New EcoTech Marine Vectra Return Pump

[rjallen]

Read my post in the Pump Heat Talk thread - it explains some of your questions.

I agree that some good comparison tests would be nice to see. I've seen many claims that the power consumption of the Jebao pumps is significantly higher than claimed. Regardless, accurate power-flow comparisons would be nice. I'd also be interested to SE comparisons of different brands that use the same motor block. For example, the Ecotech appears to use the same motor block as the Deepwater BLDC line of pumps. Since they use different controllers, they may actually behave differently. At very least, the controller/power supply may be more or less efficient. While that doesn't affect heating in the tank, it's still watts you pay for on your electric bill.

To those using the pump externally, how did you make the connections? I was considering a BLDC pump recently, but the BSP fittings turned me off. The sites I've checked say they are close, but not compatible with NPT fittings and specifically advised not mixing the two. Since adapters are virtually impossible to find that makes connections problematic.

You understand the Vectra pumps native thread input/ outflow ports are British Standard threads the M1 has 1.5" intake 1.25 outflow. Eco Tech does stock "kits" that contain adapters for both ports for both the M1 and L1.

Yes the threads are close and Eco Tech uncharacteristically says you can use NPT fittings. Ask your local plumber how he/ she feels about that. It will work submerged but in external role, you will probably get salt creep at the minimum and chronic leaks down the road. Since BS threads are NOT Tapered it would be very easy to stress crack the plastic adapter and I bet it is a good chance you will eventually damage the threads of a $350 - $450 pump.

I opted for the adapters and they work very well allowing me to make a slip connection to American PVC pipe and fittings. You are right you will not find these adapters anywhere this side of the Atlantic. BRS says they are planning to carry the adapter kits.

RJ

 

[sleepydoc]

You understand the Vectra pumps native thread input/ outflow ports are British Standard threads the M1 has 1.5" intake 1.25 outflow. Eco Tech does stock "kits" that contain adapters for both ports for both the M1 and L1.

Yes the threads are close and Eco Tech uncharacteristically says you can use NPT fittings. Ask your local plumber how he/ she feels about that. It will work submerged but in external role, you will probably get salt creep at the minimum and chronic leaks down the road. Since BS threads are NOT Tapered it would be very easy to stress crack the plastic adapter and I bet it is a good chance you will eventually damage the threads of a $350 - $450 pump.

I opted for the adapters and they work very well allowing me to make a slip connection to American PVC pipe and fittings. You are right you will not find these adapters anywhere this side of the Atlantic. BRS says they are planning to carry the adapter kits.

RJ

Ecotech's recommendation is kind of surprising. Plumbing is one area where 'close enough' frequently is close enough to cause problems.

Where did you get the adapters? When I got my BLDC pump from salty supply, they were very helpful but didn't have the adapters yet (they did say they were working on getting them.) As I wanted to get my system up and running I opted for a different pump.

Given that British pipe thread fittings are virtually nonexistent in the US, it's surprising that they would market a pump without including the adapters. It's really annoying when companies sell a $400 piece of equipment but don't include a $0.50 piece of plastic to connect it properly.

 

[rjallen]

Ecotech's recommendation is kind of surprising. Plumbing is one area where 'close enough' frequently is close enough to cause problems.

Where did you get the adapters? When I got my BLDC pump from salty supply, they were very helpful but didn't have the adapters yet (they did say they were working on getting them.) As I wanted to get my system up and running I opted for a different pump.

Given that British pipe thread fittings are virtually nonexistent in the US, it's surprising that they would market a pump without including the adapters. It's really annoying when companies sell a $400 piece of equipment but don't include a $0.50 piece of plastic to connect it properly.

+++1

It almost prevented me from buying a Vectra and is why I did not buy other DC pumps. I have pondered the reasons why Eco Tech did this and have not come up with a good reason. At least they included the union with a compression fitting. They look nice and are of good quality, but are too small for these pumps. Never the less, the unions make it easy to plumb and most will probably opt to use the fittings.
I went ahead with the purchase after Tim Marks announced Eco Tech would have the fittings within days. They are now in stock at Eco Tech- check the parts under Vectra. Unfortunately shipping costs as much as the kit. I believe Bulk Reef is planning on keeping these kits in stock.

