Official: Masterflex Calcium Reactor Setup Thread

[James77]

My reef is in the dining room and my equipment is almost noiseless. To me operate as advertised is not only that the pump runs for several years, but also that it runs as noiseless as it did the very first day. If it "squeaks and rattles like heck" that sounds to me as a failure in operation. The problem when you buy second hand is that most of the times you do not know whether the equipment has been abused or not and how much operational time it accumulates. I have checked several e-bay offers for used masterflex pumps but I do not remember seeing indication of the total number of hours the pumps had been used and the environmental conditions under which they had been used.

He was referring to his older brushed unit, with 45,000 hours of use from him, plus unknown time and abuse from the previous owner.

I am sure his digital drive unit is silent, as was mine. He actually sourced the one I had, and it was listed as new(and it was). If you press the seller on the pump, you should be able to find out info on it.

 

[EvMiBo]

Official: Masterflex Calcium Reactor Setup Thread

You need to determine where the squeak comes from. Usually it is the brushes.

Pull the pump head. Did the noise go away?
No, next step. Yes, replace the bearings in the pump head. Clean and re-grease rollers. The rollers should be greased with a penetrating grease (not wd40). Once the grease sprays onto the rollers and soaks in it thickens into actual grease. Use synthetic grease.
Pull the gearing. Did the noise go away?
No, next step. Yes, clean and re-grease the gear set. Use synthetic grease.
Replace the brushes.
No, Next step. Yes, crack a beer.
Motor bearings probably need service. Take to motor repair shop or put up with the squeaking. I've got one that looks like it was removed from a trash dump, screams like hell but has been working like that for at least 3 or 4 years 24/7 so I wouldn't worry too much in regards to the pump being faulty.

If you want silent you are better off forking over the cash for a brushless unit.

Any chance you have access to a basic diagram for masterflex pump internals? I've pulled at the pump head with no noise change. To continue down your checklist will require me to take off the pump cover.

Fwiw, the noise seems to be localized towards the back of the pump. As of now my "fix" has been turning the pump speed down considerably, then back up - which usually makes it tolerable for up to 7 days. Also, the pump is a 7520-25 with quick load head.

 

[tkeracer619]

Use a thick synthetic grease for the gearsets.

Chema, the pump with 45,000 hours that is brushless is silent. Pure silent. That is why in the very first post I recommend them specifically. People buy all sorts of pumps based on their budget. If you purchase a pump with brushes know there is going to be noise. Brushes squeak, these are not fan motors. The pump that makes all sorts of noise is old. I doubt there are many people out there who have electronics in service at that age on a saltwater aquarium. In the end it still functions and I could rebuild it if I wanted but the rebuild would cost more then I have in it ($150 5 years ago). Heck the head alone goes used for $100 these days and that is still in like new condition...

 

[tkeracer619]

Any chance you have access to a basic diagram for masterflex pump internals? I've pulled at the pump head with no noise change. To continue down your checklist will require me to take off the pump cover.

Fwiw, the noise seems to be localized towards the back of the pump. As of now my "fix" has been turning the pump speed down considerably, then back up - which usually makes it tolerable for up to 7 days. Also, the pump is a 7520-25 with quick load head.

Sorry I don't but it sounds like its brush related. Have you replaced the brushes? Even brushes that appear non worn can be worn.

 

[EvMiBo]

Official: Masterflex Calcium Reactor Setup Thread

Sorry I don't but it sounds like its brush related. Have you replaced the brushes? Even brushes that appear non worn can be worn.

I have not replaced the brushes, but will. I emailed coleparmer to make sure I'd get the correct parts. I just want to share this for other users to see, coleparmer has excellent customer service!

"The 07520-25 will require the brushes that are available as catalog number 07520-04. This is sold as set of 2, one for each side. You may also need the replacement caps as well that are available as catalog number 07520-03."

Both the brushes and caps shipped to my door is about $65. If this in fact works I will have spent <$200 for a used coleparmer masterflex pump with brand new brushes and caps!

