6300 Stream and all Electronic Streams

[rvitko]

I just wanted to post the first pics of the new 6300 Stream and note something of interest- no more driver.

The 6300 is pictured below, the electronics are now in the pump, the controller and transformer connect at the small junction block. The speed can now be adjusted by varying the power on the transformer which will now be electronic instead of the bulky copper coil. The 6055 Nano Stream will be the same way. Early next year the 6100 and 6000 will adopt a similar design as will the 7200/2 and 7400/2. For those with existing units the spare motors and drivers will still be made so you have no reason to be concerned about spare parts. The new pumps will not have the alarm feature and the speed adjustment will not be so neatly linear as the power will be adjusted in steps on the transformer so it is a bit of a tradeoff to consider.

 

[Twins Guy]

without the alarm feature is there risk of damage being done to the pump...meaning if the pump freezes up and i don't realize it for a couple days (normally would have been alerted by the screech) can the pump be damaged? otherwise i am very excited about the change...less clutter and more importantly easier maintenance (always tough to remove the pump for cleaning with the driver mounted-generally i would just clean in a bucket next to the tank). hopefully this doesn't impact their reliability or make repairs impossible (i'm sure you get tired of fixing pumps/drivers but you do the reefing community a huge service roger:thumbup:-what other pumps are repairable-or even worth repairing?)

thanks for the info roger!
tg

 

[Creetin]

So if something goes wrong with my 6100 driver ir transformer in 5 or do years i will be able to get parts?

 

[rvitko]

Creetin, yes.

tg, the new driver is completely different and in the event of a problem there won't be an alarm but the number of restart attempts will be limited and the delay between trying to restart will be longer. I have been told this design should be more reliable. The driver is cast into the resin in the pump so it is not replaceable seperately but the drive units, junction block and transformers will all be available. The new transformer is basically a standard laptop power supply with variable output, which is nice because in a pinch you could buy one locally even though I have found they cost a bit more. I bought one for the 6300 shown and it was around $100.

 

[CeeGee]

So Roger in your opinion should one wait on the new pumps? Before answering pretend that you don't work for tunze (but have this info) and that you have to make the right decision on these as you are strapped for cash and this would be a huge investment for you.

I was all set to order a set of 6000's with the multicontroller (and going to upgrade them to 6100's when needed) but now I am not sure what to do. I narrowed down to the tunze because the vortechs are so new (and not proven + many problems so far) and the lack of controller.

I really like how this takes a piece of equipment out of the equation (if I understand correctly) but would be concerned about more heat going into the tank as a result. Also could one still upgrade these from a 6000 to a 6100 or with the new design would you have to just buy 6100's to start with?

also when are the new 6000 and 6100's going to be available? Early next year could mean anything.

 

[rvitko]

Personally, I prefer the older design. The new one is just that, new. I like the old design because the parts are individually replaceable and I am a big fan of things I can repair and keep running for a long time. I also have more faith in a big heavy copper winding transformer than a little lap top power supply. FWIW, I just concluded a test of the new design and it actually runs cooler and uses less power, a 6100 now draws 42W instead of 45W. They also tell me the new driver is far more reliable because it has to be since it cannot be replaced seperately making warranty a bigger expense for us. Really, I think it will be individual preference as the new design has many advantages including the ability to go buy a new power supply at any electronics store in a pinch and not being as prone to water damage and easier to service. Tough call I guess. The 6300 is due at the end of November and will be the first pump with this design and the 6200 will follow shortly after as it will now share the 6300 motor block. The 6000 and 6100 will probably be replaced with the new design in February.

 

[CeeGee]

The controller is going to be consistent right? I mean it isn't changing. What about upgrading the new 6000 to a 6100?

How about performance of New vs. Old?

I took a long time deciding which setup to go with between the vortechs and the tunze and now this. Usually I would just take the plunge but this is a HUGE investment (I am sure $700 isn't much to some people but it is to me) and I have one shot to get things right there is no way that my wife is going to let me sink this much money into something like this twice. If I go ahead and purchase now are you positive that you guys are going to continue to support the current setup.

I have heard nothing but good things about how you guys handle problems and I will expect the same great service if needed no matter if the design has been updated or not.

Once again please advise.

Thanks,
C.G.

 

[rvitko]

The controller isn't changing. Likely the 6000 and 6100 will merge into one pump as the new power supply just has a switch from 12-15-18-20V and this will be the speed control, on 12V it will be a 6000 on 20V a 6100. On the current models you can adjust the speed on the driver if you don't have a controller, that feature will be gone and instead the only adjustment will be the voltage. The gph will be identical, though the energy efficiency is a bit higher, we hope to make further gains and bring the new 6100 down to 40W from the current 45W.

I know it is a lot of money, but I can promise parts support for the older versions, we generally work just like the auto manufacturers and try to provide a 10 year parts supply or a retrofit to new parts. This would mean parts would be available for another 6 years or so since the pumps have been out now for 4 years. We still have parts on hand for pumps from the 70's and I personally hoarde parts for obsolete items when possible. If someone sends me something for repair and it is not feasible but a few parts are good, I keep the parts and occasionally even buy old units just to part them out should the need arrise. Right now I actually have driver and transformers going back 3 generations to pumps made in the late 90's and skimmer parts from skimmers made in the 70's.

It is really personal preference. It may be worth waiting to see how the 6300 is recieved since this will be the basic platform they will all adopt. The only other thing I can see influencing your decision is that the current 6000 will likely be cheaper since the new version will essentially be the 6100 with the ability to turn it down to a 6000. The laptop power supplies are more expensive than what we currently use. I bought several of them when we were trying to find the best ones and they generally run about $80 each retail.

 

[CeeGee]

based on your statements I feel that I am going to go ahead and go with what you guys have available now. I don't want to wait forever and I need to get something better than what I have.

Thanks for your help I hope I am making the right choice.

 

[CeeGee]

6000 setup should arrive thursday.

 

[Creetin]

So my new pumps will only have NEW parts available for 5-6 more years?
I feel like i was too late sitting down in musical chairs.

 

[rvitko]

I can promise 6 years but odds are as long as there are pumps that need parts we will keep making them and the major consumables like drive units will be unchanged. There is nothing to worry about, your pumps should last about 10 years and we will see to it you can keep them running that long.

 

[Creetin]

Thanks i feel better!

 

[CeeGee]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8273394#post8273394 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rvitko
I can promise 6 years but odds are as long as there are pumps that need parts we will keep making them and the major consumables like drive units will be unchanged. There is nothing to worry about, your pumps should last about 10 years and we will see to it you can keep them running that long.

This hobby will put me in the poor house way before then!