AC versus DC pumps

[jda]

AC pumps slow down if you use a ball valve or other back pressure on them... wattage and output. I don't know why people would do this, but I have seen 100w mags take as little as 60w with enough manifold and plumbing back pressure.

 

[330Bob]

I think that is the problem that most people do not bother and do not look at the facts. Here are the cold hard facts based on 2 pumps (1 AC and 1 DC) running at 100% 24/7 for eight years. this is not getting into the M1 having flaws and replaced by M2 which should have longer life span and heat dissipation, etc etc etc.

Here you go for your own future reference of where your money is going. If you have say 3 of them....I think you get the picture.

Pan World 200PS		Vectra M1
1750gph		2000gph
290watt		80watts
Yearly cost @ 12c/kw $304.85		Yearly cost @ 12c/kw $84.10
Yearly Savings for DC Pump $220.75
8 year Savings for DC Pump $1766.00

This is not to say one is better than the other as people love certain pumps for different applications. This is just the hard facts about consumption of the 2.

yea if you can get the flow you need DC will save cash. For me the flow went too low for the head im running would need 2 of them (170.00 a year) and the panworlds run 220 watts dialed down a tiny bit and are still doing real 1500 gph. Can run a manifold off them and not loose the flow like on DC.

And you have to add it dead fish if a controller goes out and they do. Could be 2-3k in dead fish.

DC does have a cost advantage in most cases, but if working with any kind of head and also need flow they stuggle. I was going to use one on mine but the flow was like 600gph not 2000. Other setups might give closer to rated flow just not mine.

I have 3DC pumps running right now so I am not anti DC. I don't use them for my main for various reasons.

 

[ca1ore]

In my case the PW200 and Vectra M1 were performing very different roles. The former needed to be able to offer decent gph against 12 feet of head pressure whereas the Vectra was being used as a closed loop with 0 head pressure. Having downsized recently I don’t need either one anymore LOL.

 

[jda]

I just measured my Tunze 1073.40. 39 watts and about 800 GPH. Plus, it is tunze reliability... and I got it for $60 used when a local dude upgraded for a DC Sicce for $350 that uses the same wattage.

If people are only thinking that Mag Drive pumps are all that AC has to offer, then that is as dumb as thinking that there are no DC high head pumps. Low spin, low head AC pumps are the same as DC low spin, low head pumps... just like true high head DC pumps take 300-500w just like high head AC pumps do.

In the end, the only difference is to choose between a controller and reliability. ... and choose well.

 

[Enderg60]

DC:
Runs cooler
Runs quieter
Speed control by controller

AC:
Cheaper
No need for a controller
The go to for anything you need to simply run for years

 

[330Bob]

I just measured my Tunze 1073.40. 39 watts and about 800 GPH. Plus, it is tunze reliability... and I got it for $60 used when a local dude upgraded for a DC Sicce for $350 that uses the same wattage.

If people are only thinking that Mag Drive pumps are all that AC has to offer, then that is as dumb as thinking that there are no DC high head pumps. Low spin, low head AC pumps are the same as DC low spin, low head pumps... just like true high head DC pumps take 300-500w just like high head AC pumps do.

In the end, the only difference is to choose between a controller and reliability. ... and choose well.

Nice buy!

Agree on Mag drive they are good for mixing salt and adding heat. They do last quite a while. Eheims seemed a little more efficient. They are much better than say a Ecotech pond pump (good for 2 years and short out)

I rarely use the controller, I would rather they sell the same pump without one. Less wires, less to go wrong. I run them at full speed anyway. Even my DC power heads I don't bother fiddling with the settings. Set it forget it. If it came with one speed no controller I would be just as happy.

 

[ScottB]

Hehe well DC has more WOW to the new hobbyist for sure. It adds cool settings that can be controlled via phones or internet. Even in 2023 its still a valid question, just got asked the other day in a store.
I've had both for 25 + years.

For pressure working against a head - nothing beats AC Iwaki, Panworld and other commercial grade pumps. they just last and are not picky on power fluctuations. There is not delicate computer integration, fewer delicate connections to go bad. Not to say you can't get a cheap AC pump. Usually its the housing leaks and short out. I prefer to run the AC in the air with PVC plumbing so very little heat is added.

AC - External for returns and pressure. Yes on longevity, (15+ years) the bearings can be rebuilt too. Yes to low heat, Yes for working against head vs DC. And they will draw less power if you cut flow. I tested on and it dropped 80 watts cutting the flow with a ball valve. Don't get excited it does not go to ZERO watts.

DC - For submergible they seem to put less heat in to a tank. I put them on a Sine wave ups to protect the delicate computer boards from surges. That is the weak link. I have them going for 5+ years so they can be reliable.
Build quality is not close vs commercial pumps. Its like A Kubota tractor vs a home depot special no contest. AC win.

I think a high head AC external + manifold is solid and reliable. Like Iwaki or panworld 200ps 1500- 1800 gph that does not drop much under head (12 feet is nothing)

DC - Good for Light duty low head. Powerheads for huge flow and wave functions are nice and can be reliable. I've have some running 5+ years no issues. But I put them on a Sinewave UPS so their controllers do not take hits from dirty power. I've blow a few just running on power strips.

Most the people I know like to run DC but they also go through pumps like cell phones. Like 3 in 5 years is like "Or well things wear out" So if that is all they know they think its normal just tossing out a cell phone every 2 years.

Not to say DC can't last, they can but I would not put them at the top of reliability long term, there is just more to go wrong.

Well presented, thank you.