Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Went out this arvo and had no water flow in system 1 , checked pump for blockage ect pulled it apart and cleaned the gunge out , it starts and runs for about 5 seconds then stops , of course its stuffed but wondering whats going on inside .

Its a CM 3500 Jebao 13mths old , frustrating these pumps don't use much power havnt tested one but they claim 25w , should last longer than a year .

First guess capacitor stuffed or thermal cut out buggered. If its really noisy check that the ceramic shaft isn't actually snapped.

This is the 4th pump in 12mths granted they havnt been high quality pumps , one pump lasted a week , wondering if voltage fluctuations are a factor our power comes via a regional SWR line and I know the power fluctuates a lot mate up the road has run voltmeters , sometimes our fridge sounds like its running up a steep hill , might be worth running a pump through a UPS or at least a surge protector . Looking at buying a good quality pump this time round .

I have had good service from Jebao pumps so far, Terra. The CM 3500 pump is one of Jebao's four pole series that is supposedly much superior to the normal two pole pumps, if you can believe the blurb. My concern with your intention to pay more for your next pump is that it might go the same way as the cheaper ones if there is indeed a problem with your power. Using a surge protector or some kind of filter sounds like a good idea to me.

I agree, I have two jebao's. one has been running for 3 years and the other for 2 years. You first need to be sure that your power source is clean and not causing the failure - else you will just burn more money on a more expensive pump.

I'd recommend using your dodgy power supply to charge a battery, perhaps with the assistance of a solar panel or 2, and run your pumps, air etc from a small good quality sine wave inverter. That way you can be sure of clean power to the pump, and the small mains connected charger cops the abuse the power company sends you down the SWER.

Thanks blokes I was very happy with this pump , decent size with a good screen not a fiddly little thing like ive had before , ive thought about the inverter option which would cover the small frequent outages we get as well . More head scratching required .

4 pole just relates to the speed of the motor, 4 pole motor on 50Hz supply will run at about 1425 rpm.
2 pole - 2850 rpm.

if the motor starts and runs then cuts out could be a blockage, or the pump is going into overload cutout?

check the impeller is clear to moving ok.

How much does the voltage fluctuate? would not have thought a motor would be very sensitive to voltage fluctuations?