RJ

 

[Johnseye]

Jonseye, are you using heaters on this system? How many gallons of water are you evaporating per week or day? Do you run a fan?

My heater is set to kick on at 78F. It had not run for some time, but over the past few days the temp at night has started to drop in the 50s and I've been leaving the windows open near the tank to help bring the tank down. So it came on last night for the first time since adding the Vectra

Since using the Vectra I started using a fan above the DT. It's helped bring the temp down a couple degrees. I always run a single Noctua 120 fan in the sump area for air circulation and lower humidity.

My evaporation was about 1-2g per day. Probably a little higher now with the fan above the DT.

I purchased a Fluval SP4 to compare. It's rated at 88w so theoretically it should generate the same heat within the tank as the Vectra, if not a little more. I'll install it over the next couple days and should know by the end of the week.

 

[ksed]

Klaus is your RD3 pump low voltage or high voltage?

 

[daquan44]

I have my Vectra M1 plugged into my EB8 on my Neptune Apex, and it cuts the power to the pump 4 times a day for feeding. My question is, how much will this shorten the life of the pump. I know an exact number cannot be given, what I want to know is how detrimental is this for the Vectra? That is a lot of on off cycles.

 

[rjallen]

I have my Vectra M1 plugged into my EB8 on my Neptune Apex, and it cuts the power to the pump 4 times a day for feeding. My question is, how much will this shorten the life of the pump. I know an exact number cannot be given, what I want to know is how detrimental is this for the Vectra? That is a lot of on off cycles.

First, you have it in #4 or #8 in your EB8 right?

Second, are you using ReefLink EcoSmartLive?
I don't think it will materially shorten the life of the pump but if you are using Reeflink- Eco Tech's connection you might eventually corrupt something within the Eco Tech control side of things Are you trying to automate for use with the Neptune Auto Feeder? If you just use the controller that came with the pump, I don't think you will do any damage. Just hope Neptune will come out with a control program/ module for the Vectra

RJ

 

[daquan44]

No. I have it plugged into outlet #1, and I am not using a reeflink. I am using an auto feeder and that is why I have the pump set to turn off 4 times a day. I cannot wait for the Vectra to have the ability to be controlled by the WXM. From that point I will not have to completely shutdown the pump, but instead use the built in feed mode.

 

[BIGD0G]

Klaus is your RD3 pump low voltage or high voltage?

I have asked this in other venues and the RD3 is 240v DC not low voltage like the 12, 24 36v motors.

 

[gcarroll]

I have asked this in other venues and the RD3 is 240v DC not low voltage like the 12, 24 36v motors.

Well there would definitely be some loss of efficiency stepping down the voltage on those 12v-36v pumps. This might explain why there is no DC power supply hanging off that RD3 controller.

 

[BIGD0G]

Well there would definitely be some loss of efficiency stepping down the voltage on those 12v-36v pumps. This might explain why there is no DC power supply hanging off that controller.

Agreed. This was the reason I asked the question to begin with. I was hoping to be able to power it short term with a 12v source every couple hours in a power outage situation just to turn over the water in the sump some. No luck as there is no 12v input as the pump runs at 240v DC.

 

[LesMartin]

Well there would definitely be some loss of efficiency stepping down the voltage on those 12v-36v pumps. This might explain why there is no DC power supply hanging off that RD3 controller.

I suspect that the Power Supply is built into the controller housing as there is indeed a 0-10v port option on the 80W RD3

 

[sleepydoc]

Not that familiar wi the RD3 - is the 0-10V port for an external controller?

 

[BIGD0G]

Not that familiar wi the RD3 - is the 0-10V port for an external controller?

Yes. It can be controlled by external controllers such as the Neptune Apex.

