6105 not responding to controller...wrong power supply

[jrobison]

I got a used 6105 with a tank. It had a 7091 controller with it. I noticed that it would quit responding to the controller sometimes. When I unplugged it and started it back it would work. I assumed it was a controller problem. This week I bought a new 6105 from foster smith and connected both pumps to my apex. The pump is still stopping responding from controller but if I unplug and restart it works correctly for a while. I did notice once I bought a new 6105 that the old one has a different power supply that I don't believe is from Tunze. It has no jumper and says made in China. Do you think this power supply could be the problem with the controllability of the pump? I will be ordering a new one anyway so I can put the jumper in and know I'm getting the flow I want. Just hoping this will solve the controller issue too. Thanks.

 

[rvitko]

The power supply shouldn't be a huge issue if the specs are correct. Frankly they are all made in China, unless you get into very high end industrial power supplies, the Chinese make them so cheap they have pretty much eliminated any competition. With that said, they still vary a lot in quality by brand and specs, just as you see from those articles about people being shocked by cheap aftermarket iPhone chargers, some of them cut every corner to get even cheaper, but even the real charger is made in China, just to a much higher standard. My best guess would be the impeller is locked up, it is likely different from the new one you have, before Nov 2011 the shaft was removable and often the impeller cements to the shaft with calcium build up, this will cause the pump to shut down and overheat the power supply. Really, if the power supply is at least 50W, has a 2.5 by 5.5 mm tip that is positive and at least 12V, it should run the pump, 24V is needed for full performance.

 

[rvitko]

Also make sure the small potentiometer knob on the junction box is turned all the way up, this needs to be at 100% anytime a controller is used.

 

[jrobison]

OK thanks for the input. I will double check the specs on the power supply. The pump does have the removable shaft and I just soaked it in vinegar and water and cleaned it. The pump doesn't quit working it just quits responding to the controller. Its working fine now since I last reset it on Saturday. I will keep a check on it. Thanks!

 

[jrobison]

Also, I assume the potentiometer should be turned clockwise to turn it up, and that any power supply voltage from 12-24 volts will work (there is nothing special about the 12, 18, and 24 increments supplied by Tunze). Thanks

 

[rvitko]

Make sure the prop and magnet spin on the metal shaft, they should not be stuck together, what can happen is it will drag the shaft on high speed and not restart or respond from a lower speed. The voltage sets the speed, 12V is the minimum, 24V is needed for maximum power, a typical laptop power supply is 19V.

 

[jrobison]

Ok I will check that. It is on a 12 v supply now.