PUMP TROUBLESHOOTING/WARRANTY GUIDELINE
PUMP HUMS BUT WILL NOT PUSH WATER
Possible
causes:
1. Impeller may be seized by debris
Troubleshooting:
-Remove
pump from skimmer and inspect the pump intake to ensure there is no debris
restricting the impeller. Unplug the pump's power cord from power outlet.
Remove any debris, such as rocks that may become lodged around and above
impeller.
-If
your pump has a foam pre-filter, make sure that it is not clogged. If it
is mis-shapened then it is most likely clogged with small pond debris.
Turn the pump off and remove the foam pre-filter. Flush the filter clean
using a garden hose. Careful not to cut any holes in foam pre-filter with too high water pressure.
-While the pump is out of the skimmer, lay it on its side and plug in the
pump's power cord. Inspect to see if impeller spins. If impeller does not spin,
use a screwdriver or similar tool to “kick start” the impeller. This is
common if your pump has been idle for a long period of time.
2. Pump may be air locked
Troubleshooting:
-Impeller
chamber must be flooded with water. Tilt pump while in skimmer in order to
allow air to be release from chamber or remove pump from skimmer and re-install
ensuring impeller chamber is flooded.
PUMP IS PUSHING VERY LITTLE WATER
Possible
causes:
1. Plumbing clogged
with debris
Troubleshooting:
-Remove
check valve connection from pipe. This will allow the BIOFALLS® and plumbing to
drain. Clogged debris may back flush out of plumbing during this procedure.
Inspect check valve to make sure no debris is lodged inside.
-Remove pump from skimmer and inspect the pump intake to ensure there is no
debris restricting the impeller. Remove any debris, such as rocks that may
become lodged around and above impeller. Once completed reinstall pump and plug
pump back into the electrical.
2. Check Valve flapper may be broken
Troubleshooting:
-Disconnect
the check valve assembly from the pump. Look into the pump side opening. Shake the check valve. Observe the rubber flapper inside the check
valve. Does it go up and down and hinged
on one side? If yes, check valve is
good. If the flapper is not hinged and
bounces around inside, then the check valve is broken and needs to be
replaced. What is happening, is when the
pump is turned on, the broken rubber flap inside the check valve is pushed up
to the output side of the check valve and either partially or completely blocking
the water from leaving the check valve. Replace
check valve.
PUMP WILL NOT OPERATE
Possible
causes:
1. Poor electrical
connection, tripped breaker, blown fuse, or other interruption in power supply.
Troubleshooting:
-Check
to make sure all electrical connections are working. Make sure a qualified
electrician installed and tested electrical. Note: Long extension cords may
cause voltage drop at pump, causing the amps to rise above maximum level. This
can cause the pump to heat up and burn the motor out. Pumps damaged due to
improper electrical connection are not covered under warranty. Also check to
see if the GFI has been tripped.
Common reasons for a GFCI to trip.
The
National Electrical Code requires GFCI protection of receptacles located
outdoors and in bathrooms, garages, and spa areas. This GFCI circuit breaker
provides protection against overloads, short circuits, and ground faults. It
detects very low levels of electrical current leaks (ground faults), and acts
quickly to shut off power, preventing serious shock.
Most
GFCI protectors have a spring-loaded breaker button. When the GFCI senses a
problem, the breaker button is “tripped.” The breaker button needs to be
manually reset in order for the power to be reestablished to the outlet. The
breaker button will trip again if the electrical problem still persists.
Continuously tripping breakers indicate that there is an electrical problem.
Call an electrician if the GFCI continues to indicate there is a problem.
A. There is an electrical malfunction in
whatever is plugged into the outlet.
-Remove all electrical
devices from the GFCI outlet. Reset the breaker button and, by process of
elimination, plug in each electrical device until you are able to determine
what is tripping the GFCI.
-To be more precise, an electrician is capable of using equipment to confirm if
there is a ground fault (electrical malfunction) in the electrical device.
There may be a malfunction within the electrical system itself.
-There quite possibly could be a problem such as a short in the wiring or a
problem with the GFCI. This can be confirmed by plugging other electrical
devices into the GFCI outlet to see if they trip the breaker. Call the
electrician if the GFCI trips no matter what is plugged into it, since this
indicates there is something wrong with the electrical supply.
