SCWD... has anyone ever used?

Bigmike · #1 08/31/2006, 06:07 PM

"Switching Current Water Director"

To what success has anyone tried one of these things? How loud are they? how well do they work? Thanks

Mike

rockindacheeks · #2 08/31/2006, 06:20 PM

i like mine... i have it hooked to my mag 9.5 on my return. Its a pretty cool little deal. I havent had it long enough to see what happens if it gets clogged or anything but i like it. as far as noise goes its pretty silent. I cant hear it over my pumps and chiller...

jdieck · #3 08/31/2006, 06:38 PM

Note that it slows down your flow by about 40%. Out of two I bought one never worked out of the box. It might be a cheap way to achieve water switching for a while (until any detritus makes it stuck) but this is a clear case that you get what you pay for.

cee · #4 08/31/2006, 06:47 PM

I've used mine for well over 2 years with little reduction in flow. I use a little trick, though. I carefully hand drill out the 3 ports with a 5/8" drill bit (no power tools). It takes patience and some leather gloves, and you have to blow out the shavings, but it seems to reduce the back pressure considerably. HTH.

Dave

BpOC · #5 08/31/2006, 07:14 PM

it works well if you go under 1200gph. i used it with a mag18 and after 2-3 months the small gears inside blew out so it was stuck on only one side.

slavearm · #6 08/31/2006, 07:27 PM

I have a pair that worked fine for me. I only used one at a time and swapped them every 3 months (soaked the other one in vinegar in between).

I have the full setup still if you are looking. Lockline, manifold, 2 SCWDs, and tubing if you are looking. Even my custom coathanger tank mount!

I can sell you the whole thing for $60. It just isn't enough for my 135. And my wife says I have to start selling all of my unused equipment to repay the second mortgage I had to take to fund my recent purchases from Aquatic Marines.

laverda · #7 08/31/2006, 07:51 PM

I have one on my 24 nano and it works sweet. If I remember I am using a MJ1200 so it it not real high flow. It does a good job in a small tank of changing the water patterns.

phender · #8 08/31/2006, 07:59 PM

I have had one over 3 years with pumps ranging from a Rio 2500 to a Mag 9.5. I like it. Out of the box I remember having to blow through it to get the gears turning, but it has worked great ever since.
Remember that the greater the flow the more often it switches back and forth.

ghever · #9 08/31/2006, 11:38 PM

check out the mod on the DIY forum...it might be archived... as is, it fails too easy...better off with an OM squirt... but it can do the job ok for a little while.

G

TearDrop · #10 09/01/2006, 01:28 AM

It worked great for a while but then it blew out. I was running a Gen-x 55 on it.