DIY Metabo Pump Repair

In detail: do-it-yourself metabo pump repair from a real master for the site my.housecope.com.

The main element of any autonomous water supply system is a pumping station, which, like any other technical device, can periodically fail. In order to return the pumping equipment to a working condition, you can use the services of specialized companies or repair the pumping station with your own hands. However, before proceeding with the repair of such technically rather complicated equipment, it is necessary to identify the reasons why the pumping station for water does not function.

Dismantling the submersible pump for diagnosis and troubleshooting

There are many reasons for malfunctions in the pumping station. They may be associated with a lack of power supply, improper water supply from a water supply source, a breakdown of the pump itself, failure of a hydraulic accumulator or elements that provide automatic control of equipment. Many of these reasons, leading to the fact that water supply stations do not work or function incorrectly, can be identified and eliminated at home, and professional skills and sophisticated equipment are not required for repairs.

Pumping stations, which are often called hydrophores, are actively used today to organize autonomous water supply systems for country houses and summer cottages, so the question of how to independently repair such equipment, if necessary, is quite relevant. Before figuring out how to repair a pumping station with your own hands, you need to understand what such stations consist of and on what principle they work.

Video (click to play).

The device of a surface pumping station

A pumping station for equipping a water supply system for domestic purposes, which pumps liquid into the pipeline system, is installed on the surface of the earth, as close to the well as possible (as far as possible), and operates from the power supply network. The main structural elements of pumping stations that ensure the efficient and uninterrupted operation of such equipment in automatic mode are:

the water pump itself, which pumps water from a well or well and pushes it under pressure to the outlet pipe (for equipping pumping stations, it is mainly not a submersible pump that is used, but a surface pump);
a water intake hose that is immersed in water to the maximum possible level;
a check valve that prevents water from the suction pipeline from getting back into the well or well;
a mesh filter installed in front of the check valve and cleans the water pumped from the source from dirt and sand particles, the ingress of which into the inside of the pump can become one of the reasons for its failure;
a pressure sensor installed after the pump - on the pressure line (the main task of such a sensor operating in automatic mode is to turn on the pump if the water pressure in the water supply system drops to a critical value, and turn it off when it reaches the required parameters);
a water flow sensor, which is installed before the pump and does not allow it to idle (when water stops flowing from a well or well, such a sensor automatically turns off the device, preventing it from overheating);
a pressure gauge that allows you to measure the water pressure in the pipeline created by the pumping station.

Malfunctions of the pumping station, as mentioned above, can be determined by a number of reasons, the exact clarification of which will allow the repair to be carried out promptly and with the highest quality, returning the equipment to working condition. When diagnosing, carried out to find out the cause of a pumping station breakdown, it is not required to use complex equipment and have professional skills. It is possible to identify most of the characteristic malfunctions of pumping stations both by external signs and by using the devices with which such equipment and the water supply system are originally equipped.

Among the malfunctions of pumping stations, several of the most characteristic ones can be distinguished, which each user is able to identify and eliminate on their own, using the advice of specialists during the repair.

When starting a pumping station, it may happen that the pump with which it is equipped is running, and the liquid does not enter the water supply system. To determine why the pumping station does not pump water, it is necessary to analyze the individual parameters and operating conditions of the elements included in the equipment of the equipment.

A pumping station operating in automatic mode may start to turn off and on frequently, which indicates a malfunction. This type of operation of the pumping station, in which it is constantly turned off and on, is called jerky. This should be a signal to check (and, if necessary, repair) individual elements of the system.If the pumping station is jerky (it turns off, then turns on), you should measure the pressure in the air chamber of the hydraulic tank. To perform this procedure, you can use an automobile compressor equipped with a pressure gauge. If this parameter in the air chamber or bag for the pumping station is below the norm, it must be raised using the same autocompressor. A repeated drop in pressure in the air chamber of the device indicates that a depressurization of the system has occurred, the location of which must be identified. In the event that the joints have lost their tightness, then the repair of the accumulator is not required, it is enough just to replace the sealing tape in such places.Apply soap suds to suspicious surfaces to find leaks. Bubbles will appear in places of depressurizationThe body of the hydraulic accumulator can also lose its tightness if a crack or hole has formed in it. It is not difficult to repair the accumulator with your own hands in such a situation: for this it is enough to close the resulting crack or hole with the help of the "cold welding" compound.Why does the pumping station often turn on and off during operation? The answer to this question may also lie in damage to the accumulator membrane. In such cases, the solution to the problem is to replace the accumulator bulb or such a membrane.Replacing the membrane in the accumulatorRepair specialists are often asked why the pumping station is often turned on or why the pumping station does not turn off at the moment when the fluid pressure in the water supply system exceeds the norm. This is usually due to a breakdown or malfunction of the pressure switch. Such malfunctions can also cause the pumping station to not keep the water pressure in the pipeline. Repairing a pressure switch is a rather complicated procedure that cannot always be done by hand. That is why, in many cases, they do not repair the pressure switch of the pumping station, simply replacing such a sensor with a new one.