B. The GFCI is not working properly and is
falsely tripping.
-GFCI breakers are designed to cut the power in the blink of an eye if
electrical fluctuations of as little as .005 amperes are detected. Because the
GFCI is so sensitive, it is most effective when wired to protect a single
location. The more outlets any one GFCI protects, the more susceptible it is to
phantom tripping-shutting off power because of tiny, but normal fluctuations in
current flow.
-
GFCI breakers can also be tripped by occurrences such as electrical storms and
by moisture from rainfall. It is important that the outlets for the GFCI be
kept dry and protected from the elements. Most GFCI’s rated for outdoor use
come with a protective cover.
C. Some GFCI’s are more sensitive than
others.
- It may be that the GFCI is too sensitive. It is normal for continuous running
motors, such as pumps, to sometimes have small electrical fluctuations.
Sensitive GFCI’s may detect this and falsely trip. You may want to have the
electrician try a new GFCI or a different brand of GFCI if this problem
persists.
2. Aquascape AquaSurge,
AquaForce, AquaJet, or Ultra Pumps not running.
Troubleshooting:
These
pumps only have 1 moving part. The motor
housing which (when power is applied) becomes an electromagnet. The impeller in the center of the pump is the
only moving part. Unplug the pump &
remove from water. First see if the impeller can move freely. If stuck, remove the impeller housing (may
require screwdriver on older models).
See if there is any debris around the impeller. Then remove the impeller unit by pulling
straight out. Inspect the impeller for
scale build up. Using a product like CLR
(Calcium, Lime, Rust) Remover or white vinegar, clean the scale build up from
both the impeller and the housing. There
should be a ceramic washer/bearing on the end of the impeller shaft. Make sure to clean this as well. Reassemble all parts and plug in pump. If the impeller spins, unplug pump and
reinstall back into water feature. Note: To extend pump life, the impeller
should be cleaned once a year, more often if you have hard water.
PUMP OPERATES INTERMITANTLY
Possible
causes:
1. Not enough water
in the pond
Troubleshooting:
Note-all
of our pumps must be submersed in water to operate properly. Low water levels
may cause pumps internal thermal shut-off to activate. Thermal shut-off will
deactivate once pump is cooled down. Proper water level must be established in
pond for pump to work properly. Note:
Thermal shut offs are only on the AquascapePro Series pumps (1500, 3000, 4500, 7500,
10000 gph) as well as the Tsurumi Pump line.
2. Too small of a pond for upper stream(s)
Troubleshooting:
-The lowest pond must be designed large enough to supply enough water to start
the circulation of the stream/waterfalls. Once the pump is started it may be
necessary to add a few inches of water to the pond in order to account for the
water used to feed the stream and waterfalls. Upper pools and “check” dams in
the streams are also very effective at holding water upstream when the pump(s)
are not operating. Ponds designed too small may not be able to supply enough
water to start the streams/waterfalls. This will cause the water in the pond to
drop below the opening of the skimmer upon initial start-up and starve the pump
of water.
How to Return a Pump under Warranty
If
you have tried all the options listed above and your pump still does not work,
then you might have a bad pump. Check your paperwork to make sure that
you are within the listed time span covered under your warranty. If there
is still time remaining, then you are eligible for a free replacement
pump. If the pump was purchased from TJB-INC, we will honor all manufacturers’
warrantees.
It
is the responsibility of the end user (you) to return the defective pump to
TJB-INC at your cost and to include a check payment to cover
the cost of the replacement pump's shipping. (Shipping is not covered by the manufacturer, only the pump). Include a copy of your
initial sales receipt or packing slip that will document when the original pump
was purchased. (If you have lost this, then contact our office and we
will print you a replacement copy).
Contact TJB-INC at 203-287-0636 or tjb@TJB-INC.com to obtain RA # and shipping
cost of the replacement pump. NOTE: Any returns without RA# will be
refused and returned to the shipper (you).
The
replacement pump that will be sent is covered by your original pump’s warranty
time period.
Send
the defective pump & shipping payment to:
ShopTJB-INC Returns
RA# (place number issued by ShopTJB here)
12 Crest Way
Hamden, CT. 06514-1141
