Pond Boss Forums AERATION Systems questions overheating aerator

So looking at the pond today i saw that the aerator wasn't working. After some looking and work with the screw driver i opened the pump up and it was so hot you could cook an egg. There is also evidence it has done this for a while. It is a 96 watt Easy Pro model EPW10. Could it be that i have it contained in a duck taped milk crate? It still had lots of air flow from below. It has been on almost all of summer. Any thoughts? I need it to start and stay functioning quickly. Thanks

That looks very similar to my Pondmaster pumps.

The diaphragms go out periodically and require a rebuild kit. That may or may not be your problem. They are not terribly hard to disassemble.

If the armature is stuck to one side by the magnet, the diaphragm has failed and let it pull to that side magnet. If it is still "running" but will not build pressure one of the diaphragms likely has a hole in it.

If cool air from below can't exit the top once heated, then it will get pretty durn hot in there..... Not good for a compressor.

Speaking of aerators, I'm supposed to have a Vertex diffuser system put in with five lines. A couple to shallow water, three to deeper (over 10 feet) water. Longest lines will run around 500 feet.

Here's my question: I was told that about 8 amps of electricity are necessary for the compressor(s). That seems awfully low. Obviously it would be bad to have the power company install something inadequate that had to be replaced.

Any thoughts?

What HP, what voltage, how many and what type are the compressors?

8 amps at 230 volts is like 16 amps at 110v. Fifteen amps is like what a 14" 110v abrasive metal chop saw draws.

So it depends on what voltage the pump motor is wired for. Not nearly as big of wiring is needed for higher voltage.

Is that 8 amps at start-up or after it's running? Also, how far away from the power source will be the compressor? (low long of a wire run?)

Check for clogged diffuser.

I agree with OSVRAT check to make sure you don't have a plugged or frozen line. If its blocked my money is on a frozen air line. If it is frozen try poring Isopropyl alcohol into the line wait a bit and try it again. You can buy it at any walmart or drug store. Don't put any top shelf alcohol in there, just send that to me.

Did you unhook the airline and see if the pump blows air? If it blows air and no bubbles then in winter suspect a frozen plug in the airline. If it does not blow air then it is a pump problem. It is possible the airline developed a frozen plug and then the pump was damaged because it could not get rid of the build-up of pressurized air.