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[David Allred]

I have an Antari Z350 Fazer.  It is not pumping fluid.  For those not familiar, these units have a 1.3L tank and will run 7 hrs at full output.  When the fluid pump runs (correctly) is makes a ticking sound.  From very fast (8-ish ticks per sec) to very slow (1 tick per 2 secs). 

Here is what I know.  The pump is labeled 120vac.   Measuring across the terminals of the pump reads OPEN.  Measuring the output from the controller reads a little below 60vac (up to temp and set to full output).  I don't know if that is what it should be, or if the "pulsing" is giving a false reading.  Perhaps it is a constant 60vac and pulses to 120vac, but my cheap meter can't capture it.  It is obvious that the pump is bad, but I don't want to replace it if the control board killed it.  Any ideas or input? 

I have contacted Antari but have received a reply.

Thanks,
David

[Mark Scrivener]

The AC pump should look like an inductor to your test meter. If it is indeed showing an open circuit then something is wrong. Most AC motors have brushes, and I would suspect the brushes are bad, causing the open reading. I'd start there. Replacement brush kits are pretty common (they even sell them for Dremel motors).

[David Allred]

The AC pump should look like an inductor to your test meter. If it is indeed showing an open circuit then something is wrong. Most AC motors have brushes, and I would suspect the brushes are bad, causing the open reading. I'd start there. Replacement brush kits are pretty common (they even sell them for Dremel motors).

These pumps are solenoid type.  Basically an electro-magnet and a spring. 

[Nimrod Webber]

These pumps are solenoid type.  Basically an electro-magnet and a spring.

If this is indeed a solenoid pump these usually include a diode in series with the coil, so they operate on only half of the AC supply (pulsating DC @ 60Hz in the US)
The coil can be tested with a multimeter in diode mode. Switch the probes around if you read open in one direction.
The pump can also be tested by connecting directly to the mains supply (make sure it is rated to the mains voltage)

 

[David Allred]

If this is indeed a solenoid pump these usually include a diode in series with the coil, so they operate on only half of the AC supply (DC actually), thus run at 30Hz (in the US)
The coil can be tested with a multimeter in diode mode. Switch the probes around if you read open in one direction.
The pump can also be tested by connecting directly to the mains supply (make sure it is rated to the mains voltage)

 

I found an old 120vac solenoid pump (working, but not pumping) from a previous repair of a fog machine.  I stuck the leads into a wall outlet and it buzzed as normal.  I connected this pump to the PCB leads and the pump responded to the pulse cycles as normal.  So this confirmed that the control is good and the pump had completely failed.  New pump ordered. 
I received a reply from Antari.  They asked me what country I was in.  I replied US.  They replied that the machine runs off 120vac.  ha ha. Thanks Antari for that inciteful response.  And it only took 3 days to get that conclusion.

[ProSoundWeb Community]