Which pump to get? (March, LG, Chugger)

[castermmt]

I like the Chugger pumps and service is out of this world, I also hear the same type of service from March, both have great service. Chugger had issues with their first version of the pump (green) and had upgraded the pump on version 2, I have one version 2 and two version 3 and they are both rock solid and reliable.
The reason I have 3 pumps mounted on my system is because 1. I'm a maintenance mechanic by trade and I always have a backup when I can, 2. at the price they sell them for I can afford to have a little peace of mind by having a back up pump, $139 is cheap insurance compared to a cost of a lost 10 gallon batch.

Some people like Coke, others like Pepsi. Ether way, both March and Chugger will back up their products, so your risks are minimal. Castermmt

PS. you can see my 3 pump setup in the link below. I never had to use the spare pump.

 

[Huaco]

Replaced a faulty Chugger yesterday evening. Prior to cutting the power cord for the turn-lock plug and sheathing it, I ran it through a pretty serious duty cycle. I hooked it up to recirculate the BK and I also placed a heating lamp next to it with a thermometer sitting on top of the pump motor. I ran it at various water temps, all the way up to boiling, at an ambient temp up to 110*F for about 2-2.5 hours. It never once shut down due to thermal failure. I figure I will probably not brew in my garage much above 110*F so that was probably a good test.
One thing I did notice was once the boil kettle got a hard rolling boil, it attempted to cavitate. I would hear a growling noise. I shut and opened the output valve and it solved the problem. Interesting. Does anyone else recirculate boiling liquid with this pump? It only does it with a HARD boil.
Gotta hand it to Chugger Pumps. They replaced the pump with minimal questions asked. All they wanted to know was, what were ambient temps, were the motor fan/vents obstructed, and temperature of fluid it was pumping.
Thanks Chugger!!! GREAT service.

 

[krazydave]

One thing I did notice was once the boil kettle got a hard rolling boil, it attempted to cavitate. I would hear a growling noise. I shut and opened the output valve and it solved the problem. Interesting. Does anyone else recirculate boiling liquid with this pump? It only does it with a HARD boil.

My March pump will cavitate if I recirculate from a hard boil, so I don't think that's anything specific to Chuggers. I think that's just all the air bubbles from the boil getting into the pump. In fact, when my march does it, it sounds more like a pig squealing than a growl.

 

[omayhemo]

Agreed, any pump will cavitate if you try to pump enough bubbles through it.
If you can keep your Chugger running with liquid above 190 and in high ambient temperatures, then here's to hoping success to Chugger, for excellent service.

 

[Huaco]

Agreed, any pump will cavitate if you try to pump enough bubbles through it.
If you can keep your Chugger running with liquid above 190 and in high ambient temperatures, then here's to hoping success to Chugger, for excellent service.

It ran non-stop for 2.5 hours in 105-110 ambient. I am more than happy with that.

 

[chuggerpumps]

We do have pumps for warranty replacement and we have been unable to duplicate any thermal problems here with any of the pumps that customers have claimed to fail. There are a multitude of possible reasons for failure thermally.

Long Cords
Brown power
Ambient temp
Ventilation around the pump

I am always here to help and strive to make sure everyone is satisfied with their purchase. Call me anytime

800-810-1053

MIKE

New Stock on 8-23-12