need pump for CL-280

[bill-e]

Jeremy, Jason,

I posted this in the Lighting and pumps forum as well.

I just installed a Pacific Coast CL-280 chiller and I'm in need of a new pump. I was using a Mag 7 for return into my tank with about a 4' head. The chiller is installed in the basement below the tank at about 3' lower than the tanks sump. There's about 7' of 3/4 tubing running to and from the chiller. There is one 90Ã"šÃ‚°elbow going into the standpipe of the tank and another at it's output directing water into the tank. The chiller itself has 2 45Ã"šÃ‚°'s with very small openings (3/8 or 1/2" at most). I've currently installed a 5 yr old Sen 700 with new impeller and I'm getting maybe 180-200gph (22 seconds to fill a gallon jug)

Do you think the Sen is putting out even close to what it's rated at? I dont know if the mag drive pumps "wear out" by not creating as strong a field when they are ald as they do when new. That's why I dont know which pump I should upgrad to. I will tell you that the Mag 7, 5 yr's old and also with a new impeller had what I'm guessing was 125gph when I tried it.

Prior to doing the flow test, I was about to order a Mag 9.5 but now I'm not sure that even that will give me the flow I need (300-600 for the chiller) and I'd be happy to get the flow of the Mag 7 which I used before. I'd like not to have to spend $200 on a new pump but I think I need at least 150 more gph to get to the low end of the chiller rating and maybe 250 more to get back to the flow of the Mag 7 at 4'.

Thanks.

 

[Jeremy B.]

Hi Bill,

You might try purchasing a Sen900 impeller to upgrade it to the 999gph Sen pump. That would probably get you the extra 150gph that you are looking for. How is the efficiency of the chiller right now with the flow you are putting through it?

Thanks,
Jeremy

 

[bill-e]

Hi Bill,

You might try purchasing a Sen900 impeller to upgrade it to the 999gph Sen pump. That would probably get you the extra 150gph that you are looking for. How is the efficiency of the chiller right now with the flow you are putting through it?

Thanks,
Jeremy

Jeremy,

That is what I hoped you would say. I remember hearing many years ago that you could upgrade the Sen by changing impellers.

As far as efficiency, I'm not sure. It hasnt been all that hot yet (as in multiple hot days in a row) but the chiller seems to be running for a while on the 2 degree setting to pull the tank down...though it is keeping the tank cool.

I suppose it's a ballance between flow and the reduction in temp of the water thru the chiller, more flow=less temp reduction but higher turnover. I'd like more flow to meet what Pacific Coast recommends as the minimum water flow (300gph) plus get a little more turbulance in the tank.

Thanks

 

[Jeremy B.]

Yes, it is definitely a fine line / balance of flow and efficiency. However if you are off some it is not going to make a drastic difference in the chiller's performance, and unless the chiller is borderline on being undersized, it probably will not be noticeable to you.

 

[bill-e]

Jeremy,

Got the impeller albeit with a broken shaft (left a phone message). I installed it using the shaft from my 700 impeller and it makes absolutely no difference in the gph of the water through the chiller. It's always good to have a spare impeller though

I sent an email to Stephen at Pacific Coast and he's mailing me a set of larger fittings for the chiller...we'll see if that makes any difference.

 

[Jeremy B.]

Hi Bill,

I think you have maximized the amount of flow with the 700gph pump already through the chiller plumbing, and the 900 upgrade is obviously making no difference. I think if you had the pumps running free you would definitely see a difference between the two.

Just out of curiosity, have you tried the milk jug test with it? Timing how long it takes to fill a gallon of water to see what your gph is?

 

[bill-e]

Hi Bill,

I think you have maximized the amount of flow with the 700gph pump already through the chiller plumbing, and the 900 upgrade is obviously making no difference. I think if you had the pumps running free you would definitely see a difference between the two.

Just out of curiosity, have you tried the milk jug test with it? Timing how long it takes to fill a gallon of water to see what your gph is?

22 seconds. Thats about 164gph but the hose was leaking a little so I rounded up to 180gph. I'm hoping new fittings help.

 

[Jeremy B.]

Hopefully the new fittings will get you a higher flow rate. They really do pinch down on the ends. Having said that, I have a CL280 running on my office tank off of a Mag5 that I am sure is getting less flow than yours, and still remains very efficient. Please let me know how the new fittings work out for you. Thanks!

 

[Shak]

Where can I get a set of these larger fitting? I had a heck of a time finding tubing and fittings for the ones that were included and hate that everything is 3/4" pvc on the return only to be restricted by the fittings.

Thanks

 

[bill-e]

Where can I get a set of these larger fitting? I had a heck of a time finding tubing and fittings for the ones that were included and hate that everything is 3/4" pvc on the return only to be restricted by the fittings.

Thanks

Send an email to sales@pacificcoastimports.com.

The new fittings increased flow by 25% at least.

 

[bill-e]

Hopefully the new fittings will get you a higher flow rate. They really do pinch down on the ends. Having said that, I have a CL280 running on my office tank off of a Mag5 that I am sure is getting less flow than yours, and still remains very efficient. Please let me know how the new fittings work out for you. Thanks!

Jeremy,

The new fittings worked great and I now have the flow I want....it's been cool so no way to tell what effect they've had on the chiller.

I recommend that you convince Pacific Coast to either include both sized fittings (the new ones only go down to 5/8ths) or you offer them as a free option for those who will use the chiller with more head pressure.

 

[Scleractinian]

Bill, was your chiller the '04 model?

 

[bill-e]

Bill, was your chiller the '04 model?

Yea, the +/- 2Ã"šÃ‚° model

Here's a typical 24 hour period and it's been hot and humid