6261 pump erratic

[riverman]

Two months ago I bought 2x 6261 pumps and controller and made my own wave box. Everything has worked perfectly till yesterday. One pump started acting up , it seemed to be running at 1/3 speed . Unplugged it for a while and then it worked fine for a about 5 minutes then slow speed. I took both pumps apart and cleaned them , reassembled them same problem.It almost seems to be overheating , expanding and running slow and erratic (staggering). Any one else had this problem and what is the fix ?
Thanks Riverman

 

[Jar*Head]

Have you follow the cleaning instruction in the sticky above the forum? If so, check to see if anyone (your kids) may adjust the small power knob on the pump to reduce the strength of the pump. If that don't help, send the pump in for repair...

 

[rvitko]

Send me the pump and I will replace it, as it gets hot a connection is seperating and the only repair is to replace it.

Tunze USA
305 Victor St
Austin, TX 78753

 

[riverman]

Second pump down

Second pump down

I know that it's been just about two years but the second pump of my wavebox has now failed. I've been good about keeping them clean and it shows no excessive wear. It runs only during the day, I use the photo electric sensor. It exhibited no strange symptoms like my last one , it just stopped working. I swapped power supplies, gave it a good cleaning and tried to spin it by hand but nothing happened. What should I do ?

 

[rvitko]

Are you in Vancouver California or Vancouver BC? We only handle US repairs. If you are in the US, send it to the same address above.

 

[riverman]

Controller problem ?

Controller problem ?

Hi Roger, I'm in Vancouver BC but I bought the pumps from Scott at Aquarium Specialty and have sent the previous pump directly to you. I have a US mailing address.
I took the pump out last night and just before packing it up I gave it one more test. It seems to work OK without the controller , so I connected it back to the controller it seemed to chatter while running and then it stopped working again. It was late so I haven't done any more tests. Do you think the problem is the controller , I believe it's a 6091 controller.

 

[rvitko]

If you have a controllable stream or nano stream test the 6091 on it, it is far more likely to be the pump.

 

[riverman]

Hi Roger: I've just done a few more tests. When I plug the pump in without the controller it seems to run fine. When I turn the speed of the pump down it seems to shudder a little at the low setting. When I connect the controller (slave cable ) the pump stops working. I then disconnect the slave cable and the pump still does not work. I then unplug the pump and then plug it back in and the pump works. I would rather not have to send the controller in with the pump as I at lest have 1/2 of a wavemaker (I have a 2 pump wavemaker ). I do not have any other pumps that I can use to test the controller. What do you think ?

 

[rvitko]

If both cables can run your other wavebox, we know it is the pump, send in just the pump.

 

[riverman]

Noisy pump

Noisy pump

Hi Roger : I received the replacement pump, thanks very much. At first I was really concerned because it was so different from my other pump. I've made my own external wavebox and had holes drilled in my 500 gal tank. Luckily the pump fit perfectly though. Unfortunately though it's extremely noisy. It sounds like it might be more powerful but the wave isn't any bigger. There is no way I can use this pump though, it's at least 5 times noisier than the original 6261 pump. I thought it might need a few days to get broken in but that doesn't seem to be happening. What do you suggest ?

 

[rvitko]

Make sure the pump is properly assembled and installed. It is definitely stronger, and it is the only pump now available. It takes 2 weeks of operation to see any real noise reduction as well, as a general rule, noise drops 50% after 2 weeks and a further 50% after 2 months. It will be louder but not 5 times louder, generally about 1.5-2 times louder. My guess is the foam sponge is incorrect, you should have a new foam tray that goes under the pump, or the orings on the nose are missing, there should be two. If the front cover (prop housing) is not on completely it is very noisy, make sure all locking tabs are engaged.

 

[riverman]

Thanks for the prompt reply Roger. Because it's custom made it's a bit unusual. There are two holes ( approximately 1.5 in in diameter) drilled in the side of the tank. The tank is 1" acrylic. Each pump fits snugly into the two holes with the front of the pump almost perfectly flush with the inside of the tank. There is an acrylic box mounted on the outside of the tank with a large rectangular opening at the top where the pumps can be removed for servicing. There is approximately two inches clearance at the back end of the pump. I originally wedged foam in there to keep the pump pushed forward to keep it secure. Because the original pumps were fairly quiet I cut some 1" PVC exactly the size of the clearance and wedged it into place for a nice snug fit instead of the foam which got quite dirty. The back end of the new pump is rounded and not flat so I cannot do this now. As well the front of the pump is not square to the opening so it doesn't fit as well. Re-drilling the openings larger is not an option as I would have to drain the tank. As you can see I really cannot use the sponge and the O rings don't really serve much use either. Were the old pumps discontinued because of failures ? As I don't see any better performance would I be better of locating an original 6261 pump or is just going to fail on me? Thoughts ?

Thanks

 

[rvitko]

The pump was discontinued because the basic motor was discontinued, when we changed over to the Stream 2 design, which shares the motor housing of the 6215 pump, the old motor housing ceased production. It is probably hard to find a 6261 pump now as these have not been made in almost 2 years. I would try to find someway to make this work.

 

[riverman]

Would it be possible to get the defective motor back from you Roger and I'll search around for a 6261 Block ? I know I can't live with the noise the new pump is making even if it will get better over time. I'll probably try to use it in an application where it is not starting and stopping so quickly.
Many thanks for your help.

 

[rvitko]

Unfortunately, after we exchange a pump, we strip the core for usable parts (cover, plastic pieces, transformer and driver if applicable) and the basic motor is picked up for recycling, the copper is extracted and the plastic melted down, they pick up every other Friday and your core was taken to be recycled last week. I don't and simply can't keep them here for longer. There was nothing salvageable or repairable, there is no access to the motor as it is potted in polyurethane so it could not be repaired, if it was repairable in any way we would have a process to do so.

 

[riverman]

That is really bad news as I have located a brand new motor block without all the extra parts. Is there any way you could send me the other parts ? It really is impossible for me to mount the replacement pump as nicely as the original 6261 and the noise level is unacceptable.

 

[rvitko]

Yes, if you have the motor block and will pay the shipping I can send you your other parts.

 

[rvitko]

Also, be sure you really found a motor block, part 6261.015 is still in use, it is the part number of the kit you were sent. If you just checked stock of 6261.015 you will get exactly what you have, you need to be clear you want the old out of production motor block, this will depend on someone having one on the shelf.

I mention this because if you called Aquarium Plants.com today, when they checked stock of this part with me, I was referring to exactly the new one you have that you don't like. I know of no US source for this part, we certainly don't have any and cannot get them from the factory. This would depend on some dealer somewhere in the world having an old stock.

 

[madmike]

Riverman, how long has the pump been running for you? I have the same setup in my 12 foot long 400 gallon shallow tank (dual external waveboxes built into the tank). They are mounted the same way as yours, into a hole drilled in the tank. I had an original wavebox pump (square) from a previous tank and purchased a new 6261 for the second pump. When I fired it up it sounded like darth vader was in my house! Over time the sound has gone away and the only time I hear the sound is when I clean them and it takes a couple of days for them to break in again. Give it time it WILL go away.

HTH

 

[riverman]

Thanks roger

Thanks roger

Thanks for the kind offer Roger, I think I'll take you up on it. My local fish store have ordered me a 6261 motor body and they assure me that it will be the old style and that they have ordered it before and they can still get them. I'll be needing the plastic cage , the round front plastic mesh piece , the impeller and anything else you can think of. If you can ship it to my Point Roberts address that would be great. I'm not in any huge rush.