My biopro tripped during a batch. Now the methoxide mixing motor is making a humming noise but won't run.

Nobody home at Springboard (Saturday).

I did a hard reset on the machine but the mixer motor or methoxide pump still won't run.

Anybody here ever run into this and know how to reset just the pump?

I have never seen a bio pro but if your motor is humming and nothing is happening then it sounds like its either jammed, has a bad start switch or burnt capacitor. I have no idea what type of motor they use to give you specific advice...
Do not let it sit there and hum as you will fry the windings and could start a fire if the motor has no overload...
Jon

quote:

Originally posted by kevinh:
My biopro tripped during a batch. Now the methoxide mixing motor is making a humming noise but won't run.

Nobody home at Springboard (Saturday).

I did a hard reset on the machine but the mixer motor or methoxide pump still won't run.

Anybody here ever run into this and know how to reset just the pump?

The methoxide and methanol in pumps are the same, just swap them out for now. The pump is easy to dismantle, you can pop the head off with four screws and then see if the motor is frozen or the pump is locked. Mine froze up because regardless of all the preaching Springboard does, they assembled it with teflon tape instead of sealant and big chunks of it went into the gears.

Reach inside the tank with a channel lock pliers to loosen the fitting, remove the nut, pull the four bolts holding the two pumps together and unhook the wires. Lift straight up and out. Five minutes at the most.

Norman

Thanks Guys - I think it was bound up on a chunk of NaOH in the tank. After some well placed "tapping" and start-stopping it started up again.

It has been suggested that regular flushing (after 15 or so batches) with vinegar will remove the small build up of NaOH on the pump and screen. Run a gallon of vinegar through the tank and pump, then flush out with a bit of methanol to dry it.

I'd recommend moving that number to "after 4-5 batches".
Especially if you're using NaOH.

-Graydon