Vectra Power Supply Hot

Brew12 · Jan 22, 2017

revhtree said:
I also checked my L1 that has been running full power and it was quite warm as well but not so hot I had to put it down. I think you're correct!

I would recommend switching the power supplies between motors. This will let you know if it is a problem with the motor or the controller.

mfinn · Jan 22, 2017

Brew12 said:
I would recommend switching the power supplies between motors. This will let you know if it is a problem with the motor or the controller.

The power supplies I have for my L1 and the M1 are different.

Brew12 · Jan 22, 2017

mfinn said:
The power supplies I have for my L1 and the M1 are different.

Woops! Good catch! I missed the fact he had an L1 and an M1.

mfinn · Jan 22, 2017

revhtree said:
I used the blue color fittings.

The reason I asked is, would there be a difference on how hard the power supply had to work pushing the water through the blue collar ( which is reduced to 3/4" ) vs. the optional BST/slip fitting which you could plumb 1". ( less resistance = less power demand? )

Or it could just be a bad power supply.

ksed · Jan 22, 2017

A restriction of 1/4 inch should not make that much of a difference.

Brew12 · Jan 22, 2017

ksed said:
A restriction of 1/4 inch should not make that much of a difference.

Agreed, especially since it is the controller and not the motor.

revhtree · Jan 23, 2017

I tried cutting the power back to half and the power supply cooled down to really warm instead of hot. I will let you knwo what ETM says. They are really good at solving issues IME.

GoVols · Jan 24, 2017

@revhtree

Have you got any feedback form ETM?

revhtree · Jan 24, 2017

GoVols said:
@revhtree

Have you got any feedback form ETM?

I FB messaged one of my friends from ETM and he wanted me to send an email on the next day and CC him in it.

I decided to cut the power back and check and the heat went way down. I then ran it for over 12 hrs on full power and it never got that hot again. So I'm holding off on the email for now.

mfinn · Jan 26, 2017

Have you heard back from ETM yet? @revhtree

revhtree · Jan 26, 2017

mfinn said:
Have you heard back from ETM yet? @revhtree

I held off on the email due to the heat issue seeming to get better.

mfinn · Jan 26, 2017

revhtree said:
I held off on the email due to the heat issue seeming to get better.

Yeah, but wasn't that only after you turned down the flow rate?

I would call them. Not wait for a email.
I am a Ecotech customer and when I pay the money I do for those products, I expect it to work perfectly, every time.

revhtree · Jan 26, 2017

No I left it on high for over 12 hrs and the heat was not an issue anymore. It was good and warm but not hot! I'm keeping an eye on it. I know ETM would make it right!

mcarroll · Jan 26, 2017

Be102 said:
It seems that the vectra's are pretty hit or miss.

The price is a sure thing.

DLHDesign · Jan 26, 2017

My power supply runs hot as well. I've got mine down in my drawer cabinet, so not a lot of airflow. The power brick is, to be honest, not going to be the best at heat dispersal. It has no exterior sinks to allow the air to pull heat out, at least. I imagine adding a heat sink to the thing would help extend it's life. They aren't exactly pretty looking (unless you're into that kind of look, of course), but they are effective.
FWIW; I run my L1 at ~85% - as fast as I can get it without hearing a whine.

GoVols · Jan 26, 2017

@revhtree
It would be good thing if you got an explanation from Ecotech for all of us.

I've been looking into their return pumps too, and would like to hear a response from Ecotech.

They have been a very high quality company for a long time and we pay the $ for what we expect from Ecotech. A pump running that hot is not what anyone would expect from a ETM. They should at least say why the poster's on this thread units are so hot.

I see that you feel like yours is getting better, but a current pump owner should be able to get honest feedback from them to help them and others understand Ecotech's position on these return pumps.

It can't be good for the lifespan of of the pump. It also could turn into a fire hazard under "perfect storm conditions".

Regards, GoVols

DLHDesign · Jan 26, 2017

Just to make sure everyone is clear; the PUMP is not running hot - not any more hot than I would expect, at least. The "hot" component is the power (converter) brick. The white "HLG-150H-36" brick in this picture:

Neither my pump nor my controller (the glowing thing in the picture) run any hotter than I would expect them to.

That white brick is the AC->DC power converter. Those are things that do get warm. Mine is running at 115.6F and - as you can see - it's not well ventilated and the pump is nearly at max.

GoVols · Jan 26, 2017

DLHDesign said:
Just to make sure everyone is clear; the PUMP is not running hot - not any more hot than I would expect, at least. The "hot" component is the power (converter) brick. The white "HLG-150H-36" brick in this picture:

Neither my pump nor my controller (the glowing thing in the picture) run any hotter than I would expect them to.

That white brick is the AC->DC power converter. Those are things that do get warm. Mine is running at 115.6F and - as you can see - it's not well ventilated and the pump is nearly at max.

Is it mounted on the inside of your stand?

DLHDesign · Jan 26, 2017

GoVols said:
Is it mounted on the inside of your stand?

Yes. Check out this post for a bigger view.

GoVols · Jan 26, 2017

DLHDesign said:
Yes. Check out this post for a bigger view.

WOW, Thanks for sharing!

I see what your saying, now. A picture is worth a thousand words on your electronic setup

It's a really nice setup and I fully understand why your power converter is so hot.

It sure looks like a power converter you'd expect from Ecotech. Nothing cheap looking on that power brick!

But...
It does not explain why Rev's was running hot and now is seems to be doing fine