Pump for RDWC slowed dramatically...

Tank333 · Mar 16, 2014

So, I've been test-running this DIY RDWC system for about two weeks now, getting all the leaks sealed up tight. Now today I've got everything running just fine, filled with water and the pump was running great for the first hour or so. Then all of a sudden I heard the motor kind of "chunk", and the flow cut dramatically! I've got an 1800GPH pump running the system. It's a little over-powered, so I have been splitting off the return line to feed into the end bucket to help keep it's level up (I'll also use this return line to drip-feed the girls for the first few weeks). I took everything apart and tried to find the problem. There was a little bit of long hair in the pump (damn hippies!), but not enough to clog it or anything. I've cleaned a lot more than that off my other pumps and they were still running just fine.

So, does anyone have any ideas as to why this has happened? It's been doing just fine all the while up until now. Never really ran it more than an hour continuously until now, but that shouldn't matter, should it?

Coir · Mar 16, 2014

It sounds like you might have sucked something up into the impeller if you heard a "chunk" sound. Have you pulled the pump out and checked that the impeller is spinning freely or that one of the vanes didn't break off? What happens when you run the pump with nothing attached to it? Does the water flow look normal?

Tank333 · Mar 16, 2014

I pulled it out and checked to make sure everything spun well. Checked for blocked lines, everything I could think of. Even pulled it off and stuck it in a bin to run without hoses, and it ran just fine...

Coir · Mar 16, 2014

So when it was running unhooked, it ran normal but when it's connected to the system it slows way down?

Tank333 · Mar 16, 2014

Yup... I just can't figure it out... and I just transplanted my girls into the system, too. So I HAVE to figure this out today instead of waiting till I feel like doing it. Lol

FlyinJStable · Mar 16, 2014

I am new to the farm but not to pumps from the DIY to 1000gl water gardens. some pumps have a cavitation problem when emptied and refilled if for any reason you have a pocket of air, that air will roll in the pump without pulling a full load. try to find a way to prime the pump. Just a thought, Much love good luck 333

Tank333 · Mar 17, 2014

I've read that as well, but plugging it in just seems to be so hard on the pump. And then this makes it jerk even harder than normal when it starts up. Its like its trying to push hard and something stops it in its tracks. Is this normal for it to jerk really hard when it's turned on? I've never used a pump this big. The biggest I've got other than this is like 500GPH...

Coir · Mar 17, 2014

If the pump is oversized for the system, you would get the results you mention. The only other things I would try if that is not the case would be to pull all the joints apart and check for an obstruction and/or try a different pump and see what happens.
Is the one you have shaft or magnetic drive?

Tank333 · Mar 17, 2014

It's an 1800GPH Danner mag drive. It does seem overpowered for the system. I didn't know what size to get and that was what was recommended by someone. The last bucket in the row is constantly way lower than the rest, and the head-bucket is WAY full when it's running. I tried to divert some of the flow by splitting it off to dump directly into the end bucket, but it barely makes a difference... :(

Coir · Mar 17, 2014

Sounds like your lines might be undersized which would restrict flow and cause the issues you are seeing.

Tank333 · Mar 17, 2014

They're 1" lines. I had hoped that wasn't too small. I thought I remembered Ttystick had 1" lines and the same size pump, as did the guy who advised this size pump... Doesn't the CC one have a 3\4" return line?

Jalisco Kid · Mar 17, 2014

Have you removed the cover to check out the impeller and all the vanes are still attached. If that is ok, are you running hydroton and maybe it passed through the pump and is impeding the water in the line. Reverse the flow and something might show up in your rez. JK

Tank333 · Mar 17, 2014

I pulled the cover off and the impeller seemed to be just fine. I blew as hard as I could through the return mine and nothing showed up in the end tub.

I'm freakin' baffled by this shit!

Tank333 · Mar 17, 2014

Just figured out the final leak problem, so I'm gonna fill this up and test it for the rest of the day to see what gives...

Tank333 · Mar 17, 2014

Found the culprit! My daughter must have tossed this in while I had my back turned. She loves putting random things in random places... lol Gah, that was frustrating though! It was lodged quite firmly in the 1"-3/4" reducer I used to attach the return to the pump.

View attachment 388759

Coir · Mar 17, 2014

Glad you found the problem. I can't see the picture but I di remember when my kids were younger and all the things that ended up where they weren't supposed to be.

Tank333 · Mar 17, 2014

Maybe this time it will work? Lol

Yea, she's constantly trying to help out by doing what she thinks might be helpful. And what a two-year-old thinks is helpful rarely is. Lol.

Jalisco Kid · Mar 18, 2014

You should always have a screen/filter inline before your pump. She is just teaching you to be a better farmer. JK

Tank333 · Mar 18, 2014

Yup! I'm gonna be installing one today. Lol

FlyinJStable · Mar 18, 2014

Glad ya made the find, I remember when my son was 4 and used the VCR as a toaster.
Its all good.....

Pump for RDWC slowed dramatically...

Pump for RDWC slowed dramatically...

Tank333

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Pump for RDWC slowed dramatically...

Pump for RDWC slowed dramatically...

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Tank333

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Tank333

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