OM 4 - way

[luv951]

I tried posting this in the equipment forum but did not get a lot of response.

I bought a used OM 4-way and it came in the mail on Saturday.

I plugged it in for about a half minute just to make sure it worked.

The drum seems to move in increments. I expected the drum to rotate slowly, instead, it kinda 'ticked along' moving a bit, then stopping, then moving.

I havn't hooked it up yet, I just wanted to make sure it powered on and rotated. I only ran it for, I would guess, about 20 seconds. The hole in the drum did not even make it 45 degrees before I unplugged. Hope that was not bad for it.

Is the incremental movement normal?

Can I turn it on if its not plumbed in, or will that damage it?

 

[scbadiver]

I have never seen or used one but I suspect that the water flowing through it will provide the necc lubrication for a smoother movement. Also, smearing a very very thin coat of pure silicone lube on any bearing surface will also promote smoother movement and easier cleaning down the road. HTH

 

[luv951]

Thanks, I am not getting much response to this, so I am wondering if simply no one knows.

The water as lube idea occured to me as well and I think it makes sense.

Also, BeanAnimal suggested the pure silicone lube. I think I will try that.

For now, has anyone else plugged one of these in when it was not plumbed? I have a hard time beleiving I am the only one.....

Did I really find the one unaswerable question in reefing?

 

[Fitchguy]

I have an OM 4 way as well, now I never ran it when it was not run. Now I would think that the drum should move in a fluid motion because of the way the flow is in the tank. It gradually comes on and then fades to the other ports. I would call Ocean Motions customer service number and ask them. They would know if it is bad to run dry, but how the drum should work. You may need to replace the drum, but that is not bad $ wise. But I dealt with the OM customer service in what I felt was an emergency, and they picked up at like 5p.m. on a Sunday evening and talked me through what to do and everything they said work perfect, no problems again.

Also you don't have to worry about plumbing the OM 4 way and then having something go wrong and have to take it down. The top of the OM comes off, and any problems with it will be able to access even if it is already hard plumed. These are very well thought of device made with the best tooling, hence the price! But well worth the cost and effort!

 

[Untamed12]

No...mine do not move in that way. However, I agree that it probably just needs to be cleaned up and run wet. Pull the drum out and check it for damage. You can sand it to smooth it out. Lubricate the seals.

 

[jtma508]

+1 for calling OM. They will certainly help you out. Excellent customer. Don't luibricate anything until you talk to them. Lube in the wrong place will only collect sand. My 4-way operates smoothly. Stuttering sounds like it needs cleaning.

 

[luv951]

OK, I just got off the phone with them. They suggested and walked me through tearing it down, cleaning and lubing. Also confirmed that nothing sounded like it was permanently wrong with the unit, just in need of a clean and lube.

Also, he confirmed that they have be run dry indefinitely, actually saying that he has customers that run nothing but air through theirs.

Thanks all.