March May 809-PL-HS or alternatives?

[Kev888]

Hi all,

I use the same pump for emptying the MT and for emptying the boiler, so a while ago I got a little solar project pump that can be sanitised in between the two uses by recirculating boiling wort. This has been a great move, its so much easier and quicker than flushing it with chemical cleaners/sanitisers mid-brewday.

But now the pump has packed up, and I'm also going to be building a RIMS soon, so I thought I'd look around for something a bit beefier and with more umph. The only food grade one I can find that seems to (officially) take boiling wort is the March May 809.

I'd be willing to pay its high price if necessary, but its also a lot noiser than I really wanted. Is this about the only option for boiling wort, or has anyone found others that can properly take boiling liquid and are food safe etc.?

Many thanks,
Kev

 

[Vossy1]

Kev, ...if you've heard a noisy 809 I'd say it wasn't quite right, I've owned 3 now and all have been relatively whisper quiet, just a small hum, certainly quieter that the GP20/12 and others I've used. Quite a few folk use solar pumps for their HERMS/RIMS, I'm sure you can get one with a beefier output if required

 

[markpeace]

I've been really impressed with my Solar Pump, given that its a twenty quid bit of tat. It has put up with considerable abuse, and is still going - and the ability to vary flow by turning the voltage down is useful.

 

[Kev888]

Thanks Vossy, thats useful to know - probably I'm making something out of nothing then. Perhaps I'm also being swayed by the crappy sound you can get on Youtube vids of them as well - I'd bet the microphones emphasise it.

Mark, yes I've also been very pleased with my little solar pumps; although one has now failed (the electronics have gone) the others still work. I've certainly no quibble for the price at all, I just wanted something a bit more industrial next time. If its of interest I pulled the broken one apart (destructively) to look at how it was constructed:

It looks pretty good. The only downside I can see (apart from all the bits being so teeny) is that even though I'd been circulating PBW for over a day before it packed up I found a few small particles of grain around the magnet/shaft, and there are some score marks around it (as well as what looks like wort-staining). So aside from robustness, one reason for wanting to upgrade is to get something thats designed to be disassembled - I had to partially break the little silver clip thing to get it off and then dig out the bearing holder to remove the magnet/shaft.

Cheers
Kev

 

[Vossy1]

Thanks Vossy, thats useful to know - probably I'm making something out of nothing then. Perhaps I'm also being swayed by the crappy sound you can get on Youtube vids of them as well - I'd bet the microphones emphasise it.

Off for a nosey :hmm:

 

[Kev888]

I can't recall exactly where I heard them sounding loud, but this footage is quite helpful and a lot more objective. About as loud as a conversation with someone; I think I'd be okay with that.

Cheers
Kev

 

[Vossy1]

Having watched that footage, that's a noisy 809, mine aren't that noisy/tinny...from what I can remember I have 2 x 809's, one on top of a table top and one under a table top...you would barely even know the one under was on, if it wasn't for a low hum. To reduce noise/vibration transmission you should put rubber grommets/washers between the pump and surface they are to be mounted on, mine are on the bolts which hold the pump in place.
The best way would be to see if there's anyone local to you who has one, so you can see/hear for yourself before deciding. I'm going to have to check mine now...you've sewn a seed of doubt :lol:

 

[Kev888]

Heh heh, well as a ball-park they can't be 'that' loud if you have to check them - that'll do me! I've also got a GP20/12 so if yours are quieter thats a really useful comparison as well.

Perhaps the different models/motors could be different too - is it the 809-PL-HS 240V version you have?

Cheers
Kev

 

[Kev888]

A chap on another forum just gave me some useful info: apparantly in Australia they also use slightly cheaper (over there) pumps like these and these. I can't find any quite the same on UK ebay but its another possibility to look into.

Also, I hadn't realised the similarity between the March May 809 and 815 models. Apparantly the 815 has a High Speed motor like the 809 'HS' variants but a higher flow head. MM have a datasheet here; looking at the flow/head graphs I'd be wanting the HS motor to get the head-height that I need, so depending on prices perhaps the 815-PL-C may be worth considering.

Cheers
kev

 

[Mark1964]

we have used a solar pump since upgrading to herms and had no problems at all. I use the pump to sparge and that way it gets flushed with hot water and keeps it in good condition. They dont make much noise at all

 

[Vossy1]

is it the 809-PL-HS 240V version you have?

Yep. The 815 certainly is a beefier pump I seem to remember those pumps linked being used by someone on the forum :hmm:

EDIT, worth remembering when you look at the data sheets that they are 60hz in the US, I think were at 50hz, so the performance of the pump will be slightly less in the U.K.
If I'd have seen those 815's I'd have got one instead of the second 809, just for the extra capacity Looking at the double buy on E-bay that'd be £125 delivered assuming the tax man lets em through. If anyone wants a new boxed 809 :whistle: :lol:

 

[Kev888]

Ah yes, good point on the frequency - it has quite an effect! Probably the extra umph of the 815 is even more useful, then.

Very tempted. Though I guess there's likely to be additional VAT, and its hovering around the level at which import duty cuts in too. Still, if it does the job..:hmm:

Cheers
kev

 

[kebabman]

How much does the 815 cost please?

 

[Kev888]

There are some on american ebay for about £135 including UK postage at the moment - though 'unless it slips through' you should have to pay VAT and probably a handling charge so I'd imagine perhaps £175 is realistic? (its also about the price when import tax applies, as I think that includes postage, not sure about that one). Its only slightly more expensive than the 809 over there.

I've also emailed march may UK to see what the current cost is from here.

Cheers
Kev

 

[Vossy1]

I bought 2 x 809's from March in October last year, they were £118.04 each ( they'd just gone up a few quid) with £15 P+P and including VAT, that makes each pump £159.65 (MM said postage was flat rate for one or several)
Customs will decide on the VAT to be levied but the carrier will also want a slice if stopped.
I've had 2 parcels stopped, Fedex charged a fee of £14.99, I think Parcel Force was the same.
If you do decide on the 809 I may be tempted to part with mine for slightly less :whistle: :lol:

 

[Kev888]

Hmm, sounds about right then, if you include a small rise in price since then.

Now that I'm aware of the 815 I'm wanting that model really, as the extra flow is very attractive in my apllication. Otherwise I'd snap up your kind offer!!

Cheers
Kev

 

[Vossy1]

:lol: March also do different configuration ports ie, front entry and top exit, they also do ss impeller heads. They're not stocked in this country, March can get them but it can take several weeks, it depends on when they order :thumb:

 

[Kev888]

Ah i see, we'll see what the UK people say then; I asked them about both the 815-PL and 815-PL-C (with the centre port) so I guess perhaps the latter may not be stocked here; time will tell.

I think the centre-fed one seems to have slightly more pumping umph. Not enough for me to worry about really though, so price and availability may be the key thing.

Cheers,
Kev

 

[Kev888]

Well, I heard from MarchMay UK about the 815 - excellent response time.

The price for a PL or PL-C is £207.90 excluding VAT and delivery. Delivery will be £15.00.

So I make that about £267.

Cheers
Kev

 

[Vossy1]

They are very good and helpful...most of the time. When I enquired about the 809 I asked about a model with greater flow rates (like the 815) they quoted me over £400 :shock: :lol:
So, are you going for it