Pump issue

[john langley]

Greetings;

I have this pump, mp-15rm-110, no brand info on the label. Worked great first few times I used it.

Today had an issue where it stopped pumping when I was trying to pump boiling wort around in a loop to re-circulate.... I've used this pump to do this in the past, but today, NG.

I took it apart after thinking I clogged it but that wasn't the issue. Re-assembled and tested with cool water and works fine.

The only thing I could think is that the plastic impeller housing and impeller may have swelled causing it to seize ?

Would love to hear any thoughts.

 

[day_trippr]

I would immediately suspect cavitation due to almost-boiling water hitting the low pressure area within the pump head and immediately boiling again.

Pretty much everyone has that issue if trying to recirculate a boil kettle, for instance. My March 815PL certainly will do it if I'm trying to run it full capacity at full boil. I can dial down the output restriction to where - I suspect - the slowed incoming wort has lost just that bit more temperature that it won't "flash" and keep the wort moving at a much slower rate...

Cheers!

 

[rburrelli]

Plastic heads are often not rated for boiling temperatures.

 

[john langley]

Thanks, yeah so restricting the output slightly....? I will try that next brewday.....

Would a stronger pump, or maybe a metal head help at all you think ?

 

[rburrelli]

Googled that pump and it is rated for 240 degrees, so probably cavitation issue.

 

[day_trippr]

Thanks, yeah so restricting the output slightly....? I will try that next brewday.....
Would a stronger pump, or maybe a metal head help at all you think ?

Nope. The 815pl is a larger pump with a roughly 175% of the max throughput of a mp-15rm-110, but as I said has the same cavitation issue. And both Chugger and Blichmann pumps with SS heads have the same issue.

Physics will do what it wants
Just have to work around it...

Cheers!

 

[frozengator]

Can keg lube be used on the center pin on these?

 

[robert.balsinger]

Thanks, yeah so restricting the output

I learned that here too. It makes all the difference. Do not restrict the input. Restrict the output and it keeps everything flowing smoothly. Worked for me.

 

[frozengator]

Does anyone know where to get replacement impeller for these?