New to pump usage

[crookedeyeboy]

Im thinking of doing what other people do and use my Totton pump to recirc the wort coming out of the mash tun.

In my head I can see a problem though, when I tried out my pump the other day it had to have a good flow going in to it otherwise the hose starts to collapse under the suction. I have a tap attached to the Totton and one on the mash tun, my issue is that when I have recirculated the wort manually with jugs you only crack the tap open the smallest amount so that you dont block the manifold in the MT obviuosly. Surely this is going to make the pump hose collapse under suction as there isnt a strong flow coming out of the MT?

Sorry if this doesnt make sense....

[brewsters millionths]

restrict the flow on the outlet of the pump.

[Scooby]

Yep, open the tun tap fully and as brewster said control the flow with the outlet valve.

[crookedeyeboy]

I prefer to control the speed of the pump with a power controller in that situation. It puts the motor under less strain.

Im not that technical minded!! I think I shall follow the simple method!

So your saying that if I slowly open the MT tap as normal, prime the pump with run off, then open the exit tap on the pump slightly I will be able to obtain the same-ish flow rate that I am used to.

Im thinking of using my old MT's copper manifold to lay on the malt bed run the recirc...good idea or not?

[crookedeyeboy]

Theres plenty of flow from the mash tun, Ive used it many times with no probs. I was talking about when you first open the tap and all the crap comes out which is where most likely you will get a stuck mash. Once the bed has sorted itself out after a few litres its fine, I will be able to fully open the tap up...

If this isnt the best method what else can I do? I really would like to try and recirc to get the protein down going into the boiler.

If its a major hassle I will maybe just forget it.

[Scooby]

Chris is right so before connecting to the pump I slowly run off a jug from the tun, this clears it slightly. Connect to the pump, open the tun fully and bleed the pump as normal. Run the pump with the outlet valve slightly open and adjust as appropriate.

I batch sparge so the mash is much thinner than if continuous sparging but that shouldn't cause any problems.

It sounds like you're contemplating pumped sparge and pumped wort? If so maybe it's over complicating a simple operation.

BTW the wort need only be clear of large particles and doesn't need to be crystal clear into the kettle

[crookedeyeboy]

Hmmm yes maybe this is all getting too complicated.

Im starting to wonder why I bought a pump now! It'll be useful I think for moving lots of lquid about but apart from that everything else seems like over complication....

[Scooby]

I got one to save my back and safety reasons. Using gravity for sparging and collecting the wort into an underback from where you then pump up into the kettle is the simplest method and makes the best use of a pump.

[ajh800]

to control the speed of the pump i'm going to connect it to the mains supply via a light dimmer switch. This will give control of the flow rate from the pump, rather than relying on the tap. The totten pump is low wattage, a dimmer switch will easily handle it. al

[Scooby]

I don't totally agree with Chris on this, yes controlling via power does put the motor under less strain but these are industrial pumps designed to run all day, putting a slight restriction on the flow for 10 or 15 mins is bugger all stress. the point about scotsman v ndp blockages is more relevant, having said that I didn't have a blockage with mine and there are many out there who use the pump for this purpose, yet you rarely see posts regarding blocked scotsman..... am I on the right forum.

[beermonsta]

to control the speed of the pump i'm going to connect it to the mains supply via a light dimmer switch. This will give control of the flow rate from the pump, rather than relying on the tap. The totten pump is low wattage, a dimmer switch will easily handle it. al

Hi Al it's Ben (we met at Theakstons brewery tour about a month ago!) how's it going? - if your thinking of doing the above have you considered something like this http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/20069079 which would make simple work of the wiring? PS I'll still take you up on your malt offer sometime in the future (when I've used the current 50kg's up!!)

[ajh800]

hello Ben, that product makes life very easy. Happy with standard dimmer, but ikea item great for plug n play. No probs with malt, picked some up on Friday, still same price. 50 kg to use..you've been spending to many wk ends doing brewery trips, lol. Give me 10 days notice when you need another 25. regards al