Stream pump sounds alarm

[melev]

Hi Roger,

I just finished moving a 280g starfire tank into my house. It came with two Tunze Stream pumps, and a multi-controller than can handle four pumps.

The number on the Stream is 6100.10
The number on the Multi-Controller is 7094
The number on the Turbelle Driver is 7240.26

I have two Streams, and two Turbelle Drivers, with two power supplies.

One of the Drivers was damaged before I bought the system, and I was told the repair was $70. I'm guessing that is to repair/replace the driver box.

Both Streams were thoroughly cleaned. When I connect the black cable with the round ends from the driver to the controller, the Stream pump won't work. If you remove the black cable, the Stream comes on (originally). However, now I hear the Driver's alarrm going off. It is a steady pitch.

Since I've never had these, I'm really not sure what to do, what to adjust or what needs replacing.

Both Streams were tested and appeared to rotate during testing, even with the alarm sounding.

If you need more info, let me know. I bought the setup from a guy named "Jon" here in Ft Worth - they are about 8 months old.

 

[rvitko]

The alarm could be from air trapped inside. You could reinstall the drive unity under water and see if that helps. If the foodtimer button is pushed the pump on light turns off and the pumps won't work, sometimes this button gets stuck. Check these two most common causes first.

 

[melev]

I tried as you suggested. The Feed button does look like it is too far in the unit, but I wasn't able to separate the covers to remove the obstruction. It does move when depressed, but it isn't popping out as much as the one on my Turbelle.

I also worked with the pump for a while, under water as well as out in the open. The impellar doesn't seem to want to spin, so it is soaking in vinegar water over night. I can feel the pump is trying to spin it, but it isn't able to. I even swapped impellars from the other Stream, but it didn't make a difference.

It also doesn't seem to make a difference if you have the Multi-Controller plugged into the Driver or not. The Stream won't run, although it did before the move (without the controller hooked up).

Maybe tomorrow it will start again.

 

[rvitko]

It sounds like a problem with a part of the drive unit. In storage sometimes pieces cement together from algae and calcium. Make sure the parts all seperate, work properly and are clean as outlined in the manual. Pay special attention to the brakes and the upper bearing- part at the bottom of the magnet that the magnet spins on.

Taking apart the multicontroller is not easy and putting it back together is even harder. If you can confirm the pump on light is on when the pump is connected and the pump is straining to run it isn't the foodtimer or likely even the controller.

 

[melev]

Hi Roger,

I've had one Stream pump soaking in vinegar water for at least two or three days. I went over it meticulously, and then assembled it. After submerging it in water, I plugged it in. The alarm sounded and the impellar just can't seem to spin. Sometimes it starts to spin a tiny bit, but cant' get going. Even when I try to help it along, one way or another. From my POV, everything looks perfect.

I'm to the point of sending you the entire set up, and letting you ascertain any parts that need replacing to get them running again. I'm sure there would be a cost for your (or your helper's) time, but it would be worth it to get them running.

 

[Flatlander]

Hi Marc,
Dont mean to be redundant here, as Rodger already mentioned this and perhaps you cleaned it correct. I just though it was worth mentioning again, as I have had the same problem and a friend also until I showed him.

The bushing at the rear of the impellar, that has a red "o" ring attached must be cleaned separate. The impellar must rotate freely in it. The problem is the bushing looks like its a part of the impellar shaft itself and is difficult to pull of, if its calcified on. Thats how my friends was and the symptoms are exactly as you describe.

I had to pop, {carefully}, the rear bushing of the impellar with as flat screwdriver. Sure enough it had a white calcium film inside, which stopped the impellar from rotating free. A good soak in vinegar/water and a brush, cleaned it fine.

Anyhow, just thought I would mention it.

 

[rvitko]

As Doug said. Outside of that it would be the driver or pump which is a costly repair and generally only caused by power surges or water damage and kind of rare.

 

[melev]

I don't see it. Can you tell me what I'm missing here?

 

[Flatlander]

Marc, if thats all you pulled out, the bushing and red "o" ring are still in the housing. Have a look at the bottom and you can see it. Take a pair of needle nose pliers. Very carefully grasp it between the center and outside to pull out. Try not squeeze tight so the bushing is not damaged.

Ifs its still in the bottom, then its the problem I mentioned above.

 

[Flatlander]

Pic of the bushing separated from the impellar.