 

[gcarroll]

Here you go talk about heat coming from pumps here. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2528341.
Continue on with any other vectra pump talk below [emoji16]

I already tried moving them to that thread but I guess they may be intimidated.

 

[OceanMocean]

No. I have it plugged into outlet #1, and I am not using a reeflink. I am using an auto feeder and that is why I have the pump set to turn off 4 times a day. I cannot wait for the Vectra to have the ability to be controlled by the WXM. From that point I will not have to completely shutdown the pump, but instead use the built in feed mode.

Have you tried to sync it with apex wxm? Looks like same QD driver as the mp40qd which works with wxm.

 

[George_Goosen]

First, you have it in #4 or #8 in your EB8 right?



Second, are you using ReefLink EcoSmartLive?

I don't think it will materially shorten the life of the pump but if you are using Reeflink- Eco Tech's connection you might eventually corrupt something within the Eco Tech control side of things Are you trying to automate for use with the Neptune Auto Feeder? If you just use the controller that came with the pump, I don't think you will do any damage. Just hope Neptune will come out with a control program/ module for the Vectra



RJ

Any particular reason why you asked if he has it in #4 or #8?

 

[slief]

Any particular reason why you asked if he has it in #4 or #8?

Because outlets 4 & 8 on an Apex EB8 are relay outlets and my guess is that his theory is that the relay outlets will last longer than the triac when turned on and off frequently. That said, I have my mix pump turn on every 3 hours and it runs for 15 minutes. It's been doing that for nearly 5 years off a triac outlet and never had an issue. When I ran a very small peristaltic pump for my ATO off a relay outlet, it came on around 10 times a day for years and I never had an issue. Same with my ATO failsafe solenoid on the relay outlet. Never had an issue in either instances with EB8 outlets failing when excercised several times a day.

 

[rjallen]

Because outlets 4 & 8 on an Apex EB8 are relay outlets and my guess is that his theory is that the relay outlets will last longer than the triac when turned on and off frequently. That said, I have my mix pump turn on every 3 hours and it runs for 15 minutes. It's been doing that for nearly 5 years off a triac outlet and never had an issue. When I ran a very small peristaltic pump for my ATO off a relay outlet, it came on around 10 times a day for years and I never had an issue. Same with my ATO failsafe solenoid on the relay outlet. Never had an issue in either instances with EB8 outlets failing when excercised several times a day.

Only part of my purpose for the question. On my Neptune system at least, other outlets cannot sense the low power the Vectra Controller uses. This was a surprise. This means "auto" will not control- turn the pump on/off- on my Vectra. This is a common issue for low power equipment. #4 and #8 outlets are designed to control low power equipment. For example,BRS dosing pumps cannot be reliably be controlled by other outlets although I do have one dosing pump that seems to draw more current than the others and can be turned on/off....most of the time.

I would be interested if anyone is using the "auto" switch position and can control the Vectra in this way.

RJ

 

[slief]

Only part of my purpose for the question. On my Neptune system at least, other outlets cannot sense the low power the Vectra Controller uses. This was a surprise. This means "auto" will not control- turn the pump on/off- on my Vectra. This is a common issue for low power equipment. #4 and #8 outlets are designed to control low power equipment. For example,BRS dosing pumps cannot be reliably be controlled by other outlets although I do have one dosing pump that seems to draw more current than the others and can be turned on/off....most of the time.

I would be interested if anyone is using the "auto" switch position and can control the Vectra in this way.

RJ

I wouldn't have expected the low power issues with the Vectra. When I first replied to his comment/question, I replied based on the low current concerns but edited my reply thinking that couldn't possibly be what you were talking about due to the Vectra's power consumption.

Frankly, I am really surprised because I would have thought it would draw enough current for the triacs unlike the smaller dosing pumps. Since you are using the Vectra with the Apex, you should try using an inline GFCI outlet and see if that solves the issue. They are readily available at places like Lowes and Home Depot. That is often a suitable workaround for the low current issue that is typical with the triacs. Only caviat is that the variable speed nature of the Vectra could trip the GFCI as that is a very common issue with GFCI's and variable speed pumps.