Do-it-yourself pump station repair will allow you to save not only money by dispensing with the help of specialists, but also time (there is no need to look for where to repair equipment and place an order to a service company, coordinate the time of the master's visit or go on your own, postpone current affairs for the duration of the visit) ... Experts' recommendations will help you navigate the situation, determine the type of malfunction and eliminate the defect. By following the advice precisely, you can deal with the problem that has arisen, but carelessness can lead to more complex damage.

Malfunctions of the pumping station and their elimination will not become a serious problem if the system is accurately diagnosed before starting work. In most cases, this does not require special equipment. It is possible to determine the type of breakdown by external signs and using elementary measurements for which the devices installed in the system are used.

If the pump works, at first glance, correctly, and there is no water in the tap at the same time, the way to correct the situation is determined by the cause of the problem. To find it, you will have to check some parameters and operating conditions.

Define check valve condition and performance, which is located inside a well or well. Trapped debris or sand can prevent it from opening, and a closed valve prevents fluid from rising to the pump.
Check if whether the section of the pipeline between the pumping unit and the source is filled with water... Sometimes, due to a malfunction of the equipment, in the event of a power outage or other disturbances, this gap remains empty, which prevents the pump from pumping liquid. The found void can be filled through a special hole.

A pumping station in a house with a pipeline connected to it from a water source

The most difficult situation is the presence of a large amount of insoluble impurities in water with abrasive action. Often, there is a large production between the casing and the impeller of the unit. "Depleted" water supply pumping stations for a private house require expensive repairs. In this case, it will be necessary to replace the equipment (housing and impeller, if it is possible to find components on sale that are identical to those available, or completely the pump).

Lack of water in the well can also cause water to not enter the system when the pump is running. One of the simplest solutions is to submerge the supply hose or pipeline deeper (but within the limits specified in the instruction manual).

The jerk mode is called frequent switching on and off of the pumping unit in automatic mode.

In this case, you should start checking the system by determining the pressure in the air chamber of the accumulator. You can determine the pressure using a car pressure gauge. If it is lowered, try pumping air into the chamber with a pump. Wait a while and measure again. If the pressure has dropped again, look for and eliminate depressurization site... The easiest way is to eliminate the leakage of the connections. If a hole has formed in the housing (for example, due to corrosion), you can use "cold welding".

If the pumping station is jerky, the reason may lie in damage to the diaphragm... To eliminate the defect, it must be replaced.

Frequent switching on and off may result pressure switch malfunctions.If, during proper operation of the pump, the water from the tap goes in pulsating jerks, it means that the system is air leaks... All communications between the well (well) and the pump should be checked for leaks. Particular attention should be paid to the water level in the source and the correspondence of the pipe diameter to the suction height. The smaller the diameter, the lower the height should be. For example, a pipe diameter of 25 mm (or 1 inch) corresponds to a suction height of about 9 meters.If the automatic shutdown of the pump does not work, it is impossible to operate such a water supply system. Emergency operation can lead to premature wear or destruction of equipment.The reason for the non-stop operation of the pump is the incorrect operation of the pressure switch or its failure. In most cases, the repair of the pressure switch of the pumping station comes down to adjusting the device and setting the parameters of switching on and off using spring nuts under the cover of the device. Image - DIY Metabo Pump Repair

Pressure switch device - nut P is responsible for setting the lower pressure level in the accumulator, nut Δ P - for setting the difference between the upper and lower pressure levels

Another option for violations is blocking the relay with salt deposits when the quality of water in the source is low. In this case, it is necessary to remove the relay and clean the hole that comes into contact with the water.

