Is it possible to add a quick-disconnect to powerhead cords?

[bbrantley]

The nature of my tank install makes it very, very difficult to pull the entire transformer out of the cabinetry when I want to clean my Streams. I'm sure they are wired the way they are to prevent leaks, corrosion, and damage. However, if I utilize gasketed quick-disconnects, can I just rewire the cables? Has anyone done this?

Thanks,

Ben

 

[rvitko]

I have seen it done and innevitably the pumps come in broken. It voids the warranty, there are 5 very small wires in the cable and the cable can be unplugged by opening the driver. This is a safety lock out because disconnecting the pump with the power on will fry the pump and/or driver so it was deliberately made difficult. My way is to just clean the pumps at the tank in a small bucket of vinegar. You can though unscrew the cover of the driver and unplug the pump.

 

[jmicky41]

Roger, so opening the "blue box" and unplugging the pump is not considered tampering with the pump, thus voiding the warranty? With how long the cords are, and how many wires, ballasts and such are behind my tank; getting the whole thng out is a tremendous pain.

 

[rvitko]

So long as you disconnect the power before you open the box you don't void the warranty, the manual even shows you how to do this.

 

[bbrantley]

Thanks Roger. In my case, I have the transformers mounted to my stand and largely inaccessible. I'll probably hack it up simply because I can't be unscrewing stuff from my stand every month or two to clean. It would be great if Tunze could do a little reengineering on these and design the transformer to disengage safely upon disconnect... saving us poor aquarists a lot of trouble!

Ben

 

[poknsnok]

I have a similar situation. the transformers are the "hockey pucks" correct. If you wanted to make your 6000 a 6100 you can get a 6100 transformer I have heard. But that would involve opening the transformer as you have mentioned, correct?. Is that what Jmicky is calling the "blue box"?

 

[bbrantley]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7792576#post7792576 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by poknsnok
I have a similar situation. the transformers are the "hockey pucks" correct. If you wanted to make your 6000 a 6100 you can get a 6100 transformer I have heard. But that would involve opening the transformer as you have mentioned, correct?. Is that what Jmicky is calling the "blue box"?

I've been mislabeling the devices. I'm talking about the blue aluminum boxes that are hard-wired to the powerheads. I guess they call those the "drivers" or some such; the black hockey pucks are true transformers I imagine.

Ben

 

[rvitko]

Exactly, and the transformer just plugs into the driver, opening it is not necessary.

 

[poknsnok]

can the pump be removed from the transformer?? doesnt look like it can be

 

[rvitko]

All parts can be seperated. There seems to be a lot of confusion, the transformer is the big heavy hockey puck and it just plugs into the driver, you had to connect it when you received it. The driver is the aluminum box and the pump can be disconnected from the driver but you have to be sure the power is off and open the driver to do so. The instructions are in your manual.

 

[poknsnok]

there is a cord that runs into the transformer from the driver. that just unclips. that I know. there is also a cord that runs from the transformer to the pump from the top of the transformer. that is the one I would like to seperate. It looks hard wired.. my problem is that I would have to fish the heavy hockey puck up behind my tank to remove the pump to clean.i

 

[rvitko]

There is no cord from the transformer to the pump.

Wall--Transformer---Driver---Pump

If you open the driver you can unplug the pump.

 

[poknsnok]

ok.. im confused... the puck has 2 cords from it... one goes straight to the pump. I believe... so I will look at it again when I get home.. sorry for the confusion

 

[rvitko]

One goes to the wall outlet and one goes to the driver, the driver further modifies/controls the power and sends it to the pump.

 

[jmaneyapanda]

who's on first?

 

[rvitko]

the transformer