DC pump settings after power outage

[SallyWho]

Maybe I'm not using the right words, but a basic google search wasn't very helpful with my question. My return pump is a Jebao DCT-8000, and I run it at about half power. As I was testing my sump capacity in case of a power outage (thanks for all the help I got in that thread about siphon breaks!), I realized that whenever I plug the pump back in, it comes back on and roars up to full blast. Is there a way to keep that from happening? I'm reasonably sure my overflow can handle it (maybe I should test that....), but at full power, the pump will run the return chamber dry before water can work itself back through the loop to refill it. Which, in turn, would drive my Tunze ATO bananas. I do have a gate valve about the return pump- should I just run the pump at full power all the time (which makes the energy efficiency factor of DC pumps completely pointless) and close the gate valve enough to get the flow I want? That way when the power comes back on and it kicks the pump into top gear, the gate valve will keep things under control? What are your thoughts?

 

[chipmunkofdoom2]

I wouldn't restrict the pump flow. It definitely shouldn't be going up to full speed when it loses power. Do you mean that when you unplug the pump's power supply, the indicator lights go from about half to all the way up?

 

[SallyWho]

I wouldn't restrict the pump flow. It definitely shouldn't be going up to full speed when it loses power. Do you mean that when you unplug the pump's power supply, the indicator lights go from about half to all the way up?

No, when I unplug the pump, it goes dead. It's when I plug it back in that it ramps all the way to full power- flow and indicator lights at max- when I only want it running at about half power. Any ideas on how to save my settings or something? I suppose I could find a way to connect it to my Apex, maybe (which I still need to set up...)?

 

[chipmunkofdoom2]

How old is the pump? Did you order it from a seller that will accept returns? I'd personally return it if you can and get a replacement. This is definitely not normal.

If that's not an option, you could add a tee after the pump and a valve so that you can redirect some of the flow to the return pump chamber. This will reduce the amount of water that makes it up to the tank and effectively slow the pump down without applying too much back pressure, like a valve would. A new controller might fix the problem too (try searching Ebay or Amazon for Jebao DCT 8000 controller).

I also know that the Jebao powerheads will run on a 12V power supply, they will just run at half speed. It might be worth seeing if you can get a 12V power supply and if your return pump will run on this. If the return pump runs anything like the powerheads, it should run about half speed on half the voltage. This could damage the pump though. While there are people who have reportedly run Jebao powerheads successfully on 12V supplies, I don't know if anyone has attempted that on a Jebao return pump.

 

[SallyWho]

How old is the pump? Did you order it from a seller that will accept returns? I'd personally return it if you can and get a replacement. This is definitely not normal.

If that's not an option, you could add a tee after the pump and a valve so that you can redirect some of the flow to the return pump chamber. This will reduce the amount of water that makes it up to the tank and effectively slow the pump down without applying too much back pressure, like a valve would. A new controller might fix the problem too (try searching Ebay or Amazon for Jebao DCT 8000 controller).

I also know that the Jebao powerheads will run on a 12V power supply, they will just run at half speed. It might be worth seeing if you can get a 12V power supply and if your return pump will run on this. If the return pump runs anything like the powerheads, it should run about half speed on half the voltage. This could damage the pump though. While there are people who have reportedly run Jebao powerheads successfully on 12V supplies, I don't know if anyone has attempted that on a Jebao return pump.

Hmm. I bought the pump BNIB from somebody who'd had it sitting in a closet. The seal on the box was intact, and everything was well-packaged, so I doubt there was any damage. Came with its own controller and power supply, too. So it isn't normal for a pump to turn back on after a power outage and go to full speed? I thought that was just...the way it was, and I'd have to find a work-around. Are all DC pumps like this? AC pumps, too?

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

If you run it through your apex you shouldn’t have that issue. Assuming you have an apex with VSP ports you just need to plug it in with an Ethernet cable and program it.

 

[chipmunkofdoom2]

Hmm. I bought the pump BNIB from somebody who'd had it sitting in a closet. The seal on the box was intact, and everything was well-packaged, so I doubt there was any damage. Came with its own controller and power supply, too. So it isn't normal for a pump to turn back on after a power outage and go to full speed? I thought that was just...the way it was, and I'd have to find a work-around. Are all DC pumps like this? AC pumps, too?

No. DC pumps are supposed to remember the last setting they had. Non-controllable AC pumps (most of them) are always operating at 100%. I believe the Rossmont AC pumps are controllable, and they should remember their last settings. But yeah, DC pumps are supposed to remember the last setting. I have a Jebao return pump and it remembers the last setting. Good thing too, because if I run it any higher than the lowest setting, it overflows my tank!

An Apex attachment would help, then your Apex could be the brain for the pump and replace what I suspect is a faulty controller. As I mentioned, a tee with a valve would also be a cheap solution. This is traditionally how AC pumps were run back in the day when you couldn't control how fast the pump ran. The tee redirected flow back to the sump and the valve allowed you to choose how much went back to the sump and how much went to the tank. This has the downside of running the pump at 100% all the time though.

 

[cmcoker]

It shouldn't do that. Mine goes back to programmed settings after power restored.

Try a new controller
https://m.ebay.com/itm/Jebao-Jecod-...CT-4000-6000-8000-12000-15000-/121710157938

Also, IIRC, that version has the electronics in the pump and cant be adapted for control by an apex. I may have my models wrong... but I think only the dc-**** models could have the controller modified.

Edit - double checked myself, if you want to run it through your apex, you need this
https://www.reefbreeders.com/shop/aqualink-a1-apex-adapter/

 

[SallyWho]

If you run it through your apex you shouldn’t have that issue. Assuming you have an apex with VSP ports you just need to plug it in with an Ethernet cable and program it.

I'd have to check- I bought an Apex Classic piece by piece via the sale forums on here. I don't have a breakout box, but I do have the regular brain and EB8, which will be connected via ethernet cable right to my router, since it's so close by.

No. DC pumps are supposed to remember the last setting they had. An Apex attachment would help, then your Apex could be the brain for the pump and replace what I suspect is a faulty controller. As I mentioned, a tee with a valve would also be a cheap solution. This is traditionally how AC pumps were run back in the day when you couldn't control how fast the pump ran. The tee redirected flow back to the sump and the valve allowed you to choose how much went back to the sump and how much went to the tank. This has the downside of running the pump at 100% all the time though.

I'll look into that T thing- I've already got a partial manifold plumbed in. I could simply add a 90 to the closed ball valve on the manifold and voila.

It shouldn't do that. Mine goes back to programmed settings after power restored. Also, IIRC, that version has the electronics in the pump and cant be adapted for control by an apex. I may have my models wrong... but I think only the dc-**** models could have the controller modified.

Well, shucks. I had hoped to eventually get it hooked to the Apex so that I won't have to hit half a dozen buttons on all my different stuffs just to enter feed mode (will eventually get the proper module for my Gyre, too). I'll save up for a new controller and see if that works first. I just got this tank up and running and had such a horrific nightmare getting it plumbed. The thought of having to switch out the return pump already is givin' me sweats! I mean, it's connected via some vinyl tubing, a threaded adaptor, and a union, so it wouldn't be impossible, but...

 

[cmcoker]

I edited my post after you quoted it, I think, didn't know if saw the link for the adapter to control with apex. So looks like it can be done..

 

[SallyWho]

I edited my post after you quoted it, I think, didn't know if saw the link for the adapter to control with apex. So looks like it can be done..

Ah, I see that now. Thanks! Replacing the controller first is way cheaper, so I'll try that first. If that doesn't work, and/or when it's time to connect it to my Apex, I'll check out that option, assuming the pump will allow that compatibility.