Is there a way to jump start your powerheads (not starting)

[sepulcherx]

When ever i turn one of my powerheads off.. it usually refuses to restart backup unless i unplug it and plug it back in a few times.. onlyl this time its not working. it just makes grinding noises and doesnt pump air.. i heard this happend often.. any suggestions?

Thanks

 

[hdtran]

Disassemble and clean the powerhead.

Use vinegar if necessary to dissolve calcium deposits.

 

[tangir1]

my method is to use a toothpick and spin it... can be an issue if the intake is plumbed, but that's what I do with the MagDrives and Rios that I had for my skimmers...

 

[Anonymous]

This happens every once in a while with the Rios I have mixing up new water. I usually just give them a good punch and they start up again.

I think you're better off following the advice above, though!

 

[Anonymous]

Ugh! I HATE this! Certain makes are more prone to doing this than others I've noticed.

Jim

 

[Anonymous]

if it is in the tank and you don't want to pull it out, i used to use my cleaning magnet.
just make a quick movement like your spinning a wheel or something it usually will work.

 

[Rainman]

I have this problem with my return Rio. I think that the reason for the failure to restart is that, when the power is cut, the impeller continues to spin until it reaches some resistance. You then have to take it apart and advance the impeller a couple of times beyond those two areas of resistance (i.e. the magnets) and restart it. The toothpick method sounds good. I'm just going to get a new pump when I have some $$

 

[erickrebsbach]

I have had this problem with my penguin and all I do is slowly pull it out of the water and it starts sucking water and wala it works again :wink:

 

[Rainman]

Do you do that while it's turned on?

 

[Ben1]

If it is rattling around then the impeller assembly should be replaced. Check if the rubber stoppers on the ends of the assembly are in good condition if not replace them with something. I've used u/w epoxy to replace worn ends.

 

[Rainman]

Sure...

What does {squat} under your name mean?

 

[Ben1]

squat...If you post ALOT more you will find out yourself....

 

[tangir1]

{squat} are for those that made 1 kilo-posts.

 

[brandon4291]

I have used a variant of the toothpick trick a few times--get a pipe cleaner and ram it in and out of the output vent a few times, I believe this moves the impeller much the same.

 

[tangir1]

Oh, do wear appropriate eye protection if you do use the toothpick method...