Pump died thei morning!

[Jerry]

I am not good at this at all, but here is what I've done. :'(
Tried the reset button on GFCI 
Tripped the circut breakers
Finally tried an extrension cord to the pump. That to was fruitless.
I then hooked up a cheapie pump to the extension cord. It worked fine!  I ran the hose deep into my skippy so we are getting uplow and filtering.
My first sequence pump lasted 5 or 6 years, this one 3  yes, warrany gone.

Am I missing something?  Any advice is appreciated.

[miguynmkoi]

It happens, Jerry.  You just gotta have a spare pump on hand.  I know this cause I learned my lesson.  So while you shop around keep an eye on a good deal.  Sorry, that's all I've got to say.

[Jerry]

I do have a cheapie in there and it works.  I did order a new one. In a few days it will be here, I hope.
I am so unmechanical that I need a second opinion!

[Julles]

Jerry, you do so much building and tinkering that I simply cannot believe you are "unmechanical."  That said, yes, pumps do go out.  I do know that sometimes, if the motor itself is still running, if it's just not moving water, sometimes you can replace the impeller or some other part and it will work.

My PondMaster "died" last year, and I made a mad dash out to the pond store.  Luckily I phoned before I went, to be sure they were open and had what I needed. The owner told me to bring my dead one along.  Good thing I did - he was able to fix it, and the price was much much cheaper than buying a new pump.

I did buy a new one, though, to have as a back up, because the patched up one will only last so long.  Eventually that part is going to go bad, and then I want to have the right size, good quality replacement ready.  If if should die at 5:00 pm on a 98* Saturday, I'd have no way of getting one until Monday - which means a pond full of dead fish.  Best to have a spare on hand.

BTW, I picked up two pumps this year at garage sales, one for $3 and the other for $2.  They are small, and I hoped to use them on fountains on my deck.  But when I plugged them in, they are FAST.  Maybe 300gph or more.  Way too much for a two gallon fountain.  So now these are my back up backups.

Just remember that you need tubing that fits your backup.  The two smaller pumps I bought don't have the same size output connector as my 900 gph, so require smaller tubing - and that means adjusters so they will fit my filter, etc.

[jimr]

My best guess is the seals in your pump have gone bad and allowing some moisture into the pump. This is the usual cause for the GFCI to be tripping and also the reason it is wise to have the pump on a GFCI protected outlet.
I'm betting if you allowed the pump to dry out and plugged it back in it would work but then would start tripping the GFCI as soon as the pump was put back in water.

[Jerry]

Good point ypu two.
I do normally keep a back up. Not this time.  yes a cheapie is doing tthe job for now. I did order a replacement.
If the old one is repairable It will become the back up.  Now to find the purchase receipt!
AS you guys say, the pump may be fixable.

Yes, I can be handy, but I do everything twice to get it right.  You would think I'd have learned by now!

[Vickie]

I ordered 5====370 GPH pumps off of ebay for $60 including shipping. I have many ponds and I need a back up if something happens.

[Jerry]

Good move Vickie  Fingers crossed, but at that price you can't go wrong.
I have no idea where i bought mine so I can't check the warrantee!  I have a folder marked "PONDS", but cant find it !
Pond Biz gave me Sequences phone number. he said they do repairs. if they can reasonablt Ill use it as a bck up.

[Jerry]

we installed the new one.
I tried the other in my garage,  you guessed it, it worked fine!?
maybe i need a new GFCI?
 Well I now have a back up pump! Oh and 300.00 bucks less in my wallet.   < not really mad, just frustrated.

[small fish]

But all is good again, at least that is how I feel when I have to install a new pump when one when out. 

Myra aka small fish

[Michiponder]

Glad to hear you were able to get things running again Jerry.  Also glad to hear you are using a GFI.  I enjoy reading your posts too much to not caution you about using the old pump without one though.  Most likly there is a small leak inside and it is shorting out.  The GFI is just doing what it is designed to do.  It takes an extreamly small amount of current leakage to trip them.  Sometimes if they have been tripped a lot they can get weak though.  Please do not test the old pump on another non GFI circut to see if it trips the breaker as this could be very dangerous.  Circut breakers are not designed to detect small current leaks.  They are really designed to protect your wiring and will not trip untill there is a short large enough to do some major damage with currents high enough to easily injure (or worse) you.

Mikel

[Jerry]

Good info Mike.  My wife will be thrilled when I test it in the kitchen.  That's where another GFCI is!

[jimr]

Jerry the pump will probably run just fine untiil you put it in water again and the inside of the pump gets moisture into it again This may even take a while to happen .

[Jerry]

It is an external pump, a "Sequence."  Probably still under warranty.  I can't find my folder and have no idea where I bought it!!!  GGrrrr. Old age setting in.