Iwaki going bad??

biecacka · 12/26/2014, 10:35 PM

Hey everyone, I have an Iwaki 55RLT on my skimmer that I think might be going bad. I'm not sure, it's running but only oushing about 700-800gph and not the 1080 that it's supposed too. I took it apart, the impeller is in tact and lubed up properly. Any ideas on what could be going wrong, or where/how to fix it?

Thanks
Corey

slief · 12/26/2014, 11:00 PM

While not common at all as Iwaki are usually bullet proof, based on the fact that you opened it up and the impeller was clean and unobstructed, I'd surmise that your motor may be going bad. In that case, you will likely need to find a new one because replacing the motor is not a practical option. How old is this pump? I've had Iwaki's run for almost 20 years without skipping a beat. I'd suggest finding a new Iwaki to replace it. Short of heat transfer, moderately poor efficiency and noise, they are by far the best and most reliable pump you can buy.

biecacka · 12/26/2014, 11:13 PM

Scott, I know they last forever!!! That's why I'm so perplexed as what could be wrong with it.

I was afraid I would have to replace the pump.
I have had it for about 1.5yrs but I bought it used and I'm not sure how long he had it....it looks to be old and beat up but it runs well, just a little shy of what I need to run my beckett.

Corey

slief · 12/26/2014, 11:23 PM

Find another used one or just pony up and get a new one. I have a few extra Iwaki's lying around here that I've removed from my systems over the last few years but I think they are MD40's and not 55's. I will a look tomorrow and see what I've got and maybe we can work something out if there is an MD55. If it were me, I'd just get a new one though. For a single Beckett, the MD55 is by far the best choice.

That said, are you sure your pump is down on flow and it's not just the beckett that's clogged or perhaps got some calcium build up? Did you check the vanes on the sides of the impeller? It's been a while since I looked at an Iwaki impeller but I seem to remember there being vanes on the sides of the impeller that can get clogged up a bit.

biecacka · 12/27/2014, 10:35 AM

The becket is fine. In fact I've struggled with the skimmer since set up, ne re pulling enough air or getting enough bubbles in it. Never even thought it would be the pump, I thought they lasted for ever! Well a friend was over looking at it with me and right away said its not pulling enough air or pushing enough water. Did a quick non scientific calculation and got about 750pgh on the pump. Talking to a guy at a LFS here said once in his life he has heard of the magnetic part of the pump going bad, it still turns but not powerful enough. This sounds just like his previous case. So I don't know.
To think, I've had decent results for a year with 1/2 a skimmer. At one point I was shopping for a new one.....and that's a headache!!!

Corey

12/26/2014, 10:35 PM	#1
biecacka Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Columbus Ohio Posts: 6,361	Iwaki going bad?? Hey everyone, I have an Iwaki 55RLT on my skimmer that I think might be going bad. I'm not sure, it's running but only oushing about 700-800gph and not the 1080 that it's supposed too. I took it apart, the impeller is in tact and lubed up properly. Any ideas on what could be going wrong, or where/how to fix it? Thanks Corey

12/26/2014, 11:00 PM	#2
slief RC Sponsor Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 14,173	While not common at all as Iwaki are usually bullet proof, based on the fact that you opened it up and the impeller was clean and unobstructed, I'd surmise that your motor may be going bad. In that case, you will likely need to find a new one because replacing the motor is not a practical option. How old is this pump? I've had Iwaki's run for almost 20 years without skipping a beat. I'd suggest finding a new Iwaki to replace it. Short of heat transfer, moderately poor efficiency and noise, they are by far the best and most reliable pump you can buy. __________________ Director Customer Support Royal Exclusiv USA For All Royal Exclusiv & Bubble King questions please refer to our Sponsor forum: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=745 Current Tank Info: 480G display mixed reef, 90G sump, 90G refugium, 60G display refugium. Check out my build thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1783476

12/26/2014, 11:23 PM	#4
slief RC Sponsor Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 14,173	Find another used one or just pony up and get a new one. I have a few extra Iwaki's lying around here that I've removed from my systems over the last few years but I think they are MD40's and not 55's. I will a look tomorrow and see what I've got and maybe we can work something out if there is an MD55. If it were me, I'd just get a new one though. For a single Beckett, the MD55 is by far the best choice. That said, are you sure your pump is down on flow and it's not just the beckett that's clogged or perhaps got some calcium build up? Did you check the vanes on the sides of the impeller? It's been a while since I looked at an Iwaki impeller but I seem to remember there being vanes on the sides of the impeller that can get clogged up a bit. __________________ Director Customer Support Royal Exclusiv USA For All Royal Exclusiv & Bubble King questions please refer to our Sponsor forum: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=745 Current Tank Info: 480G display mixed reef, 90G sump, 90G refugium, 60G display refugium. Check out my build thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1783476

12/26/2014, 11:13 PM	#3
biecacka Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Columbus Ohio Posts: 6,361	Scott, I know they last forever!!! That's why I'm so perplexed as what could be wrong with it. I was afraid I would have to replace the pump. I have had it for about 1.5yrs but I bought it used and I'm not sure how long he had it....it looks to be old and beat up but it runs well, just a little shy of what I need to run my beckett. Corey

12/27/2014, 10:35 AM	#5
biecacka Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Columbus Ohio Posts: 6,361	The becket is fine. In fact I've struggled with the skimmer since set up, ne re pulling enough air or getting enough bubbles in it. Never even thought it would be the pump, I thought they lasted for ever! Well a friend was over looking at it with me and right away said its not pulling enough air or pushing enough water. Did a quick non scientific calculation and got about 750pgh on the pump. Talking to a guy at a LFS here said once in his life he has heard of the magnetic part of the pump going bad, it still turns but not powerful enough. This sounds just like his previous case. So I don't know. To think, I've had decent results for a year with 1/2 a skimmer. At one point I was shopping for a new one.....and that's a headache!!! Corey