Vortech Stopped
- Thread starter Fliger
- Start date
EcoTech Marine
.Registered Member
Hi David,
False stalls can happen from time to time, it's something we're actively working to improve through newer code. How new is the pump? We find false stalls are most common on pumps less than a week or two old. If it's an older pump, it's likely an anomaly. If it keeps happening just let us know. It also may be worth cleaning the pump only if it keeps happening.
-Tim
False stalls can happen from time to time, it's something we're actively working to improve through newer code. How new is the pump? We find false stalls are most common on pumps less than a week or two old. If it's an older pump, it's likely an anomaly. If it keeps happening just let us know. It also may be worth cleaning the pump only if it keeps happening.
-Tim
Fliger
New member
Thanks Tim, I will LYK. I can not wait for the controllers, I really want a feed mode. My poor micros/acans have no chance getting food in the flow these things create. My tank is 64x32x24 and I have them right in the middle front to back, about 2/3 of the way up and I probably have them on 60% or so. There is a lot of flow around the tank but my sand stays pretty still.
EcoTech Marine
.Registered Member
Hey guys-
I agree, the feed mode is definitely going to be a nice feature on the wireless wave driver. Press one button and all your VorTech's turn off. Pretty cool if you ask me.
-Tim
I agree, the feed mode is definitely going to be a nice feature on the wireless wave driver. Press one button and all your VorTech's turn off. Pretty cool if you ask me.
-Tim
diverdan814
Member
Tim,
If you have three tanks set up with 2 vortechs on 1 and 1 each on the other 2, can you give each tank a code so they don't communicate with the others in the room? (I have 4 wireless drivers pre-ordered)
Rich
If you have three tanks set up with 2 vortechs on 1 and 1 each on the other 2, can you give each tank a code so they don't communicate with the others in the room? (I have 4 wireless drivers pre-ordered)
Rich
EcoTech Marine
.Registered Member
Rich-
Good to hear from you again.
The plan is no. While you might consider it annoying, the only other way to have accomplished it would have been to have each master turn its group of slaves off, which would mean you'd need to go and hit feed for several different pumps if you had multiple masters, or an autonomous pump or two all on one tank. This would sort of defeat the purpose of feed mode.
The way we have it set now, you hit feed mode on any pump and all of your pumps shut down. If you have another aquarium, you'll have to hit feed mode again to feed that tank, or feed them both at the same time.
-Tim
Good to hear from you again.
The plan is no. While you might consider it annoying, the only other way to have accomplished it would have been to have each master turn its group of slaves off, which would mean you'd need to go and hit feed for several different pumps if you had multiple masters, or an autonomous pump or two all on one tank. This would sort of defeat the purpose of feed mode.
The way we have it set now, you hit feed mode on any pump and all of your pumps shut down. If you have another aquarium, you'll have to hit feed mode again to feed that tank, or feed them both at the same time.
-Tim
Fliger
New member
It has stopped a few more times - it only happens when I have past 50%. It runs silent, no funny noises like its off balance - puts out plenty of water - then just stops and the red light comes on. No snails, no nothing.
I'll clean it real well like TK3 mentioned and see if that helps. Any other advice? Is the only way to know its aligned right if its working with no racket?
I'll clean it real well like TK3 mentioned and see if that helps. Any other advice? Is the only way to know its aligned right if its working with no racket?
jnarowe
New member
I put my ear up to the glass and move the motor slightly until I find the sweet spot.
Also, when you pull it to clean it, check for rubbing on the inside of the wet frame between the gasket assembly and the magnet, and check for rubbing between the motor and the gasket. It's fairly easy to see if there is any rubbing, and if there is, get in touch with customer service. They will help resovle the stalling issue.
Also, when you pull it to clean it, check for rubbing on the inside of the wet frame between the gasket assembly and the magnet, and check for rubbing between the motor and the gasket. It's fairly easy to see if there is any rubbing, and if there is, get in touch with customer service. They will help resovle the stalling issue.
Fliger
New member
Thanks. To be honest my dry side can move close to an inch in any direction before I hear any rattling so I have no idea if its dialed in or not. Its stalled once a day over the last few days - but usually it runs quite awhile. Almost like its overheating and shutting off. But I hooked it up just before this morning's post at around 10 am, the pump was cool so it had been off for a while, and it stalled again at 10:30. I'll keep it down at 50% and clean it when I get a chance later this weekend.
My tank is 5/8" not 3/4" and I do not use the spacer.
My tank is 5/8" not 3/4" and I do not use the spacer.
jnarowe
New member
A couple things come to mind. FIrst of all, the pump doesn't shut down due to heat issues, but rather slows down until it is back within spec. One thing I would test is how strong the magnets are. They should have a very strong attraction or the wet end may go out of alignment. And as far as the spacer goes, I think you should be using it IIRC. Not doing so may make the magnet rub. Did you check for signs of rubbing on both sides of the unit?
