RD3 80 Dead After 2.5 years

RuskiBusiness · 08/14/2018, 07:17 PM

My RD3 just died. I guess the warranty ran out about 6 months ago...I am guessing it's the controller that crapped out, but it's a direct connection to the pump. Has anyone else had luck buying just the controller? I know the newer ones have a plug, but I am very comfortable soldering if I have to.

It really sucks to lose such an expensive piece of equipment not even a year out of warranty. If anyone can help with this issue, I'd really appreciate it!!

slief · 08/14/2018, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RuskiBusiness

My RD3 just died. I guess the warranty ran out about 6 months ago...I am guessing it's the controller that crapped out, but it's a direct connection to the pump. Has anyone else had luck buying just the controller? I know the newer ones have a plug, but I am very comfortable soldering if I have to.

It really sucks to lose such an expensive piece of equipment not even a year out of warranty. If anyone can help with this issue, I'd really appreciate it!!

Can you elaborate on what happened? Is the controller itself dead? I’ve been running a pair of these since they were released over 3 years ago and never an issue. I paid full price for mine and would do it all over again. Especially knowing first hand the failure rates on these pumps. The failures we have had on these pumps since release is around 5 units in total and one of those was a button issue. One was a backlight issue. There have been no motor failures to date so more than likely, the issue with your pump is the controller itself. These pumps have been rock solid. I wonder if a power surge could have caused it. How often do you clean it? Maybe calcium built up inside the motor and overloaded the controller?

RuskiBusiness · 08/14/2018, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slief

Can you elaborate on what happened? Is the controller itself dead? I’ve been running a pair of these since they were released over 3 years ago and never an issue. I paid full price for mine and would do it all over again. Especially knowing first hand the failure rates on these pumps. The failures we have had on these pumps since release is around 5 units in total and one of those was a button issue. One was a backlight issue. There have been no motor failures to date so more than likely, the issue with your pump is the controller itself. These pumps have been rock solid. I wonder if a power surge could have caused it. How often do you clean it? Maybe calcium built up inside the motor and overloaded the controller?

We had a power outage in my area and after the power came back, the pump didn't turn on. It was plugged into an APEX Power Bar, so definitely protected from surges, etc. The LED indicator won't light up and buttons don't do anything. I tried it in a different outlet and nothing. It was running perfectly before that - quiet, smooth, and awesome.

slief · 08/14/2018, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RuskiBusiness

We had a power outage in my area and after the power came back, the pump didn't turn on. It was plugged into an APEX Power Bar, so definitely protected from surges, etc. The LED indicator won't light up and buttons don't do anything. I tried it in a different outlet and nothing. It was running perfectly before that - quiet, smooth, and awesome.

The Neptune Energy Bars don’t have surge protection in them so I am guessing it was a surge that killed it. Especially given that a power failure preceded the pump failing and surges are very common when power comes back on. A controller is all you will need. You might also consider adding surge protector ahead of the EB’s to protect your equipment.

RuskiBusiness · 08/14/2018, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slief

The Neptune Energy Bars don’t have surge protection in them so I am guessing it was a surge that killed it. A controller is all you will need.

If you don't mind giving me the info, where can I purchase this? Thanks in advance for the help!

slief · 08/14/2018, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RuskiBusiness

If you don't mind giving me the info, where can I purchase this? Thanks in advance for the help!

This is a good surge protector but has a max of 12amps so keep that in mind since the EB’s support up to 15a.
https://www.tripplite.com/isobar-4-o...~ISOBAR4ULTRA/

Also, most quality UPS’s offer surge protection but batteries seem to need to be replaced every year or so which is a pain in the pocket book.

The RD3 230 controllers are in stock and can be purchased from royalexclusiv.com

RuskiBusiness · 08/14/2018, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slief

This is a good surge protector but has a max of 12amps so keep that in mind since the EB’s support up to 15a.
https://www.tripplite.com/isobar-4-o...~ISOBAR4ULTRA/

Also, most quality UPS’s offer surge protection but batteries seem to need to be replaced every year or so which is a pain in the pocket book.

The RD3 230 controllers are in stock and can be purchased from royalexclusiv.com

I am sorry, I misspoke - I have the RD3 80W, which does not have the connector and is hardwired. Is there a way for me to get just the controller for this one?

slief · 08/14/2018, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RuskiBusiness

I am sorry, I misspoke - I have the RD3 80W, which does not have the connector and is hardwired. Is there a way for me to get just the controller for this one?

There is not. You would need to replace the entire pump with controller on that one and RD3 80 is end of life and soon to be replaced by a new model.

studboy36 · 08/28/2018, 04:12 PM

It seems a shame to throw away a perfectly good motor block because of a fried controller.

slief · 08/28/2018, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by studboy36

It seems a shame to throw away a perfectly good motor block because of a fried controller.

Yea, I hear you. We are offering a repair/replacement on the 80’s. The new pump that replaced the 80w has a disconnectable controller just like the 150 and 230w pumps do so controllers will be available for out of warranty 100w pumps like they are for the bigger brothers. With the 80w being hardwired, the risk of damage that accompanies supply the controller only is high enough that it isn’t user replaceable.

studboy36 · 08/29/2018, 05:26 AM

I got a really good deal on two BNIB 80w to use on my 185. One will be a spare. I found the Hirschmann connectors on Newark electronics. The pumps are EOL and out of warranty anyway, so I’m going to put them on. It will make maintenance so much easier.

08/14/2018, 07:17 PM	#1
RuskiBusiness Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 12	RD3 80 Dead After 2.5 years My RD3 just died. I guess the warranty ran out about 6 months ago...I am guessing it's the controller that crapped out, but it's a direct connection to the pump. Has anyone else had luck buying just the controller? I know the newer ones have a plug, but I am very comfortable soldering if I have to. It really sucks to lose such an expensive piece of equipment not even a year out of warranty. If anyone can help with this issue, I'd really appreciate it!!

08/28/2018, 04:12 PM	#9
studboy36 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 140	It seems a shame to throw away a perfectly good motor block because of a fried controller. __________________ Lurk, Search, and Research are the keys to finding information on RC Current Tank Info: 187 60"x30"x24" system in process

08/29/2018, 05:26 AM	#11
studboy36 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 140	I got a really good deal on two BNIB 80w to use on my 185. One will be a spare. I found the Hirschmann connectors on Newark electronics. The pumps are EOL and out of warranty anyway, so I’m going to put them on. It will make maintenance so much easier. __________________ Lurk, Search, and Research are the keys to finding information on RC Current Tank Info: 187 60"x30"x24" system in process