2 MP40WQD's Arrived Yesterday

[nigeldcat]

Finally my two pumps arrived yesterday from Marine Depot for my 150G.

Here are my first impressions:
Pros:

• Yep they are quiet, even at full speed and they move lots of water!
• Easy to install and pretty much self align between wet and dry. I suspect since my glass is just under 0.5 inch and with the recommended spacer the magnetic attraction is on the low end this helped.
• Setup was pretty easy, but go online as online info is better than setup guide which was pretty rudimentary. OK with this as why waste paper on manuals anyway?
• Lots of functions packed into a controller with only a few buttons and feedback using lights works pretty effectively. It works but a display would help here.
• Customer service seems awesome as questions on website were answered quickly!

Cons:

• Lots of functions packed into a controller with only a few buttons and lights, can't wait to program with my Neptune Systems WXM this weekend for better info of setting and more control options.
• Quality control could be better, but this is early build for new product so expect some kinks. Control knob on one controller is much, much stiffer than the other due to a PCB alignment issue. I can probably crack open case an fix but should not have too. Lots of scratches on dry side face, but this gets covered up by spacer gasket. At first I thought they may be "used" but manufacturing date was April 5 so clearly not used. Suspect it is something with QA testing fixture and final test.
• Documentation could be better as full manual for new model is not yet available.

All in all I am pretty impressed with these new pumps. Only a few minor cosmetic QA complaints and overall quality seems really solid. I am only a day into these, but gut impression is they exceeded my expectations for now.

 

[ViktorVaughn]

There is no difference between the operation and programming of the new quiet drives other than pulse mode being renamed gyre. All previous documentation (pamphlet with pump and online comprehensive guide) is applicable to the quiet drives. Even still I'd guess ecotech might re-release the same guide with new pictures and the gyre mode.

I absolutely love my WXM with the 2 mp40 qd's I have. Its really awesome being able to randomize the flow so much throughout the day. Just wait until you get yours, I'm sure you'll enjoy it too.

 

[nigeldcat]

Got them programmed this weekend. The intensity settings don't seem to jive and I suspect the firmware needs to be updated for the QD range. Don't think you can get full intensity range control as I think these new pumps have a broader operating range between min and max. No lower limit is posted for the new Qd's yet.

Yep, like the way I can have the Apex control flow at different times, especially at night.

Would like them even more if there was some feedback on the speed the were actually running at.

 

[ViktorVaughn]

I had issues initially getting the pumps to follow my WXM settings so rather than using the graph to program it, I created a profile for each mode and max intensity. After setting up the virtual outlets like a standard outlet (Fallback x Set x If time etc.) its worked like a charm. Maybe give that a shot unless you already have. I think you are right about the min settings/broader range. If I'm remembering correctly, 20% used to be lowest setting the pump could be set to before it would enter into the barely spinning/feed mode. For my night program, I have each pump set to 20% constant power which corresponds to 3 dots or 25% power where my old vortechs would have 2 LED's lit.

As far as the feedback about speed do you mean a continuously updating speed percentage when in a mode like reef crest that changes frequently? If so then I agree, that would be pretty cool to see rather than looking at the controllers lit LED's.

 

[NTP66]

Got mine today (last two from Premium Aquatics), and my sentiments echo everyone else's - these things are dead silent. The one thing I wanted to point out here is that if you follow the directions on the slip they send you, you're going to install the wireless board upside down. I caught this while installing mine, and after a quick search, saw that somebody else noticed it, too (only they actually did install it upside down).

 

[nigeldcat]

@ViktorVaughn

Yea I set up a pump an tried different intensity and could not get full range of control. Led's on driver would indicate max to about 3 leds. Anything less than 20% puts it into feed mode.
As for feedback, I would like to be able to log the actual RPM the pump was running. So like you say if it is in Reef Crest Mode I could see what the RPM variations were over time.