 

[whodah]

hey guys, a little OT, but just wanted to say a quick "thanks"!

i unplugged my 6100 momentarily. plugged it back in, the thing started squealing high-pitched at me. freaked me out. didn't know they had a built in alarm! and of course the stream didnt' come on.

took a quick glance here, found this thread. 'reseated' the impeller, i'm back up and running in less than 5 mins

 

[melev]

Unfortunately, that did not work for me.

However, I have another driver with the same model # that runs my Tunze Turbelle, so I'm going to try hooking it up to one or both of the Streams to see if the driver is bad. I do appreciate the advice so far, and wish I had good news to report.

 

[Flatlander]

Sorry that never helped Marc. Hope you get it fixed. At least we helped someone else.

 

[Eve]

Should all of us with streams take them apart down to this level (getting to the bushing and o ring) each time we do a cleaning/soaking or is it only in this instance for an unusual problem?

 

[Flatlander]

I cant speak for Tunze, but in our experience, yes, they need to be cleaned. The bottom bushing that is. Its no job really. If its does not come out with the impellar, needle nose pulls it out. Like I mentioned above, watch you dont squeeze the bushing to hard with the pliers.

I just soak all the parts in a vinagar/water solution overnight and then give them a bit of a brush before rinsing.

We found if the rear bushing is not removed for cleaning, calcium deposits build up on them. I find if my bushing comes out attached to the rotor, then its becoming calcified.

Of course, I only do this cleaning every month or so. I still do regular maintainance by removing the cover and cleaning the impellar under water.

The more years I put in the more I find how important it is to break down and clean all impellar and bushing type parts, on all our pumps, on a regular basis, to keep them at peak efficiency.

 

[rvitko]

You can also just periodically run the pump in a solution of 50% warm water and white vinegar for a couple hours and then it will essentially clean itself. If you do this every couple months it should prevent most problems. A full dissessmbly every 6 months isn't a bad idea. The latest drive unit found on any pump made since June of last year is much more resistant. The older unit had a high level of internal vacuum which degased CO2 and created a precipitation zone- the same way the photosynthetic activity removes CO2 and enables the corals to precipitate CaCO3 for growth. The new unit eliminates most of the vacuum. The trade off is it takes a few days for the pump to purge the air inside.

 

[melev]

After exhaustive testing...

I've determined that the 7240.26 Driver that I have for my Tunze Turbelle will also run a Stream pump. I also noticed that the power supply for the Turbelle is 14v while the Stream has a 19v power supply.

All my power supplies are good. (2 x 19v, 1 x 14v)
One Turbelle works.
One Stream works.
One Driver works.

I seem to have one dead Stream pump, because nothing will let it work. It has been thoroughly cleaned, and you can feel the motor trying to spin the impellar, but it can't do it. It didn't matter which impellar I used, nor which power supply. I only have one Driver, and it ran the other pumps but not this one.

So what I'd like to do is ship the broken Stream and the two broken/dead drivers to you, and see if you can make any repairs or charge me for the new needed parts.

Let me know what I need to do. I do know the Streams are about 9 months old, but I was not the original purchaser. He has moved on and I'm bought his set up. His name was Jon in Ft Worth if that helps you identify the buyer (if it even matters).

 

[rvitko]

I will see what I can do. It is hard to do warranty in these circumstances because it is uncertain how this happened. A damaged motor is almost always the result of a power surge or leaving the pump seized and plugged in for a long time. The drivers are more likely to be a warranty issue as long as there is no water damage or evidence of tampering. Send them in and I will see what I can do but generally the parts just have to be replaced. It sounds to me like a power surge took out one full assembly to cause damage to the motor like that.

 

[melev]

Roger, I understand this won't be free. Matter of fact, when you ship out my working unit and new replacement parts, please include the impellar for the Turbelle as well.

I need a full business address to ship this to, please. I'm going to send the two drivers and the one Stream pump, along with a letter explaining what I've determined.

I can pay via CC, which we can handle by phone when you know what the total is.

 

[rvitko]

Sounds good Marc and I promise it will be very fair.

Tunze USA
1107 N Bend Dr
Austin TX 78758

I assume you will be sending them in the next week or so. It is important to know because in the next few weeks I am moving to a new facility and will take on my first employee and a lot will change in order for things to grow to better meet the present demand. If you won't send it for a while the address may likely change if things go as planned.