Jebao SW-2 wavemaker malfunction

Sta83 · May 24, 2020

Hey guys.
I have a problem with a SW-2 pump I have bought from Amazon 6 months ago. I was all perfect, until 2 weeks ago.
I usually use the pump on "H" mode with 4 green dots of power, and I leave the night mode always enabled. I saw that when the night mode is activated, it gets on "H" mode with a dot of power.
But 2 weeks ago, I went to the aquarium to make the morning checkings and I have noticed that the pump was working slowly, exactly like the night mode was activated, but the "H" mode with 4 dots(the one I use during the day) was on. So it should have worked properly, not slowly, like the night mode. I have disabled the night mode, I switched the modes and I realized that the pump was working slowly on every program I used. I switched to full power and it's barely moving the water...how can I solve this problem? I mean, I guess it's an electrical problem since it did this thing overnight, I didn't even touch it

Ron Reefman · May 24, 2020

You might pull the pump and check for things inside. Maybe soak it in vinegar for a while.

But in the long run, it's a Jebao pump. They used to be terrible for reliability. They are better now, but still not as good as most of the other brands. I just tossed several old Jebao pumps. They do a good job then they work, but all too frequently they don't work as long as you would like. Many work fine for years, but IMHO, too many fail too soon.

Good luck.

R.Weller · May 24, 2020

I have noticed that very rarely, the program will stick (probably a race condition in the software used on the controller) & my OW-50's stop responding to the instructions from the controller. I unplug the pair, let them sit for 30sec, & plug them back in. It serves as like a 'hard reboot' for a computer & resolves my issue. I say it's rare as I have had to do this only twice in 14 months. I cannot speak to night-mode as my controllers are in the fish closet & that lighting runs opposite the tank for our refugium.

Also agreed with Ron above. I bought the OW50s because I needed two & they were $80 each. A pair of MP60's would have cost $1200, & that's absurd for me. I'm over half-way of my goal of getting 2 years from the pair but I also know that when they fail, I will just buy another set & toss the old. Hope this helps.