pumps

[dammann]

Apparently, the Little Giant pump I am using doesn't like to be "self-priming," where the fluid is drawn up above the level of the surface and into the pump. I don't want to use bulkhead fittings or in any way go through the side of the electrolyte tank below the surface of my bath, for fear of leaks developing.

Does anybody have a good pump they can recommend for a ~40 gallon tank? I want something tough, that I can leave running most (if not all) of the time.

[acidrain]

I use the HC Little Giant and added a priming circuit to the plumbing... a vertical T just before the pump inlet that runs up higher than the acid level with a valve at the top. You'll need to have the pump lower than the acid level.
Then, just take a cup of your electrolyte, open the valve, pour the it down the pipe, close the valve and turn on the pump.
Once the pump is primed and running. you won't need to prime it again unless the siphon is broken.

[dammann]

That is what I thought, but I have smoke coming out of my pump motor, and Little Giant tells be it is because of the rise. I am using almost exactly the setup you describe. Maybe they just don't want to deal with me?

[acidrain]

If you smoked the motor, that's a different problem. There is no way that condition would cause a motor to overheat.
Are you sure you're running at the correct voltage? Mine is a 240v and you wouldn't know it just looking at it.

[paintballkidz]

Running the pump "dry" I read in the manuel can damage it.

[stevepelle91]

The only thing i can think of that would cause smoking out of the motor would be massive friction caused by the impellor or an internal motor problem that is causing it to burn out.

[acidrain]

They are magnetic drive... it's impossible to "bog" them down, and since there are no seals, running them dry for a few minutes won't hurt. Even if the impeller froze to the housing, it wouldn't affect the motor. If the motor is smoked, return it under warranty.