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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    Minnesota
    Posts
    38

    Default Trouble upgrading ballast pumps and valves

    Hoping I am missing something obvious as I am not an electrical expert. I am simply swapping out the stock valves and empty pumps in my system(they are all either broken or leaky). I was thinking would be fairly plug n play, but maybe not?

    I replaced all the empty pumps with these https://www.wakemakers.com/attwood-t...-pump-800.html
    and i replaced the sprinkler valves with these: https://ussolid.com/motorized-ball-v...-polarity.html
    I have the Deutsche connectors all wired up and I am trying to simply test them before mounting everything and I keep blowing the fuses. The empty pump works, then when i flip it to fill the fuse blows. Any help would be appreciated!!
    ~2003 Moomba Mobius LSV

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Lake Wylie NC Area
    Posts
    2,467

    Default

    What size fuse is blowing? Whats the current draw of that valve? What if you disconnect the valve and then try to fill?

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    Minnesota
    Posts
    38

    Default

    i have blown 7.5, so then I tried 15 and that blew too. US Solid told me it was 1 amp. If i disconnect the valve and only hook up the empty pump, the pump works, and the fuse blows when i flip switch to fill.
    ~2003 Moomba Mobius LSV

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    Lake Tahoe - 6200 feet elevation
    Posts
    160

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by weldingza View Post
    i have blown 7.5, so then I tried 15 and that blew too. US Solid told me it was 1 amp. If i disconnect the valve and only hook up the empty pump, the pump works, and the fuse blows when i flip switch to fill.
    The pumps are probably drawing 1 amp under no load / while running. Once water gets in there and the pump spools up, the load increases. Typically anything over 10 amps you'll want to add a relay to that circuit. There is some good info here;

    https://www.12voltplanet.co.uk/relay-guide.html
    Last edited by Branden967; 01-21-2020 at 03:15 PM.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Lake Wylie NC Area
    Posts
    2,467

    Default

    This points to a short in the fill pump or the fill pump circuit between the pump and switch.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Parkston, SD
    Posts
    118

    Default




    Most of us that have used the motorized ball valves have used the 2 wire with auto return. These only draw power while they are open or in our application, while filling. When the fill switch is turned off, the valve automatically returns to the closed position which means there is no draw from the valve unless we are filling. With the valve you have, I believe the only way to close it would be to run the drain pump after filling in order to energize the valve to close. You would have to do after every filling or the valve will stay open and allow water to flow through the system continuously. I don’t know if this is the cause of blowing fuses but the application with the valves you currently have, IMO, will not be as smooth as if you change to these valves.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    twkoehn
    2007 Mobius LSV
    1100s in rear lockers
    750 lb IBS
    Acme 1847

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2018
    Location
    Phoenix AZ
    Posts
    177

    Default

    Each motorized valve can use the existing fuses. You should have one existing fuse for each valve and the fill pump should have its own fuse or CB.

    Which fuse are you blowing?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    Minnesota
    Posts
    38

    Default

    Dangit, I was afraid of that. I read up on the differences after I already ordered and thought the same, you just confirmed it for me. I think I'll return these and get the auto return 2 wire. As far as the rest of it, I simply un wired the old and wired the new. And I only did the right switch, so I wouldn't think it would be shorting, I've missed a few obvious things before though, so who knows. I'll get the auto return valves and try again and see what happens. Luckily I have a few months to sort this out...friggen winter.
    ~2003 Moomba Mobius LSV

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    Minnesota
    Posts
    38

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Turbinesurgeon View Post
    Each motorized valve can use the existing fuses. You should have one existing fuse for each valve and the fill pump should have its own fuse or CB.

    Which fuse are you blowing?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    I had everything disconnected and I bumped a switch to fill. And it blew. All empty pumps and valves were disconnected at that point. After that I plugged in the right empty and the right valve. Pump ran then when I switched to fill it blew again.
    ~2003 Moomba Mobius LSV

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    Lake Tahoe - 6200 feet elevation
    Posts
    160

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by weldingza View Post
    I had everything disconnected and I bumped a switch to fill. And it blew. All empty pumps and valves were disconnected at that point. After that I plugged in the right empty and the right valve. Pump ran then when I switched to fill it blew again.
    Something may have been bumped loose or went to ground on your switch. You need to figure which leg is hot out (switched) and in (constant) 12V off the back of your switch. Disconnect that one (switched) and then put a meter on it and flip it on. See if it trips or blows the circuit on the out. If it switches on fine and doesn't blow you have a short somewhere between your switch and valves. If the problems between that section, honestly it would probably be easier to run a new wire vs. trying to find it.... Hope that helps.

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