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Help! Pondmaster AP100 stopped working!

5949 Views 6 Replies 2 Participants Last post by  cape, 
C
Hi, anyone have experience with this pump? It's been working fine for past 5 months but today noticed that it wasnt blowing any air out to my sponge filters. The body still produces some sound so I know it's not electrical. Looking to fix this asap as it is currently running 7 tanks so any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.
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Bandit1200
More than likely this is what you need:

http://pondmaster-usa.com/Replacement-Diaphragm-Kit-for-Air-Pump/M/B0018CLWVA.htm

Generally you'd like to see more than 5 months on an air pump, but they do wear out sooner or later. Usually in my experience it's the diaphragm.
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C
Thanks for the link. I actually noticed the pump was very hot, so unplugged it for a few hours and it was working again. That's the good news, bad news is it stopped working after about 1 day and is very hot again.

Is this a sign that the diaphragm needs replacing or is it something else?
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Bandit1200
It could be a sign the diaphragm is going out, but without disassembling it and inspecting it there is really no way to tell other than the output. I can't say about that particular air pump, but all the one's I've had any experience with disassemble very easily. I'm not sure if it's because they are generally very simple designs or if they were designed that way. If you aren't comfortable taking it apart, you can do some basic troubleshooting without doing it. Remove it from the air line and plug it in. Listen to the tone of the humming running with no obstructions. Once you get an "ear" for the sound or tone of it running, plug it with your finger. You should immediately hear it start to bog down as it's loaded. If it doesn't bog down much or at all, you are in need of either the diaphragm or the valve, possibly both.

I'm looking at youtube to see if I can find a video for you for a basic diaphragm swap...

I can't say for sure, but this looks to be closest to the type of pump you have:

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C
Again, thank you for your help. I don't mind disassembling the unit, just don't know what I am looking for? Am I just looking for some damage to internal parts?
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Bandit1200
Usually the diaphragm will have a visible tear in it from all the back and forth action. If this is the problem it will be readily apparent.
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C
Yup diaphragm broken. Thanks for your time and help.
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