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[Scott7m]

I have a customer with an ncb175 that has went through 4 pumps in 1 year.  3 of which were the factory natures comfort pumps which I'm not all that crazy about and the other and latest was a wasser pump. 

Every pump has the same problem, wears the bearings out.

I know it's a water issue but this is the only guy I know using antifreeze mix. 

Thinking about making him upgrade to a sealed design pump.

[lugnut]

Scott,

Pretty sure this is way above my head...as I thought all pumps were sealed, but my questions would be this....does he have his OWB running 24/7?  I discussed this issue at great lengths with some friends up here because I thought about having the pump run only when it was called for....but , I soon learned that was a quick way to wear a pump out...all the constant off and of.  No different than a starter on a car.  I did have mine wired to run 24/7.  Just a thought, but you prolly knew this already being a dealer.   

Lugnut

[Scott7m]

Yea it runs non-stop as it should but it's a well water issue I'm pretty sure

[RSI]

Did you take the pumps apart? Are you bleeding the air out of the screw on the end of the motor? Was the bushing at the end of the rotor shot? Do you know you can get replacement cartridges for those pumps?

I would put a dry rotor pump on it. The only thing that touches the water is the impeller and a little of the shaft on them. Should be much better on dirty water.

[clydem]

I also run a antifreeze mix,  110 gal Propolene Glycol in a CB5036.  No problems so far,I hope I didn't jinks myself...

Clyde

I have a customer with an ncb175 that has went through 4 pumps in 1 year.  3 of which were the factory natures comfort pumps which I'm not all that crazy about and the other and latest was a wasser pump. 

Every pump has the same problem, wears the bearings out.

I know it's a water issue but this is the only guy I know using antifreeze mix. 

Thinking about making him upgrade to a sealed design pump.

[lugnut]

Yea it runs non-stop as it should but it's a well water issue I'm pretty sure

Something I have to look forward to?  I'm running well water as also.  Have a back up pump should I require one, hopefully it won't go out too soon. 

Lugnut

[willieG]

i have been running well water for ten years (this is winter 11) i did use the oxygen scavenger  chemical for the first two years but have added nothing since then except for make up water and last year i replaced my underground lines so the boiler got a fresh fill. i am still on the original taco 0011 pump (knock on wood) i did install a cartridge filter in my line (the cartridge looks like a ball of twine)

[jerkash]

willieG - How often do you change your filter?  Do you get a lot of trash in the filter?
Thanks

[BoilerHouse]

Well water is not necessarily an evil.  Many wells are as good as or better than municipal water.  Wells can be low in hardness and iron, two areas of concern for OWB owners, and do not have some of the baggage such as the addition of chlorine or flouride.  If the well water is not causing problems in the home, it likely will not cause prblems in an OWB.  If it is causing problems, there is a chance the homeowner has identified and corrected the problem. Proper boiler treatment chemicals will also minimize problems with poor water quality.

[RSI]

Here are some pics of a failed pump due to dirty water.
The bushing at the end of the rotor wore and allowed the rotor to start scrapping and eventually stopped.

[Scott7m]

Well water around here is horrible..  Full of iron and it usually stinks

Now as far as taking the pumps apart I personally have not but simply got replacements.  As far as bleeding yea I always have the screw loosened up before it's ever plugged in and I back fill the system using an isolator flange to push the water through the house and back into the boiler to try and avoid any air lock issues and haven't had any doing this. 

He also has a filtration system on the back of his stove, it made no difference in pump life.   I agree that a dry rotor pump is the best way to go if I can convince him to splurge a bit. 

[RSI]

Just take the 4 allen bolts out and the guts slide right out. The new ones for the NC pump are about 1/3 the cost of a pump.

[willieG]

willieG - How often do you change your filter?  Do you get a lot of trash in the filter?
Thanks

i change the filter yearly..usually about the end of november. I like to use the old filter at the beginning of each year to catch any thing that may have acumulated over the summer when it is shut down, also i figure a new filter for the cold months is a good idea too. i have never seen any "chunks" in there yet but the filter is the color of rust so there muct be some small pieces in there i cant see. my stove is home made and made of mild steel plate and pipe

[Scott7m]

Just take the 4 allen bolts out and the guts slide right out. The new ones for the NC pump are about 1/3 the cost of a pump.

Yea.  Gotta keep a bunch of those laying around I think lol

[allis48]

I went thru both pumps on mine in less than 2 month. I am using well water that has been ran thru a softener and iron filter. They sounded like a motor that had a rod knocking.