Anybody have any experience with this pump:
http://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?UID=2008041010085...1249-G&catname=water

It's 2.5 times the flow rate of the HF blue pump, and I was considering giving it a try. It's Italian made and only $60. It even has a temp rating up to 158*F.

That pump will not work. Its plastic.

Okay... so the impeller is plastic. As long as there's no solids going through the pump... and there won't be, I don't see why it won't work since it has a max temp well above what I would subject it to. The plastic certainly would not be affected by the chemicals in the process.

thermoplastic can mean quite a few different things, it's a broad category of plastics that retain their properties after being heated to melting and then cooled (*I think) which makes them useful in certain kinds of plastics manufacturing processes like injection molding (again, I think). So, it may or may not work depending on the actual properties of the specific thermoplastic in question.

quote:

The plastic certainly would not be affected

Not a safe assumption. Some plastics won't hold up to methoxide and/or veg oil, but many do. Washing machine pumps with plastic impellors hold up just fine, for example. Is it worth $60 to find out?

Thanks girl mark. I would hope that if the thermoplastics used are rated to 158*F, and I will only subject it to 130's, that it should retain it's shape and function and not melt or deform.

I was trying to find an alternative to the HF blue pump without spending $300. I'm willing to throw $80 (shipping included) at it to see, but had hoped someone else here already had.

I guess I'll be the guinea pig. Maybe someone else will post if they tried it already.

All the best.

yep, let us know.

it's not that the concern is the melting of the plastic at high temps, it's that one of our many chemicals might dissolve it or make it crack after some time.
Good luck!

Mark

Understood. Yes, I'll report back. We'll see if it's still performing fine by the end of the summer. That should be about 1000 gallons from now.

All the best.

I think you'd be better off with 2 of the little blue pumps instead of the one plastic untested pump.

Isnt there something called a pit-bull pump that works good also?

The processor we use has these pumps to process 80 gallon batches of oil.

http://stores.channeladvisor.com/TMS-WHOLESALE/Items/3-cmt-10148?

I was told if you let them cavitate they will not last. One out of the original 5 is making a lot of noise but still works. Sounds like bearings to me.
The info says the port fittins are 2.5 in. That is outside. A 1.5 in NPT fitting will fit inside the ports

quote:

Originally posted by Murphy:
I think you'd be better off with 2 of the little blue pumps instead of the one plastic untested pump.

Isnt there something called a pit-bull pump that works good also?

Murph, I considered 2 HF pumps, but didn't want to deal with the extra plumbing. I know it's not much, but I really prefer just a single pump.

I've heard of the pitbull pump, but had forgotten about it until now.

Fuelfarmer,
wow... 150 liters per min. I think that's overkill for a 40 gallon batch size. Great price though... with free shipping too. Thanks.

The pitbull has some issues. Loook for recent posts by me (that quote others' older posts about electrical and fan shroud mods to the Pitbull) here and StephenD on the biodieselnow.com forum (talking about filing down the pump's brass impeller!) for info on altering it to overcome it's issues.

Conspirator: I agree with Murphy. Even when plumbing 2 pumps may be a hassle, it'd be a one time hassle, and in exchange you'd have the advantage that if one pump dies on you, your oil won't stop circulating.

quote:

Originally posted by girl mark:
The pitbull has some issues. Loook for recent posts by me (that quote others' older posts about electrical and fan shroud mods to the Pitbull) here and StephenD on the biodieselnow.com forum (talking about filing down the pump's brass impeller!) for info on altering it to overcome it's issues.

Oh.. That's not good news.. Thanks for the update because I didnt know that.

Can the blue HF pumps stand up to the task of methoxide circulation? I'm making some mods on my processor for the coming season and have one in place for washing and transfer, but could one stand up to the corrosive nature of methoxide?

Fuelfarmer, How long have you been using the pumps from the link. The pump looks plasic, does it hold up?
Thanks

quote:

Originally posted by jdr01:
Fuelfarmer, How long have you been using the pumps from the link. The pump looks plasic, does it hold up?
Thanks

Funny you should ask. I was just checking in to say that two out of three pumps on the processor tanks quit today. I am sure number three will go soon. The "plastic" impellers look like they are pressed onto a brass nut. The impellers spun on the brass nut that threads onto the motor shaft. The pumps only had maybe 30 to 40 hrs. run time.
Not sure what to do now. If I can find a new impeller I will try to fix the pumps for now. Anyone know where to find metal impellers? The impeller is about 3.5 in. across. The vanes are 7/16 wide. the hub is 1.25 in. wide. Threads are 10x 1.5 metric.
I am not happy with how the pumps were installed. Looks to me like the pumps were mounted and then the plumbing was glued in place. No provisions for removing the pumps. Had to cut the pipe and then take the pump housing apart to remove pumps.

http://stores.channeladvisor.com/TMS-WHOLESALE/Items/3-cmt-10148?

it might not be that they quit..but that they leak from the shaft seals...
I have had 2 from Northerntool leak from shaft seals. no major disasters from the leaks.

-dkenny

I used the blue NT pump for a couple of years with no problem.

Well, it's 4 months later and as promised... here's an update on the pump from surplus center. 1500 gallons of fuel later.... no leaks, and it's still performing like a champ. I know of one other home brewer who is also using it. It is definitely a vast improvement over the HF blue pump without dropping 3 bills.

So far, I recommend it.