Swiftec Pump - Mounting Orientation?

Nem · 18 Oct 2009 at 22:45

Hi I've got this pump for my water system:

Swiftech Laing D5 Vario MCP655 12V DC Pump

Just wondering if anyone knows any reason I can't mount it on it's side, rather than upright with the baseplace on the floor of a case?

Thanks.

JonJ678 · 18 Oct 2009 at 23:01

If you mounted it with the intake downwards I think you'd have issues; the laing ddc can be mounted any orientation except intake down. So if the internals are similar, which I *think* they are, you'll be fine with it on its side.

I think this is related to the pump tending to push water out more than draw water in, intake from below puts too much faith in the cohesion of water. I'd be interested if anyone knows the specifics though, and will watch this thread to see if I'm wrong.

Please don't try this until someone more confident replies

Nem · 18 Oct 2009 at 23:03

Just been reading a thread on another forum about this and it seems to back up what you say about it being fine bar having the inlet facing down.

I'll have the inlet in the same position as standard, but the outlet pointing towards the case side instead of the case roof.

Thanks.

WJA96 · 19 Oct 2009 at 00:13

The only orientation you can't mount it in is with the motor upmost. Anything else is fine.

Bubo · 19 Oct 2009 at 09:10

With the DDC I think the reason for not mounting it with the inlet downwards is because the impeller is able to drop out of the motor so to speak whilst it is running and catch on the casing. The impeller in these pumps is only supported at one end, the motor end, and if it anything like my aquarium pump there is nothing physically holding the impeller in place, such that it us able to float up and down. The weight of the impeller keeps it sitting nicely when the pump is in its normal orientation, but turn it upside down and the opposite happens. On its side there is no resultant force either way so it should be ok. I assume the same would apply to the D5.

JonJ678 · 19 Oct 2009 at 11:44

You may well be right Bubo, especially about the D5 which I've never seen in pieces. However the impeller in the ddc is held in place by a magnet, as well as by mass. With the top half removed you can definitely turn it upside down, and it's fairly difficult to pull the impeller away from the bearing. That said, I've not been brave enough to turn it on with the top half removed, and the impeller may well fly out if I did so.

shadowscotland · 19 Oct 2009 at 12:04

WJA96 said:
The only orientation you can't mount it in is with the motor upmost. Anything else is fine.

As WJA said - and it's held inplace by magnets (do not run without top)
good shot of the impella with the EK aftermarket top