FishScreener
Well-Known Member
We have a “Human Waste Disposal Site”, which has a “SCAT” machine, (think specialized commercial dish washer, with a 2-hp grinder on the discharge), to receive the wastes generated by rafters, and an RV dump, It has two lift stations, with tandem 5-hp pumps, which grind the waste, and lift it to a pair of lagoons, about a hundred and fifty feet above the dump station. Lower station takes it from the station, halfway up the hill to the upper station, which sends it on up to the lagoons.
The Lower lift station had a huge issue with dip-a-wipes, stretching if the cutters were the least bit dull, and wrapping around the impeller and cutter in enough volume to break the seal on the motor. So, it was going through two or three pump assemblies a year.
The upper station which was only receiving the waste from the lower lift station had no issues ever. Ran for twenty years without ever needing to lift the pumps out. The guide rails and lift chains rusted out, but the pumps ran flawlessly.
Two years ago we replaced all of the pumps and associated motor controls. The newer models pumps, come with improved grinders, which were designed to handle the wipes. Pull the pumps and change out the grinders once every year to keep them sharp, but little maintenance other than that.
So, with the new pumps and controls, the lower lift station functions as promised. Absolutely no issues. The upper lift station with identical components, is exploding start capacitors, and tripping breakers, one motor has burned out. This is the station which ran for twenty years with no issues..
Anybody have any ideas on what might be causing the upper station to fail? We have checked for clean power, and not found any issues. 240-volts, with a tiny drop on starting, which returns to 240, as soon as the pump runs up. I’m at a loss, and want to figure out a solution and get it installed before Memorial Day.
The Lower lift station had a huge issue with dip-a-wipes, stretching if the cutters were the least bit dull, and wrapping around the impeller and cutter in enough volume to break the seal on the motor. So, it was going through two or three pump assemblies a year.
The upper station which was only receiving the waste from the lower lift station had no issues ever. Ran for twenty years without ever needing to lift the pumps out. The guide rails and lift chains rusted out, but the pumps ran flawlessly.
Two years ago we replaced all of the pumps and associated motor controls. The newer models pumps, come with improved grinders, which were designed to handle the wipes. Pull the pumps and change out the grinders once every year to keep them sharp, but little maintenance other than that.
So, with the new pumps and controls, the lower lift station functions as promised. Absolutely no issues. The upper lift station with identical components, is exploding start capacitors, and tripping breakers, one motor has burned out. This is the station which ran for twenty years with no issues..
Anybody have any ideas on what might be causing the upper station to fail? We have checked for clean power, and not found any issues. 240-volts, with a tiny drop on starting, which returns to 240, as soon as the pump runs up. I’m at a loss, and want to figure out a solution and get it installed before Memorial Day.
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