Stuck pump

[kohalajohn]

This is a newish Brewzilla gen 4, 35 liter.

This was my first stuck pump. I think the culprit was crushed grains of paradise. The black seeds are in the photos below.

Doesn't matter. The pump took out most of the wort, enough so my fermantation keg is filled and going fine.

But then the pump stopped.

Took it apart, took out the impeller and cover, rinsed out the black seeds. Both are spinning happily. I can blow air through all the pipes.
Everything is clear.

But it won't start up again. Is there some switch or fuse down there? I don't see anything.

 

[kohalajohn]

When I turn on the power I hear a click in the pump, so power is getting to it. But there is no motion.

I opened the back and saw the wiring and all is good. Nothing is burned out.

 

[kohalajohn]

Oh, wait, it's not a self priming pump. tomorrow morning I'll install, it flip it over and add water. We'll see.

 

[Indian_villager]

With the impeller and the pump housing removed. Can you get the motor/magnetic coupler to spin?

 

[kohalajohn]

Yes, I can turn the motor/magnetic coupler by hand. There is no resistance.

I have taken it out and put it back several times. It will turn freely.

I can only assume that those damnable seeds have blocked the spin so much that there is some electrical damage

 

[IslandLizard]

The beauty of these magnetic drive pumps is that it's unlikely the seeds have damaged the pump, even if they stopped the impeller from spinning, since the motor and the impeller are magnetically coupled. IOW, the motor can spin freely regardless of what's happening in the pump housing.

So yeah just test it out with a few inches of water in the kettle, making sure the pump and hoses are pre-primed (filled).
IOW, don't run or let the pump run dry, as the liquid in the pump housing provides the lubrication.

 

[tracer bullet]

With the impeller and the pump housing removed. Can you get the motor/magnetic coupler to spin?

I think I was thinking this as well. Basically, being sure that after all the plastic comes off the front, there's a long piece of metal that also comes out next (I think it's the magnet?) and leaves some wiring exposed inside (I think the windings that drive the magnet to spin). You probably used better wording though

I had this once, didn't realize that piece needed to come apart as well. Found some gooey wort spilled inside keeping it from turning. I didn't know then, but know now, that's what actually drives the impeller. This magnet spins and the impeller simply tries to keep up with it and go along for the ride.

 

[kohalajohn]

Yeah, first time I took apart a magnetic coupler pump. Now I know why that is different than a mechanical pump. Super cool that there is no mechanical contact and it's just magnetic fields. Now i know why I can throttle it back on the recirculation pump without harming the drive.

after some more coffee this morning I'm going to try it with water in the tank.

 

[kohalajohn]

Well, no luck.

tried it with water, to see if the problem was a lack of self priming. not that.

I think the pump is just not getting power. when I turn on the pump, I hear a click in the power box beside it.

But the pump does not spin. the impeller can be in the tightly bolted down as it should normally be. Or sitting loose on top. No movement at all.

It's clean inside the chambers where the copper wire windings are.

It looks fine.

In another machine Id wonder if fuse blew when it was sticking with those seeds. but it's a magnetic pump. Sticking does does not cause any trauma to the machine.

Bizarre. I'm now thinking of a warranty if possible or just a new pump.

I'll talk to the vendor.

 

[IslandLizard]

I think the pump is just not getting power. when I turn on the pump, I hear a click in the power box beside it.

In the picture on the left, those white rectangular "boxes," along the right hand side of the interface board, are (micro) relays. That's probably what you hear, making a sharp click. It's very typical to use relays to interface between the control electronics and power elements, such as motors, pumps, and other electrical devices.

 

[kohalajohn]

Yes.

I have turned it on with the cover and impeller off, looking just at the center magnet. No movement.

If I spin the center magnet with my finger, it spins great.

I have written to customer support at Kegland, and have also posted to the Kegland user forum.

I guess I'll dig out my voltmeter and see if the pump wiring is getting any power. Don't see how that would have stopped though. Everything is brand new and looks brand new.

 

[kohalajohn]

Hmm. The pump is getting power as it hums when I power on. The power in the windings is just not doing that thing of circling the magnet.

Might just be a pump that failed. And has nothing to do with being clogged at all

 

[Indian_villager]

Hmm. The pump is getting power as it hums when I power on. The power in the windings is just not doing that thing of circling the magnet.

Might just be a pump that failed. And has nothing to do with being clogged at all

I think you blew the capacitor on the motor. In that back cover of the motor will be a run capacitor. Should be cheap enough to replace off amazon

 

[kohalajohn]

@Indian_villager is the capacitor that small black box tucked inside the back cover?

And where to find one? Contact Kegland?

Also thanks, this makes sense.

 

[ClaudiusB]

@Indian_villager is the capacitor that small black box tucked inside the back cover?

And where to find one? Contact Kegland?

Also thanks, this makes sense.

"Hmm. The pump is getting power as it hums when I power on," spin the shaft under power to start up the motor. The motor should run if the cap is bad.
Those capacitors are available online. Just get the same value; the shape doesn't matter as long as it fits in the back of the motor.
I have replaced a few start/run caps over the years on my pumps.

 

[kohalajohn]

Hmmm. No luck. I turn on the power and spin the magnet by hand. But nothing happened.

Yesterday I was going to bring it to an appliance repair guy and pay him a hundred bucks to tell me that I have to buy a new hundred dollar pump. Instead I think I'll just buy a new hundred dollar pump.

Thanks for the input though, @ClaudiusB

 

[ClaudiusB]

Hmmm. No luck. I turn on the power and spin the magnet by hand. But nothing happened.

Yesterday I was going to bring it to an appliance repair guy and pay him a hundred bucks to tell me that I have to buy a new hundred dollar pump. Instead I think I'll just buy a new hundred dollar pump.

Thanks for the input though, @ClaudiusB

Does the motor have a plate with the specs attached to it?

 

[Indian_villager]

This is just the 6W version of the MKII pump the listing on the kegland site shows that the cap is 2 µF. Kegland should be replacing this for you as I am confident this unit is fairly new to you based on your posts.

However, if you need to replace the cap on your own.

Amazon Link for Capacitor

Kegland listing for pump details.

 

[IslandLizard]

Instead I think I'll just buy a new hundred dollar pump.

Uh... I would contact Kegland first, and get an opinion on what the problem can be.
You can directly contact them here, they are a member on our forums:
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/members/kegland.336191/

If it's indeed the pump and there's no warranty on it, spending $50 to get one from Kegland sounds like a decent option.