Pond Boss Forums AERATION Systems questions Koenders Windmill Failure

Well apparently my Koenders windmill has already taken a dump after only 4 months. I am close to 1,800 miles away from it so I only have a friends eyes on it (luckily he has had his own aeration windmill for 10 years). Very windy day yesterday and he could only get one diffuser to work at a time. If one valve is closed all the way one diffuser will work. If the other valve is closed all the way the other diffuser will work. He says the windmill is not putting out anywhere near the air it did this summer.

Any one think this could be anything besides the compressor?
EDIT: BTW, it is running two Vertex diffusers.

This is worst case scenario for me. 1,800 miles away,headed into winter, weeks until the place becomes very difficult to access, got to have a friend handle the problem and now I have to start worrying about a winter kill all over again due to the reliability of my windmill. What if I put on a new unit and it fails in 4 months.....

I have an email into Koenders asking them to ship out a new compressor and my friend will ship the defective unit back. We will see how their customer service is. Sure hope it all goes smooth.

That sucks big time. What really sucks is having to do the work on top of the tower. It takes a couple of people to tip it down......

I have 2 that I have to rebuild - both were put into service at approximately the same time and a bearing on one is squeaking. I have another electric one from them where the bearing on the connecting rod that drives the diaphragm failed. I will be calling them today and ordering parts for all 3.

I just rebuilt 2 of their electric compressors. Replaced diaphragm, check valve and drive belt.

It could be something as simple as the check valve not closing all the way, or the diaphragm leaking a bit.

Well I have to say I am impressed with Koenders. They are shipping out a brand new compressor, "with an updated bushing holder (the part that most likely failed)", and paying for the return shipping on the defective unit!!

The part that sucks the most is I have to get a friend to do the fix for me and he is no spring chicken! lol and I HATE having to ask people to do stuff for me!

Kudos to Koenders. The worst part of it is having to do the repairs up in the air. Can he get enough buddies to help him tip it over so he can work on the ground?

Did you get the pivot kit for it?

I've followed your posts with great interest. I'm a few hours away from your property. My home address is Dolores, Co. I'm always looking for an excuse for a road trip, so...if your friend can use more help replacing the windmill compressor, I'd be willing to drive over and help out. I'm an arborist, so I have climbing gear. I also have heavy ropes that we could use to slowly, safely tip the tower to the ground.
Send me a pm if you're interested.
Roger Watson

Esshup I did get the pivot kit for it so that is at least one good thing. I have not heard what he has planned yet as far as help




Roger thanks so much man! Let me see what he is thinking as far as help and I will give you a shout. I didn't realize you were that close. Very cool!

Pond Boss is a pretty awesome!!

If you look at the owners manual that you get with them, it specifies that the tower isn't made to be climbed - the cross braces are actually pretty durn flimsy.

But, a ladder will work I believe. IIRC they aren't very tall - 20'?

Yes mine is 20' but no way I'd wanna make repairs up there. The "tilt kit" was a must have for me!