Submersible Pump Troubleshooting/Repair Ideas

Jabberwock · 11/08/2011, 02:33 PM

Does anyone have a link or article handy on the topic of troubleshooting and repairing submersible pumps? MY OR 6500 (3 years old) fails to pump despite a through cleaning of the impeller and magnetic shaft (scrubbed it all down and gave it a nice long vinegar bath) and evidence that there is willingness to work...

I.E.: If I take the impeller out of the housing then plug the pump in and slowly move the impeller near the shaft in the pump such as-if I am about to re-insert the impeller, I can feel the magnetic forces trying to spin the impeller (the impeller wabbles all over the place in my hand), but after I reassemble the unit and re-submerge the pump, nothing happens when I plug it in...

It's probably something stupid that I'm not doing, or maybe the pump is just too weak to spin the impeller... No rattling leading up to this failure... always submerged... no scoring on the pump's housing or impeller magnet.... Would like to fix this rather than drop $90 on a new one... :-/ links? ideas?

reeftivo · 11/08/2011, 03:41 PM

could either be the pump , swollen magnet, impeller shaft or split magnet. Check the magnet for any scarring, burnt look or cracks. If the magnet looks good and the impeller spins on the shaft then it's most likely the pump itself.

reefernutz · 11/08/2011, 03:42 PM

May be worth just buying a new one. Sometimes it ends up costing more to repair.

11/08/2011, 02:33 PM	#1
Jabberwock Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: North Charleroi, PA Posts: 120	Submersible Pump Troubleshooting/Repair Ideas Does anyone have a link or article handy on the topic of troubleshooting and repairing submersible pumps? MY OR 6500 (3 years old) fails to pump despite a through cleaning of the impeller and magnetic shaft (scrubbed it all down and gave it a nice long vinegar bath) and evidence that there is willingness to work... I.E.: If I take the impeller out of the housing then plug the pump in and slowly move the impeller near the shaft in the pump such as-if I am about to re-insert the impeller, I can feel the magnetic forces trying to spin the impeller (the impeller wabbles all over the place in my hand), but after I reassemble the unit and re-submerge the pump, nothing happens when I plug it in... It's probably something stupid that I'm not doing, or maybe the pump is just too weak to spin the impeller... No rattling leading up to this failure... always submerged... no scoring on the pump's housing or impeller magnet.... Would like to fix this rather than drop $90 on a new one... :-/ links? ideas? __________________ -bill __________________ Current Tank Info: 90g Lagoon (launched 6/17) - LPS - 2x 360w, 1x MP40, 1x NWB-150, 1x GFO reactor, RKE, 2-part //// 24g Nano (Launched 1/18) - Zoanthid Garden - 5x Trulumen Pro, MJ1200

11/08/2011, 03:41 PM	#2
reeftivo Skim junkie Join Date: May 2008 Location: chino, CA Posts: 3,417	could either be the pump , swollen magnet, impeller shaft or split magnet. Check the magnet for any scarring, burnt look or cracks. If the magnet looks good and the impeller spins on the shaft then it's most likely the pump itself. __________________ I told you not to be stupid you moron!(Stern) Current Tank Info: 60 gal cube/20g tideline sump-mixed reef, Aquamaxx c-tech Ca Rx, Akula 160 skimmer, paxbellum N18, mitras LX7 lighting with T-5s, apex controller

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11/08/2011, 03:42 PM	#3
reefernutz Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 235	May be worth just buying a new one. Sometimes it ends up costing more to repair.