Race, how does it work? Please see thread.

[Freed]

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1219817

I know the magnet makes the impeller spin to force water out the out port but how does the impeller actually work? Does the impeller/magnet spin AROUND the ceramic shaft? Does the impeller/ceramic shaft spin inside the rubber caps at either end of the shaft? Do the impeller/shaft AND rubber caps spin all at the same time? Can anyone enlighten me on this? I'm trying to get the impeller/shaft/caps to start spinning by themselves when I plug the pumps in so I don't have to beat on the pump to get them to work. I have a couple Mag 18's I'm working on at the moment and put some lithium grease on the ends of the ceramic shafts to get them to spin in the rubber caps but if that's not the way it works then I want to clean it off and look elsewhere to get them going like they should. AND in the future in case I need to get other pumps to work I want to be able to trouble shoot and get them working the first time thru.

 

[aquaticvet1]

I have directed your question to one of our product specialists. With 4975 posts you are as well versed or better than anyone-- especially me. They will help you.

Thank you.

 

[dfs/la2]

Freed,

Thank you for contacting us with your great question on Mag Drive water pumps. We went and pulled one to take it apart so we could answer your question in its entirety. The impeller is held in place by the magnet. The magnet itself does not move nor does the rubber cap. When the pump is turned on it generates the power and it is the impeller and the ceramic shaft that actually spin. We hope this information is helpful to you.

If you have any further questions please feel free to contact us at 1-800-334-3699.

Stacie R.
Technical Support
Drs Foster and Smith

 

[Freed]

But the impeller won't turn more than 1/4 turn in either direction if the magnet is held in place and the the impeller is turned. Sorry, this is cheaper than using up my minutes.

 

[dfs/la2]

Freed,

From what you describe it sounds like the impeller and shaft may be defective. They should turn a full 360 degrees. If you purchased the pumps from us please PM us your order or customer number and we can certainly send you a new impeller to correct the situation. We look forward to hearing from you.

Stacie R.
Technical Support
Drs Foster and Smith

 

[Freed]

No not defective. I am looking at 3 of them and they all do the same thing. I really don't think you understand what I am talking about. The impeller on top of the magnet is 1", the magnet is 3". Hold the magnet only in the fingers of one hand. Use the other hand to rotate the impeller. If you do this you will see that the impeller only rotates 1/4 turn on top of the magnet until it stops. Turn it back the other way and it will only turn 1/4 turn again until it stops. If you take the impeller off of the magnet you will see there are stops on the end of the fitting on the magnet and stops inside the impeller itself. It is impossible for the impeller to spin freely on top of the magnet. So now what I want to know is: Does the magnet/impeller assembly spin/rotate around the ceramic shaft or somehow is the magnet/impeller assembly supposed to be in a fixed position on the ceramic shaft and then that entire magnet/impeller/shaft assembly spins inside the rubber end caps that are on either end of the ceramic shaft?

 

[DFS/LA1]

Freed,

We sincerely apologize however we feel that the exact design plan for these pumps will best be described by the manufacturer. We would suggest calling Eugene Danner Co at 800-458-5878 as they will best be able to describe how they determined the set up for these pumps.

Sincerely,
Kris W.
LiveAquaria Supervisor
Drs. Foster and Smith

 

[mhurley]

Freed,

plug it in and watch...Seriously...it wont go flying out in your face.

What happens is that the impeller has a little give to it, that's that 1/4 turn you notice of those blades.

When power is applied to the pump, the coil inside in the pump get power applied to them that alternates the magnetism...those shifts back and forth "grab" the impeller magnet and makes it rotate. The entire shaft/magnet spins.

Think of the face of a clock and put a coil magnet on each number. Now put a magnet (the impeller) where the big clock hand goes. Apply power to number 1, it magnetizes and pulls the big hand to #1. Turn #1 off and turn on #2 and the magnet moves again and so on.....Now speed that entire process up by 100 times and you see how an impeller works.

That help?

 

[Freed]

OK I'm lost here. DFS says the impeller spins 360 degrees along with ONLY the shaft and the magnet DOES NOT spin. What am I missing here. mhurley just said the entire magnet/shaft spin. I even just said the impeller itself cannot spin 360 degrees up above without the magnet spinning as well. Where is the debate here and what am I missing.

 

[mhurley]

If you've ever seen a worn out Mag, you'll see the scored lines from sand or calcium deposits being between the magnet impeller and the walls of the pump. They are circles around that wall....from it spinning and rubbing together.

 

[Freed]

I understand this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Do I need to yell in caps???????????????????? DFS is saying ONLY the impeller spins which is not/cannot be true from what I described up above. Did anyone read what I typed up above????
The impeller/magnet have to both spin. Now what I want to know is, from my original question, does the ceramic shaft spin in the rubber caps or does the impeller/magnet spin AROUND THE CERAMIC SHAFT??????????????????????????

 

[mhurley]

Now I remember why I don't talk to you.

Good luck.

 

[Freed]

Evidently no one is reading any of the posts on here.

 

[Freed]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10910355#post10910355 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dfs/la2
The magnet itself does not move nor does the rubber cap. When the pump is turned on it generates the power and it is the impeller and the ceramic shaft that actually spin.

 

[Freed]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10910539#post10910539 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Freed
But the impeller won't turn more than 1/4 turn in either direction if the magnet is held in place and the the impeller is turned.

 

[ralphie16]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10911530#post10911530 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Freed
I understand this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Do I need to yell in caps???????????????????? Evidently no one is reading any of the posts on here.

No we are. But I don't know many people who like to help obnoxious people.

 

[Freed]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10911010#post10911010 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Freed
If you take the impeller off of the magnet you will see there are stops on the end of the fitting on the magnet and stops inside the impeller itself. It is impossible for the impeller to spin freely on top of the magnet. So now what I want to know is: Does the magnet/impeller assembly spin/rotate around the ceramic shaft or somehow is the magnet/impeller assembly supposed to be in a fixed position on the ceramic shaft and then that entire magnet/impeller/shaft assembly spins inside the rubber end caps that are on either end of the ceramic shaft?

 

[Freed]

I was being told what I already know and what cannot be true about the impeller/magnet.

 

[Freed]

I did appreciate mhurley's input BUT it seems that DFS and mhurley aren't seeing the question that is right there or just don't understand something I'm not explaining correctly. What is it that I'm missing here?

 

[chewie]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10911486#post10911486 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Freed

The impeller/magnet have to both spin. Now what I want to know is, from my original question, does the ceramic shaft spin in the rubber caps or does the impeller/magnet spin AROUND THE CERAMIC SHAFT??????????????????????????

on the smaller MD pumps the magnet spins around the shaft.

THe shaft is a non moving part.

On bigger mag drives, (i have not used an MD18 only 24) the ceramic shaft is fixed to the magnet/impeller. The shaft spins in the ceramic bushings(hex shaped).

Is it too early to have a swig?