FuzzyLogic
Member
Thanks Sparkss, that is an option. I would still like to hear from Andy as to why I need one to begin with. 
VorTech Pump – What the Future Holds
- Thread starter ASH
- Start date
From IceCap:
Thank you for your comments. I think this upgrade will make most of our customers very happy and remove any 2nd thoughts they might have had of jumping on-board with ETM's new pump.
FuzzyLogic - And a happy holiday to you too.
Your list:
Price for next revision - I'm sorry but we really don't know yet. If we switched positions you might understand. It's not like we're picking something out of a catalogue, we make these.
Early adopters - We made no secrete this was new technology. |It was a selling point. When I bought my 1st Prius (another car analogy) I knew it was a beta of hybrids to come but I didn't want to wait for the final product, which might not have ever come along if everyone waited. And yes, there were recalls.
If I haven't said it, my thanks to everyone who took the leap to buy the VorTech pumps when they first came out. I believe that it was because of IC's reputation for customer service that so many were willing to take the plunge. So far, I think it's worked out well for everyone. I've enjoyed my VorTech pumps which work better than anything I had previously used for circulation.
FuzzyLogic - In the future, if you don't want any surprises wait till anything new has been around for 5 years and then buy an older, proven version. Not the latest release. Same would hold true for the next windows release, ......
Re the need for the single driver controller - I think many customers will not see the need for the wireless multi-driver controller if they own 1 VorTech or can do all they want with a timer and the single driver controller. In any event, it adds value to the product if you ever want to sell it. As the wireless controller is still in R&D trails I wouldn't want to bet the farm on when it's available. The single driver controller should make the wait easier for most of our customers. I can't wait to try one on my tank.
Andy
Thank you for your comments. I think this upgrade will make most of our customers very happy and remove any 2nd thoughts they might have had of jumping on-board with ETM's new pump.
FuzzyLogic - And a happy holiday to you too.
Your list:
Price for next revision - I'm sorry but we really don't know yet. If we switched positions you might understand. It's not like we're picking something out of a catalogue, we make these.
Early adopters - We made no secrete this was new technology. |It was a selling point. When I bought my 1st Prius (another car analogy) I knew it was a beta of hybrids to come but I didn't want to wait for the final product, which might not have ever come along if everyone waited. And yes, there were recalls.
If I haven't said it, my thanks to everyone who took the leap to buy the VorTech pumps when they first came out. I believe that it was because of IC's reputation for customer service that so many were willing to take the plunge. So far, I think it's worked out well for everyone. I've enjoyed my VorTech pumps which work better than anything I had previously used for circulation.
FuzzyLogic - In the future, if you don't want any surprises wait till anything new has been around for 5 years and then buy an older, proven version. Not the latest release. Same would hold true for the next windows release, ......
Re the need for the single driver controller - I think many customers will not see the need for the wireless multi-driver controller if they own 1 VorTech or can do all they want with a timer and the single driver controller. In any event, it adds value to the product if you ever want to sell it. As the wireless controller is still in R&D trails I wouldn't want to bet the farm on when it's available. The single driver controller should make the wait easier for most of our customers. I can't wait to try one on my tank.
Andy
Thanks for the upgrade package!!! Was all I had hoped for and more. As a very earler adopter(ie first batch of production pumps) IC had extended our warranty a year. So my June 2007 warranty expiration would be June 2008 with the original extension. Now with this upgrade offer will this extend mine further to June 2009?
CW from the OC
New member
Hey Andy,
Don't let the small amount of negative posts in this thread get you down. Your offer is truly great. Especially with the single controler - I think some people haven't fully realized that if you have 2 pumps, each with its own single controler, and have both of them running random, you now have fully random flow.
Anyway, Merry XMas to you and every else too!!
Don't let the small amount of negative posts in this thread get you down. Your offer is truly great. Especially with the single controler - I think some people haven't fully realized that if you have 2 pumps, each with its own single controler, and have both of them running random, you now have fully random flow.
Anyway, Merry XMas to you and every else too!!
jnarowe
New member
aqualab: You didn't get a controller, you got a driver. The driver just operates the pump and measures data to keep the pump operating properly. A controller tells the driver when to turn on and at what speed.
Andy: I need help executing the upgrade and I am a bit confused. I currently have 4 pumps on my system and wish to add 2 more. I figured I would wait until the wireless controller came out before getting the additional pumps. My current pump drivers are all replacement units and I have been told by Tim that they will no longer warranty them. I have had many problems with these pumps from rediculous rattling (finally fixed with a very small washer, new shafts, and snap-on wet frame gasket), blown drivers (fixed by replacing the drivers and removing them from my Neptune Controller), falling motors (fixed by drilling my euro-bracing and zip tying the cords), and crazing of the tank wall (not fixed, no response from EcoTech).
