Jebao wp-40 just QUIT

specialk · Feb 2, 2016

Hey all ..

So wondering if anyone else has had this happen and if it may be fixable. I had the Jebao Wp-40 .. been working great for about 2.5 years... then just quit on me. The controller still lights up and it is still getting power judging by the sensor and controller, BUT it will not move any water and the impeller won't budge.

Is this common for fellow users in terms of the time I have had it for and how long I got out of it... OR is this a simple fix like maybe buying a new Impeller for it, as I saw one on Amazon for sale -- so was not sure if that would do the trick or not.

Thanks for any advice ...

Ryengoth · Feb 2, 2016

Did you take the cage off and see if the impeller is stuck?

specialk · Feb 2, 2016

Ryengoth said:
Did you take the cage off and see if the impeller is stuck?

Yes I just did and it started up after I cleaned it out ... BUT then it stopped again.. so I had to take the case off and mess with it again and finally got it to start again. So I put the case on and got it right in the water while it was going. Took some fiddling around with it but it finally started ... does this sound like a bad impeller to you?

Ryengoth · Feb 2, 2016

The bushings are wearing out in the cage probably. If it wiggles at all the magnet on the impeller will bind up. Does that model have hard ceramic bushings on each end where the impeller goes? I had a WP-25 and IIRC it had plastic axle sockets, which wear down over the years.

BryanS4 · Feb 2, 2016

I would consider i lucky you got 2.5 years out of it. I had two RW-4's lock up in the same manor that your describing in under a year. They would start after I cleaned them, but would stop within a few weeks.

I travel a lot for work and didn't want to leave my wife to deal with it, so I have since switched out all my Rw's that I had for another brand.

cincyreef · Feb 2, 2016

I had the same issue with an RW4 as Bryan above. Cleaned it, and it worked for literally a minute afterwards, and quit again. I just pitched it.

Ryengoth · Feb 2, 2016

The EcoTech Vortech are nice, since you can replace the wet-side assembly without replacing the entire pump setup. The MP10 I had was great, until I got water in the drive unit.

TheWhiteFord · Feb 2, 2016

I had the same problem. I switched vortechs because they are 10x more reliable.

jdms2k87 · Feb 2, 2016

Iv had a wp40 do exactly as you described around the 2 year mark.
its not the only powerhead in that tank so it took a few days for me to notice.
no amount of cleaning or wiggling helped mine. Kept the controller just in case and trashed the p.h.

Ryengoth · Feb 2, 2016

ReefingWhiteford said:
I had the same problem. I switched vortechs because they are 10x more reliable.

Provided you don't accidentally dump the drive assembly into the tank. :mad:

specialk · Feb 2, 2016

What sized vortechs would you guys use for a 6 ft long, 125 tank?

specialk · Feb 2, 2016

Ryengoth said:
The bushings are wearing out in the cage probably. If it wiggles at all the magnet on the impeller will bind up. Does that model have hard ceramic bushings on each end where the impeller goes? I had a WP-25 and IIRC it had plastic axle sockets, which wear down over the years.

Honestly .. I forget when I took it apart .. and it is working now so I dont want to mess with it again and have it not work on me .. hahaha .. but there were little "metel hairs" they looked like -- not a lot of them, but a few. So it looks like those are coming out , or wearing out as you said.

Ryengoth · Feb 2, 2016

The MP10 is pretty strong. I had one in a 24" biocube and on high it would stir up the sand. The MP40 is probably a better choice if you're going end to end cross-flow.

specialk · Feb 2, 2016

Ryengoth said:
The EcoTech Vortech are nice, since you can replace the wet-side assembly without replacing the entire pump setup. The MP10

So an MP10 for a 6 ft long tank?

specialk · Feb 2, 2016

Ryengoth said:
The MP10 is pretty strong. I had one in a 24" biocube and on high it would stir up the sand. The MP40 is probably a better choice if you're going end to end cross-flow.

my thought was to have one on each end -- unless of course I don't need one on each end

specialk · Feb 2, 2016

The one good thing about the jebao's is that they are a bit more economical .... but I know ya get what ya pay for. None the less I guess...

Ryengoth · Feb 2, 2016

1500gph is the peak flow for the MP10. The MP40wQD is rated at 4500gph. It really depends on your setup. Do you need high flow or not and across the entire tank or just each end.

do_0b · Feb 2, 2016

+1 been using vortech for years, haven't had any real issues with them

TheWhiteFord · Feb 2, 2016

specialk said:
What sized vortechs would you guys use for a 6 ft long, 125 tank?

2 mp40 would be suffiant. Go with vortechs you won't be disappointed!

If you are watching you could get two used mp40 on here for $400-$500 and they will still last years. Plus you can buy replacement parts on ecotechmarine.com!

Trust me on the fact that they are well worth the high price tag. They are super controllable and make you tank look much better, (no cords in your tank!) and they are very powerful!