In most cases, the failure to turn on the pump is associated with breaking the electrical circuit... A tester is required to thoroughly check and detect a break. First of all, check the supply communications and the pressure switch. In the latter case, pay attention to contact status - an oxide layer may form on them, which can be removed by cleaning using a file or fine-grained sandpaper.If no breaks are found in the section from the source to the pump inlet, you will have to thoroughly check all the components of the pumping unit:A burned-out engine can be restored by rewinding, but in some cases it will be necessary to purchase a new unit.To repair a pumping station with your own hands with such "symptoms", you may also need replacement of a failed starting capacitor.If the rotating parts of the pump do not move when turned on, and a characteristic hum appears, then the reasons for this phenomenon may be:

jamming of the impeller due to its "sticking" to the body during long-term storage of the pumping unit without use (the situation can be corrected by manually moving the impeller from its place and turning it several times),

capacitor breakdown (replace),

changing the parameters of the supply network (voltage is much lower than the nominal).

Learn more about how to set up a pump station pressure switch from our separate material.

On our website there is information about the technical characteristics of the Trickle pump, which has long established itself as an inexpensive but effective unit.

Find tips on choosing pumps for garden waterfalls and fountains here. Types and basic parameters.

Repair of domestic pumping stations will be required much less often and, which is important, it will become much cheaper if you follow all the recommendations of specialists at the installation stage.

There are separate rules for fixing the pump.

The base on which the pumping unit will be installed must be solid, solid and level.

To damp vibration, the pumping station can be installed on a rubberized mat

Place the pump as close to the water as possible.

The installation site of the pumping station must be ventilated to reduce the humidity and ambient temperature.

For the possibility of easy maintenance and repair of the pump, the unit is located no closer than 20 cm from walls and other stationary structures.

Before fixing the pump on the base, markings are made for drilling holes for fasteners.

The transfer pump is installed so that the pipes connected to it do not experience additional stress from mechanical stress.

In repairing a pumping station with your own hands, a video demonstrating work on disassembling the pump can also be useful to you.

DIY pump station repair Image - DIY Metabo Pump Repair

DIY pump station repair

If you want to move from a city apartment to a private house or to a summer cottage, then, undoubtedly, you will have to think about creating a full-fledged, efficiently working water supply system. Initial investments in such a system - arranging a water source and laying your own water supply system can cost more than connecting to the main utility networks, but in the future you will significantly save on the absence of payment for consumed water.

But, the ownership of its own water supply system imposes on the owner the obligation to maintain the equipment. So, any responsible homeowner must know how to repair a pumping station with his own hands.

The pumping station is the "heart" of your autonomous water supply system. A well-designed autonomous water supply system must include a well in its composition, which ensures the production of a sufficient volume of water to meet the needs of one or more households. In the overwhelming majority of cases, water from such a well has to be raised. Since the water in the wells lies at great depths, it is necessary to raise it from there with pumping devices. So that the pumps are not activated every time you turn on the water-folding device in your house, so that there is always constant pressure in the water supply system of your house, a pumping station is needed.

A classic pumping station consists of the following basic elements.

pumping device

Hydraulic accumulator (pressure accumulator)

Pump station pressure switch

As you can see, the concept of "pumping station" is only a collection of components and equipment that can be used by themselves. In industrially produced pumping stations, all the main units can be assembled in a single housing, but most of all the finished pumping station is a pumping device mounted on a pressure accumulator. Also, an automatic control device is fixed on a single frame.

During the warranty operation, problems in such equipment, as a rule, do not arise. In any case, malfunctions occurring at this time can be eliminated at service centers. However, during a long period of operation, various components of the pumping station may fail.Let's try to figure it out and find out how you can independently eliminate the most common malfunctions of pumping stations.

Let us consider sequentially all the main malfunctions of pumping stations, the reasons for their occurrence and ways to eliminate them on their own.

If you turn on the pumping station, the pump impeller rotates, but water does not flow into the pipeline, then certain factors may be the reason.

After removing the cover, inspect the condition of the impeller. You may need to replace it, of course if you find a suitable replacement part on the market. But the manufacturer's policy is that if any spare part is worn out, you will most likely have to change the pumping device (but not the entire pumping station).

The cause of such a defect may be the improper operation of the automation unit. Its main unit is a pressure gauge - a device that measures pressure. With such a jerky work, you will be able to observe how the pressure gauge readings rise to large values, and then sharply decrease.

The main reason for this disadvantage is damage to the membrane in the pressure accumulator of the pumping station (the very node that stretches when the volume of fluid in the system increases).

Rubber Diaphragm Accumulator Pressure Station Pumping Equipment

So you can disassemble the pumping equipment station

The diaphragm of the pressure accumulator is accessed through a nipple located at the back of the pressure accumulator housing. If you press on this nipple, air should come out of it. If water begins to flow from it when exposed, then it is time to change the membrane of the accumulator of the pumping station. To do this, disassemble the battery case by loosening the bolts and change the membrane.

