Pumps - was Re: Rochester status report, Jan 2, 2002

["Robert Creager" <Robert@CarolineCreager.com>]

While maybe a little pricy for this application at $264, the 
Hydrothruster Q2 pumps are very nice 
(http://www.lockepet.com/itm00856.htm).  This is an external pump 
with dual pump heads which draws 1.2 A.  I own two of these, and 
one with only one pump head.  The pump was pushing (from each 
head) water up ~8ft and through 2 90degree bends (another ~2 ft of 
head), and still managing ~4gal/minute per pump head.  The output's 
are 1/2" (I use 1/2 id hose + clamps), and the inputs 3/4" slip, which 
I glued unions to.  It's currently out of service, but not because of 
the pump.  The pump heads are magnetically coupled with the motor 
itself, so no heat transfer there.  The pump heads may be removed 
from the motor without disconecting anything (if you have flexible 
tubing) by rotating the heads or body 90degrees and pulling out.  Of 
course the heads rotate opposite directions to remove...  I couldn't 
tell on the above pump, but my Q2's have a rehostat speed control 
for the pump speed.

> Look at aquarium pumps.  These are AC powered
> and some of them are quite good. (and some not)
> Eheim, a German company, makes some of the best
> pumps I've seen.  They can be run as submersible
> or dry.  A pair of Eheim #1046 pumps will last for years
> and if it fails there is only one moving part that is
> replaceable with no tools required.  The pump can be
> completely disassembled using only your fingers
> 
> http://www.eheim.com/technik_pumpen.htm
> 
> I have a medium sized sailboat and on it many pumps.
> for various purposes.  I've replaced most of them
> within the last year.  I'll tell you, the 12V pumps
> use a lot of current for the pumpping power delivered
> and so have thicker wire are less compact, more expensive.
> You've got to spen $150 or $200 for a good 12V pump
> that will work 100% duty cycle in a harsh enviroment for
> years without failing.  Using 60Hz AC lets the rotor be
> a parmenent magnent so you eliminate brushes.  The Eheim
> pump has just one moving part. I which I could use AC
> pumps in my boat but I am dependent on lead acid
> batteries for power.
> 
> --- Andrew Bennett <andrew.bennett@ns.sympatico.ca> wrote:
> > On Thu, 03 Jan 2002 18:21:39 -0600, Tom Droege 
> > <tdroege@veriomail.com> wrote:
> > 
> > >I agree with Chris, don't try to parallel water systems.  A second
> > pump 
> > >might be a cheaper solution.  But then you have more heat going into
> > the 
> > >water if you get a submersible pump.  The CCD list has long
> > discussions on 
> > >pumps.  They use a 12 volt pump designed to pump bilge water.
> > 
> > I'll second that one. I have just had to replace
> > the one I use to stir the noxious contents of my
> > sprayer after about five years of corrosive and
> > abrasive slurries. There wasn't much left of it
> > when it finally quit but that's 4 1/2 years more
> > than I hoped for when I bought it. Uses only a 
> > little over 1A. Tough beast.
> > 
> > >  I paid a lot 
> > >for the last pump I bought because I was tired of fussing with cheap
> > 
> 
> =====
> Chris Albertson 
>   Home:   310-376-1029  chrisalbertson90278@yahoo.com
>   Cell:   310-990-7550
>   Office: 310-336-5189  Christopher.J.Albertson@aero.org
> 
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Later,
Rob