Eheim 1262 (brand new) cavitating?

[IPT]

Hey guys I'm doing a wet test of my new setup and for some reason my 1262 is making noise. Sort of a crackling sound, like some air is in there somehow. It's a brand new pump so maybe it just needs some slim to build up?

I'm running these on 2 other tanks but it's been years since start up. They're dead silent now and i don't recall noise at start up but it's been years so don't remember.

I thought it might be my plumbing but it does it even with only the output and 6" of PVC attached. It's at least 4 inches below water in the sump (and when i tested it without plumbing it was at the bottom of a full 120). Doesn't matter if the intake cover is on of off. Only fresh water right now.

Thoughts or suggestions?

[moondoggy4]

Is it possible to have a air bubble under the magnet I have read that Klaus from BK states that is a problem sometimes.

Or just good ol Murphy's Law the further your are away from something the more likely it is going to fail.

[IPT]

I tried to turn it up, down and sideways to get any air out of it. I don't think I've ever taken an impeller out on one of these pumps but I guess it's time too and check it out.

Yeah, for now it's in my garage so not that far away . Lets hope Murphy stays on someone else's turf once i move this thing into my office.

[moondoggy4]

Good luck with your pump, it seems whenever I buy something while on vacation it never works, too far to drive it back and I don't want to hassle with shipping, Murphy strikes again. I bought a eheim heater in San Francisco it has never cycled off.

Not sure if you can buy most of your stuff in Alaska I am assuming that you have to pay extra for shipping.

A nice reef tank must be a nice contrast to the white outside in the winter.

[IPT]

Yeah, no dice yet. Maybe someone else will chime in with some input? I can just poach the one off my 75 when I transfer everything over if I can't get this one to quiet down. I was hoping to just run the new one though so I could give the other a good vinegar bath and keep it as a backup.

Alaskan summers are awesome - green as could be, wildflowers all over. Yeah, the reef is nice to look at in the winter but I like to look at them anytime. Now a nice glowing flame in a wood stove, that's some good winter viewing .

Shipping can be a nightmare and I think before the internet this place was a lot different than now. Amazon has stepped up the plate with shipping though so it's all good. For some strange reason many companies make shipping "International", or insist on 2 day air as if we're not part of the US! Drives me nuts and sometimes makes me not buy stuff. Then their are others who have their act together and will ship ground for a reasonable price. Sometimes there's just no rush so I'll save the $$. Anyway, if you've never been up here and you enjoy nature (that's not of the blue water and coral reef variety) you owe it to yourself to come up here and check it out. it just might change your life, I know it changed mine. heck, I used to live just outside of NYC!

[Jodah]

my 1250 cavitated a bit, and was a bit of a pain to purge the air out of. have you tried dumping water down the outlet piping/tubing and then starting it?

[moondoggy4]

Several families members are planning a trip next year, going on a cruise, I will stay an extra week so I can see the sites, I love watching the show about the railroad, I defiantly want to go on the railroad and stay in some of the towns.

[IPT]

Originally Posted by Jodah

my 1250 cavitated a bit, and was a bit of a pain to purge the air out of. have you tried dumping water down the outlet piping/tubing and then starting it?

No I have not. Good idea I'll try that - thank you.

Originally Posted by moondoggy4

Several families members are planning a trip next year, going on a cruise, I will stay an extra week so I can see the sites, I love watching the show about the railroad, I defiantly want to go on the railroad and stay in some of the towns.

Never took the Railroad but I hear it's spectacular no matter if you go North or South. Not sure if you camp or not but I know you can get dropped off anywhere then jump a train out. Or there is a cabin or two out there that drop you off near and you can stay there. The cruises are okay but just hitting the ports and seeing it from the water you miss a lot. Nothing like being in Denali NP for me. Here are some images I took last year, or was it the year before? http://www.iptalaska.com/Pages/blog_...2/Page-19.html . This year will be my 14th time back in the park during the Moose Rut.

[billdogg]

Very nice pictures! Thanks for posting the link. The wife and I are planning on a trip up there in a couple years. Can't wait! Suggestions on best time of year for max color?

[wolfblue]

Originally Posted by IPT

it does it even with only the output and 6" of PVC attached.

That could make it worse if its suction cavitation...
caused by a obstruction in front of the impeller
caused by too small of plumbing leading too the pump
caused by too shallow of water depth that the pump is pulling from

With suction cavitation the water cant get to the impeller as fast as it can leave the impeller. The check is to throttle the output and see if it diminishes as you reduce flow at the output. The fix is get that piece of garbage that's stuck in there out of there. Or pull from deeper water.

Your running submerged... with 4" of water above the center of the impeller?

[IPT]

Originally Posted by wolfblue

That could make it worse if its suction cavitation...
caused by a obstruction in front of the impeller
caused by too small of plumbing leading too the pump
caused by too shallow of water depth that the pump is pulling from

With suction cavitation the water cant get to the impeller as fast as it can leave the impeller. The check is to throttle the output and see if it diminishes as you reduce flow at the output. The fix is get that piece of garbage that's stuck in there out of there. Or pull from deeper water.

Your running submerged... with 4" of water above the center of the impeller?

I'm not really sure cavitation is the accurate term. It makes noise and it sounds like air so it was the best term I could come up with. I could throw a valve on there and create back pressure/lower the output and see what it does. There is no restriction to the input side as it's submerged. Did it with input cover on or off.