Pressure Accumulator Diaphragm Replacement Procedure

Also, the reason for the operation of the pumping equipment station "jumps" can be air cushion pressure drop in the part of the pressure accumulator behind the diaphragm. Typically, the manufacturer pumps air up to 1.8 atmospheres into this part of the device. In the event of a leakage of the accumulator housing, air can escape and the accumulator ceases to perform its functions. You can pressurize the accumulator housing through the nipple located at the back of the unit. If microcracks have appeared in the body of your device due to rust, then the only way out can be by sealing the seams with the help of "cold welding" kits, or by completely replacing the accumulator body.

We pump the required pressure into the accumulator

Another reason for such a malfunction can be a banal breakdown of the automatic adjustment unit... Usually such devices are replaced entirely.

The cause of such a malfunction may be a partial intake of air into the water supply pipeline system. Such "suction" can occur on a segment located from the suction pipe with a filter to the inlet pipe of the pumping station. The disadvantage can be eliminated by ensuring the tightness of the pipelines and their connections, as well as by deeper immersion of the suction nozzle into the well.

The most likely cause of such a malfunction is poor adjustment of the relay that detects the pressure level in the pipeline system. The relay is regulated by two different springs:

small spring responsible for adjusting the difference in pressure indicators between max and min pressure;
larger spring sets the lower and upper limits for turning on and off the pumping device.

With prolonged operation of the automation unit, the springs can stretch and the indicators set during the initial adjustment get lost. In addition, during operation, the moving parts of the pump wear out and the maximum indicators of the pressure it generates decrease.

After prolonged use, reduce the maximum pressure reading by adjusting the position of the large spring.

Description of the control relay

Also, the reason for the malfunction of the control relay can be a narrowing of the relay outlet, which over time becomes clogged with deposits present in the pumped water. In this case, the relay must be removed and cleaned.

The pumping equipment station operates on electricity and its absence, or a voltage drop in the system, can cause the pumping device to turn off. Check the presence of electricity in the circuit and voltage with a tester.

If electricity is available and the pumping station is correctly connected, the cause of such a breakdown may be a breakdown of the winding of the electric motor. When it breaks down, the engine stops and a characteristic smell of burnt insulation arises. With such a malfunction, it is better to replace the entire electric motor.

Such a deficiency may occur after prolonged pump downtime... In this case, the rotor impellers can "stick" to the inner surface of the pumping device. Try to turn the pump shaft by hand. If you cannot touch the rotor with your hands, then disassemble the pump casing and eliminate the impeller defect (jamming).

Also, the cause of such a malfunction may be capacitor failurelocated in the terminal box of the device. This is especially true for motors connected in a three-phase scheme. An electrical tester is used to identify and correct this malfunction.

Also, the flaw can be caused by low voltage in the mains supply.

As you can see, the main breakdowns arising during the operation of pumping equipment stations may well be eliminated independently, without calling specialists. To learn more about pumping station repair technologies, watch the training video.

A pumping station is an excellent solution for organizing water supply in a private household. An unexpected breakdown of this complex of devices can cause a lot of trouble for the owners. Fortunately, most breakdowns are typical and can be repaired at home. You should find out in advance how to repair equipment with your own hands. We will talk about this now - stay with us and you will learn a lot of new things!

In order for the water supply system to function successfully, a certain level of pressure and water pressure must be provided. When there is no access to centralized water supply, this problem is easily solved with the help of a pumping station. It usually consists of:

pump;
membrane storage tank;
automatic control unit (pressure switch, pressure gauge, etc.).

The pump pumps water, which enters the tank. When the pressure in the tank reaches a certain maximum level, the pump turns off. Gradually, the water from the tank is consumed for various needs and the pressure drops. At the minimum pressure level, the pump turns on again and water flows into the tank. The process is controlled automatically.

With the help of such a unit, you can provide a house, a bathhouse and other buildings located on the site with water supply. Having studied the principle of work, you need to start studying possible breakdowns and ways to eliminate them.

Having studied the principle of operation and the device of the pumping station, you can do it yourself repair

In the world, as the classics reasonably argue, nothing lasts forever, this also applies to equipment. Unexpected malfunctions in the operation of pumping equipment, its stoppage or incorrect operation can be caused by a number of reasons, such as:

lack of electricity;
lack of water in the system;
breakdown of the pump;
breakage of the membrane tank;
damage to the automatic unit, etc.

