Aug 03, 2014
David Thompson
wrote
Bought this pump about a month ago; has been working great until today. Stopped working. It rattles and makes noise but wont pump. I checked and didnt find any blockage. I also removed the volute cover and found no debris inside the pump cover or impeller. I'm not able to pull out the impeller with my bare hands. I plugged it in without the volute cover in a bucket of water to test and the impeller spins, then shakes back and forth, then spins again.
Do you think it's the impeller? How hard should it be to pull the impeller out? I didn't want to try a tool(pliers or wrench) without checking on the warranty.
Please help.
David
Do you think it's the impeller? How hard should it be to pull the impeller out? I didn't want to try a tool(pliers or wrench) without checking on the warranty.
Please help.
David
Reply
12 Answers
Aug 04, 2014
Carlos
agent
wrote
Can you please tell me if the pinwheel has come off the shaft?
Please use the "Submit a Ticket" link on the right and be sure to include both proof of purchase and the serial number on the back of the pump.
Please use the "Submit a Ticket" link on the right and be sure to include both proof of purchase and the serial number on the back of the pump.
Aug 04, 2014
David Thompson
wrote
Yes, pinwheel head came off the shaft when I removed the volute cover. Is it suppose to? I just put it back on; seem to fit nicely.
Aug 04, 2014
Carlos
agent
wrote
It is not supposed to. You will need a new impeller. For a temporary fix, you can super glue or 2-part epoxy the pinwheel back on the shaft and that will fix the issue. It will also buy you time while we send you a replacement impeller. If you 2-part epoxy the bad impeller, then you will end up with a backup impeller just in case!
Please use the "Submit a Ticket" link on the right and be sure to provide us with proof of purchase and the serial number on the back of the pump.
Please use the "Submit a Ticket" link on the right and be sure to provide us with proof of purchase and the serial number on the back of the pump.
Aug 05, 2014
Jason Oldfield
wrote
I THINK I may have the same problem. My pump just inexplicably stopped working with the same type of behavior as David. I tried to get the pump restarted (it acts like it is out of phase), but I cannot get it to work properly again. When I removed the volute cover, the pinwheel was still on the shaft of the rotor. However, upon trying to remove the rotor from the stator (and the stator cover), the pinwheel slid right off. Like David, my pinwheel slides back on nicely, but it sounds as if it should be PERMANENTLY mounted to the shaft of the rotor.
All that said, I don't see how you could get a new rotor (impeller) in the pump without having the pinwheel separate due to the cover that goes over the stator (the chamber where the permanent magnet section of the rotor / impeller resides).
Your help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Jason
All that said, I don't see how you could get a new rotor (impeller) in the pump without having the pinwheel separate due to the cover that goes over the stator (the chamber where the permanent magnet section of the rotor / impeller resides).
Your help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Jason
Aug 05, 2014
Carlos
agent
wrote
Jason,
Please go ahead and "Submit a Ticket" so we can send you a new pump. To remove the old impeller, just take a towel and a pair of pliers and use the towel to protect the shaft while you use the pliers to pull it straight out. That should work pretty easily.
If done correctly, the shaft will be undamaged and you can then 2-part epoxy the pinwheel back to the shaft to buy you enough time while we send you a new impeller.
Regards,
Please go ahead and "Submit a Ticket" so we can send you a new pump. To remove the old impeller, just take a towel and a pair of pliers and use the towel to protect the shaft while you use the pliers to pull it straight out. That should work pretty easily.
If done correctly, the shaft will be undamaged and you can then 2-part epoxy the pinwheel back to the shaft to buy you enough time while we send you a new impeller.
Regards,
Apr 22, 2015
brian skarbek
wrote
My pump has the same issue. If I buy a new impeller how do I install in the pump?
Apr 23, 2015
Carlos
agent
wrote
Here is a video on how to assemble and disassemble the Bubble Blaster pumps... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dj8NvWVvEew
Apr 23, 2015
brian skarbek
wrote
yeah i think my problem is that the front part broke off the shaft.
Apr 23, 2015
brian skarbek
wrote
because when i unscrewed the cover off the white plastic piece fell off with out pulling anything.
Apr 23, 2015
Jeremy Rykiel
agent
wrote
If the pinwheel impeller separates from the shaft you can clean both surfaces and affix them together with standard super glue gel. If the pinwheel snapped off with a piece of the shaft then the impeller will need to be replaced.
Sep 21, 2015
Francisco Eremiev
wrote
Ok, so i have the same problem, the thing is that i got a replacement for the impeller, but it came off too... but it was until recently that i notice that because i was not able to use my skimmer until a month ago and the guarantee is lost( i didnt use it like for one year, only tested the replacement for a few days and it was working).
If i buy back a new impeller, how can i be sure its not going to came off... it costs like 80 dollar, and im not located in the USA, so importing it is not so easy for me.
Is there a more reliable model as it seems this impeller is poorly designed (why make the base rounded instead of flat, i dont understad).
If i buy back a new impeller, how can i be sure its not going to came off... it costs like 80 dollar, and im not located in the USA, so importing it is not so easy for me.
Is there a more reliable model as it seems this impeller is poorly designed (why make the base rounded instead of flat, i dont understad).
Sep 21, 2015
Carlos
agent
wrote
Francisco: The problem was with one small batch of impellers. All other impellers are fine so if you get a replacement, you should be fine. Please contact your local distributor and start a warranty claim with them. They will be able to help you.