With all that I am still a fan of the Vortech concept and want to move ahead with the line. I also notice in the latest Fosters Smith catalog that they have the BB listed. So, how do I move ahead in the most monetarily efficient manner? Can you give me a time-table to execute the upgrade, BB, and wireless controller, or at least a start on it?
Andy: I need help executing the upgrade and I am a bit confused. I currently have 4 pumps on my system and wish to add 2 more. I figured I would wait until the wireless controller came out before getting the additional pumps. My current pump drivers are all replacement units and I have been told by Tim that they will no longer warranty them. I have had many problems with these pumps from rediculous rattling (finally fixed with a very small washer, new shafts, and snap-on wet frame gasket), blown drivers (fixed by replacing the drivers and removing them from my Neptune Controller), falling motors (fixed by drilling my euro-bracing and zip tying the cords), and crazing of the tank wall (not fixed, no response from EcoTech).
With all that I am still a fan of the Vortech concept and want to move ahead with the line. I also notice in the latest Fosters Smith catalog that they have the BB listed. So, how do I move ahead in the most monetarily efficient manner? Can you give me a time-table to execute the upgrade, BB, and wireless controller, or at least a start on it?
In VorTech-Speak what you now have is a Driver. The Driver is powered by the transformer or optional backup battery (BB) if there's one connected and no electricity detected. The Driver has a speed controller with a range of 100 to 3,000 gallons of flow per hour. If used with a timer, and on/off switching at 10 minute intervals or greater, you can vary the current but only so much. If you have a BB connected, it will run at around 1/2 speed if the timer shuts it off. We recommend short battery powered runs, if any, to retain maximum backup power should you ever need it.
A controller can ramp up or down and/or have software that allows you to customize the pumps output. What you can do with a single pump controller is a small subset of what a multi-pump controller could conceivably do. We'll have to wait for that.
Andy
A controller can ramp up or down and/or have software that allows you to customize the pumps output. What you can do with a single pump controller is a small subset of what a multi-pump controller could conceivably do. We'll have to wait for that.
Andy
"With all that I am still a fan of the VorTech concept and want to move ahead with the line."
Thanks for keeping an open mind. They are impressive when everything is working, but it shouldn't have been (or be) that difficult.
"I also notice in the latest Fosters Smith catalog that they have the BB listed."
News to me. Do they show the pump also? We were told to wait till spring.
"So, how do I move ahead in the most monetarily efficient manner?"
After reading this post a I would say, call Dave at IceCap Tuesday morning and let us try to improve your experience with the Pump. 800-742-3227 ext. 25.
"Can you give me a time-table to execute the upgrade, BB, and wireless controller, or at least a start on it?"
Upgrade when available, likely no sooner than May 2007.
Wireless Controller winter of 2007 or when ready for launch.
Andy
Thanks for keeping an open mind. They are impressive when everything is working, but it shouldn't have been (or be) that difficult.
"I also notice in the latest Fosters Smith catalog that they have the BB listed."
News to me. Do they show the pump also? We were told to wait till spring.
"So, how do I move ahead in the most monetarily efficient manner?"
After reading this post a I would say, call Dave at IceCap Tuesday morning and let us try to improve your experience with the Pump. 800-742-3227 ext. 25.
"Can you give me a time-table to execute the upgrade, BB, and wireless controller, or at least a start on it?"
Upgrade when available, likely no sooner than May 2007.
Wireless Controller winter of 2007 or when ready for launch.
Andy
jnarowe
New member
True but sheet happens. I was an avid mountain biker for years and we were always getting prototype/beta stuff to test & buy...and some of that stuff could get you injured or killed!
I have spent a lot of time working with these pumps with support from Tim and one day, after a long list of adjustments, they just started working fine. Contrary to a few posts I have seen, these pumps really put out tremendous flow. When you can turn a 5' x 8' water surface into a churning river with <140W, you know you have got something good.
Page 122 of the current catalog (first page of pumps!) placed in the appetizer spot is the Vortech Pump @ $344.99 and the Battery Backup inset @ $149.99.
OK...I will do that.
OK you lost me here...it seems like the pump upgrade is being offered right now with some incentives for an additional $50, right?
PS. Why is my comment on crazing being ignored. Is that a new issue? I have a feeling that it relates to the extended period that my pumps were rattling and I equate rattling with friction and heat.
EcoTech Marine
.Registered Member
jnarowe-
I think there was a miscommunication about your driver issues. To my best recollection I never said that your drivers would not be warrantied. What I said was that because you and I both felt that your system experienced a very high driver failure rate, that I would need you to send me any failed drivers back first, to inspect and reprogram versus just doing a blind swap. This was an attempt on my part to keep drivers on my shelf at a time when we were both worried about the severity of your specific situation. This was months ago, and since that time, you haven't needed any new drivers.
