What pump do I want?
  • C_BC_B
    Posts: 89,068
    Daddy is buying something for the brewery for Father's day. I'm going to get a refractometer for suresies. If I can eek out a pump too I will. But I'm not sure which one.

    The March 809 seems to be the old standby.
    The March 815 is supposed to be a high flow version of the 809, but it is only 1gpm faster. And neither are self priming.
    Chugger has a nice SS option here for the same price as the March, but again no self priming.

    I don't think self priming is a big deal, but I drink when I brew and I'd rather not give myself (or a helper) the opportunity to smoke a pump.

    The Chugger seems like the best just because it is stainless, but I don't really know.

    Are there any other options?
    "On it. I hate software." ~Cpt Snarklepants
  • ThymThym
    Posts: 122,708 Accepted Answer
    there are no self priming pumps in this class that im aware of. i have the chugger. overall i'd say it's a good pump for the money.

    the important thing is to make it easy to prime the system. mount the pump low and make it easy to let the air out of the lines to the pump by using quick disconnects or a valve.
    The only thing between me and a train wreck is blind luck..... - Kenny
  • C_BC_B
    Posts: 89,068
    Like maybe a dump valve right off the output? Did you plumb your rig with 1/2"?
    "On it. I hate software." ~Cpt Snarklepants
  • ThymThym
    Posts: 122,708
    chandlerbang said:

    Like maybe a dump valve right off the output? Did you plumb your rig with 1/2"?



    Yes, 1/2 plumbing for me. And yes on the dump valve. It should be at the lowest point. You may also need an air bleed at the highest point if the plumbing has any rise.
    The only thing between me and a train wreck is blind luck..... - Kenny
  • C_BC_B
    Posts: 89,068
    Doing some reading on the subject.... The March pumps say they cannot be used with a siphon. I'm not exactly what they are referring to but is my 2" dip tube in the BK going to be a problem even with the pump mounted 12"-18" below the kettle?
    "On it. I hate software." ~Cpt Snarklepants
  • ThymThym
    Posts: 122,708
    chandlerbang said:

    Doing some reading on the subject.... The March pumps say they cannot be used with a siphon. I'm not exactly what they are referring to but is my 2" dip tube in the BK going to be a problem even with the pump mounted 12"-18" below the kettle?



    Yes, that's a pretty normal configuration.
    The only thing between me and a train wreck is blind luck..... - Kenny
  • frydogbrewsfrydogbrews
    Posts: 44,679
    screw that, just get the same kind of chiller as i bought and you don't need a pump. one less thing to clean is always good!
  • FuzzyFuzzy
    Posts: 49,786
    frydogbrews said:

    screw that, just get the same kind of chiller as i bought and you don't need a pump. one less thing to clean is always good!



    unless you want to recirculate.
    The pinnacle of lame and awesome in one singular moment. -Lake
  • C_BC_B
    Posts: 89,068
    FromZwolle said:

    frydogbrews said:

    screw that, just get the same kind of chiller as i bought and you don't need a pump. one less thing to clean is always good!



    unless you want to recirculate.

    This. Eventually I want a counterflow chiller of some sort. Right now with my well water I can go from boiling to 70* in 15-20 on 11 gallons with an IC if I stir a little bit. Plus I want to recirc and chill in order to get the whole batch temp dropped as fast as possible.
    "On it. I hate software." ~Cpt Snarklepants
  • LothosLothos
    Posts: 2,146
    Get a thermonater. And a marsh HITEMP pump that's all you will need SPEND THE MONEY it's worth it
    Ain't that a Bitch
  • FuzzyFuzzy
    Posts: 49,786 Accepted Answer
    you might also want to invest in a program that tells you when random caps lock is appropriate.




