sedra 3500 issues

hyeteck · #1 10/12/2007, 11:19 AM

hi,

has anyone had any issues with the sedra 3500 pump locking up? I've had the pump for 3 years now and it recently just stopped. I took it out and cleaned it out and it worked for another 3 weeks but then stopped again. I tried cleaning it again but it doesn't want to move. I can hear the pump's veeery silent humming noise when its on and the impeller isn't moving.

How can i tell if the issue is with my pump or impeller?

thanks

besl · #2 10/12/2007, 11:23 AM

Try running in a pail with 1/4 vinegar and 3/4 ro water for at least 10 - 12 hours. If you haven't done this for a while (or not at all in 3 years?) you may have Ca buildup preventing proper operation. If that doesn't work I would suspect you may need a new impeller (magnet).

hyeteck · #3 10/12/2007, 12:18 PM

i've never ran it through vinegar. I'll try that tonight and see if that does the trick.

thanks.

besl · #4 10/12/2007, 01:02 PM

leave the flexible air hose out of the water and submerse the pump completely in the vinegar bath - be sure to run it like this for at least 10 - 12 hours. This is also written up in the ER manual for furtehr details. Afetr the 12 hoiurs are up, dismantle the pump and rinse all pieces (volute, impeller, etc, etc). reassemble and install - let us know how this goes.

hyeteck · #5 10/13/2007, 02:06 PM

i tried for about an hour last night to start the pump up but had no luck. It would just spin for a second and stop right away. I didn't have the air tube with the volute on. So I got frustrated and just let the pump sit in the vinegar solution overnight.

this morning i read your post about leaving the air house out. I didn't think the airhose and the volute would be needed but i gave it a try and woala, the pump is running again.

The pump just started back up again and has been running for about 20 minutes now with no hicups in the vinegar solution.

Hellllooooooooo Bubbles

Thanks!

hyeteck · #6 10/13/2007, 11:51 PM

I just took the pump out of the vinegar solution and rinsed it with water. The pump works but the problem is getting it to start pumping. In order to get it started i have to loosen the cap that the volute attaches to, and blow air down the air tube. After that it goes on its own.

I have it in my sump now and it seems to be working but once i stop it, its a pain in the booty to get started again.

When I took the pump apart to rinse it after the vinegar bath, I noticed that the magnet on the impeller wasn't smooth. It had scratches and seemed kinda of lumpy on one side than the other. I'm just gonna order a new impeller/magnet and see if that helps.

flamenco-t · #7 10/14/2007, 12:24 AM

I went through 2 Sedra 3500 impeller in a few months span. The magnet kept on bulging up.

THe last set has been running for a few months now, I never shut it off because I am afraid it won't start back up. The last 2 instances happened when I turn it off to do some maintenance to clean the collection cup.

Lately, I just pull out my exhaust on the skimmer then I remove and clean the collection cup.

stan

besl · #8 10/15/2007, 07:25 AM

hyeteck - i tcould be that after 3 years of not doing teh vinegar bath that the Ca deposit damaged the magnet. I know the vinegar bath isn't a fun task, but you could try disassembling the entire pump and leave it in the bath overnight... rinse with clean water... re-assemble and run for th e10 - 12 hours as you did before in the vinegar bath... rinse again and see if that straightens out the problem.