Harbor Freight 1" CLEAR WATER PUMP 1479-3VGA

[Jack_Toepfer]

I know this pump has been mentioned in a couple other threads because it is very, very popular. I didn't want to go too off topic in them, because this thread is strictly about this pump, its applications, and improvements that can be made to it.

This site had some interesting points concerning the pump, be it from Harbor Freight or Northern Tool. Have any of you had these problems?

I don't want to JB Weld a pipe into the pump because I paid $10 for the warranty that allows me to bring it back after it burns out for the next 2 years.
Is anyone using the fuse they are referring to or have any of you experienced the capacitor burn out?
How many of your pumps are leaking from the pump/motor seal?

It is still in my truck because I bought it on lunch (along with a bunch of other wonderful HF goodies) and I have to buy the pipe on the way home. Is it worth trying to re-thread the housing to correct the issues? 1" Black pipe?

I bought this as well - 45185-1VGA It is the 3 Way Power Grounded Outlet. I'm going to cut off the 3 way and use the rest of it on the pump. The 3 way will go on one of my extension cords that is already cut. The plug end will go on the pump. Does that sound like it will work?

I'll be priming it with the HF Air Powered Pump like FastCote is doing. Would running them both double my results? That would help in the cold winters here.

I'd like to leave everything in the barn and hook it up to a light switch on the outside of the barn. When I pull my truck up I flip the switch. The switch would turn on the air pump as well as the electric pump. Next to the switch is a box, cut into the wall, which contains the hose/handle/valve. I should be able to turn on the valve and get oil almost immediately. Close the valve when I'm done and shut off the switch. Yes/No?

[skyskijason]

Couldn't get the link to open, but i've been using these for 3yrs now - they all still work fine, some left out in the rain and snow unprotected. Neglected like red-headed step children...

As ya know, will NOT self prime. I use a check valve or foot valve to keep oil in hose, prime not an issue. The others I have mounted at outlet of tanks so they have a head on them.

I use one to pump thru a series of 3 filters after 250 gal still, getting up to 50 psi out of it...

They DON'T like cold oil - the warmer the better the flow. Ya can't hurt it by pressuring the inlet side, should help flow.

Yer plan sounds fine. Centrifugal pump won't mind pumping w/valve closed, but it can froth up the oil pretty quick and cause a loss of prime.

I've gotten them as low as $22 and have given several away over the years.

[Jack_Toepfer]

$22 ea sounds like I should buy 2 more and pump my oil really fast

[skyskijason]

Hmmmm, I wonder if series or parallel would be best... I need more time in the day jus for this kinda thing!! For about the same price and performance, some have been using SBC oil pumps modified for pumping VO w/various power sources, ie 12V HF hammer drill - and the SBC pumps are self priming!! Look for Pir8Daryl's how to on another (apparently unmentionable here) forum...

[Jack_Toepfer]

Hmmmm, I wonder if series or parallel would be best... I need more time in the day jus for this kinda thing!! For about the same price and performance, some have been using SBC oil pumps modified for pumping VO w/various power sources, ie 12V HF hammer drill - and the SBC pumps are self priming!! Look for Pir8Daryl's how to on another (apparently unmentionable here) forum...

Yes... that was impressive. He eventually hooked it up to an electric motor and the results were great. For $22... I'll just use the HF pump


I'm still looking for answers as far as the leaking and or the pipe threads not being deep enough. Anyone?

[HORSEMOVER]

Jack I am using that pump. I haven't done a thing to it other than install it on my still and it is still working fine. I have been using it since May. I got worried the other day becuase it sounds like it is screaming when I start it up now that the cold temps are here but it pumped again last night with temps. in the 20s. Once it gets going it seems to be fine and if it blows up you can always just buy another one. It was a pain to prime but I have only done it once becuase if you position your pump correctly it should never loose prime but sounds like you are doing something differently anyways. I originally had a much more expensive pump picked out but figured I would try this one out for a few months and it has lasted longer than I ever expected so I guess I will keep using it till she blows up.

[Jack_Toepfer]

Thanks Jamie.

Seems like I don't have to address any of the concerns other than priming, which should be fine.

