6100 locking up

[JB NY]

I've had the turbelle stream 6100 for about two months. Within a month the alarm would go off here and there, telling me that the pumps impeller is not moving. Sometimes it will go off for a few seconds then stop other the alarm will just continually wail. When that happens I just hit the feed button to stop it for a few minutes and when if comes back it works, other times I have to open it up and pull the impeller out and put it back in.

What's up with this.? The pump is only two months old and it's stopping 4-5 times a week. This morning the alarm woke me up at 5:45. I know the streams need to be cleaned periodically, but I've got powerheads that only get cleaned every year or so with no problems. It's starting to drive me crazy!

ahhh...there goes the alarm again...I'll have to go fix it.

 

[JB NY]

I have a 6110 not 6100 sorry for the error. It seems that now I can not get the pump to start again, man is that alarm annoying.

 

[rvitko]

Is their any possibility of fine sand in the parts of the drive unit. Also, is the bottom piece with the red oring free of the magnet. Sometimes calcium deposits and sand particles cement these pieces together. This is the most common cause of an alarm. Also be sure the brake shoes freely ratchet in and out when you turn the prop while holding the magnet. Please also check thet the top collar that inserts into the pump is pushed in firmly. The alarm is a safety feature that I would not try to by pass. Under normal conditions once run in an alarm is extremely unlikely and only happenes when clacium deposits or sand have jammed up some of the parts. Please inspect every part, make sure everything is clean and moves freely. Use 1 part whit vinegar to 1 part warm water. If you still have trouble send it in and I will get it fixed and back to you within 4 days.

 

[rvitko]

I just wanted to add- don't use any strong acids to clean the drive unit, the nylon parts will be destroyed. It has to be some obstruction of the drive unit- go through dissassembly of the drive unit as outlined in pages 32-40 of the manual. I would not remove the prop- this should be unnessecary and frequently results in cross threading. The main thing is all parts should clean and friction free. Give me an update and we will take it from their. Be careful when removing the top and bottom bushings that you do not mar them.

 

[JB NY]

After spending about an hour cleaning everything so no calcium deposits were on anything. It looks like the brakes shoes were the problem. The did not open and close when turning the prop. I pulled them out cleaned everything off and put it back together. This time it started up with no problems and continued to run, so I left for work. Before removing and cleaning the brake shoes it would start for about 30 seconds then stop and the annoying alarm would go off. I had it running for about an hour before I left the house. Hopefully it will stay that way.

I did remove the prop to open up the brake assembly. That's how it was stated in the manual.

 

[rvitko]

The tolerances on the pumps are very tight, they have to be to achieve the energy efficiency. In general if you grab the prop in one hand and turn the magnet in the other you can pop the brakes out without removing the prop. Overtime, the parts will wear in and the time between maintanence will be extended. I usually get about 6 months.

 

[SPC]

Use 1 part whit vinegar to 1 part warm water. If you still have trouble send it in and I will get it fixed and back to you within 4 days.

Hi Roger,
I am curious as to why one can't use straight vinegar witrhout having to cut it with water.
Thanks,
Steve

 

[rvitko]

You can use straight vinegar and I have heard that CLR gives good results. I generally use one part white vinegar to one part warm- actualy as hot as comes out of the faucet water- for reasons of economy and the warmth helps break down gunk.

 

[JB NY]

Overtime, the parts will wear in and the time between maintanence will be extended.

Where would I buy replacement parts such as propellers and brakes? Website?

 

[rvitko]

I sell them, it is very rare though to need them, cleaning solves almost all problems. My Turbelle 7410/2 have been running for 3 years with no parts needed and the drive units are identical excepting the prop and the prop attachment point. I fully understand keeping a spare but I would also fully honor a warranty issue. A complete spare drive unit including all parts except the prop is in stock and is part 6080.60 price is $24.62. While we don't sell retail we make an exception for spare parts and service.

 

[Justjoe]

Re: 6100 locking up

I've had the turbelle stream 6100 for about two months. Within a month the alarm would go off here and there, telling me that the pumps impeller is not moving. Sometimes it will go off for a few seconds then stop other the alarm will just continually wail. When that happens I just hit the feed button to stop it for a few minutes and when if comes back it works, other times I have to open it up and pull the impeller out and put it back in.
What's up with this.?

Joe, pull out the prop unit and soak it in some vinegar and flush the inside of the unit as well. That should do it. I have the same thing at Atlantis, especially since the unit is near the bottom and the fine detritus that gets kicked up finds its way and jams the unit.
Joe

 

[JB NY]

Hey Joe,

The unit is working fine now. I'll just clean it out every couple of months now that I am aware of the maintanance needed.

So...When are you stoping by?