Trouble with Little Giant VCMA-20ULS condensate pump
DK1000
I'm posting this here to hopefully aid in my furnace guy's diagnosis. As
this may baffle him more than me.
I just got a new Heil 92 efficiency furnace and A/C installed a little more
than a year ago. Until a month ago or so, I would hear what I assumed normal
operation of the installed Little Giant VCMA-20ULS condensate pump, as when
I was in my basement, I would hear a motor whirring every so often, and then
see water being shot thru the tubing to the drain. Then it would be quiet
again.
About a month ago, I heard the pump making weird noises, like it was
laboring and noticed no water being sucked thru the tubing. I called my
furnace guy, and he said to give it a couple good raps as the float may be
stuck, that seemed to take care of the laboring sound, but still no action
thru the tube that I could see.
About a week later, I noticed a puddle of water on the basement floor under
the pump. I live in Cleveland, Ohio, so it's still heating season here. I
popped one of the drain hole caps and started suction by mouth (nasty
tasting water) thru a piece of tubing into a bucket until I got a good
amount of it out. I had to do that a couple of times the next few days, and
it was obvious it wasn't pumping, so I called my furnace guy who came out
and replaced the pump with another of the same model. I assumed it was now
working. However, I have not yet heard the motor run like it did when it was
first installed a year ago, and haven't noticed water shooting thru the
tubing. Yesterday another little puddle of water was on the floor and a
little around the cap. I left a message to my furnace guy I may need this
looked at again, but I told him I'll monitor it for a few days first. Now
today, the tank is about half or two thirds full, and I didn't siphon any
water out manually this time, so it must have worked.
I have the hunch it's either working intermittently or in a reduced capacity
somehow. Again, no motor sounds or water seen rushing thru the tubing. Hard
to believe two bad pumps in a row. Could something else be affecting pump
operation or damaging the pump? The tubing goes from the pump which is
basically ground level on the furnace, up about 7 feet to the ceiling and is
brought down again into the drain, so maybe about 25 feet of tubing, 7 up,
10 or so across the ceiling, and about 7 down. He also snipped off the plug
and spliced the electric cord somewhere in the furnace electrical system,
instead of it going into an outlet. Thanks much, sorry so long, any help
appreciated.
--
.p.jm@see_my_sig_for_address.com
<bwana1SPAM...@lycos.com> wrote:
>Hi,
>
>I'm posting this here to hopefully aid in my furnace guy's diagnosis. As
>this may baffle him more than me.
Then tell HIM to post. This is not a home-moaner advice
forum.
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DK1000
push my post back to the top so maybe someone who don't have their head up
their @$$ can give me a fair reply. I seen some of your "replies". Who made
you king? I posted this so my HVAC guy doesn't have to keep coming back out
for nothing. He told me that the Little Giant models are very reliable.
First one he ever seen that went bad, now another one maybe! Homeowners and
even professionals at times can use a little help, and with that I can turn
him on to the newsgroup and he can help another pro down the road. Thanks.
<.p.jm@see_my_sig_for_address.com> wrote in message
news:bt8r229ttdtidtru6...@4ax.com...
.p.jm@see_my_sig_for_address.com
crap back down, and tell you to go fuck yourself.
Thanks so much for the opportunity. Coulnd't have done it
without ya.
Ya fuckin pathetic little whining crybaby home-moaner.
Nathan W. Collier
need a different technician.
--
Nathan W. Collier
http://UtilityOffRoad.com
http://7SlotGrille.com
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http://BighornRefrigeration.com
http://ConcealedCarryForum.com
"DK1000" <bwana1SPAM...@lycos.com> wrote in message
news:udOdnYhwq-WgPrDZ...@adelphia.com...
geoman jr
"Nathan W. Collier" <Nat...@NoSpam.com> wrote in message
news:CJjXf.27$Mk5....@news.uswest.net...
> in all honesty, if a condensate pump is kicking your technician's ass you
> need a different technician.
If he's been sucking the water out of the condensate pump he needs a doctor,
not a technician :-)
likealake@iname.com Bubba <>
<bwana1SPAM...@lycos.com> wrote:
The Little Giant Pumps are really good but several times now Ive had
to install 4 different new pumps in a row before I got one that worked
right. Change it again. That will probably take care of it.
You might also want to look for a small item on the internet called a
@pump booster. They are around $35 or so and the do wonders on your
system. They really help the pumping efficiency of the condensate
pump. If you cant find one, let me know and I can PayPal one out to
you for $195 plus ship and handling.
Bubba
Oscar_Lives
I've seen this a couple of times. It is caused by a defective thermostat.
You need to change out your thermostat to a digital stat. Best to use a
high-end digital stat to handle the higher amperage that the condensate pump
draws.
PrecisionMechanical
It's just a pump.....set within a reservoir, and having a float valve that
electrically switches it to *on* upon the reservoir becoming *full*
Your tech is a fucking blithering idiot, and you are just very short of the
full idiot stick measurement if keep on calling him back for this stupit
shit.
--
SVL
B-Hate-Me
>
> I'm posting this here to hopefully aid in my furnace guy's diagnosis. As
> under the pump. I live in Cleveland, Ohio
Move
Stormin Mormon
the plugs, and pour water into the pump. After awhile, the pump should
come on, and send the water out to the drain. Before the pump is
totally full.
I had a problem with a pump, one time. I didn't strip the wire back
far enough and it wasn't getting electricity. Oh, well. Mistakes were
made. It's very possible that the new pump wasn't quite wired in.
Also. Look along the side of the pump, see if there is a cardboard tab
that says "remove this". If so, pull the tab out, and discard. The tab
helps keep the float from rattling. Somtimes folks forget to remove
the tab.
--
Christopher A. Young
You can't shout down a troll.