    (never is the right answer) :D

    scoobJayrizzle
    The pinnacle of lame and awesome in one singular moment. -Lake
  • LothosLothos
    Posts: 2,146
    When ever I feel like it So there plllllliiiiiibbbbb b
    Ain't that a Bitch
  • ThymThym
    Posts: 122,708
    Ha.
    The only thing between me and a train wreck is blind luck..... - Kenny
  • C_BC_B
    Posts: 89,068
    Austin is giving a $25 store credit with the purchase of a March 809. Is stainless steel worth an extra $25?
    "On it. I hate software." ~Cpt Snarklepants
  • frydogbrewsfrydogbrews
    Posts: 44,679
    chandlerbang said:

    Is stainless steel worth an extra $25?


    as a life rule.......yes, always
  • C_BC_B
    Posts: 89,068
    frydogbrews said:

    chandlerbang said:

    Is stainless steel worth an extra $25?


    as a life rule.......yes, always

    I sorta thought so. But in this case EVERYBODY uses the food safe March pumps. So I thought I'd ask.
    "On it. I hate software." ~Cpt Snarklepants
  • C_BC_B
    Posts: 89,068
    Realistically by the time I get around to pulling the trigger AHS will be sold out of the merchandise anyway. So it doesn't really matter.
    "On it. I hate software." ~Cpt Snarklepants
  • LothosLothos
    Posts: 2,146
    chandlerbang said:

    Realistically by the time I get around to pulling the trigger AHS will be sold out of the merchandise anyway. So it doesn't really matter.



    BANG
    Ain't that a Bitch
  • C_BC_B
    Posts: 89,068
    http://www.brewhardware.com/pumps/133-chuggerpump

    $100 pump? Now that's a deal.
    "On it. I hate software." ~Cpt Snarklepants
  • C_BC_B
    Posts: 89,068
    I just bought a refractometer and a sight glass/thermometer combo so I won't be getting a pump soon. But that's still a deal.
    "On it. I hate software." ~Cpt Snarklepants
  • scoobscoob
    Posts: 16,617
    I love my refractometers, I only use it for pre fermentation, but it's awesome for on the fly preboil measurements, also mid boil to check gravity towards end, so you can hit desired numbers
    Jesus didn't wear pants
  • C_BC_B
    Posts: 89,068
    azscoob said:

    I love my refractometers, I only use it for pre fermentation, but it's awesome for on the fly preboil measurements, also mid boil to check gravity towards end, so you can hit desired numbers


    I'm excited. I've been guessing at volumes and waiting till the sample cools off for SGs. I'm really stoked.
    "On it. I hate software." ~Cpt Snarklepants
  • ThymThym
    Posts: 122,708
    azscoob said:

    I love my refractometers, I only use it for pre fermentation, but it's awesome for on the fly preboil measurements, also mid boil to check gravity towards end, so you can hit desired numbers



    @azscoob
    Next time you brew a batch try it pre and post and use the refractometer wizard at the tools link, also do it the way you are doing it today and post your results. They should be within the margin of uncertainty.

    The only thing between me and a train wreck is blind luck..... - Kenny
  • C_BC_B
    Posts: 89,068
    So.... I just bought a used March 809 on eBay for $100. It was either a bangin deal or a rip off. We'll see.
    "On it. I hate software." ~Cpt Snarklepants
  • scoobscoob
    Posts: 16,617
    Lakewood said:

    azscoob said:

    I love my refractometers, I only use it for pre fermentation, but it's awesome for on the fly preboil measurements, also mid boil to check gravity towards end, so you can hit desired numbers



    @azscoob
    Next time you brew a batch try it pre and post and use the refractometer wizard at the tools link, also do it the way you are doing it today and post your results. They should be within the margin of uncertainty.



    I will do that, I was going to brew today, going to hold out and shoot for next weekend.
    Jesus didn't wear pants
  • scoobscoob
    Posts: 16,617
    chandlerbang said:

    So.... I just bought a used March 809 on eBay for $100. It was either a bangin deal or a rip off. We'll see.



    As long as nothing is stripped on the pump head I think you scored a good bargain!
    Jesus didn't wear pants
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