Noisy Sicce

[DarG]

Just got the MSX dual Sicce cone running last night. Using the pumps with the pinwheels. Both pumps were making an intermittent grinding/squealing noise. One was worse and more consistent than the other. I pulled it out and apart for a look see and put it back together, it's been quiet since so far. The other pump quieted down on its own last night but started up again today. Pulled that one apart, didnt see anything. Put back together and it's still intermittently noisy.

The Sicce with my MSX 200 was quiet from the start with both the pinwheel and mesh.

So, do these quiet down with some break-in or is there something I should look for? The noisy pump usually quiets on its own then starts up again. Seems to be intermiitent and I dont see any change in water level in skimmer when it is noisy versus quiet. Blocking the airline sometimes settles it down when it is noisy. Not sure how else to describe the sound other than a grinding/squeal.

Bad pump / pumps or a break in thing or something specific to look for/do to quiet it down permanently?

Thanks

[MSX-Rob]

I know this sounds absolutely crazy (it still sounds crazy to me) but we have noticed that there is a break-in period on these Sicce pumps. Some of them will chatter a bit during the first week to two weeks, then they settle down and you won't hear from them again.

I would ask that you let them run a couple of weeks, if they are still noisy we will work with you to either fix (if applicable) or replace them.

[DarG]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14280965#post14280965 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MSX-Rob
I know this sounds absolutely crazy (it still sounds crazy to me) but we have noticed that there is a break-in period on these Sicce pumps. Some of them will chatter a bit during the first week to two weeks, then they settle down and you won't hear from them again.

I would ask that you let them run a couple of weeks, if they are still noisy we will work with you to either fix (if applicable) or replace them.

You got it Rob. Ill let them run in and see how it goes.

Thanks

[MSX-Jeff]

One other thing I have found...if you run the pumps horizontally they will run quieter (usually)...although they pull slightly less air IME. You could turn them on their side until the breakin is over and then try them vertically again.

[DarG]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14283979#post14283979 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MSX-Jeff
One other thing I have found...if you run the pumps horizontally they will run quieter (usually)...although they pull slightly less air IME. You could turn them on their side until the breakin is over and then try them vertically again.

I dont think I have the room in sump to run them horizontally but Ill take a look. Its kinda strange because last night, the other one started up again after it hadnt made any noise the entire day while the one that was noisy previously, ran quiet all night.

I pinch or plug the airline for a second and they usually quiet right down. They are quiet most of the time so its not like its a constant battle keeping them quiet. But I sleep in the same room as the tank so when they do chatter in the middle of the night, it is annoying. Im not sure if they will quiet down by themselves when they do start chattering. I think if one starts chattering today Ill let it go for a little while and see if it stops on it's own within a few minutes.

What is it that is actually making the chattering noise, if you know? Is it the impeller cavitating?

By the way, Im not doubting you guys on them going through a break in period. I have read a couple of threads where users have stated that they settled down after a several days for use.

Thanks Jeff, and Rob.

[MSX-Rob]

Got any pictures of the beast in action? Any nog shots yet?

[DarG]

Still getting it dialed in Rob. Ill post some pics when I get a chance, in a few days when its dialed in and has a little more run time. I found that the 200 took about a week to really get going good and it was still gaining steam and I couldnt leave it alone, almost daily experimenting with the Mesh. The cone has only been running since late Thursday. I can tell though, this skimmer is really going to perform well. The two sicces with pw's on this cone are really pulling great air. Much better air than the PW impeller on the 200 cylinder. I was only measuring low mid 20's scfh with the PW on the 200. And could only get low 30's with mesh and no startup problems. The Sicces on the cone are pulling just under the mid 30 mark, each, and the cone is very very dense with foam. Thats with the indicator stable, at rest, not on the high end of a bounce. Using the big Dwyer RMC series meter, 0 - 50 SCFH scale meter which has 1/2" NPT inputs.

On a side note. I read that Jon Warner was getting about 1000 LPH (or about 35 SCFH) on the new K1 cone with the sicce and some volute work and a new design Pin Wheel. I thought that was pretty impressive for a PW on the Sicce. But the Sicces with PW's on this cone are pulling just 1 or 2 SCFH under that anyway, Im measured right at 32-33 and 33-34 (I know you or Jeff reorted measuring right around 35 SCFH if I remember right). The Laguna/Askoll driven 1A has got to be a real monster because this cone looks to be a foam beast with the 2 PW Sicces. And about 40 watts total to boot. Pretty impressive.

And it did fit without cutting anything. I ended up borrowing the slightly shorter "A" pipe from the MSX 200 but the standpipe would just clear the stand with the longer pipe, I would probably just have to relocate the air silencer. Told you it would be tight Rob. :D

Thanks