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  • Results 1 to 14 of 14

    Thread: Air Pump Help Please

    1. #1
      fairlady's Avatar
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      Air Pump Help Please

      DH changed diaphragms in our Dolphin AV50 today (only 2 of the four air stones were working).......now we can't get even one of the stones to work. Anyone have any ideas as to what going on? Pump is only about a year or so old.DH is fustrated........HELP!!!!
      Susie


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    2. #2
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      Are you getting air out of the pump? Many times, the airstones get clogged and just need to be cleaned. Dip the airstones in PP or just rub to clean off the algae and any clogs.
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    3. #3
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      Cleanned the air stones, checked all the air lines.....we are confused!
      Susie


    4. #4
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      Quote Originally Posted by Joey S View Post
      Are you getting air out of the pump?...
      Did you see if air was exiting at the pump?

      Still learning as I go but y'all can call me Marilyn

    5. #5
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      Yes some air is coming out....not much and not enough to get it from the pump to the pond (about 20feet). We thought the diaphragms were bad....thats whys we replaced them.
      Susie


    6. #6
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      sounds like an air like errr i should say water lock,being these are air pipes.

      you could lower water in pond a couple feet and then try air pump.

      you could go...
      air pump -> check valve or ball valve -> tire nipple "like on your car tires" -> manfiold and pipes that leads to the air stones.

      take an air compressor and hook up to the tire nipple. ((turn off air pump)) and turn on air compressor (not air pump) and let it pump up enough pressure to push the water out of the air pipes.
      Pond and Construction Forum 101 good place for any first timers to the forum. for finding resources and general info.

      Ryan

    7. #7
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      I'll try the air compressor thing tomorrow.
      I do have check valves on all the air lines. Should I blow from the beginning of the air line....or after the check valve?
      Susie


    8. #8
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      If you can tell that the air coming out of the pump (right at the pump, before any of the airlines) is weak, then clearly there is a problem in the pump.

      There are several places the air could be leaking. Take the cover off of the AV-50 and turn the unit on. Wave your fingers around inside the unit, and I'll bet you feel air spurting out somewhere.

      When I recently redid my AV-50 diaphragms, I noticed air leaking around one of the valve plugs afterwards. I had to add a washer over the plug (between it and the metal brace that holds it in place) to tighten it up, but then there was no more leak and everything ran fine.



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    9. #9
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      it doesn't really matter what side of the check valve.

      BUT what does matter. is not putting the air from the air compressor onto the regular pond air pump. if air goes back through the air pump. you may destroy the new diagrapham or do something else to the air pump.

      hence my ealier post. of placing a check valve or ball valve right after the air pump. and then hooking up the compressor after the valve. so air won't go backwards through the air pump.
      Pond and Construction Forum 101 good place for any first timers to the forum. for finding resources and general info.

      Ryan

    10. #10
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      I am going to "blow" the lines tomorrow (Thanks Ryan), then when DH gets home from work he is going to do as "Nightstorm" suggested. I sure hope one or both of these things work.
      Susie


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    11. #11
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      if neither 2 work. it would be done to checking pipe fittings you can get to easily. and then. start draining pond water down.

      just a warning on the air compressor though. you might want to take the air stones off before doing the air compressor. or you may end up damaging them.
      also don't try 100psi i am guessing you are using cheap 1/2" to 1" air line pipes that are sch40 or less. and putting to much pressure could rupture the air pipes. reason, why i said to hook up air compressor to air line, then turn it on. so air slowly gains pressure.
      Pond and Construction Forum 101 good place for any first timers to the forum. for finding resources and general info.

      Ryan

    12. #12
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      Besides the big diaphragms did you also replace the little rubber valves in the air pump?

    13. #13
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      Quote Originally Posted by birdman View Post
      Besides the big diaphragms did you also replace the little rubber valves in the air pump?
      Yes......
      Susie


    14. #14
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      Did you ever figure out what happended with your air pump? I'm having a similar problem.

      Keith

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