Ways to Maintain Your Pump

If a solar bore pump is running smoothly, users are not particularly worried about service and maintenance. It is when it starts to show signs of problems that people turn their attention to such things. Here are some easy ways to keep your pump serviced for smooth functioning.

Observe

If you haven’t observed your pump before, it’s never too late to start. Stand by and watch as it runs. Look out for leaks, vibrations, sounds and odors. If there is nothing out of the ordinary, then your pump is in good working condition. If you note anything unusual, then your pump may be needing a prompt repair.

Determine the Servicing Frequency

How often do you service your pump? Is it in keeping with the service guidelines of the manufacturer? Check the last date of servicing. If you have been maintaining a normal schedule of repair and maintenance, you are set. If not, schedule a service soon. The best time to get it looked at by a certified technician is when it’s down. Otherwise, keep a healthy frequency of maintenance to make your pump last long.

Adopt Caution

Safety comes first. So make sure you turn off the system, detach it from all power sources before you get on to inspecting it. Any maintenance or checkups should be preceded by proper isolation of the system. This applies to all electric, solar and hydraulic models. The machine should not be touched or examined while it is running or even attached to a power source.

Inspect the Mechanics

The mechanical inspection involves a couple of steps. First you want to see that the mounting points on all sides are perfectly secured. How about the packing and sealing? Do they look fine to you? Look for signs of frays and leaks. The flanges are where leaks are common. Use a flashlight to inspect those points. Lastly, check the filters for clogging. If they seem old and dirty, replace them with new ones. If they only look cloggy, clean them with a garden hose.

Inspect the Motor

You don’t have to have an engineer’s skills to do this. Anybody who has used a pump before can inspect the motor for signs of degradation. First, look at the terminations. You want to make sure they are all tight. Next, look at the motor vents. There should be some dust buildups at the windings and vents. These need to be cleaned from time to time. Check the manual for cleaning instructions.

Lubrication 

                 

Keeping your machine well-oiled is the secret to a long-lasting pump. There should be lubrication guidelines in the users’ manual. Lubricate your pump from time to time, but don’t overdo it. Over-lubrication can damage the bearing just as under-lubrication can. One quick tip to manage excess lubrication is to take off the vent cap while running the machine the first half an hour. This will clear out the excess grease buildup.