Jose from coleparmer also attached the user manual for my specific pump, which will make parts replacement/maintenance MUCH easier for me!

 

[tkeracer619]

Awesome! Yes, they do have incredible customer service. One thing even though they are crazy expensive brand new... Once you have one of these drives (LS Masterflex *and this isn't in writing anywhere) I have seen up to 30% discount on new drives if they cannot repair your old one offered without even asking.

If you can do us a favor and take a pic of the new brushes along with some measurements that would be awesome!

 

[EvMiBo]

If you can do us a favor and take a pic of the new brushes along with some measurements that would be awesome!

I will most definitely take some pictures and share here for everyone to see once the brushes are replaced. Sorry, but I don't know what you mean by taking measurements. If you clarify I would be happy to share.

 

[tkeracer619]

Cool, thanks. I'd like to know the dimensions of the new brushes. Maybe take a few photos with them next to a ruler.

 

[EvMiBo]

Cool, thanks. I'd like to know the dimensions of the new brushes. Maybe take a few photos with them next to a ruler.

You got it!

 

[cvye]

7523-90 with EW-77800-62 head and 24 tubing

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AP Carbon Doser


My little piece of control-freak heaven.

 

[CW from the OC]

Very nice!!!

7523-90 with EW-77800-62 head and 24 tubing

[/URL][/IMG]

AP Carbon Doser


My little piece of control-freak heaven.

 

[zachts]

what's in the beaker on the mixing plate?

 

[cvye]

pH 7 buffer

 

[tkeracer619]

Very nice!

 

[EvMiBo]

no more squeaking!

no more squeaking!

Here's a little slideshow of the brush and cap replacement

you should be able to tell which ones are new and which ones are older. it may be hard to see from the images but the older brushes were about 1/16 - 1/32" shorter than the new ones (I'm assuming from wear). if you have any questions let me know. also, I had them in order before but the slideshow seems to have mixed them up.

no more squeaking!!

 

[tkeracer619]

That's great! I wonder if they move around more in their holders as they age and that is where the squeaking comes from more so then the wear surface. They are made of graphite afaik. I wonder if there are different grades or harnesses. Maybe a quieter brush that wears out faster?

 

[zachts]

I have only ever replaced brushes on a router but I would expect that as they ware out things move around a bit more and will make more noise. At least that's the case on my router. Much quieter after new brushes.

I couldn't tell much difference between old and new visually but the spring I imagine wears out and affects how it works.

 

[EvMiBo]

Official: Masterflex Calcium Reactor Setup Thread

I spoke with Jose from Cole Parmer regarding the issue:

The brushes as they wear become uneven. This causes shaking and excessive noise as the motor is running. If one is slightly more worn than the other it could account for the issue. This is why it is always best to replace both at the same time.

 

[tkeracer619]

Excellent information. Never hesitate to call CP if you need assistance. They have very helpful support!

I once threw them for a loop and the guy spent 30 minutes researching the question I had before calling me back with a very detailed answer. He even tracked down the original invoice (10 years prior) for the pumps I had a question about so he could see why they had custom model numbers. If that isn't CS I don't know what is.

 

[EvMiBo]

Official: Masterflex Calcium Reactor Setup Thread

Excellent information. Never hesitate to call CP if you need assistance. They have very helpful support!

I once threw them for a loop and the guy spent 30 minutes researching the question I had before calling me back with a very detailed answer. He even tracked down the original invoice (10 years prior) for the pumps I had a question about so he could see why they had custom model numbers. If that isn't CS I don't know what is.

For me, there's no doubt that their customer service is above and beyond. Furthermore, for the most part, they've deigned their products extremely well and allow the customer to do most of maintenance when needed. Even then, if the issue is past brush replacement, drive kits etc, you can send it in for one of their techs to fix. Anyways, I guess I'm preaching to the choir here. These pumps are the real deal!