Problem with 2 homemade recirc bathing systems!

[CockerPoodleDoo]

I bought my first recirc from someone who makes them and it's basically a 1/3 hp pump from Tractor Supply. It worked great and I LOVED it! Very powerful too. It worked well for over a year then started to shut off after a certain amount of time, almost like it was on a timer, no matter what I did. I tried taking it apart and cleaning it, using more water, less water, more shampoo, less shampoo, etc. Nothing worked. After a certain amount of time it would come back on so I could use to for the next dog, but just had to be really quick while bathing big dogs, most of the time half hand washing and half using the bathing system. I heard they had a feature to shut off when over heated. I don't use really warm water, just luke warm, and it even did this with cold water. So I got a new pump, I think this one was from Lowes, also 1/3 hp. Also worked great for awhile then started doing the same thing but worse! It only stays on for maybe 3 minutes and makes a weird noise, slows down, then stops and takes a reallllly long time to start working again. Same thing I cleaned it out and all, still won't work. I do a lot of large breeds and give them multiple baths and like to run the system on them for a good long time to work out the mats and/or undercoat.

What is going on with these pumps??? Has anyone else had this problem with homemade pumps? Is it worth spending the $600 on a bathing beauty just so I can stop having this problem??? I know most systems are 1/6 hp, could the fact that I am using 1/3 be the problem? I can't imagine downgrading on the pressure though, the 1/3 is sooo nice, 1/6 would be half as powerful. Intergroom is coming up so I guess I will be looking for a new bathing system, 2nd one in under 3 years! Ugh. I spend $350 on the first one and then $120+ on the second pump, now I need to buy a third? I can't live without my bathing system, I am hating having to handwash these huge thick dirty dogs!!!

[Arrooh]

You are getting

close to a Bathing Beauty cost wise. Mines run smooth for 3 years and has never shut off. I do squirt water I'm using over it regularly to make sure it's cool. Why don't you contact the pump manufacturer to see what they think?

[OntarioMama]

Did you put a screen over the water intake so hair doesn't get caught up in the motor? Just a thought. You can also get the real bathing beauty pump if you want to try that route . . . .it's on grainger.com

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/2P352?Pid=search

[mylady]

Mine is homemade and two years old and still going strong. I have a 1/6 HP pump I bought from Northern Tools for $35. Works wonderfully. This pump was recommended to me by another groomer and I just happened to get it on sale. Wish I could remember the name, I just know it's blue.

[bednbones]

Lowes

I got a ****** one from Lowes. Returned it right away - even tho it was a 1/3 ... you could tell it wasn't going to last. Went to my local private owned hardware store and bought a Little Giant pump, very quiet, put the pantyhose on the bottom for the hair and not a problem. 2 of us use it continually.

[Lucylove]

I bought mine from Harbor Freight Tools (we have a local store, but they also have a website)... I got my 1/4 hp for about 60 bux... spent 10 dollars and got the 2 year warranty... I've had to replace it two times in a year.. but they always do it, no questions asked... best warranty ever...

Jessie

[CockerPoodleDoo]

I bought mine from Harbor Freight Tools (we have a local store, but they also have a website)... I got my 1/4 hp for about 60 bux... spent 10 dollars and got the 2 year warranty... I've had to replace it two times in a year.. but they always do it, no questions asked... best warranty ever...

Jessie

Did yours stop working the way mine did? Technically they aren't meant to be used the way we are using them, thats why I'm thinking about getting a BB...

[PawsBdd]

I had to replace one of my pumps that cost like 40 bucks and yes it did stop like yours. You just have to screen up the bottom to keep hair from getting in. They are all made to pump water, bb or homedepot all still water pumps.

[neanea]

Had mine for almost two years and never a problem.

Mine is a Water Ace 1/6 hp and it has plenty of UMPH to get the big hairy's clean down to the skin

[Gracy Rose]

Cocker- you are correct- pumps are not meant to be sitting in tons of water per the instructions, we do. The BB is a little giant sump pump. The difference is they pay an insurance policy to change the directions on it. All pumps are sealed as protection since we do put them in lots of water but the manufacturers have to cover their a$$ so they give you the info.

[sheilabgroomer]

I am on my 3rd homemade pump. The first one lasted a year or so before it croaked, so I bought a second one. It only lasted a month or two. I took it back to Ace and it turns out the thing has a crazy long warrantee from the manufacturer (like a year I believe). I got my "freebie" and so far it has been working beautifully! Oh yeah another thing I did was I took the screen off of the first pump and I now "double screen" my pump. It has helped tremendously in keeping as much hair from getting in and clogging it.

Like you, I'm NOT doing w/out my recirc and I was wondering if I was going to have to go ahead and invest in another BB if these things were going to die every month or so. I signed up for the Ace "rewards card" so I if I happen to loose the reciept or have already given it to my accountant all they have to do is swipe the card and the warrentee is in the computer. Easy peasy!

I just realized that I can't count very well...........my current sump makes 4 homemade pumps...........lol

[CockerPoodleDoo]

I got a ****** one from Lowes. Returned it right away - even tho it was a 1/3 ... you could tell it wasn't going to last. Went to my local private owned hardware store and bought a Little Giant pump, very quiet, put the pantyhose on the bottom for the hair and not a problem. 2 of us use it continually.

When you put the pantyhose on the bottom, how do you clean/disinfect and how often? How often do you change the panty hose?

[CockerPoodleDoo]

Cocker- you are correct- pumps are not meant to be sitting in tons of water per the instructions, we do. The BB is a little giant sump pump. The difference is they pay an insurance policy to change the directions on it. All pumps are sealed as protection since we do put them in lots of water but the manufacturers have to cover their a$$ so they give you the info.

I've never actually inspected a BB in person, how are they sealed on the bottom? I wonder if I could just buy a Little Giant or even buy one from Hanvey but I don't need the hose or air switch just the pump...