Kalkwasser and Versa always gets stuck

[stan255]

I’m dosing Kalkwasser with a Versa but it always always gets stuck. I’m dosing 3ml/min.

I even tried running it at full speed and the kalkwasser still gets stuck. In some situation, I works but after a few mins when it goes back to normal dosing, nothing is coming up through the line.

I’ve checked the tube lines and it’s all clear.

What am I doing wrong?

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

I’m dosing Kalkwasser with a Versa but it always always gets stuck. I’m dosing 3ml/min.

I even tried running it at full speed and the kalkwasser still gets stuck. In some situation, I works but after a few mins when it goes back to normal dosing, nothing is coming up through the line.

I’ve checked the tube lines and it’s all clear.

What am I doing wrong?

Can you clarify what gets stuck? Are you saying the pump fails to rotate? Are you saying the tube gets clogged? Is it rotating without moving fluid?

How are you mixing your kalkwasser? To saturation? To a slurry?

How old is your versa? Have you inspected the occlusion to rule out the possibility that the tube isn't being pinched properly to create the vacuum to pull the kalk through the tube?

How are the bearings in the rotor?

Before getting too technical it's probably a good idea to understand what you're asking.

 

[Acro76 Verified Sponsor]

I’m dosing Kalkwasser with a Versa but it always always gets stuck. I’m dosing 3ml/min.

I even tried running it at full speed and the kalkwasser still gets stuck. In some situation, I works but after a few mins when it goes back to normal dosing, nothing is coming up through the line.

I’ve checked the tube lines and it’s all clear.

What am I doing wrong?

Use an Avast Marine Kalk Stirrer, then your versa will only have to dose freshwater.

 

[stan255]

Can you clarify what gets stuck? Are you saying the pump fails to rotate? Are you saying the tube gets clogged? Is it rotating without moving fluid?

How are you mixing your kalkwasser? To saturation? To a slurry?

How old is your versa? Have you inspected the occlusion to rule out the possibility that the tube isn't being pinched properly to create the vacuum to pull the kalk through the tube?

How are the bearings in the rotor?

Before getting too technical it's probably a good idea to understand what you're asking.

Appreciate the response.

To answer your question,
Pump is still rotating but no kalk comes out the other end. It only comes out when I manually turn it on to full speed then I can see the kalk getting pumped from the reservoir up. After stopping it at full speed, I can see the kalk going back down the reservoir. My reservoir is on the same level as my tank so it’s not like pumping kalk up from a basement.

Kalk is mixed to saturation.

I got this versa used from a reputable seller. I bought a set of 4 and the others are working fine.

 

[stan255]

I’ve taken a video of this issue. Versa running at full speed and the kalk is stuck. My thumb showing it stuck.

 

[stan255]

video attached if it works!

 

[bobnicaragua]

I’ve been dosing saturated kalk with a versa for years. I bet you need to replace the tubing in your versa.

You are pulling from above the kalk residue at the bottom of your reservoir?

 

[stan255]

I’ve been dosing saturated kalk with a versa for years. I bet you need to replace the tubing in your versa.

You are pulling from above the kalk residue at the bottom of your reservoir?

I’ve looked at it and its 25% from the bottom and pulling from the liquid

 

[bobnicaragua]

If all the hoses are inserted correctly, the issue is probably the tubing inside the versa.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Just an FYI, peristaltic pumps are considered positive displacement pumps. Placement of pump shouldn't matter. Companies hedge their liability by expecting the worse and suggest where to place the pump to prevent issues.0

@stan255

This issue can stem from only 3 things.

1: the rollers aren't pinching the tube and therefore aren't creating the vacuum required to pull and eventually push the liquid through the tube.

This could be troubleshot by inspecting the tube assembly to ensure it's not stiff and still resilient. Pinch the tube, it should bounce back. The next thing, while you still have the tube assembly off, grab the rotor (part with the rollers) and try to rock it back and forth. If the bearings are shot you will feel a lot of play in the rotor. It should not rock back and forth. If it does, then the rollers can't pinch and move liquid.

2: the tube has a crack in the tube because it's old and is sucking air.

You probably would've discovered this when testing the resiliency of the tube.

3: the simi rigid tube (rodi tube) isn't seated properly on the inlet side and is sucking air as well as allowing a siphon that will never be overcome unless you increase the speed of the pump.

The versa has a double o-ring in these connections to ensure a good seal. Sometimes that can prevent you from fully seating the simi rigid tube in the versas tube assembly.

Do some troubleshooting and let me know what you find.