Hydor Seltz D Pump Review: the Best Value in Controllable Flow

[Reef Builders]

The Seltz D line of controllable AC pumps are Hydor’s latest new product category for use on a wide range of fresh and saltwater aquarium applications. It’s only the second company to develop and release a controllable return pump that uses alternating current which eliminates the need for an AC/DC power supply, reducing both cost, […]
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[TheHarold]

But they didn't integrate 0-10v control, so you can't have good feed modes

 

[jschultzbass]

But they didn't integrate 0-10v control, so you can't have good feed modes

From my limited understanding on the subject, haha, I don't think you can do 0-10v on an AC controllable pump like this.

 

[erk]

From my limited understanding on the subject, haha, I don't think you can do 0-10v on an AC controllable pump like this.

The 0-10V control doesn't vary the voltage on the DC pumps directly. It is used to scale the voltage to the BLDC motors in an indirect method. The same could've been done on this AC pump. Varying the frequency via PWM or some other method.

Since these are fairly cheap, I'm tempted to purchase one just to figure out how to modify the controller so I can use my RPi to control it. Maybe I can find an open box one on BRS to purchase.

 

[enb141]

The article says AC pumps even on Hydor's website, but its wrong, those pumps are DC, slightly controllable, it's a shame they don't have 0-10V support.

 

[bbgobie]

There's a seltz d and a seltz d DC on their site. May e you mixed them up

 

[enb141]

There's a seltz d and a seltz d DC on their site. May e you mixed them up

After checking both pumps manuals, they seem DC to me

Seltz D

Seltz D DC

 

[bob salzlein]

After checking both pumps manuals, they seem DC to me

Seltz D

Seltz D DC

The Seltz D pumps are A/C controllable pumps - 3 sizes 1600, 2400 and 3200 gph
--- The Seltz D DC are D/C controllable pumps - 3 sizes 500, 750 and 1000 gph

 

[enb141]

The Seltz D pumps are A/C controllable pumps - 3 sizes 1600, 2400 and 3200 gph
--- The Seltz D DC are D/C controllable pumps - 3 sizes 500, 750 and 1000 gph

I don't think Seltz D are A/C, if you look they have an transformer, and also in order to make the logic to allow to control the speed it needs to be DC, there's no electronic with AC.

 

[bob salzlein]

I don't think Seltz D are A/C, if you look they have an transformer, and also in order to make the logic to allow to control the speed it needs to be DC, there's no electronic with AC.

They are A/C, trust me, we have the technology to control the pumps speed thru the controller. I work for Hydor in the U.S.

 

[enb141]

They are A/C, trust me, we have the technology to control the pumps speed thru the controller. I work for Hydor in the U.S.

If they are A/C, I have a couple questions:

- If they are A/C why they need a transformer?
- Are those pumps low voltage A/C or normal 110v A/C?
- Why you have two types of pumps, AC and DC instead of just DC

 

[bob salzlein]

If they are A/C, I have a couple questions:

- If they are A/C why they need a transformer?
- Are those pumps low voltage A/C or normal 110v A/C?
- Why you have two types of pumps, AC and DC instead of just DC

They do not have a transformer, you must be seeing a D/C picture, they plug straight into outlet from controller. Standard 110. We went with A/C because it is a stronger pump and can handle constant pressure, D/C pumps drop down in power over time. We could not make them any smaller, so we had to do the D/C sizes as well. A/C is actually a more efficient and economical use of electricity and those three A/C pumps cost the same or less to run than a comparable D/C version and they run cooler than a standard A/C pump.

 

[Jenuvio]

I have a Seltz D 1600.

So far so good! Installed it into my manifold and running tank + bio reactor together at about 70%

 

[enb141]

They do not have a transformer, you must be seeing a D/C picture, they plug straight into outlet from controller. Standard 110. We went with A/C because it is a stronger pump and can handle constant pressure, D/C pumps drop down in power over time. We could not make them any smaller, so we had to do the D/C sizes as well. A/C is actually a more efficient and economical use of electricity and those three A/C pumps cost the same or less to run than a comparable D/C version and they run cooler than a standard A/C pump.

So A/C are more efficient and use economically better the electricity?

I thought DC were more efficient.

 

[ksed]

They do not have a transformer, you must be seeing a D/C picture, they plug straight into outlet from controller. Standard 110. We went with A/C because it is a stronger pump and can handle constant pressure, D/C pumps drop down in power over time. We could not make them any smaller, so we had to do the D/C sizes as well. A/C is actually a more efficient and economical use of electricity and those three A/C pumps cost the same or less to run than a comparable D/C version and they run cooler than a standard A/C pump.

Are the AC version pumps 2 poles or more?

 

[bob salzlein]

So A/C are more efficient and use economically better the electricity?

I thought DC were more efficient.

A/C actually is if done correctly

 

[enb141]

A/C actually is if done correctly

Excuse my ignorance, could you elaborate a little bit how A/C could be done correctly?

 

[bob salzlein]

Are the AC version pumps 2 poles or more?

Seltz D A/C stator (motor) has 6 poles and the rotor has 4 poles.

 

[bob salzlein]

Excuse my ignorance, could you elaborate a little bit how A/C could be done correctly?

The process of being able to control the speed of pump and still keeping it A/C

 

[ksed]

Seltz D A/C stator (motor) has 6 poles and the rotor has 4 poles.

More poles typically makes the pump vibrate less. This is a good sign as most non controllable 120v AC pumps are two poles.