Help troubleshooting 9410 DC skimmer?

malacoda · Nov 17, 2020

I have a 9410 DC skimmer that has begun to intermittently stop then restart for some reason...

Seems completely random with when it will kick off and how long it remains off. And It occurs regardless of how high the water level in the skimmer intermediate chamber is. (Happens without the level ever getting high enough for the anti-foaming measures to kick in.)

Sometimes the blue light in the power level knob on the Turbelle controller remains solid blue when the pump kicks off, sometimes it flashes blue. And sometimes it there is an occasional very soft thud of the pump trying to unsuccessfully kick back on.

I've taken the pump apart and cleaned it, but the random stopping and restarting continues to occur.

I'm beginning to think some kind of internal issue has developed inside the pump housing itself...

Does anyone know of anything else I can try?

I really like to be as certain as possible it's the pump itself before I drop $245 on a replacement.

Idoc · Nov 17, 2020

Have you tried to contact support with Tunze? They are responsive to questions...

It sounds like the pump is becoming faulty. I checked mine recently and the impeller inside was splitting and starting to rust. Tunze no longer has the original impeller... they changed the impeller to a "weaker" impeller which is terrible in my opinion. But, if you have taken apart the pump and cleaned it thoroughly, I would guess you would have seen a faulty impeller.

Instead of replacing the entire skimmer, you can purchase the pump (I think Tunze calls it the hydrofoamer) separately.

Look on ebay...the guy who runs the Tunze USA store is actually the one who all "US" questions get routed to for responses. He may have some more advise as well for fixing it.

rvitko · Nov 18, 2020

Are you sure the bearings are not simply seized to the impeller? The bearings should be seated firmly in the impeller cover and motor and the shaft spins in them. They do have a 2 year warranty.

malacoda · Nov 18, 2020

Thanks for the info Roger, I'll check the bearings this evening are report back here.

Scdell · Nov 18, 2020

I had that happen to me. New hydrofoamer cured it.

malacoda · Nov 22, 2020

Just checked the bearings Roger, they don't appear to be the problem. Each is still seated firmly in the motor and impeller housings and the impeller spins freely in each. And when reassembled there is still plenty of clearance between the needle-wheel and the impeller cover.

Any other thoughts?

rvitko · Nov 23, 2020

How old is the skimmer? Have you always had noise issues or only recently?

malacoda · Nov 23, 2020

I picked it up used in Feb 2019. I believe the R2R member who had it before me ran it for about 18 months.

No noise issues, just the random stopping and starting.

I suspect it has something to do with the pump. Just trying to confirm that is the most likely source, versus the controller or something, before I spend the money on a replacement hydrofoamer.

rvitko · Nov 23, 2020

It would most likely be the drive unit 9410.049 or motor block, a new pump will include everything, new power supply and controller even. Since it was not noisy originally, unless the bearing seat is damaged and then they usually come loose, I suspect a new drive unit will solve it or it may also be something with the air intake system, a clogged intake on the pump, a kinked hose, leaking silencer.