the fluid motion, it just encourages it with a strong swirl.

Knowing this I will have to make sure all vessel to vessel transfer outlet and inlet pairs are at the same height. xxxxxxxxxxx Nope, that won't work. Head pressure will be present whenever one vessel has more fluid than the other. A solution could be outlets always above the high-water line. Then I fear hot side aeration. I guess I really do need more valves, and have the presence of mind to turn them off when not using their accompanying pumps.

Places where there are T's in the fluidics diagram there will always also have to be check valves to prevent back flows. Can anyone point me to examples of check valves in documented builds here on HBT?

I am designing 3 pumps into my fluidics, each with a 3 way valve on the output. Any other builds like this anyone can point me to?

Tim

 

[Catt22]

I am designing 3 pumps into my fluidics, each with a 3 way valve on the output. Any other builds like this anyone can point me to?

Tim

"The impeller doesn’t per say force the fluid motion, it just encourages it with a strong swirl."


That's why they are called centrifugal pumps. The impeller "slings" the liquid outward (and out the outlet) from the center by spinning it. This creates negative pressure at the center drawing in more liquid to replace that which exits.

"Nope, that won't work. Head pressure will be present whenever one vessel has more fluid than the other. "

That's correct. Static head (pressure) is a function of the depth of the liquid independent of the relative position of the inlets/outlets.

"A solution could be outlets always above the high-water line. Then I fear hot side aeration. "

IMO, the threat of HSA is over-rated, but you are right in that needless splashing should be avoided as much as possible.

"Knowing this I will have to make sure all vessel to vessel transfer outlet and inlet pairs are at the same height. xxxxxxxxxxx I guess I really do need more valves, and have the presence of mind to turn them off when not using their accompanying pumps."

No, you're getting off the beam here. This goes back to the thing about the fluid depth, not the relative position of the inlets/outlets. Yes, presence of mind is nearly always a good thing to have. Much the same as valves in this instance.

"Places where there are T's in the fluidics diagram there will always also have to be check valves to prevent back flows. Can anyone point me to examples of check valves in documented builds here on HBT?"

Stolen from Wikipedia. "Fluidics or Fluidic logic is the use of a fluid or compressible medium to perform analog or digital operations similar to those performed with electronics." Is this what you are trying to do? Sounds like brewing the hard way to me.

I've not seen check valves used in documented or undocumented builds here on HBT, but someone has probably done it. The problem I see with check valves is their susceptibility to getting clogged with particulates and they would likely inhibit the flow rate to some degree. Seems like it would be unnecessarily adding complexity to a system with little to gain. Don't get me wrong. I like gadgets as much as the next guy, but sometimes the KISS approach is the better way to go.

Post some pics of whatever you build and let us know how it performs.

 

[BrewBeemer]

Twisted around but not "swirled"?
Sorry i'm busting up best laugh in 6 weeks, no offense.

 

[Catt22]

No Carl. It's shaken, not stirred. You know that!

 

[BrewBeemer]

I missed that one, lost my hearing with all my concentration glued to Ursula Andress.
Now "squeal like a pig",
Sorry couldn't resist

 

[JonW]

I am designing 3 pumps into my fluidics, each with a 3 way valve on the output. Any other builds like this anyone can point me to?

Tim

Here's a link to my build with 3 pumps.
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/single-tier-3-pump-bcs-462-automated-rig-204705/

I use 2, 2-way valves on each pump instead of a 3 way valve.

If you put your return higher than the output, you'll have no issues with fluid flowing back through the pump. On the inside of the kettle, use a hose to put your return below the liquid level (for no aeration).

 

[mattd2]

On the inside of the kettle, use a hose to put your return below the liquid level (for no aeration).

Pretty sure if you put a dropper tube under the liquid level you will still get a syphon back through the pump due to different heads.

 

[GC89]

Theses pumps were looking almost too good to be true, especially considering the seemingly great customer service but at this point Im really not impressed. Communication or attitude wise, Oh well back on the market for a little giant.

 

[oregonparamedic]

Just ordered mine. One step closer to the new brewery!

 

[klyph]

Theses pumps were looking almost too good to be true, especially considering the seemingly great customer service but at this point Im really not impressed. Communication or attitude wise, Oh well back on the market for a little giant.

Mike was awesome to deal with IMO. Who were you dealing with?

 

[tjferris]

Mike was awesome to deal with IMO. Who were you dealing with?

I agree, Mike answered my questions via email Almost imediately. The pumps shipped within Hours of ordering and they arrived very quick in great packaging. I'm not sure what else I could ask for! I think it was great customer service.

 

[Bobby_M]

Theses pumps were looking almost too good to be true, especially considering the seemingly great customer service but at this point Im really not impressed. Communication or attitude wise, Oh well back on the market for a little giant.

Were you expecting a free reach-around with every order?

 

[klyph]

Were you expecting a free reach-around with every order?

I bet you're the kind of guy that would give away a free pump and not even have the ******* common courtesy to give him a reach-around. I'll be watching you.