You have to starve them.
.
"DK1000" <bwana1SPAM...@lycos.com> wrote in message
news:udOdnYhwq-WgPrDZ...@adelphia.com...
Hi,
--
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Cooltemp Industries
PrecisionMechanical wrote:
> Your tech is a fucking blithering idiot,
BINGO!!
Sigh....honestly, if the furnace had been mounted outside, on the roof,
in the first place, then he wouldn't need a condensate pump because
water runs downhill.
See how easy hvac can be??
DK1000
see it pull water thru the tubing yesterday for the first time, but I didn't
hear the motor running like I did my old one. But I haven't noticed any
leaking since the little puddle with the new pump about a week ago. Other
than that, I have a hunch I may have a "slow" pump, if I continue to have
problems, I'll contact my tech again, but if it stays OK now, great!
"Stormin Mormon" <cayoung61-#spamblock*-@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:443659ea$0$28231$6d36...@titian.nntpserver.com...
DK1000
be warranteed, before I buy it.
"Bubba >" <<ReMoVe like...@iname.com> wrote in message
news:qs6p22dkm6djjap1i...@4ax.com...
DK1000
reason), I'll suggest this to my tech. If this don't work, then I'll call a
different tech, just worried that my warranty will transfer.
"Oscar_Lives" <nos...@nospam.net> wrote in message
news:xfnXf.70410$oL.21063@attbi_s71...
aka-SBM
> Thanks. If I find I do need a pump booster, I'll ask my tech first, should
> be warranteed, before I buy it.
You ARE kidding right?
HLS...i swear....HLS
Stormin Mormon
art in motion. I mean, he's reall perfected the art of screwing around
the HO's. Darn shame I can't bring myself to do that.
--
Christopher A. Young
You can't shout down a troll.
You have to starve them.
.
"ftwhd" <U.A....@home.com> wrote in message
news:deid321dso896lsfj...@4ax.com...
On Fri, 7 Apr 2006 12:38:54 -0400, "DK1000"
<bwana1SPAM...@lycos.com> wrote:
>Thanks. If the pump continues to act up (working better now for some
>reason), I'll suggest this to my tech. If this don't work, then I'll
call a
>different tech, just worried that my warranty will transfer.
>
Dude you are being fucked with by the regular trolls of the group.
They can barley spell hvac let alone work on anything remotely related
to it.
Stormin Mormon
--
Christopher A. Young
You can't shout down a troll.
You have to starve them.
.
"DK1000" <bwana1SPAM...@lycos.com> wrote in message
news:98Gdnb35YrM9CKvZ...@adelphia.com...
Thanks. If the pump continues to act up (working better now for some
reason), I'll suggest this to my tech. If this don't work, then I'll
call a
different tech, just worried that my warranty will transfer.
"Oscar_Lives" <nos...@nospam.net> wrote in message
news:xfnXf.70410$oL.21063@attbi_s71...
> I've seen this a couple of times. It is caused by a defective
PrecisionMechanical
"ftwhd" <U.A....@home.com> wrote in message
news:deid321dso896lsfj...@4ax.com...
> On Fri, 7 Apr 2006 12:38:54 -0400, "DK1000"
> <bwana1SPAM...@lycos.com> wrote:
>
> >reason), I'll suggest this to my tech. If this don't work, then I'll call
a
> >different tech, just worried that my warranty will transfer.
> >
> They can barley spell hvac let alone work on anything remotely related
> to it.
Barley malt is used to make beer.
--
SVL
PrecisionMechanical
> Words fail me.
Probly that deep vacuum between your ears...
--
SVL
Stormin Mormon
card readings on my service calls?
--
Christopher A. Young
You can't shout down a troll.
You have to starve them.
.
"ftwhd" <U.A....@home.com> wrote in message
news:bf4f329vsom9ritbe...@4ax.com...
On Sat, 08 Apr 2006 03:14:06 GMT, "Stormin Mormon"
<cayoung61-#spamblock*-@hotmail.com> wrote:
>Hey, I thought Oscar's one about the thermostat was pure poetry and
>art in motion. I mean, he's reall perfected the art of screwing
around
>the HO's. Darn shame I can't bring myself to do that.
I think every HO you run across gets screwed by virtue of you working
on there shit.
aka-SBM
> You got your crystal ball back from the shop? You been doing tarot
> card readings on my service calls?
>
Google is...
care to be reminded about your Rheem furnace call not long ago where you
replaced every freaking part?
Cooltemp Industries
ftwhd wrote:
> One thousand pardons for the dyslexic typo.
At night, do you lie awake in bed, wondering if there really is a "dog"?
:-)
Tekkie®
I don't top post - see either inline or at bottom.
>
> Words fail me.
>
> --
>
> Christopher A. Young
>
As your brain always does...
--
My boss said I was dumb and apathetic.
I said I don't know and I don't care...
Tekkie
Noon-Air
"Tekkie®" <Tek...@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:CPCdnbiom6qFIaTZ...@comcast.com...
> Stormin Mormon posted for all of us...
> I don't top post - see either inline or at bottom.
>
>>
>> Words fail me.
>>
>> --
>>
>> Christopher A. Young
>>
> As your brain always does...
Brain??
Tekkie®
I don't top post - see either inline or at bottom.
>
> "Tekkie®" <Tek...@comcast.net> wrote in message
> news:CPCdnbiom6qFIaTZ...@comcast.com...
> > Stormin Mormon posted for all of us...
> > I don't top post - see either inline or at bottom.
> >
> >>
> >> Words fail me.
> >>
> >> --
> >>
> >> Christopher A. Young
> >>
> > As your brain always does...
>
> Brain??
>
>
>
You're right - my bad let's classify it comet vomit.