6105 maintenance issue

[artful13dodger]

Hi Roger,

I purchased 2 6105's about one year ago. I end up cleaning with a toothbrush and vinegar soak about once every two months, when I hear them get a little scratchy.

On one of the pumps this time, the metal shaft came out with the impeller, with a metal disk attached and a removable blue rubber ring. The other pump is fine, the metal shaft stayed in place (which they normally have done in the past).

I can't get the pump to work again. The metal shaft won't stay in place or stick into the motor, though no pieces appear to be broken. Is this just a replacement part issue, or something else?

I take it from this the metal shaft shouldn't be removed for full cleaning (not that I meant to this time, and didn't use force)? Also, am I cleaning too often?

 

[rvitko]

The key is getting the shaft and drive unit clean, this will require the drive unit and pump are soaked separated, otherwise the vinegar will not penetrate well and get this surface clean. In general cleaning is not needed more often than every 3 months unless a precipitation occured or sand is stirred up or the Alk or Ca is very high, over say 12dKh and 420ppm. I don't think you damaged them by cleaning. There are two possibilities I can imagine, if the shaft had some calcium build up, due to friction they get hot, the plastic softens and the shaft can pull out easily. It is also possible this is a first gen fixed shaft, very few exist, but the earliest ones has a smooth shaft that was cast into the plastic during molding, fewer than 50 of these were made, we changed to a shaft that has a knurled base and is pressed in and this is a much more rigid fit. The shaft can be replaced but it is not a DIY, we use a hydraulic press to fit in a shaft that is upsized by .02mm at the base. The shaft should never be removed. I would send in the pump and we will get it taken care of.

Tunze USA
305 Victor St
Austin, TX 78753

 

[artful13dodger]

Thanks Roger, I will send it in.

I do clean it by soaking the "motor block" (back of the pump) and drive unit/impeller separately. When I pulled out the drive unit this time, the shaft just came up with it.

Also, I try to keep my Ca and Alk close to the levels you stated, so that is probably why I have to clean more often.

How long would you estimate I'm down a pump? The other is fully operation, and I have a non-controllable Tunze nano that will add at least some flow to try to compensate.

 

[rvitko]

The day after I get it (2 days max), it will be repaired and on the way back provided it arrives before Friday.

 

[artful13dodger]

Cool, many thanks. Wanted to see if I'd have back before Christmas holiday, but sounds like no worry there.

 

[artful13dodger]

Hey Roger, this one should have been delivered late last week I think. Let me know if you need anything or information. There was a handwritten yellow sheet of paper in there (stupid broken printer...).

Thanks.

 

[rvitko]

Can I get your real name? You can PM it to me but if it arrived before Thursday it was done and sent back last week, if it arrived Thursday or Friday it was likely done yesterday.