 

[GC89]

LoL at this^

Im glad you guys are happy with your experiences and hope the pumps work well for you. I just had trouble getting any further response or info after one reply from them and its enough to sway me back to looking for a little giant.

 

[Bobby_M]

As far as I can tell, it's a relatively small startup operation and all this buzz likely has Mike overwhelmed. I run brewhardware by myself also and sometimes I miss emails too. Did you see that little blurb in BYO on gifts under $25? Yeah, that put me in the garage packing orders for hours but at the same time took me away from answering emails.

 

[klyph]

After the pump giveaway, I'm sure he got swamped. By the time he got me the tracking number it had already arrived. I hope his business is booming, he's obviously a generous guy who is giving homebrewers a great deal on a quality product.

 

[aceuass]

After the pump giveaway, I'm sure he got swamped. By the time he got me the tracking number it had already arrived. I hope his business is booming, he's obviously a generous guy who is giving homebrewers a great deal on a quality product.

I cant thank him enough, sent me a ss head after I got the plastic one
Cheers
paul

 

[BrewBeemer]

I cant thank him enough, sent me a ss head after I got the plastic one
Cheers
paul

DANG! In this day and age with a screwed up economy it's great to run across a person and company that extends an offer like these pumps plus now backed up with upgrades, plastic to stainless.
This alone I hope his pumps have a great success among us brewers, I for damn sure will order my next SS pump thru him.
I'm a proud owner of the Chugger pump giveaway. Cheers to Chugger.

 

[DakotaRules]

I have to say thank you to Mike for the upgraded SS head. I purchased a regular plastic head and he upgraded me for free. I have to say that makes me a pretty happy camper and I will definitely be buying another pump from him in the future.

 

[Sawdustguy]

Theses pumps were looking almost too good to be true, especially considering the seemingly great customer service but at this point Im really not impressed. Communication or attitude wise, Oh well back on the market for a little giant.

Based on the comments of the past few posters, if I were in the market for a pump I think I would have a hard time buying from anybody but Chugger.

 

[Kegwizard]

some people are rediculous they think running a company is easy then they get ONE email not answered and they cry about how there company has HORRIBLE customer service and would never order from them. i help my freind run are lhbs and we deal with tis all the time. you miss one email and all the sudden you have them writing bad reviews online cause they have to TELL EVERYONE that OMG they didnt anwer my E mail! what could you possiblt have had to ask him that was so important not even owning a pump that now you wont buy a chugger? they guy gave away free pumps and has a list of possitive people a mile long raging about how nice he is and how there customer service is great. and are NOW using the pump with no problems.

BTW i love my chugger!

 

[GC89]

I never said that this was a horrible company nor did I attack mikes character in any way. I simply stated my experience. Last I checked every person on this site was entitled to their own opinion, me included. Besides what good is any bit of information if the positive is all that is published. FYI I already do own pumps I am just looking to pick up a few more. Also I was not unimpressed just because I did not receive a reply to an email. After not receiving a reply to multiple messages after a few days I learned that my father saw the pumps and sent him an email and received a reply in under an hour in the same period of time. I did not post a long speech about how this is a bad company and no one should buy from them. I too own a small business and know it is hard to stay on top of things when you get swamped. Missing or not replying to an email = life as a small business owner. Choosing not to respond to customers = poor customer service IMO. I don’t want a pissing match with anybody on here and wish all of you the best with your pumps as well as mike with his business, but I should have known it was bound to happen. So lets get back to brewing some beer.

 

[Sawdustguy]

This is my last post on this thread. I'm sorry, but this is a public forum and a bad comment can do a lot of damage to someone who depends on this forum for marketing his product. I was always taught that if you don't have anything good to say, just keep your mouth shut. Some issues are better taken up in a PM between parties. Thats all I have to say.

 

[DBbrewing]

I haven't had the chance to try my new chugger pump yet but wish I would have read this thread before I bought mine and I would have ordered one with the SS head.

 

[BrewBeemer]

Dave,
I do not know if Chugger pump still has the stainless head offered on ebay as they were available for $39.99 all week.
I find this a great price plus you can use your plastic pump head as backup.

 

[CollinsBrew]

I was fortunate enough to get in on the deal he was offering last week that said if you ordered the regular non-stainless version for $79.99 on eBay, he would switch to the stainless heads for free. Got two of the last 4 he had at that price. I'm pretty stoked, they get here tomorrow!

Pretty stand up guy that seems to really know how to market his product to the right people.

 

[BrewBeemer]

Brandon,
it's called good timing congrats on you score with SS pumps.
I was lucky also just happened to get on the computer and saw
the free Chugger pump offer, got it next to me as I type.
You got two for the price of one plus in stainless.
I would take it apart and wash out the production machining
oil, this will also allow you to get familar with your pumps (not in
a sexual way).

 

[CollinsBrew]

Whatever it takes.

 

[Kegwizard]

i may have taken your comment personally based on the b/s people put us through on a daily basis.

 

[truckmann]

Looks like a decent pump option to me. I look forward to seeing the updated version and maybe I will have some extra money by then. Just going to have to stick with all gravity at my house for now.