WHOA!!! Ecotech quietdrive?

[Akrite]

I noticed that the Power Consumption: 9-28 Watts increased to Power Consumption: 9-38 Watts with MP40wQD.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

I wonder if that has a lot to do with the 40% more output??

 

[sonnus]

I wonder if that has a lot to do with the 40% more output??

Yes, that makes sense. But I'm sure the power consumption is lower on the QD when set at a comparable flow to the ES.

 

[AdamSabina]

Just shut up and take my money!!!

I second that.

 

[AdamSabina]

So, it doesn't say but can the qd mp40 wet side be used with an es dry side?

Yes accord to the chart posted above... Will be more durable but not quieter.

 

[sonnus]

 

[MrSandman]

Wow 30db is pretty quiet. Nice of them to also post the measurement conditions. Someone should do the same test on the Gyre for comparison sake. .

 

[sonnus]

Wow 30db is pretty quiet. Nice of them to also post the measurement conditions. Someone should do the same test on the Gyre for comparison sake. .

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2015/1/aafeature

In this article they recorded the Gyre at ~48 dB but the ambient noise was around ~37 dB and they don't specify the distance from the pump that the measurement was taken. Not terribly helpful but I guess it's better than nothing.

 

[ChefZilla]

Trust me everyone. This particular pump is extremely quiet. I have heard alot of speculation regarding how is it quiet, What about bearing noise?


When people try to replace bearings with ceramic bearings it's a bad choice to do so. They will remain to be loud. And IF your bearings are "blown" the best thing to do is to return it to ecotech. Has anyone tried replacing their bearings with success? (I'm sure there's a few) The bearings that are used a high quality bearings. The qd driver will reduce any any vortech pump by 90% BUT if the bearings are blown there's nothing that will quiet it down unless the bearings are changed first. Apparently theres a few naysayers that think that ecotech uses cheap non sealed bearings and that's not true, the bearings used are high quality motor bearing Pre-packed with grease.
When you don't properly align the 2 sides there's "stress" thats not intended to be put on the bearings and from there with the friction the bearings can possibly fail.

 

[ChefZilla]

REVIEW: MP40wES vs. MP40wQD How-to make your VorTech Quieter: http://youtu.be/hMg8S2al1qQ

 

[TROYALLRED]

Awesome! !!!

 

[reefdude135]

interesting chart... somewhat amazed that the change of controller makes such an improvement in sound reduction...

 

[jacyn]

Reef builders posted an interview with ecotech explaining how the driver improves the sound level by illustrating the way a carousel works. In short the new driver pushes the motor more times per second or in more places to make the push of the electro motor more gradual instead of fewer but stringer pulses which cause the noise. It's posted on you tube

 

[jabel]

Brent, the bearings on the MP40s were not the best they could buy. I've replaced them and my pumps became muich quieter. The other problem was the order of bearing spacer and washer placement within the dry side. I've have multiple pumps open now and each one at a different order. You can reduce noise just by reordering the washer and spacers. I forget which order, but I messed around and noticed the difference. I believe there are some posts discussing this as well. Ceramic bearings are bad, but there are much higher quality bearings that can be used. Again, search the threads.

The static speed test for noise is fine, but who actually uses this mode. The major producer of noise is the ramping up of speed in the variable modes. That would be a much more realistic test.
I am a little skeptical as the new dry side with out a spinning magnet should be so much quieter, yet they claim the contoller is responsible for most of it. Doesn't make sense.
Anxious to see this work and see if the controller really makes that much difference.
Jeff

 

[sonnus]

Brent, the bearings on the MP40s were not the best they could buy. I've replaced them and my pumps became muich quieter. The other problem was the order of bearing spacer and washer placement within the dry side. I've have multiple pumps open now and each one at a different order. You can reduce noise just by reordering the washer and spacers. I forget which order, but I messed around and noticed the difference. I believe there are some posts discussing this as well. Ceramic bearings are bad, but there are much higher quality bearings that can be used. Again, search the threads.

The static speed test for noise is fine, but who actually uses this mode. The major producer of noise is the ramping up of speed in the variable modes. That would be a much more realistic test.
I am a little skeptical as the new dry side with out a spinning magnet should be so much quieter, yet they claim the contoller is responsible for most of it. Doesn't make sense.
Anxious to see this work and see if the controller really makes that much difference.
Jeff

On an MP40 with non-worn bearings the driver absolutely is responsible for most of the decrease in noise. I helped with the noise test and we did compare the pumps ramping up and down. The QuietDrive is significantly less noisy in those modes also. Actually, if you kept the MP40wQD at 60-70% power in any of the pulse modes you can't even tell the pump is working! I run my VorTech at constant speed as so many others I know.

 

[discotu]

not sure if they started balancing the magnets but that would help...i used to have an older MP40 and i could tell the dry side magnet wasn't balanced.

 

[gveng]

On an MP40 with non-worn bearings the driver absolutely is responsible for most of the decrease in noise. I helped with the noise test and we did compare the pumps ramping up and down. The QuietDrive is significantly less noisy in those modes also. Actually, if you kept the MP40wQD at 60-70% power in any of the pulse modes you can't even tell the pump is working! I run my VorTech at constant speed as so many others I know.

Do you have any on display? I would love to swing by and check it out in person before I buy one.

 

[MrSandman]

If only I was involved in the testing. I have access to a calibrated sound pressure level meter and an anechoic chamber at work in which I could have done all of the comparative analysis.

 

[sonnus]

If only I was involved in the testing. I have access to a calibrated sound pressure level meter and an anechoic chamber at work in which I could have done all of the comparative analysis.

Hey Ramon, that would have been awesome, if only we knew. We would probably need to get an aquarium in the anechoic chamber to test the pumps in their "real world" working conditions. I'm not sure if that would even be possible. It would be great to do this test and include the Maxspect Gyre in it.

The test we did was by no means perfect. I am confident that our measurements were fair and consistent between the different pumps and drivers though.

 

[MrSandman]

Hey Ramon, that would have been awesome, if only we knew. We would probably need to get an aquarium in the anechoic chamber to test the pumps in their "real world" working conditions. I'm not sure if that would even be possible. It would be great to do this test and include the Maxspect Gyre in it.



The test we did was by no means perfect. I am confident that our measurements were fair and consistent between the different pumps and drivers though.

I have a 20L that could have been brought into the chamber for testing. As long as we keep all other variables static, and splashing sounds down to a minimum, it would be as close to real world conditions as possible. I'm really curious how the Gyre compares too but in order to get a good comparison, the entire evaluation of the MP40QD needs to be redone in the lab with it. . Anyways, keep in it mind for future tests. . What you guys have done so far is really helpful.