As for the crazing, I'm sorry if it seems like we've been ignoring it. To be honest I don't recall when you originally posted it. I have no idea why your tank crazed, I've never heard of this happening before. Acrylic tanks are more likely to craze when the material hasn't been annealed properly after machining, and then is exposed to stress. It probably has a lot to do with the manufacturing process used to assemble your tank. Drop me an email if you want to discuss it further with me, as I think we're getting a bit off topic
-Tim
I think there was a miscommunication about your driver issues. To my best recollection I never said that your drivers would not be warrantied. What I said was that because you and I both felt that your system experienced a very high driver failure rate, that I would need you to send me any failed drivers back first, to inspect and reprogram versus just doing a blind swap. This was an attempt on my part to keep drivers on my shelf at a time when we were both worried about the severity of your specific situation. This was months ago, and since that time, you haven't needed any new drivers.
As for the crazing, I'm sorry if it seems like we've been ignoring it. To be honest I don't recall when you originally posted it. I have no idea why your tank crazed, I've never heard of this happening before. Acrylic tanks are more likely to craze when the material hasn't been annealed properly after machining, and then is exposed to stress. It probably has a lot to do with the manufacturing process used to assemble your tank. Drop me an email if you want to discuss it further with me, as I think we're getting a bit off topic
-Tim
jnarowe
New member
:lol: I am an off-topic kind of guy. I think at one point we discussed that you wouldn't warranty them if I put them on the Neptune system, but since then we have put them back on at a higher interval, and yes they have been operating great. I still keep one off the Neptune and two are only turned off at night and on in the morning. One is 5 min ON/5 min OFF.
I first emailed about the crazing. Did not originally want to post that but I did not hear back. With all the emails you get, it could have been lost though. I'll send another email because I have agood working theory on it.
I think at one point we discussed that you wouldn't warranty them if I put them on the Neptune system, but since then we have put them back on at a higher interval, and yes they have been operating great. I still keep one off the Neptune and two are only turned off at night and on in the morning. One is 5 min ON/5 min OFF.I first emailed about the crazing. Did not originally want to post that but I did not hear back. With all the emails you get, it could have been lost though. I'll send another email because I have agood working theory on it.
pista01
New member
Will the new driver still have the pot for manual speed control?
Since the new driver is enabled for wireless control, how will they not be susceptible to interference from other devices? Between the microwave, cordless phones, and wireless access point, I have issues all the time.
Since the new driver is enabled for wireless control, how will they not be susceptible to interference from other devices? Between the microwave, cordless phones, and wireless access point, I have issues all the time.
FuzzyLogic
Member
Excluding the Windows analogy, I totally agree. Lesson learned. Unfortunately this lesson is costing me $800.00
hmmm... I'm not going to reply to that
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boxfishpooalot
Active member
From Canada. If i bought 2 of them now would i qualify for the free controller worth 100$? And would I have to pay 50 for each pump? If so do i get double the freebies(ie 2 controllers)?!
Im thinking of Vortech or Tunze....So far Vortech pumps are winning.
Also what controller is this exactly? The one that can make waves?
Thanks, Box
Im thinking of Vortech or Tunze....So far Vortech pumps are winning.
Also what controller is this exactly? The one that can make waves?
Thanks, Box
Bruno - Buy a VorTech Pump from one of our retailers and when the upgrade is ready you can contact IC directly, or if you fill in your registration card, IC or ETM will contact you with the offer.
pista01 - New Driver will have speed control. As to unexpected, unintended pump control from other devices, that's all part of the R&D to product track testing.
boxfishpooalot - All pumps already sold or purchased between now and the next revision release (sometime late spring 2007) will be at current prices and have the option to upgrade (for $50.00) to the next Wirelessly Controllable Driver with a Single Driver Controller added at n/c and get a $25.00 discount on buying a Wireless Controller, available near the end of 2007. If you take advantage of the upgrade in 2007, you also get an additional one year of warranty on your VorTech Pump.
And yes, wave making is part of the controller.
Andy
pista01 - New Driver will have speed control. As to unexpected, unintended pump control from other devices, that's all part of the R&D to product track testing.
boxfishpooalot - All pumps already sold or purchased between now and the next revision release (sometime late spring 2007) will be at current prices and have the option to upgrade (for $50.00) to the next Wirelessly Controllable Driver with a Single Driver Controller added at n/c and get a $25.00 discount on buying a Wireless Controller, available near the end of 2007. If you take advantage of the upgrade in 2007, you also get an additional one year of warranty on your VorTech Pump.
And yes, wave making is part of the controller.
Andy
