Question 1

The 32w pump i bought 5 months ago has developed a high pitch whine/chirp in the last month. what is it, and is it something i can fix?

Accepted Answer

Here is what I did (from my review on this item):
1.  Tighten all screws (NOTE:  it seemed to me all the holes in the aluminum casting where a bit sloppy, so I loaded each external screw with Teflon Tape, and reinstalled them).
2.  Add Teflon Tape to the Brass nozzle barb (that also felt loose to me).
3.  Remove the Rear Air Filter, and the 4 screws holding the Piston in place (See Picture).
4.  Wrap some Teflon Tape around the ball bearing installed.  It seemed to me this was where the rattle was coming from.  I think the bearing is a little small, or there is more slope in the holes than needed.  This cause a slight harmonic rattle.
5.  Wrap tape (optional) on the screws holding both the rear plate and the air filter housing, and reinstall.
6.  Run your pump and see if the rattle goes away.

A couple notes, most people seem to pinch off their air supplies to only provide the air they need, but this pump isn't a pressure control pump, so it's going to run, regardless of how much air can flow.  The better method is to bleed off the excess air you don't need.  Take one of your 6 ports (or any other place you want install a bleed valve) and use that valve to bleed off the excess air.   My method:

1.  Connect all airlines and components you want.   
2.  Open any flow controls 100%
3.  Open your bleed valve (either one of the  6 provided, or someone other valve) 100%
4.  Turn on the Pjmp
5.   Start to pinch off the Bleed Valve slowly until you get the air flow out of your connected devices.
6.  Adjust any local flow valves as needed to balance out air between various components (i.e. Air Stones, Sponge Filters, etc.).
7.  If needed close the bleed valve as required.  There should be some air coming out the bleed valve, unless all your devices need 100% of the supplied air.
8.  NOTE:  If you have more air then you need, take your bleed air, and redirect it back at the pump, and use that excess air to help cool the pump.  This will do two (2) things, keep your pump a little, cooler and reduce the load on the pump.

If this helps, I would be curious to hear the results.

Question 2

Is it loud?

Accepted Answer

I've had the 32w size (950 GPH for a couple months and wish I'd returned it... I have it in the next room - inside a foam-dampened HD plastic bin, mounted on a piece of plywood inside the box that itself is put onto styro, and I can *still* hear it in the next room as I write this... through a closed door and another partially closed door. So yes, quite loud!

Question 3

Has anyone else noticed this pump generating so much heat that it actively heats the water?

Accepted Answer

Mine is about 25 feet away, so no heating issue

Question 4

Can i run this pump on 240 volts instead of 120?

Accepted Answer

No, it's a 120v component.

ASIN	B0BG2BT9RX
Air Flow Capacity	20 Liters Per Minute
Best Sellers Rank	#6,963 in Pet Supplies ( See Top 100 in Pet Supplies ) #10 in Aquarium Air Pumps
Brand	VIVOSUN
Brand Name	VIVOSUN
Color	Black and silver
Customer Reviews	4.3 out of 5 stars 213 Reviews
Included Components	Air Pump
Item Dimensions L x W x H	5.59"L x 3.35"W x 3.94"H
Item Type Name	Air Pump
Manufacturer	VIVOSUN
Material	Aluminum
Material Type	Aluminum
Maximum Pressure	0.29 Pound per Square Inch
Operation Mode	Automatic
Power Source	Corded Electric
Product Dimensions	5.59"L x 3.35"W x 3.94"H
Unit Count	1.0 Count
Warranty Description	1 year

VIVOSUN 317GPH Commercial Air Pump 15W 6 Outlet 20 L/Min for Aquarium and Hydroponic Systems

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