Pump problems

Kevin__Flynn

Is it possible that you are pumping against a dead head?Meaning, if none of the apartment zones are calling for heat could the pump be trying to push water nowhere?

How are the diferent zones controlled?

kf

John_54

Circulator Pump motors

I have a 4 floor apartment building with hot water heat. I have two pumps Armstrong 1/10 HP one on the return of each zone. The pumps run continuously for about 6 months. My problem is that the pump motors only seem to last one season. I made the mistake of turning them off on Saturday and that was it The motors both quit. My contractor has been getting me rebuilt motors which we have been lubricating but one of the ones that burnt out this week was new and permanently lubricated, so we know we didn't over or under lubricate that one. Any ideas on how we can get the motors to last longer? The pumps turn easily with a screwdriver but both motors were very hot. It took over an hour for them to cool down.

Mark Eatherton1

Oddly enough....

if the pumps were pumping against a dead head situation, they'd draw less current then if they were running against ZERO head of resistance. The volutes would overheat from all the mechanical energy being dumped into the water with nowhere to go, but the motors would see less work. I know it goes against intuitive thinnking, but it is true.

As for your pump problem, the motors are made for continuous duty. If they're dieing off at a young age, I suspect somehting else is affecting their life expectancy, like a lack of cooling, or dirty electrical power or something. I'd suggest you look into a wet rotor, water lubricated pump.

ME


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EBEBRATT-Ed

Check the motor amperage with an ampmeter. You could be overloading the motors. If the amps are high you need larger motors or throttle a discharge valve(ball valve globe or circuit setter not a gate valve) and see if the amperage drops into the normal range. If you are still moving enough water with the valve throttled you can run them this way. The motors should last a lot longer than 1 year.

Ed

Dick Carlson

under voltage

Check your voltage, low voltage will cause overheating and burnout.

Mellow_2

could you have some air in the lines?

The amp test should be done and I would use new motors.... If you have a high amp draw it could be air in the line. It will get in the impeller the motor will spin faster causing the problem. It helps to know how the motor dies.... seazed, smoking, overload......? This can send you in the right direction tward solving the problem.