Fliger
New member
Interesting - didn't know that about slowing down. The attraction is pretty strong - the instructions say any tank over 1/2" should not use the spacer. I believe my glass is 15MM, which is right around 5/8" (tank was built in Europe where dimensions are metric).
It failed one more time at just about 50%, so I turned it down to under 50% (its all a guess since there is just the little dial). I do wish there were markers on the drivers, like 30%, 40%, etc - hopefully on the newer models.
The Vortechs aren't that old, they should be the new code according to a friend, Philwd. Hopefully the issue clears up, I'd hate for a pump to go out for a few days while I'm on the road since I travel quite a bit.
Thanks again for all the help,
David
It failed one more time at just about 50%, so I turned it down to under 50% (its all a guess since there is just the little dial). I do wish there were markers on the drivers, like 30%, 40%, etc - hopefully on the newer models.
The Vortechs aren't that old, they should be the new code according to a friend, Philwd. Hopefully the issue clears up, I'd hate for a pump to go out for a few days while I'm on the road since I travel quite a bit.
Thanks again for all the help,
David
invincible569
New member
David, is this issue on only one of your vortech's or both?
Fliger
New member
LOL, not until you asked. :lol: Since I had the other turned down - I cranked the second one up to about 60% and it stalled. The red light comes on and the green light flashes. I'm going to need some temporary add'l flow since I leave for Hawaii on Thursday. 
Any thoughts Ecotech? I wonder if its the thickness - my spacers have bent pins but if I understand them - I'd be using them at the 1/2" setting. Does that mean the pins would serve no purpose and the spacer would be flush? If so, can I just cut the spacers out with wire cutters?
Since I'm having an issue with both of them now - would it make sense that its a thickness issue? I'll measure my glass and check with Elos but I believe its 15mm.
Please advise, thanks.
David
Any thoughts Ecotech? I wonder if its the thickness - my spacers have bent pins but if I understand them - I'd be using them at the 1/2" setting. Does that mean the pins would serve no purpose and the spacer would be flush? If so, can I just cut the spacers out with wire cutters?
Since I'm having an issue with both of them now - would it make sense that its a thickness issue? I'll measure my glass and check with Elos but I believe its 15mm.
Please advise, thanks.
David
jnarowe
New member
I wasn't correct. From the manual:
Driver LED codes
The two LED’s on the VorTech Driver indicate
the operating conditions of the pump. In
the event that an error occurs, the problem
can be diagnosed according to whichever
error is being indicated by the two LED’s.
After addressing the error, the pump can be
restarted by unplugging and re-plugging the
power cord on the driver.
Solid green light - normal operational mode
Blinking green light - battery backup mode
Solid green & solid red - a motor overheating
Solid red & blinking green - a motor stall
Solid red light - pump separation
In the event of a motor overheating,
the pump will automatically shut down for a
period to allow for cooling. Once the motor
has cooled, the driver will automatically
restart and resume normal operation. You
may experience an overheating error from a
misalignment.
In the event of a motor stall, the
pump may have stopped for a few possible
reasons. You should first check that there
is not something blocking the propeller
from spinning. Next, check to make sure the
magnets are not rubbing on either the pin
spacer or the frame cover.
You didn't respond regarding the rubbing. Did you check them thoroughly for that? I have had many stalls but as Eco-Tech and I worked through the issues, one thing we found was that I needed a different kind of washer. Where did you buy your pumps?
Driver LED codes
The two LED’s on the VorTech Driver indicate
the operating conditions of the pump. In
the event that an error occurs, the problem
can be diagnosed according to whichever
error is being indicated by the two LED’s.
After addressing the error, the pump can be
restarted by unplugging and re-plugging the
power cord on the driver.
Solid green light - normal operational mode
Blinking green light - battery backup mode
Solid green & solid red - a motor overheating
Solid red & blinking green - a motor stall
Solid red light - pump separation
In the event of a motor overheating,
the pump will automatically shut down for a
period to allow for cooling. Once the motor
has cooled, the driver will automatically
restart and resume normal operation. You
may experience an overheating error from a
misalignment.
In the event of a motor stall, the
pump may have stopped for a few possible
reasons. You should first check that there
is not something blocking the propeller
from spinning. Next, check to make sure the
magnets are not rubbing on either the pin
spacer or the frame cover.
You didn't respond regarding the rubbing. Did you check them thoroughly for that? I have had many stalls but as Eco-Tech and I worked through the issues, one thing we found was that I needed a different kind of washer. Where did you buy your pumps?
invincible569
New member
Sorry David! Hopefully they will take care of you. The only other thing I can think about is putting them on low flow while you are out so you know they dont stall. The troubleshoot when you come back.
