stream problem

[yazza]

Hi,

I have a problem with one of my 6100s.

The central drum, with the impellor attached has become fuzed to the motor housing.

I am using vinegar - been two days - but have not been able to get the spindle out.

The propeller, screw and first and second sections have come off.

Would I be right in thinking I must just wait until the calcium has dissolved off - so I can free the spindle?

Thanks

Elliot

 

[rvitko]

It sounds like the spindle isn't the problem- the magnet is fused inside the housing by calcium. This can be repaired but it takes some special tools. I see you are in UK. I would send the pump to Tunze in Germany. It is easiest for them if you keep the motor moist so seal it in a bag and keep the electronics in a seperate bag or disconnect them. The motor only needs to be moist- not shipped in water. The two acceptable methods for removal are a pH 5 phosphoric acid solution used in ultrasonic cleaner for about 15 minutes. The second solution saved for a last resort is to drill out the magnet and use a slide hammer to extract it. Please send it in- an error in this process will only make it worse. Strong acids will swell the plastic and make it nearly impossible to remove and improper technique with the slide hammer could damage the electronics inside. If you wanted to try yourself I would see if you cannot spin the shaft and rotor while the pump is submerged in vinegar. If you can spin it and it is engaging the magnet you should be able to pull up with pliers and extract it. You will ruin the drive system in this case and need a new one. One more reason to send it in is we have further improved the drive system to eliminate Calcium Buildup and new pumps now include this improvement but the parts are not yet on store shelves- it can be retrofitted but only the factory has the parts at this time.

 

[Mako]

Interesting. Could you describe in more detail what this improvement entails and the cost for such upgrade once parts become available.

 

[Digi]

I've had my tunze stream operational for a month or so. I came home today and found it at a stand still. I got it going again with some gentle nudging but it seems very early for this type of behaviour. I hope I didn't make a mistake selling my reeftec.


Jonathan

 

[rvitko]

It will be as simple as ordering part 6080.60. It is the entire drive unit. So far it is not yet in stock here- this is a $27 part. Basically we changed the bottom bushing slightly to help reduce the internal vaccuum that degasses the CO2 and causes precipitation. Heat was never the issue with the Stream it was always a vacuum problem and we believe we have solved it. I have the older style in stock now. I am told the difference is in the order of about .5mm and is barely perceptible.

 

[rvitko]

It is nearly impossible to kill this pump- it is not a reeftec. I would however go beyond nudging it and actually follow the dissessembly procedures- their is about 3 month of parts wearing in to get to optimal operation and in conditions of high calcium and alkalinity it is possible to have a precipitation within one month. Please follow the manual- dissassemble the unit and inspect for sand particles and debris as well as any calcium precipitate. You may ruin a drive unit overtime- but ruining the pump itself requires a nearly deliberate act.

 

[Mako]

Sounds good Roger. Will you make an announcement in here when they are available? I would like to try one and see how it compares.

 

[rvitko]

I will- in general every product undergoes some small technical change every few months and it is bewildering at times. However, if we find a way to make it better it gets implemented. This is a very small change and it will really only make a difference in conditions with high levels of Calcium and Alk.

 

[Mako]

Thanks. :thumbsup:

I don't have a problem with mine...I am just the sort that likes to tinker and the mod to the drive train sounds interesting. I have actually found that the need to clean mine has decreased the longer they are in service. No doubt due to the break in which you spoke of.

 

[MalHavoc]

Hey, Roger,

How new would a pump have to be in order to have the drive train improvement? I am just curious, since I received my 6000's on July 29th, shipped to me from J&L a week earlier.

 

[Flatlander]

So is this like an auto call back on warrenty or something or is it another purchase.

We have talked about a problem with one of my 6080 pumps before. It quit again, this time aking out the GFI. I finally traced the problem to the rear bushing you mention. It would not come out and I assume not making proper contact with rest of the unit.

I had to soak it for a day and pull it with needle nose pliers. Needless to say it was damaged in the extraction. I purchased a complete new assembly and it again runs ticky-boo.

I have not had the same problem with my other 6080.

 

[rvitko]

Jason- yours should have the new part.

Doug- I realize you are some distance away in Canada but you can send it to me and I will look it over. In general such stoppages would indicate user error- too much calcium or an excessive KH. The fact that you have one pump functioning well and one which does not is indicative that a plastic piece was off in its tolerance. Their is no recall as their was really no defect as the manual says we reserve the right to make technical improvements and as I said earlier almost every Tunze product sees an improvement every few months of some sort. If you buy the new drive unit you get the upgrade once these pieces make their way into spare parts kits. The reason your GFi was tripped is simple- internally the thermastatic switch tripped due to an overheat and this resulted in no power returning to the neutral and tripped the GFI- power in did not equal power out. You simply need a new drive unit but if you want me to check it out further- I am more than willing to.

 

[JB NY]

Interested as well. Mine still locks up every 30 days. It's always the drive shaft fusing to the bottom bushing. Monthly soaks in vinegar free it up and it lasts for another month. I've had this problem and swapped out parts a few months ago to try and fix it, but my 6100 has had this problem since I bought it in Jan 03

 

[MiNdErAsR]

Roger,
Sorry to dig up an old thread, but I guess I'm joining the ranks of having an issue with my Tunze Turbelle Streams. Came home last night to a loud whinning noise coming from the controller. Disconnected power, reconnecting one 6000 at a time to determine which one was the problem. Was too late in the evening to try cleaning the unit, but will do so tonight. Unless you think I should do try something else?

I received mine in late June of this year. Would they have the improved impellar design?