[skyskijason]

Yes, I remember at least one of the near dozen I've played with leaking a little. Since I started using the Gasoila thread sealant - NOTHING leaks. The stuff is quite thick and therefore very forgiving, you will never use Retcor seal again... (the Rector Blue is ok if ya find it, it has a decent consistency - check hydraulic hose shops and pro plumbing supply for the good stuff)

Still can't get that link to work, don't remember ever going there before... Are they JB welding a peice to it to keep it from leaking there? Even so, I wouldn't worry about the warranty cost, chock it up to experience, make the pump work like ya want and I think you'll be suprised how long it lasts... Its a motor, aluminum impellar and a couple bushings and seals - what can go wrong? If I ever do burn up a motor, I got a couple candidates for replacing it that should work better anyway!!

I'll go snap a couple pics of what I got going on here for maintaining prime. Ahhhh, its so nice to be home!

BTW, it'll pump cold oil, just gets slower and slower as it gets colder. I usually give up at about 1 gal/min and either warm it or change filters, whateva it needs. I see prolly 5-8 gal/min warm thru a fresh 2 mic spin-on filter. There just is no comparison for the cost.

[Clay]

Dont be disapointed when you order one and it arrives...the quality looks exactly like it cheap chinese made crap but once you get past that, and hook it up, you will be pleased i think. I would get a different elec. cord - mine was very poor quality and i was afraid of it.

[Jack_Toepfer]

It is in the garage... just have to pick up the pipe and a longer length of hose to reach into the bed of the truck from the pump.

[Clay]

spend 20 bucks on a pressure switch like Jason used...very good idea ...so when you kill the fill nozzel there pump won't keep building pressure and kill itself before you get over to turn it off.
I'm going to do this myself, i plumbed in a bypas for this reason but that cuts my flow rate too much...its an open bypas because i couldn't fild a low pressure check valve.

[Jack_Toepfer]

If I wired the pump incorrectly the first time and plugged it in, would it burn out without any sign of burning?

I assume I wired it incorrectly because it didn't do anything. I then switched the white and black wires and still nothing.

W B G is the order I'm looking at the wires from above with the ports on the left.

Damn. I wanted to see if the 2 pumps in tandem would move the 19* oil I have sludged up in the garage

[greasedltn]

Did you plug the pump in before you cut any wires to test it? It sounds like you may have gotten a bad pump. It doesn't matter which way you wire the black and white wires, (alternating current) the green is a ground and doesn't have to be hooked up to run. If the pump didn't do anything then you need to check some things. Use a volt meter to make sure you have power going to it. Make sure the pump is not jammed up.

[skyskijason]

spend 20 bucks on a pressure switch like Jason used...very good idea ...so when you kill the fill nozzel there pump won't keep building pressure and kill itself before you get over to turn it off.
I'm going to do this myself, i plumbed in a bypas for this reason but that cuts my flow rate too much...its an open bypas because i couldn't fild a low pressure check valve.

You cannot burn up this pump by leaving it on without it having anywhere to go (at least not in a couple minutes). I love the press. switch, very cool mod - but totally not req'd for this application.

Why? The impellar will continue to spin whether oil moves or not. I'm sure there is additional 'load' but not enough to hurt anything while ya walk over and turn it off.

It will not pump cold oil, I don't think 2 will help that... But the SBC pump might! Just drop a water heater element into the cold oil and pump it when it ain't so cold!! Thats what I do. It was 9 degs here last nite and all my VO is in an unheated, uninsulated shed.

[powerstroke73L]

spend 20 bucks on a pressure switch like Jason used...very good idea ...so when you kill the fill nozzel there pump won't keep building pressure and kill itself before you get over to turn it off.
I'm going to do this myself, i plumbed in a bypas for this reason but that cuts my flow rate too much...its an open bypas because i couldn't fild a low pressure check valve.

Clay would you mind posting a pic of the bypass? I'm going to pick up the Northern Tool version of the pump ($69.99-supposed to be somewhat better quality) to use as a filler pump as well. Filling my 60 gallon tank with a 1 GPM gear pump has gotten old at this point. I have a fill nozzle that I picked up for free and always wanted to use it to fill the truck rather than run a hose into the tank, walk over the pump, switch it on, watch the hose, watch the barrel, etc...

It will not pump cold oil, I don't think 2 will help that... But the SBC pump might! Just drop a water heater element into the cold oil and pump it when it ain't so cold!! Thats what I do. It was 9 degs here last nite and all my VO is in an unheated, uninsulated shed.

Not to brag but we CF users never have this problem as my oil is 140 degrees when it's finished! Pumps like water at those temps.