The device of household pumping units is not particularly difficult, and this allows you to do the repair yourself.In some cases, it is necessary to disassemble the pump and replace the damaged part. Sometimes it is necessary to seal a crack in the tank, and sometimes it is enough just to check for the presence of electricity. In each specific case, you need to determine why the pump does not pump water, and find a "recipe" for solving the problem. If it was not possible to find an acceptable solution to the problem, you need to contact the specialists.

Below we will consider a number of problems and malfunctions that may arise during the operation of a pumping station.

Cause: Violation of the tightness of the conductive pipelines, the check valve does not work correctly, there is no water in the pipeline or pump.

Solution: first, you should check for the presence of water in the pipeline or pump. If it is missing, you just need to add it to the pump through the hole provided for this or lower the suction hose (or the pump itself) deeper. Maintain the maximum permissible distance between the pump and the water level.

Now you need to check the condition of the check valve and the tightness of the joints, and then eliminate the problems found. If all these measures do not help, it is possible that the pump is damaged by abrasives that have got into the water, for example, sand. In this case, you will have to disassemble the pump and replace its impeller or housing. In some cases it is necessary to install a new pump.

Please note that before starting work it does not hurt to check the voltage in the mains. If it is insufficient (a typical situation in rural areas), the pump will not pump water, although it will turn on.

Cause: The answer to the question why the pumping station is turned on too often is most often that some part of the hydraulic tank is damaged. Because of this, the equipment does not build up pressure.

The hydraulic tank of the pumping station consists of a body and a membrane located inside

Solution: First you need to press on the nipple located on the back of the tank. If water flows out of it (air should come out), then the inner membrane is torn, it should be replaced.

Another possible reason why the pressure in the accumulator of the unit does not correspond to the normal value is a violation of the tightness of the case. You need to find a crack or hole and repair it. Sometimes, in order to solve the problem, it is enough just to pump the missing amount of air into the tank using a conventional pump. The standard value of the pressure in the tank is 1.5-1.8 atmospheres.

The missing air can be pumped into the diaphragm tank through a standard threaded union with a spool

It should be noted that sometimes water is supplied intermittently due to leakage at the joints of the suction pipeline. It must be checked along its entire length and the cracks found to be repaired.

Cause: There is no power supply.Solution: It is necessary to check and, possibly, clean the burnt contacts of the pressure switch, check the integrity of the winding. The fact that the engine has burnt out will become clear by the smell characteristic of burning insulating materials.Cause: the condenser is broken or the impeller is "stuck" to the pump casing. This situation often occurs with pumps that have been idle for several months.Solution: To start a locked impeller, just rotate it manually a couple of times. After that, the pump should turn on. If the capacitor is broken, it will have to be replaced.Cause: The pressure switch is malfunctioning.Solution: It is necessary to adjust the pressure switch of the pumping station. To do this, use two springs located on the relay: a large and a small one. The large spring is responsible for adjusting the lower pressure limit, and with the small spring, they adjust the difference between the minimum and maximum values. All manipulations with the pressure switch must be done with extreme caution.To find out the reasons why the equipment does not turn off, be sure to check the condition of the inlet of the pressure switch.Sometimes it gets clogged by particles and sediments in the water. In this case, the hole must be cleaned and the operation of the pressure switch checked.It should be remembered that the regulation of the pressure switch of the pumping station must be treated with great care. If this unit is not properly adjusted, it can cause serious damage to the entire station, and the manufacturer's warranty does not cover such cases.First you need to achieve the correct pressure in the accumulator. To do this, the device is disconnected from the network, and water is completely drained from the tank. Then, using a pump with a pressure gauge or a household compressor, the required pressure level is created in the hydraulic tank. Now you need to unscrew the plastic cover on the pressure switch to gain access to the control springs.The minimum pressure for starting the pump is adjusted using a large spring (2, see figure). Turning the spring clockwise increases this value, and turning it counterclockwise decreases it. To set the required range between the maximum and minimum pressure limits, turn the pressure differential adjustment spring (1, see illustration). Turning the nut clockwise expands the range, and turning it counterclockwise narrows it.The pressure switch of the pumping station is regulated by a large and a small springThen the cover of the pressure switch must be installed in place, the required volume of water must be poured into the pumping station and the power supply must be connected. The maximum value of the pressure in the system should be no more than 95% of the maximum possible outlet pressure, which is indicated by the manufacturer in the data sheet.