6105's quit running

[RoachF4]

I've have 4 6105's on my 180...2 of them I've had going for a few years now and the two that quit on me are about a year and half old. They are the newer design with the blue plugs for detaching the clip from the wetside magnet (wish all four were like this as they are much quieter). All four are controlled though an Apex...the two older ones are hooked up together and the two newer ones are hooked up together through the AquaSurf Module.
About a week ago the two new ones just stopped working...won't come on through manual mode either. I haven't taken the taken the wiring out to inspect it up close, but everything looks like it's still connected. I haven't taken the pumps out to inspect them becuase the chances of them both being clogged by debris seems unlikely, but you never know. I'm trying to avoid taking them completly out of the tank (wiring, driver, and all) as it's a major PITA to access and disconnect all the cableing at this point. I can easily take the pumps out for cleaning and inspection. I was just wondering if anyone had any suggestions at this point. What should I be looking for besides the obvious obstruction or loose connection?
Thanks for your time.
Matt

 

[rvitko]

In general if the pumps are not cleaned at at least 6 month intervals, calcium deposits will lock them up and I suspect that is the issue. It is not large debris that usually causes this, just the slow build up of calcium cementing the propeller magnets to the shafts. Besides this I would try them with the power supplies of the other pumps to rule out a dead power supply. Be aware that their are two pump designs, before Nov 2011 the shafts came out of the pump and the drive units looked like this, though those before mid 2010 would have a black propeller blade and only a black plastic disk under the magnet (dark blue silicon cup was not present)-

http://www.tunze.com/details.html?&L=1&C=US&user_tunzeprod_pi1[prodid]=6105.700

Pumps made since Nov 2011 will generally have a fixed shaft that is not removable and if forced out the pump can be destroyed, the drive unit will look like this one linked below, if it doesn't pull out easily, do not force it, send it in.

http://www.tunze.com/details.html?&L=1&C=US&user_tunzeprod_pi1[prodid]=6105.701

 

[RoachF4]

Oops...didn't know that about the new shafts. I took them both out (newer models). I didn't have to force them out. just a litte resistance involved. How can I tell if I messed up the pump? I also seemed to have misplaced one of the blue rubber end caps for the shaft. Is it possible to buy just those caps?
You were right about the calcium build up. It was in need of some scrubbing.

Matt

 

[rvitko]

If your shafts have the blue end caps, they are the older model, not the latest one with the fixed shaft. This type is removable and while they quit producing them in Nov 2011, some persisted in stock at some dealers until later in 2012. We don't have just the caps as a spare part, the farthest they break it down is a shaft with the 2 blue ends. I do however have some extras on hand and I would get them to you for just a couple dollars for postage and the envelope.

 

[RoachF4]

Well I found the blue end cap, had the pumps working great in a bucket of water after I cleaned them up. I hooked them back up to the aquasurf as they were before and they won't fire up. I tried switching the connections with the other two Tunze pumps and still nothing. I've put one older pump and one newer pump on one connection to the aquasurf and I've put them together as well and still nothing. The two older pumps will work on any of the connections available, while the two newer models don't want to work on any of the connections. Any suggestions for this.
I know the pumps are good...it's almost like they aren't reading the signals sent from the Apex through the aquasurf, which is completly absurd becuase it worked for the past year and half with no problems. I don't know what could have changed. If you have any ideas, I appreciate them. Thanks again for your time.

Matt

 

[RoachF4]

Still having trouble with them. They ran fine yesterday and then they stopped in the middle of the night. Unplugged them and replugged them in and they started up. One of them is making a high pitched whine while running at high power. The older ones are still running like champs. Any idea whats up with these pumps?
Thanks for your time.
Matt

 

[rvitko]

If they spin freely on the shafts and the drive units are reassembled correctly so the disk is under the drive unit magnet and the slotted side of the black disk is facing the base of the magnet and you are sure the controller cable can run another pump, you have done all you can, send them in for repair. We would only be able to verify operation on a Tunze controller here. Include a note or print of this thread, describing the issue, with a return address and phone number.

Tunze USA
305 Victor St
Austin, TX 78753