Please help, pump not pumping :(

[BubbySoup]

After what seemed an eternity I have finally invested in my first AC watercooling kit.

I have my loop set up and the aquastream pump connected to the controller. I have filled my res and started the pump in it's fill mode (flashing green light on controller). Some water moved around the loop and then stopped, even though the res had plenty left. When I opened the drain valve I have put in at the bottom of the loop, the water moved a little and some came out of the valve.

Now however, no water wants to move. I can hear the pump cycling on and off and everything seems ok but no water is moving :( As I am building 2 systems I have the luxury of trying another pump, which I have done and this exhibits exactly the same problem, even with its own controller fitted rather than the original.

I am now out of ideas and am desparate for help. The pump is mounted directly behind an aquatube and I have the system up-ended so that the aquatube is higher than the pump. Water is getting to the pump but nothing after that.

/cry

[cobalt6700]

sounds like you've got a blockage in your loop, have a look round for kinks or obvious blockages.

can you tell us what is your setup at the moment? like where is water meant to go too-from?

gaz

[ỒĊBłůē]

When you filled your system, did water flow through your pump and part way around your loop?

Also, what happens when you try running the pump normally (not in fill mode)?

I can't say I've ever run my Aquastream in fill mode - I normally fill my loop by 'blipping' the pump on and off using the ATX bridge that came with it.

[zittware]

I've had simular problems... and for me it's been my configuration not being able to move air into the reservor through the pump.

What didn't work for me:
Rad -> pump -> resv

What works better is:
Rad -> Resv -> pump

[fivecheebs]

Is it possible you could post a picture or 2?

[BubbySoup]

Thanks for all the replies.

The loop is clear as I can blow through the valve and water moves through in both directions and ends up in the aquatube. I'm pretty sure at this stage it's the fact that the pump is not filling up with water properly.

Am going to try something now and will come back if it doesn't work.

[BubbySoup]

Decided it's too late to start fiddling now. Will look at it fresh in the morning and try and get some pics up, see what you guys think.

[Pug]

These pumps aren't self-priming and do not have the capability to pump air.

You need to get the pump full of fluid before you power it for the first time, otherwise you may risk damage to it.

Personally, I siphon-prime mine as I describe here (http://www.wizdforums.co.uk/showpost.php?p=96352&postcount=13).

I tend to siphon prime my pumps before powering them, personally.
Essentially, I disconnect the return pipe to the res and suck the coolant pretty much all the way through the loop, then put my finger over the res outlet to keep the fluid level in equilibrium while I reconnect the pipe.


Try this and make sure that you can see a water level both sides of the pump before powering it (assuming you have clear tubing).

[cah]

I had the same problem with my L20 from the asetek kit. However, zittware's solution didn't work as that was the order i had it in anyway. My solution was to submerge the pump and get it filled before it would start working....not to mention rewire the controller because that was futzed by asetek too, but that's an OT rant :(

[BubbySoup]

Yep, it was the self priming thing. Re-tubed a bit of my loop to have a gravity feed down to the inlet of the pump and ta-da, all working.

Many thanks for all the replies guys.

Will post piccies later on.

[Pug]

Yep, it was the self priming thing. Re-tubed a bit of my loop to have a gravity feed down to the inlet of the pump and ta-da, all working.

Many thanks for all the replies guys.

Will post piccies later on. Figured it might be. :thumb:

Look forward to 'em. :photo: