Vortech Maintenance

[fishywoo]

Is there any regular maintenance that needs to be done to the motor side of a Vortech pump?

 

[prattreef]

no.

 

[MikeyNYC]

Vortech recommends that you keep an eye on the magnet on the wetside, it's been known to oxidize. I've seen a number of threads on RC with the issue, take a look. Other then that, I don't think there is anything else to worry about.

 

[lfsmarineguy]

One of our's on our frag tank had that problem. The magnet/impeller assembly migrated into it's housing and ended up wearing into the plastic backk opening the protective sheath around the magnet and it rusted a bit. Ecotech wanted nothing to do with it even as we are a retailer for them. They brushed me off and told me to talk to Icecap for the repair. Icecap just wanted to repair it and not hear about it. Not thrilled with the service but the repair was very fast and we had it back in a few days. Overall turn around time was amazing but it was as if they couldn't have been bothered.
They are great units and this is the only problem we have seen of the units that have come through the store so my only complaint is the level of service. Also, don't tell them it's a "design flaw". The guy at Icecap almost had an aneurhism on the phone because I kept calling it a flaw and he insisted it was a "component failure" lol. I had to bust their chops after how we were treated.

 

[prattreef]

I believe the question specifically asked about the motor side of the pump. The answer is still no.

 

[MikeyNYC]

doh

 

[lfsmarineguy]

yes there is no maintenance on the motor side. It's sealed anyway, but I have never heard of any problems with the motors specifically.

 

[neptune]

whatta bought them heating up...and shutting off???

 

[prattreef]

That is most assuredly a wet side issue of some kind.

 

[fishywoo]

My question arose because at 11 months old one of my Vortechs just died on me for no apparent reason. I sent it back to Icecap and they repaired it although they never told me what went wrong. The pumps do get warm from running 24 hours a day. I am sure this heat over time, must/has, to effect them in some way. It would be interesting to see what the longest one of these has run for.

 

[prattreef]

well, I have a few of the early beta versions that have been running since before they were commercially available and while there have been the typical wet-side issues (bearings etc.) the motors have never been an issue. I don't think much more can be said longevity wise as few if any have Vortech's older than mine.

 

[rookie07]

Mine seems to fall apart all the time...I have the size and mounting correct.
I sent it back to Icecap, they repaired it, but It started happening agian, and has gotten much worse.
I will be sending it back again.