Top off problem

[Justin/TiV]

my top off quit working, it doesn't pump anymore. I thought it might be the pump, so I bought a replacement. That fixed the problem for maybe a week and a half, now it quit working again.

I've never let the pump go dry. Is there anything that could be wrong with the controller to make this happen.

Thanx

 

[BubbaPhish]

Have you checked the power connector? It's the white piece that connects the pump to the controller, it uses screws to clamp the power wires down. Mine went bad after about a year, went to radioshack and got a replacement no problem.
They are called european style terminal strips at radioshack, it is a 12 position connector, I just cut a block of two off of the strip and was back up and running in 5 minutes after getting home with the part.
I'd check there first if you have already replaced the pump once.

Hope that helps a little,

Kevin

 

[Justin/TiV]

I'll try that next...thanx

 

[Justin/TiV]

I haven't replaced the connector yet, but just thought I'd clarify. If thats whats wrong than the connection isn't totally an open circuit cause it's working some of the time, and some of the time it's not.

 

[rvitko]

The controller has a sort of circuit breaker, if the pump draws more than 800mA it shuts off the pump. If the coupler is corroded or the wires oxidized this can happen, even with a brand new pump. Often if the coupler is corroded the wires have some corrosion too. Water wicks up the wires and you may need to cut back 6-12" of wire until you get to fresh shiny copper wire. If it is black it is bad. Tin the ends with some solder.