OTP Pumps tripping GFI

[JMaxwell]

Hi Coralvue,

I've got a skimmer with 3 OTP-2000 pumps on it. Over the past few years, I've had three pumps start to trip the GFI. I replaced one a while back, but now I'm down to only one working pump on the skimmer. Is there any way to fix these things once they start tripping the circuit, or am I stuck buying what seems to be about 1 new pump per year?

Thanks,

Jason

[Jeremy@CoralVue]

How old is the GFI and what other devices are plugged into the receptacle? Have you cleaned the shaft and venturi lately? Do you have a way of reading the pumps wattage draw?

[JMaxwell]

THe GFI is a couple of years old and appears to be in good working order. It works properly with other components plugged in, but not either of the two pumps in question. The two OTP pumps in question will each trip either of a couple of GFIs that I plugged them into when no other items are plugged in. The circuits for my filtration were pulled directly from my 200 amp panel by an electrician working for an aquarium install company and are dedicated to the tank. There is about 250W plugged into this GFI and 550W on the circuit. Anyway, pretty sure its the individual pumps and not the circuit or GFI.

I have not "cleaned the shaft or the venturi". Can you point me to directions on how to accomplish this?

I do not have a watt/amp/volt meter.

It sounds like you are suggesting that a clogged/dirty pump could trip the GFI. I would have thought that would just stall the motor. Are you saying that an encrusted pump will spike the wattage draw? If so, how do I clean this? Is it easy to disassemble and will it remain sealed?

[Jeremy@CoralVue]

It is possible that the pumps extra draw can overload or heat the pump up to a point that the GFI would trip. It is also possible that the GFI could be getting sensitive due to age as well. If you haven't maintained the pump I would suggest taking it apart and really giving it a clean. The pump is fully sealed by orings and will seal again once you put it back together. All you need to do is remove the pump from the body of the skimmer unscrew the volutes nut located around the input of the pump which will release the volutes cover. Then just grab the pinwheel and pull outward and inspect for calcified buildup or defects. If there is noticeable buildup I would soak the entire pump in a solution of vinegar and water to break it down before attempting removal. Scrub away any remaining buildup and resemble the pump. Also inspect the venturi port for buildup as well and remove anything that may be blocking that space. Before reassembling try to test the pump on another GFI and see if it trips to rule out the outlet.

[JMaxwell]

Thanks. I'll work on cleaning the pumps this weekend hopefully.

[JMaxwell]

This did nothing. In fact, the pumps were not calcified at all. Disconcerting that I've lost 3 pumps in this fashion. I'm pretty sure its an electrical problem in the pumps. I tried them on a completely different CFI in the house. Oh well. I've ordered new pumps.

[matt210G]

I too have had this same issue with my OTP3000...maintained regularily...began to trip GFI on occasion then eventually all the time. Tested on another GFI in house with same result. Eventually tried it on non GFI circuit...pump is dead...

[Jeremy@CoralVue]

Any pumps with probable issue can have them sent in for repair or replacement under the 1 yr warranty. Most of the time the pumps will trip a circuit if there is not a ground probe installed, the shaft is broken or the magnet seizes to the shaft.