Vortech falling?

[Kristy]

Hi guys-

We have three Vortechs now, one mp20 in our small tank and two mp40s in the big reef and we've been very, very happy with them. We have started to have problems with one of them (from the big tank) falling off the glass occasionally. It will fall and when we reset it, will fall again almost immediately. Then finally after resetting it a whole bunch of times, often 9 or 10 or whatever, it will magically decide to stay for a week. Then the process starts over again. If we watch it when it takes its fall, the inside unit starts to spin for a split second, and then drops to the sand.

We have read around on the net and not found much of an explanation or suggestion as to what we need to do to correct it. When we reset it, we have tried cleaning the glass there, giving it a firm push to seal it against the glass, making slight adjustments in placement until it seems to have the snuggest hold. We have also played with the "spacer" function and adjusted it one space smaller, and then later adjusted it one space bigger.

Any thoughts or suggestions? Anyone else encountered this problem? Glass is 3/8" by the way... only the one gives us this problem. Never happened with the other two.

Thanks for reading!

[carlinsa]

have you tried moving the spacer for a thicker glass. i have mine running short pulse an turned up to MAX no problems with them falling. i have 3/4 glass on my tank. my thought may be to just adjust the space for a thicker glass or take it off completly

[Texreefer]

I can tell you that the bearing on the wet side may have the slightest bind in it. this will cause the whole piece to want to spin. take the wet side apart and use some steel wool on the shaft and the bearing on the wet side. it will take of the grime that is built up and the bearing will turn freely, this is such a slight amount that you may not even notice it but it will make a difference

[Kristy]

Thanks Carl and Mike! We will try both of these suggestions (although we did try the spacer adjustment once before, so will probably try the taking apart and cleaning the shaft first).

So far swearing at it is not getting us very far...

[carlinsa]

So far swearing at it is not getting us very far...

your just not saying the right words. main thing is you have to hold your tounge out just right when working on them to make it right. :P

[clone]

your just not saying the right words. main thing is you have to hold your tounge out just right when working on them to make it right. :P

yeah try useing $%^#@#^&** and it shold probly get the hint to start working correctly,but on another note my G/F hates my concentration face so try the toung thing,maybe the VT will not want to see that face again and never fail again.

If what carl and mike suggested doesnt work do you still have warrenty on it?
if you do send it in,its not worth tearing it up and completely loseing it.
even if you dont have warrenty call them anyway.

[Texreefer]

Well, did you get this resolved?

[Kristy]

Yeah, Mike took it apart and cleaned it yesterday and so far it's holding on strong. If that doesn't keep working, we'll probably call Ecotech Marine about the warranty. I was reading about this problem on Reef Central and it's not uncommon. They are quick to send out some replacement parts for the bearing and shaft.

Thanks for your advice, seems like it was right on the money!

[JimD]

Ill be keeping an eye on mine.... Is yours the new generation?

[Kristy]

Yeah, it's the mp40 gen2. If you scroll through the Ecotech Marine sponsor forum of RC, there are a handful of folks who have experienced this same problem. Seems like the company has been very responsive and quick to make things right.

They refer to a very small number from a certain batch having this issue. But it also says that it could be from a calcium buildup on the shaft and bearing, so taking it apart to clean it only makes sense. If it does it ever again, we'll be contacting the company about the warranty.

[cbianco]

Why are the dry and wet sides uncoupling?

Cause 1 - Bound or Tight Drive Shaft
Cause 2 - Improperly Installed Pin Spacer
Cause 3 - Magnet Rubbing against Gasket on 3/4″ Tanks

http://ecotechmarine.com/faq/uncoupling-dry-wet-side/

HTH Kristy.

Christopher :)