Wavebox bottom closure

[whimplet]

I was getting ready to install my Wavebox, but before I do want to make sure I don't have a problem.

The bottom 'door' on the wavebox will not close. I've even tried removing the stream, and then shutting the door. The sliding door doesn't latch to anything, although I can see 2 tiny barbs on the underside which I assume latch to a groove near where the power cord exits the box.

With the stream in place, the rubber o-ring pushes against the attachment on the sliding door and prevents it from closing at all. Forcing it closed and letting go results in it springing open by about a 1/4".

Is this an issue, is it meant to close fully? The upper sliding door 'clicks' in place and shuts securely.

If the bottom is meant to close securely as well, I will return my unit.

Appreciate your advice

 

[rvitko]

It should close but not with any sort of click or latch, I would first check that it isnt something simple like the cable, twist of the pump, foam sponge or or ing getting in the way.

 

[whimplet]

I've spent about an hour trying to get this thing to close.

It definitely isn't impeded by the cable or foam or even the pump. But the O-Ring is putting pressure on the 'flange' attached to the sliding door, and that pushes it open by about a quarter inch.

The pressure isn't great, but since it isn't locking or 'sticking' it won't close properly.

As I said, even with the pump removed, the door closes but literally slides open if the box is tilted at an angle to point the door downward.

Is it an issue to have the 1/4" gap? Will that lower performance or could I even 'tape' it shut?

It's very difficult for me to return/exchange this part from Malaysia to Singapore...

 

[awauckland]

I have the same issue

The front piece which is glued to the bottom is not true and angles inwards and springs the bottom out preventing it from closing properly....

I posted a while ago in regards to this issue with little response.
Probable because of my conclusion that Tunze can build very nice pumps, not too flash at boxes to put them in

 

[whimplet]

I guess I have to agree. I also just picked up the Multicontroller 7095 and the 6100 Stream.

The pumps are pretty hardcore and surprisingly heavy, but the material on the wavebox casing and the multicontroller seems pretty suspect.

Since yours is not closing, have you used it, and does that affect performance?

I called the dealer where I got mine, and they said another wavebox they have in their store has the same symptom as mine. Advising that I should just try it out, if it doesn't work they will get me a new one (but no promise on the door closing on the new one or not...)

If I understood the need for the door I would feel better about a gap being there. I can only assume the door is there to keep fish or 'stuff' from going into the casing. I assume there is no force inside the box other than the pump expelling the water from within, which if the box is submerged should not matter if the door is there or not???

 

[rvitko]

It should not make a big difference if the door doesn't close completely but could you provide a picture? I would like to see the problem as I haven't encountered this here in the states.

 

[whimplet]

Pix for Wavebox closure

Pix for Wavebox closure

Roger,
Apologies for the delay. My better half has 'my' camera so I was forced to use 'her' camera to take these shots.

They aren't the best, but illustrate my concern.

I fiddled with the door a bit more and got it as closed as it could be. The problem is that even though the gap is small now, it is still loose. So I am wondering if in use it will just slide open...

I hope you don't mind going to an outside link for the pix...

 

[rvitko]

Based on your pictures it looks like the pump is oriented wrong. It should be turned on it's side so the narrower side is facing up-down. For maximum power the intake teeth should point down. Also, it seems you are missing the cable retraint piece. If you have it I would install it to prevent future chafing of the pump cable. If you cannot get it, Graeme of Aquadepot in Australia offered to take a look seeing as he is closer to you. He can be reached by the screen name aquadepot.

 

[whimplet]

Roger,
Again thanks for the quick reply.
It's really difficult to see how the pump should be oriented from the directions.

The cable is already chaffed, I was wondering about that. I don't see the restraint piece anywhere. Any idea where it should be in the package?

I'll pm Graeme to see if I can get one from him.

I've just changed the orientation to have the narrow side down and the door still doesn't close properly. Still I guess the conclusion here is that the door even if open a bit isn't an issue? Just hope it doesn't blow off the bottom cuz it's so loose.

Let you know how I go once it's set up.

 

[rvitko]

It shouldn't be a problem provided the door doesn't all out and drop the pump. It is hard to say what could be the cause, originally the wavebox was entirely made by hand by cutting a 3166 filter box on a plastic saw and the parts were non interchangeable since they varied a bit but later ones were made with an asembly jig and should be fairly precise. My suspicion is that the curve of the box must not go up high enough. The piece that holds the cable is a about 2cm square of rubber that slides into the grove after the cable. Minor chafing isn't a problem but and is almost innevitable but long term continuous chafing from opening and closing the box for maintanence could present a problem.