Power Cords getting Stiff

[RobertP]

Had my submersible pump in the sump a year and noticed the power cord is getting stiff. It is only the section that sits in the water though. Also saw this on a couple old pumps that were used for freshwater for many years.
Normally I wouldn't think this was a problem but the old pumps I was using for water changes and the plastic insulation broke on the cord. This exposed the wires and bad news.

Was going to fix it but that half of the pump is sealed so no soldering on new wires. It broke right next to the epoxy sealant. Checked my newer Sicce 5 pump and it is sealed the same as well.

So I am guessing this is normal...the pump design and plastic hardening over time. Sucks because we need to pull pumps to clean them and the cord will eventually break. Guess this is one advantage to going with external pumps.

Curious what others have found.

 

[Brew12]

Had my submersible pump in the sump a year and noticed the power cord is getting stiff. It is only the section that sits in the water though. Also saw this on a couple old pumps that were used for freshwater for many years.
Normally I wouldn't think this was a problem but the old pumps I was using for water changes and the plastic insulation broke on the cord. This exposed the wires and bad news.

Was going to fix it but that half of the pump is sealed so no soldering on new wires. It broke right next to the epoxy sealant. Checked my newer Sicce 5 pump and it is sealed the same as well.

So I am guessing this is normal...the pump design and plastic hardening over time. Sucks because we need to pull pumps to clean them and the cord will eventually break. Guess this is one advantage to going with external pumps.

Curious what others have found.

Unfortunately, this is both common and to be expected although one year is very quick. A higher quality cable should last between 5 and 10 years. There are special insulators that can be used for underwater cable to make it last much longer but I have never heard of it being used at the hobby level.

 

[RobertP]

Not worried about the Sicce 5 cable. It is still pretty supple. The old pumps were used about 10-12 years in my freshwater tank so I can understand why they got so stiff they broke. Just not real happy about how changing the cable is impossible...unless I melt all the sealing epoxy out and then reconnect a new wire, then reseal with new epoxy.....and somehow keep from melting the entire plastic housing. :) Fat chance of that so it becomes a worthless pump or one I dont dare use submerged.