HERMS Pump problems

[Cononthebarber]

I bought one of THESE pumps for my HERMS and have used it on 4 brews with success, however am brewing today and the pump is just not pumping...I've tested the input to it and its definitely getting power (I did originally think it could have been the power supply or the dimmer switch I'm using to control flow rate).

Does anyone have any suggestions or do you reckon I got sold a wrong-un? I've contacted the seller today asking for a refund/replacement although I'm not holding out much hope...

 

[MacKiwi]

Is it possible that it is gummed up? I think this can happen if you don't flush it out fully after pumping wort through it (wort being sticky and all). I'm sure there was a post here recently from someone who resurrected their solar pump after this happened, but I can't for the life of me find it. But I think you can undo the screws on the front to open it up and see if the impeller is covered in sticky wort...

 

[Cononthebarber]

Could well be, I will give it a good clean out and see if it helps it get going...cheers

 

[Cyclops]

Mine recently died after about 4 or 5 brews

 

[cnelsonplumber]

I use a couple of solar pumps which look identical and have been trouble free for a couple of years. The clearance on the impellers inside the pump are quite tight so they are prone to jamming if you dont use a strainer.
Undo the screws on the front and it comes off as easy as pie. Take care not to damage the o seal and check the impeller spins freely. If it does try and run the pump with the case off. Chances are there is a piece of grain or something in there. I found a piece of solder jamming one of mine before I fitted the strainers :???:

 

[craigite]

I've used a 12v solar heating system pump for years (100+ brews).
The pump circulates the wort via a stainless mesh strainer. Then I pump my sparge water through the same pump; it save me using a jug and it cleans the pump and pipe with hot water to eliminate the sugery buildup.
I never had any issues and touch wood it's running 'sweet'.

 

[alexe]

I had a similar problem with the Solar Pump - after contacting the supplier he recommended running the pump with clean water for at least 30 mins after the brew to clean it. Wort finds it way into the shaft and gums up the works...

 

[orlando]

These are the instructions for fault finding:

1/ How are you powering it? Is the power supply rated high enough for the job (say more than 1000milliAmps or 1 Amp) If not you may find the supply has overheated and tripped out? (or burnt out altogether)
2/ Are you sure you are getting 12V DC delivered to the pump. Are you able to connect the supply to another item (a car light bulb?) to confirm it is working. Do you have access to a 12V battery instead (eg a car battery)
3/ Take the four screws off the end of the pump so you can remove the pump chamber. Try turning the impeller - you should feel resistance as it moves from one magnetic phase to the next but no frictional resistance to turning. If it is free then connect up the power again and turn the impeller .. does it start?
4/ If you feel friction when turning then it may be gummed up with old wort - drop the pump, impeller upwards, into a cup of boiling water with a little wash up detergent and leave to soak for an hour or two. Then reconnect to power and try turning. Does that make any difference? (aiming to melt the sugar from the bearings).

They also say:

The main thing with these pumps is to leave them circulating with warm fresh water for a good half hour after pumping wort, to flush all the sugar solution out of the bearings. The tell tale sign is that feeling of friction on the impeller. The situation can usually be recovered with some good hot soaking.
The pump could even be stored in water if you are concerned that it hasn't had a full flush clean, they are quite happy to be submersed indefinitely.

Could be the ones reported as "dead" have the chance to be Lazarus :thumb:

 

[Cononthebarber]

Orlando...thank you for your helpful reply. I left the pump (with cover off) soaking in hot soapy water for around an hour and have now reconnected it up and it is working again! :party: I will leave it for at least another half an hour recirculating the hot soapy water to give it a good clean out.

Thanks you your help and everyone elses helpful replies also! :thumb:

 

[orlando]

Orlando...thank you for your helpful reply. I left the pump (with cover off) soaking in hot soapy water for around an hour and have now reconnected it up and it is working again! :party: I will leave it for at least another half an hour recirculating the hot soapy water to give it a good clean out.

Thanks you your help and everyone elses helpful replies also! :thumb:

Glad it was something simple. I have to say the one I have has had everything thrown at it and although I give it a quick flush under the tap after each use I'm amazed at how it keeps going. The only time it has stopped is when a bit of grain caught in the impeller, took a few seconds to open it up and remove it and it was back up and running again.

In a fit of proper brew house cleaning I did take it apart and noticed a green furry mould growing around the impeller which really worried me so hence the rinse now every time it is used. Unless you are moving round some serious loads or are dealing with some nasty chemicals they're all you need.

 

[Vossy1]

Glad you got it sorted C

 

[Cyclops]

The part to the right of the impeller was a bit warped on mine so the magnet was sticking inside this. I got some wet and dry and sanded it down inside there and the magnet too and it now works again :) I can only presume it don't like being used to pump boiling wort around for a length of time.