Reducing Chugger Pump Noise

[BeardedBrews]

Hey HBT,

I just switched my kettle over to electric, and I am quickly coming to realize the joys of quiet brewing mornings.

When the kettle was sitting on top of a jet engine (propane burner) the pump was barely noticeable, but now that the garage is basically silent I am wishing I could cut down on the pump noise.

Have you guys done anything to dampen or isolate your pumps to cut down on the WHIRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR?

Thanks,

-B

 

[kevink]

A lot of what you're hearing is the fan, but some is vibration. Mounting it on rubber isolation blocks may help. How are your pumps mounted now?

 

[PlexVector]

If the impeller is not perfectly centered in the pump I think it will cause extra vibration and noise. When I first got mine it was a nice low hum. after taking it apart to mount in a box with the pump on the outside it was not as quiet; even after removing it from the box. Next time I take it apart for inspection and/or cleaning I'm going to try and get it more centered.

 

[m00ps]

I put a towerl under my pump and it reduces a lot of the noise. About 50% of the noise is just from vibrations IME

 

[BeardedBrews]

The pump is currently mounted directly to a board to keep the thing sitting flat. I think the rubber feet would help some, I can give that a try this afternoon.

I hadn't considered impeller alignment but that seems like a good candidate. The noise certainly changes depending on the pump flow rate which would suggest something in the impeller more than the constant speed motor.

I would describe the noise volume and tone as very similar to an automatic ice cream maker, with possibly somewhat lower high-pitch character.

I think the tone is very similar to this guy's demo:
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mzjpg6WUMqA[/ame]

But I feel like I am noticeably louder than this guy (not counting his rattling noise):
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=calFYOn5O8c[/ame]

It's probably just me being nit-picky

 

[iijakii]

I hadn't considered impeller alignment but that seems like a good candidate. The noise certainly changes depending on the pump flow rate which would suggest something in the impeller more than the constant speed motor.

)

Increased noise and vibration at lower or higher flows is just a part of centrifugal pumps. There are optimal design points (BEP) and when you get away from that you lose efficiency and also will introduce a certain amount of recirculation etc.

 

[Bobby_M]

search mcmaster.com for Vibration-Damping Sandwich Mounts

 

[Stealthcruiser]

Turn the stereo up!