Unique Magnum 350 problem...

[jdhuegel1]

When I received the new magnet and impeller assembly, I removed (and later replaced) the lower rubber bumber to slide the magnet onto the shaft. I then clicked the magnet to the actual impeller, so the impeller and magnet cannot move independently. However, there is about a 1/8 turn of play between them. (i.e. holding the impeller, I can rotate the magnet about 1/8 turn until it stops.) But I am pretty sure this is always how it was. I don't think gluing the two together will alter much other than to remove that play.

Ok, sounds like everything is right with the impeller. That 'play' is supposed to be there; however, unfortunately this makes me think the motor is tired.. I was playing with 2 of my ancient 350 magnums last night. I had to replace all the seals and now found the doggone hose connectors are leaking. Of course, that's the only rubber seals I DIDN'T replace. *slaps forehead*

Good luck - hope you find the issue and can fix with ease.

 

[jdhuegel1]

Just a thought.
Have you tried to run it with the media cage only, no media in it?

Good suggestion - didn't think of that.

Don`t think your motor is bad.
They either work right or not at all.

I agree; however, there's always that 'exception'. I had an older canister filter that did almost exactly as described here. After replacing everything it still wouldn't make power. With my limited skill, I soldered in a replacement motor and bingo - it worked.

Just my experience.

 

[Kindoflikebilly]

Just a thought.
Have you tried to run it with the media cage only, no media in it?

Guess you have checked your hose set ups and found no obstructions.

Don`t think your motor is bad.
They either work right or not at all.

I would try setting up in the garage with a bucket of water.
Put the intake in the bucket and suck on the return line.
If you can get a siphion without it running your system should run.
Maybe while you have a siphion running, plug it in.
See what happens.

I have run the unit without media, just the filter padding-wrapped cage and still no dice.

I tried again this morning: I set up the canister normally, with carbon media and filter pad, but without water. As predicted, the impeller spins fine with no water burden. I then slowly bled water into the canister by opening the quick-release valves. The impeller was spinning fine until about half-full when the clicking sound of a magnetized, but non-spinning impeller started. It really just seems like the strength of the electromagnet in the motor is not enough to get the impeller moving. Very strange as it has always worked in the past with the unit's original magnet.

Regarding the advice to run a wet "dry run" in the garage to make sure the system even CAN run: a good idea and I think mine does pass the test. I currently have it set up normally, but instead of the motor turning the impeller to pull water through the filters, I have a small, in-tank pump (old unit that I naively thought would be enough to clean my 30-gal) from which I removed all filter material. It's output pipe fits nicely into the Mag-350's input and is able to push water through such that the Mag-350's output line almost looks like it is functioning normally. The pressure is a bit less, but it works.

I suppose at this point I should just call Marineland. I hesitate to fix the magnet to the impeller with glue (to eliminate the 1/8 turn of play mentioned earlier) as 1) I really don't think it will achieve much and, 2) that may cause problems if I want to get a free replacement part from Marineland, if that option arises.

Thanks for listening. I'll update if I can get this problem solved.

 

[stingraybob]

So this thing spins 100% fine with no water in it?? no load...then again I cant imagine that little of water putting that big of a load on the impellar to throw it out of whack like that...take the cage and filter pad out, and fill the canister all the way up with water, put the top on and turn it on...see if you can physically see anything going wrong...if it works, add just the cage, and if that works add the pad....process of elimination is the route I would take here

 

[Kindoflikebilly]

Yea, that sounds like a good plan. I give it a shot and see what happens.

 

[Kindoflikebilly]

Just wanted to foollow-up briefly regarding the Magnum 350 that wouldn't spin following an impeller+magnet+canister replacement. Turns out that when I used the old magnet with the old impeller, everything worked fine. The new magnet must have been made from an incorrect allow and didn't generate enough torque to turn the impeller over and get the thing started. I purchased all items from Petmountain.com, but the item looked to be genuine Marineland. I will be contacting them for a refund, if possible.

Thanks again for the advice.

 

[stingraybob]

good to know ya got it figured out