How can I tell if a powerhead is AC or DC?

[Karen00]

Hello fellow saltines,

These are my last newb questions for the night.

1. When looking at powerheads, wavemakers, circulation pumps, etc is there a way to know if it's AC or DC? I've been looking at powerheads on Amazon and it doesn't necessarily mention this on the page other than sometimes under the product info section it mentions power as AC/DC. What does that mean? I also don't always see it mentioned on the manufacturer's site either.
2. Am I correct in my understanding that the speed of AC pumps can't be controlled other than on/off like DC pumps can and if you try using a controller you will ruin the device?
3. Is it possible to have a DC powerhead that is only one speed or are those all AC pumps? For example my Sicce Voyager Nano 1000 stream pump is just one speed so does that make it AC?

I'm hoping to get some clarity so I know what I'm buying.

 

[Uncle99]

AC plugs directly to a socket and is not generally controllable.
DC plugs into a power brick, which then plugs into a socket.
Usually comes with a controller, for speed and flow.
DC controlled for all my return and wave pumps.

 

[Karen00]

AC plugs directly to a socket and is not generally controllable.
DC plugs into a power brick, which then plugs into a socket.
Usually comes with a controller, for speed and flow.
DC controlled for all my return and wave pumps.

Thanks for this! That's what I suspected especially when it comes to the power cord. That's where it's still tough to know what it is because they don't necessarily show the power cord/connection or even mention it. Grrr. I guess I will only buy something online if it shows a controller.

 

[Idech]

It doesn’t have to be a controller, it could also be an app, like the Neros have.

 

[Uncle99]

Thanks for this! That's what I suspected especially when it comes to the power cord. That's where it's still tough to know what it is because they don't necessarily show the power cord/connection or even mention it. Grrr. I guess I will only buy something online if it shows a controller.

It should state something like “DC controllable”.
virtually all the Jebao wavemakers and return pumps are controllable.

 

[Karen00]

It doesn’t have to be a controller, it could also be an app, like the Neros have.

Oh yes, good point! Thanks for this!

 

[Karen00]

It should state something like “DC controllable”.
virtually all the Jebao wavemakers and return pumps are controllable.

Thanks for this! I will look for this. I think you're right about the Jebao pumps. They have so many different series but I believe I saw them all as being controllable.