6060 Running backwards and prop question

[BrianPlankis]

Hello Roger,

I have a 6060 that occasionally would not start when switched off. I took it out yesterday and discovered a little calcium buildup. So I cleaned off the calcium build up and the pump starts up every time now. But backwards!

I took the prop apart for cleaning and wondered if I screwed something up. I turn it on and let it run for 30 seconds to 1.5 minutes and it does not reverse direction and start pushing water out. It is definitely pulling water in by the main output hole and pushing water out the intake slots.

Do I need to let it run longer before it will reverse flow and push water out, or will I damage it?

Here are pictures of how the prop is assembled, it seems I can assemble it two ways:

A. Tight and notches on the prop lined up with the notches on the white plastic:

B. OR, I can put the prop on where the notches are not lined up (this makes the prop "taller"):

It then has the option of seating itself later if needed, but then the screw is sticking out:

So which way is the correct way to assemble it, A or B?

Related to that, how long does it need to run to reverse flow so it is shooting out normal again?

Brian

 

[rvitko]

A is correct. The backwards rotation is related to the brakes shoes. They may be worn excessively or they may be locked in by calcium. The drive unit looks to have some bad wear. The bearing disk is grooved quite heavily and the prop blades are nicked in many places. The brakes may be worn from sand entering (possible cause of grooves) or a sudden stop due to a foreign object hitting the propeller. It should not be able to run backwards in normal use. Backwards rotation could result in an overheat. Was it ever run on a wavemaker?

 

[BrianPlankis]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9646534#post9646534 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rvitko
A is correct. The backwards rotation is related to the brakes shoes. They may be worn excessively or they may be locked in by calcium. The drive unit looks to have some bad wear. The bearing disk is grooved quite heavily and the prop blades are nicked in many places. The brakes may be worn from sand entering (possible cause of grooves) or a sudden stop due to a foreign object hitting the propeller. It should not be able to run backwards in normal use. Backwards rotation could result in an overheat. Was it ever run on a wavemaker?

The brakes do appear to extend when the shaft is rotated the wrong direction (manually). I can't think of any foreign object hitting the propeller, except that our wonderful electric company does have occasional power losses that last about 1-2 minutes and then it comes back on, maybe long enough for a snail to crawl in and then get whacked when power comes back on.

I have never run it on a wavemaker, but our electricity does ocassionally go off as mentioned above. I bought it used and the previous owner also did not run it on a wavemaker.

So are you saying it is broken?

Brian

 

[rvitko]

Well, it is broken but it can be repaired and the cost of repair wouldn't excede $40 and could be as little as $2. The brakes probably are too worn to grab and stop a backwards rotation. If they extend stiffly, calcium and debris in the cavity that houses the brakes may be preventing them from moving smoothly.

 

[BrianPlankis]

Well, I really like the pump, so I would like to get it repaired, I can send you the whole shebang and you can look it over?

What address should I send the pump to?

Brian

 

[rvitko]

Sure,

Tunze USA
305 Victor St
Austin TX 78753

Please include a note descirbing the problem and the return address.

 

[BrianPlankis]

Roger,

It went out in the mail Monday (Priority mail), you should receive it today or tomorrow since we are only a few hundred miles apart.

Please PM me once you know what is wrong and how much it will cost to fix. It was the major source of flow for my tank, so looking forward to getting it back.

Cheers,

Brian

 

[rvitko]

I got it today and I will get to doing the repair tomorrow.

 

[BrianPlankis]

Roger,

Thanks for the repair, I got it yesterday and put it in the tank this morning. It is now moving Tunze of water as it should

I'll keep some vinegar handy to avoid this in the future. Yet another excellent customer service by Roger.

Cheers,

Brian

 

[rvitko]

Thanks!