Is the power cord on a mag drive pump replaceable?

jjvanb · 01/30/2016, 09:03 PM

I use a mag 7 for mixing salt water and for transferring water from mixing tubs and pumping out old tank water. While doing a water change today I noticed smoke coming from a spot on the power cord. Fortunately it wasn't submerged at the time!

The place where the cord enters the pump appears to be sealed. I suspect the pump is headed to the aquarium pump graveyard, but it sure sucks to have to get rid of a pump just because the cord has a fault.

snulma1 · 01/30/2016, 10:36 PM

If the spot doesnt see water, then you can try and rewire it. If it submerges, then scrap it

joejvj · 01/31/2016, 08:52 AM

Search the web for a product called "3M Scotchcast" that will seal the cable break in expoxy and make it completely waterproof.

jjvanb · 01/31/2016, 06:42 PM

I cut open the cord to look at removing the burned section and splicing back together the remaining good parts and was shocked to see all the interior copper wires burned and completely black. I stripped the insulation back a good 6 inches or so and the core wires were completely fried. Obviously I am just going to replace the pump, but just wondering what could cause something like that....

DvBrien · 02/01/2016, 02:26 PM

Too much resistance, heat, power surge... for what's it's worth if you can get the unit open you could use a different cable all together. Been there / done that.

joejvj · 02/01/2016, 02:43 PM

The outer insulation of the cord was compromised, and then hot and neutral wire insulation gave way.

01/30/2016, 09:03 PM	#1
jjvanb Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: West Palm Beach, Florida Posts: 159	Is the power cord on a mag drive pump replaceable? I use a mag 7 for mixing salt water and for transferring water from mixing tubs and pumping out old tank water. While doing a water change today I noticed smoke coming from a spot on the power cord. Fortunately it wasn't submerged at the time! The place where the cord enters the pump appears to be sealed. I suspect the pump is headed to the aquarium pump graveyard, but it sure sucks to have to get rid of a pump just because the cord has a fault.

01/30/2016, 10:36 PM	#2
snulma1 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: New York, NY Posts: 2,281	If the spot doesnt see water, then you can try and rewire it. If it submerges, then scrap it

01/31/2016, 08:52 AM	#3
joejvj Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Asheville, NC Posts: 115	Search the web for a product called "3M Scotchcast" that will seal the cable break in expoxy and make it completely waterproof.

01/31/2016, 06:42 PM	#4
jjvanb Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: West Palm Beach, Florida Posts: 159	I cut open the cord to look at removing the burned section and splicing back together the remaining good parts and was shocked to see all the interior copper wires burned and completely black. I stripped the insulation back a good 6 inches or so and the core wires were completely fried. Obviously I am just going to replace the pump, but just wondering what could cause something like that....

02/01/2016, 02:26 PM	#5
DvBrien Registered Member. Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Rockford IL Posts: 285	Too much resistance, heat, power surge... for what's it's worth if you can get the unit open you could use a different cable all together. Been there / done that.

02/01/2016, 02:43 PM	#6
joejvj Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Asheville, NC Posts: 115	The outer insulation of the cord was compromised, and then hot and neutral wire insulation gave way.