Pump is brand new so there should be anything in it. Can't hurt to check though. Yes, it was probably 3" or more water depth to the impeller. Visibly there was no vortech or signs it was pulling in air or struggling to get water. It also happened fully submerged at the bottom of a 120 (22" s min of water).

Thanks for the input. Guess I need to pull it apart and also see if adding some back pressure effects it.

Originally Posted by billdogg

Very nice pictures! Thanks for posting the link. The wife and I are planning on a trip up there in a couple years. Can't wait! Suggestions on best time of year for max color?

Thanks - photography was one of the reasons I moved up here . Colors depend on what part of the state you in. You can follow them South usually over a few week span. Up North by the park peak is around Labor day give or take a few days. Near Anchorage in the mtns probably mid to late Sept and the trees usually go early Oct if I reacall correctly.

Had this guy in my yard yesterday! I was actually in my garage wet testing my tank and I turned and he was just standing there about 15' away watching me! It did get the heart rate up some but as soon as I moved to grab my phone for a pic he turned and walked away. I got this with my good camera from in the house as he crossed the yard.

[IPT]

So I pulled the impeller. I'm not familiar with this pump (because in the 7 years they've been running neither of my other two have needed anything!). The bottom does not look smooth and I imagine that could be producing the grinding popping sound I hear. I see nothing else that looks odd. Anyone?

[IPT]

Bump for an Eheim user. Is that normal or is that my problem? Looks like an impeller is 90$ so I'm not going to jump unless I need too.

[animalkingdom]

your impeller looks broken

[slief]

Originally Posted by animalkingdom

your impeller looks broken

No it doesn't..




OP,
I'd put it back together and see if it works now. Sometimes disassembly and reassembly will correct stupid issues. It's also possibly that you had air trapped in the pump that wasn't escaping for some reason. Try submerging the pump before you put the return line on so all the air can escape.

[animalkingdom]

Originally Posted by slief

No it doesn't..




OP,
I'd put it back together and see if it works now. Sometimes disassembly and reassembly will correct stupid issues. It's also possibly that you had air trapped in the pump that wasn't escaping for some reason. Try submerging the pump before you put the return line on so all the air can escape.

In the first pic I thought that line may be a crack...also the end looks a little worn to me

[slief]

Originally Posted by animalkingdom

In the first pic I thought that line may be a crack...also the end looks a little worn to me

I think that line is from the mold used to make the impeller base and not a crack. The wear is likely just from grinding the end flush during manufacturing and is not actually wear. I don't think the very end of the impeller where it appears to be ground down contacts anything in the pump body. The area where it looks like a crack may when the motor is off but once power is supplied to these, the impeller becomes suspended from the magnetic field.

[rc1626]

Just took mine apart to clean and my impeller looks exactly like yours. Does not look broken to me from what the picture is showing. Is the impeller seating correctly?

[slief]

Originally Posted by rc1626

Just took mine apart to clean and my impeller looks exactly like yours. Does not look broken to me from what the picture is showing. Is the impeller seating correctly?

Thank you for taking the time to do that. I was pretty close to taking the 1262 out of my office tank so I could pull it apart. I was going to take a picture of the base of the impeller to show that they are all like that and demonstrate that his impeller isn't broken. Your taking the time check your impeller saved me the effort.

[IPT]

you guys are awesome. So, if the impeller is not the issue then I am starting to be at a loss as to what is causing the noise.

Unless someone has another suggestion here's what I'll do. Remove all the parts and then put it back together while submerged. Run it with no input cover or output pieces attached and see what I get.

[slief]

Originally Posted by IPT

you guys are awesome. So, if the impeller is not the issue then I am starting to be at a loss as to what is causing the noise.

Unless someone has another suggestion here's what I'll do. Remove all the parts and then put it back together while submerged. Run it with no input cover or output pieces attached and see what I get.

That would be the next step I would take.

[IPT]

No dice, still does it. Took it all apart and held it under water getting all air out. Under the water I installed the impeller, the part with the O Ring and the twist on collar that holds it all in place. I left the intake cover and filter as well as all of the output components off. So it was basically the bare case with the impeller and associated parts, still the same noise.

It's like a sort of crackling sound. Position of the pump, upside down, sideways, all had no effect on the sound. The only thing I found that decreased it was massively limiting the output with my fingers over the output hole. I'd estimate that if I blocked like 80% of the output or more the sound was much less maybe even not there. I think once it sucked up against the wall and blocked the intake and the noise was gone too (but I don't think any water was getting in at all).

So, does any of this make sense to any of you? I'm going to have to look and see if they have some tech support in the USA. Anyone know if they do?

[rc1626]

Is it pushing water? Can you pull an impellar from one of your other pumps and try it in this one? Could it be the twist on collar? It sounds like the impellar might be loose?

[IPT]

Yeah, it pushes a ton of water. Didn't think of swapping impellers (doh!).

I have a lot of projects going on right not (too many infact) and very little time. My intention at this point is just to take the old pump and swap it to the new system on "move day" (after a vinegar bath as we move). For now the new pumps seems to pump fine, just more noise than I am accustomed too. I'll see how motivated I am to pull the other pump. If I'm going to do that I might as well swap the stuck gate valve too. Oh, the projects never end.

Thanks for the input. At least if I do the impeller swap I can rule that part in or out. Good thought.

[adtravels]

I had an eheim compact 2000 that would click and rattle on start up, sometimes it would not work at all. I took it back and the stockist said he had never seen the problem before. They exchanged it immediately. The new pump has been flawless since the exchange.