Solar Pumps - Outflow Control for Sparging

[floydmeddler]

Hi folks,

I've just ordered 2 of these solar pumps with the plan to use for sparging. http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Solar-DC-24V-12V ... f/$_12.JPG

However, it has now become clear that I won't be able to connect a ball valve to the outflow tap in order to reduce flow to 1L per minute. Should have done my homework before buying... I know!

Before I send these back and spend the extra ££ on magnetic pumps, has anyone successfully managed to reduce flow to 1L per minute by using a tattoo gun supply or something similar? If so, I'll keep these and buy the suitable power supply.

Cheers!

[Mr. Dripping]

I run mine from an old Hornby railway set controller. I found one on ebay for about £10 delivered.
I read others who use different types of variable voltage supplies without a problem.....tattoo gun power supplies crop up regularly in conversation and they seem to work.

[floydmeddler]

Cheers M.D. Yep, they're pretty popular but it doesn't seem that they allow for a flow of 1L per minute...

Does your railway set controller allow for a 1L per min flow?

Cheers

[floydmeddler]

Is this magnetically coupled???

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mini-High-Qua ... 58a3db5679

[chastuck]

Is this magnetically coupled???

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mini-High-Qua ... 58a3db5679

Looks like it.

[floydmeddler]

Hmm... tempting...

[Evanvine]

The most accurate form of flow control is a "by-pass" valve!
You run the pump without voltage control (ie 12v).

[floydmeddler]

The most accurate form of flow control is a "by-pass" valve!
You run the pump without voltage control (ie 12v).

By that do you mean a ball valve on the outflow pipe so therefore on a magnetically coupled pump?

[Evanvine]

No!
I'm talking about running the pump at full speed but recirculating the part of the flow you don't need.



This is my version of a by-pass valve.

[floydmeddler]

Interesting. Very nice work. Defs an option for me although it looks like a bit of work!

Do you believe that these pumps are genuinely magnetically coupled? From Hong Kong which always sparks a few questions!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mini-High-Qua ... 58a3db5679

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 1191009157

Cheapest mag driven pumps I can find and seem too good to be true!

[Fil]

my limited experience with a similar looking 12v black pump from china was the housing was as britle as hell snapping off on second use..

if this happens to u if u take a punt a 15mm drill bit will let u bore thru the housing once removed allowing a bit of 15mm copper tube to get jbwelded in place

[floydmeddler]

Was the pump you bought mag coupled?

I don't mind if it's brittle as i plan to permanently fix it under a bench.

[Fil]

Was the pump you bought mag coupled?

no idea sorry, ive since passed it on

[Mr. Dripping]

floyd - yes, the Hornby controller would allow a flow of 1l/min.

[floydmeddler]

Cheers MD. Food for thought.