Mag12, bad start

Not the best start / first impression. Finally got my plumbing all done, went to fire the pump, ran on for a few seconds. I killed the power, turned it back on and it did not start. Took it apart and the ceramic impeller shaft was shattered to hell. Drs. Foster and Smith are sending a free replacement impeller assembly. This thing must have taken one hell of a blow at some point to break the ceramic like that.

Anyhoo, with the cost of ceramic rods, I am looking at getting some high corrosion resistance stainless steel rods. They are non magnetic. Anyone know if I can do that? Use the stainless rods as opposed to the ceramic? It would basically be the same as a koralia (which uses stainless rods).

thanks.

 

Well I'm not a pump expert, but I am a machinist, and I do have a mag pump. I don't know why it wouldn't work.

 

I've had Magdrives longer than I care to admit and the ceramic rods have never broken, only at my fault. As for replacing the rod to SS, I would leave the ceramic, Danner knew what they where doing when they used it over the SS. I never had an issue with their pumps, infact, I love them.


Luna

 

I agree, the ceramic is definately better. It won't wear out like the stainless will. But it will work.

 

I changed the ceramic shaft in a eheim pump once with a stainless one and had problems with the stainless shaft not lasting more than a few months at a time. ended up going back to the ceramic shaft.

 

I am only considering it for a couple of reasons...

1) I don't like the fact you have to replace the whole impeller assembly if it breaks. It would be nice if they sold the ceramic shaft on its own

2) For the cost of ceramic vs the cost of SS, I can get 6' of SS for $16. I will be doing monthly pump cleaning so I would just change the SS shaft every time, regardless of good or bad.

Maybe this was just an isolated incident where it was busted, and the new one will last a long time now. I think if I have to replace it, I will go with SS.