rotating a circulator pump motor

cutter

I saw in another post a while back about rotating a Taco pump motor. There was no problem in doing that. I bought a Wilo ECO 16 RFC variable speed pump.and would like to rotate the pump motor 180 degrees. I am guessing that would not be a problem, am I on track?

Leon82

think of it as rotating the pump housing. you want the motor to stay orientated the same as the instructions show.

Dave H_2

Most times you can rotate the motor on the casing. The only reason is so that the labeling/print is right side up. as for performance, no difference.

As with wet rotor circs, the best rule of thumb is to keep the motor horizontal for proper lubrication of the bearing and air removal in the cartridge.

Dave H.

hot_rod

Usually the pumps that have 4 bolts the motor can be rotated to four positions. Some of the two screw models cannot be rotated.

cutter

Leon82 said:

think of it as rotating the pump housing. you want the motor to stay orientated the same as the instructions show.

</block The motor is horizontal and the piping is vertical, I would just like the wiring to the pump to enter on the bottom side of the control. I guess that would be just rotating the motor housing.

cutter

Dave H said:

Most times you can rotate the motor on the casing. The only reason is so that the labeling/print is right side up. as for performance, no difference.

As with wet rotor circs, the best rule of thumb is to keep the motor horizontal for proper lubrication of the bearing and air removal in the cartridge.

Dave H.

I just did not explain everything correctly I must have thought everyone were mind readers. The motor is horizontal and the piping is vertical. That box or what ever it is called that the wire goes into is kind of in the way for the isolation valve. I want the open/close handle of the valve on that side of the piping. I can't see what it would hurt to rotate the casing, just thought I would ask.

cutter

hot rod said:

Usually the pumps that have 4 bolts the motor can be rotated to four positions. Some of the two screw models cannot be rotated.

Hot Rod I had to think about what you said.The two screw models may or may not be rotated 90 degrees.The Wilo has two screws, and I am wanting to go 180 degrees so the holes won't be a problem. I was wanting to know if I would have another problem.

I have another question for you if you are willing to give me a comment. I am wanting to build that two boiler system pictured in the center of Idronics #10. The piping of the pellet boiler and the conventional boiler. Those two pumps. pumping back to the two boilers, would they need that check valve in the pump?

hot_rod

Yes the Wilos will turn, there are extra holes in the motor flange. Actually it is nice to have just two bolts, quick to change.

The yellow Bumblebee is an example of a two hole that will not rotate.

It is sometimes hard to predict when you get reverse or ghost flow. probably why we call it ghost flow.

Most all the small circulators come with checks, I'd use them in all cases, very little pressure drop.

Plus they can act as an iso valve on one side to facilitate motor changouts

Cristian

I have the same pump, same problem. Did you rotate the pump motor? everything works?

Snowmelt

Need some before and after pics.

Steve Thompson (Taco)

Careful with these wide sweeping comments gents...

If the electrical box is rotated to the 6:00 position and the pump has a screw in the end of the motor you could release magic smoke if the screw is loosened or removed to unstick a locked rotor.

And I would not recommend the volute check valve (we all use the same brand BTW), will always facilitate a positive shut off to enable the removal of the motor.

Just my 2 cents worth...

Solid_Fuel_Man

I personally dont like the IFC checks. Most seem to rattle, different speeds just changes thr rattling frequency. I've removed my fare share and added a weighted check in most cases.

I like zone valves!

hot_rod

Typically a well designed hydronic spring check would be a better, tighter seal, less noise prone design.

My beef with IFC is they are too close to the discharge in turbulent conditions, the absolute worse place for a check.

Also pumps installed vertically can get air trapped in the volute and not circulate on first star, when the check is so close to the discharge. Some installers drill an 1/8" hole in them

The check design is ideal, soft seat, conceal design, spring assist, bubble free design, it is just poorly applied.
Wondering if they do more harm than good in the pump volute?

cutter

Cristian said:

I have the same pump, same problem. Did you rotate the pump motor? everything works?

Cristian, I have not been on this site for awhile so I did not see your post. Yes I rotated the motor. And yes everything works fine.

hot_rod

for some reason Wilo only provides two tapped holes and two bolts on some circs. It does make for a quick motor replacement

If the circulator is mounted vertically, you can rotate 180 and the electrical box just flips from one side to the other. and the writing is upside down.

If it is in a horizontal run, a 180 flip puts the wiring box at the bottom, not ideal, as any leak could get to the wiring as Steve mentioned.

cutter

Hot Rod, are you saying that just the motor can be replaced if the pump goes Kuput. It would most likely be the pump that made the motor fail?????? When I first got the system going the motors were silent. Now the pump on the wood boiler that pumps back to the boiler from the header a noise can be heard like water moving. I feel there is also a slight noise from the motor.

hot_rod

circulators are virtually silent these days Noise is mostly fluid and air. A screech or squeal could be a failing bushing. Circulators speak all sorts of languages