HELP With PSK-100H Skimmer w/ Sicce SK200 pump KEEPS SHUTTING OFF/OVERHEATING

[kileki]

Hey All! I have a PSK-100H with a Sicce SK200 pump, the pump keeps randomly shutting down, (I have swapped out the pump and tried a brand new one and still get the same results). The pump runs for approx. 20min then just shuts off. I was wondering if you guys had any idea what could be causing this???

It seems the pump overheats and then trips off, any help is greatly appreciate!

 

[kileki]

The Sicce grey is SE200 if its OEM to EShopps.
If its sold as standalone, then is SK designation.....

Its the same pump.

At least, that the way I understand it

Sicce Corporate

www.sicce.com

It's this pump, bought from my LFS, labeled on the side of the pump as "Sicce SK200"

 

[FUNGI]

yeah...its the same pump regardless of SK/PSK designation....

 

[FUNGI]

I have at least 4 in my closet....LOL

 

[kileki]

I have at least 4 in my closet....LOL

Have you ever had a similar issue with this pump?? It is my best guess that it is turning off because of overheating. Because it runs fine, then when it shuts off after ~10minutes, it is quite hot to the touch.

 

[FUNGI]

NEVER had any issue's with Sicce pumps.
It is turning off due to overheating.
Either:
1) Impeller not seating right (odd for two pumps...but ok)
2) Something in the piping on skimmer side is causing the impeller to drag and it overheats.
If it runs all day in a bucket, then you need to check your in and out to the pump.

 

[FUNGI]

I dont know how much you are in it for, but skimmer (and usually the pump) is solid. Ive had mine (albeit now in closet) for almost 15 years....saving as back-ups....LOL

 

[kileki]

NEVER had any issue's with Sicce pumps.
It is turning off due to overheating.
Either:
1) Impeller not seating right (odd for two pumps...but ok)
2) Something in the piping on skimmer side is causing the impeller to drag and it overheats.
If it runs all day in a bucket, then you need to check your in and out to the pump.

I dont know how much you are in it for, but skimmer (and usually the pump) is solid. Ive had mine (albeit now in closet) for almost 15 years....saving as back-ups....LOL

Gotcha, thanks for the info. The shaft that goes through the rotor needs to have the rubber guards on each end, that sit at both ends of the shaft, right? This allows it to properly seat, if I am not mistaken?

 

[FUNGI]

yes...should look like this:

 

[kileki]

yes...should look like this:

Yup, looks like that, just wanted to make sure

 

[FUNGI]

also I had a thought driving home......put it all together and run and make sure the water out is wide open.....

 

[kileki]

also I had a thought driving home......put it all together and run and make sure the water out is wide open.....

According to the startup instructions on the skimmer, it states to match the white dots to ensure the outflow is wide open, which I have done

 

[kileki]

@FUNGI @VintageReefer update; pump has been running in a bucket of tap water by itself for approximately 2 1/2 hours, a tad warm, but far cooler than when it runs out of water on the skimmer. I am heading to work, but going to leave it running overnight to see if it shuts off perhaps overnight.

Also wanted to share pictures of the pump, inside and out.

 

[FUNGI]

Thats not the correct "in" plumbing...did you modify your connections for testing?

 

[kileki]

I took it off, was just on for the picture, was trying different things, never ran it with that fitting on because it was evident that it was not correct as it doesn’t give proper seal to union

 

[kileki]

Thats not the correct "in" plumbing...did you modify your connections for testing?

For “in” plumbing, I have been using the fitting seen in the top right corner of picture

 

[FUNGI]

Can you verify water out from skimmer? Does skimmer overflow?

 

[FUNGI]

I'm thinking you're "out" is somehow plugged enough and creating some head pressure causing pump to overheat / or the "in" (at the elbow) is plugged enough and causing the pump to run dry and overheat ...
its going to be on the skimmer side plumbing.....other then that, thats about as far as I can go with "off-site" trouble shooting......

 

[kileki]

I took straw cleaning brushes to all the piping to clean it out, and got some stuff out, but wasn’t a whole lot, to be honest. My last thoughts is to run it again tomorrow, with the pump out of water, see if it runs or overheats again now that I’ve proved it can run without a problem (going on 5 hours and still no problems), if it overheats, run it again with the pump submerged in water and see if that helps.

That’s the only thing I can think of now.

@FUNGI I REALLLY REALLY appreciate all the help youve given. Thank you

 

[FUNGI]

np....
Dont give up on that skimmer....its a beast once its working.

 

[VintageReefer]

Try taking the end of the air tube and blowing in it to make sure it doesn’t feel restricted. It connects to a nipple on the bottom of the skimmer plumbing.

Maybe the nipple has a clog or the air tubing is clogged ?