A few weeks back my used Iwaki MD40RLXT started to sound like a vacuum cleaner. After a long review of other models with similar flowrates I chose the Blueline based on the following: low noise output, low/no heat transfer, flowrate, low energy consumption, and most of all relatively low cost.
I ordered the pump from Champion Lighting for $139 + $10 S/H. Champion Lighting is the only distributor. Being one of my least favorite vendors this was certainly a consideration. Questions were not answered completely or quickly and I did not expect good customer service if there was a problem.
When I received the pump and I was surprised to see it was not a Blueline. The true manufacturer of the pump is C-A0, model NT-70. Champion/Blueline didn't even attempt to hide this and the label clearly states that it is a C-A0 pump. I asked Champion about this but never got a reponse. After double-checking with other Blueline pump users I felt sure that this was not a mistake and that I was not sent the wrong pump.
The inlet and outlets on this pressure rated pump are 3/4". I used a 3/4" -> 1" adapter and ran it through 1" PVC. I am using the pump via a bulkhead to drive my chiller (which is 5' away) and my skimmer. As with my Iwaki I use a gatevalve to scale back the flow in order to maintain the proper water level internally for the skimmer. I had a noise issue when I first started the pump up. It was making a vibration which did not sound healthy. It turned out this was because my old bulkhead was mounted slightly slower than the intake causing the pump to be at a slight angle. Once this was fixed the pump was relatively quiet. Not as quiet as my Iwaki MD30RLXT but a good less noisy than the fan-cooled MD40.
Overall, my chiller and skimmer have been performing very well since the installation of my "Blueline" 1100 pump. Considering the 10'+ of horizontal plumbing for the chiller and the gatevalve on the skimmer I would say this pump is performing extremely well. Unlike many manufacturers, I think you can trust the flow chart shown on Champion's sight which is taken directly from the real manufacturer, C-A0. The noise factor is certainly decent and I have noticed no heat transfer. Energy consumption was measured in another thread by dbernard and is shown here:
1.09A 118V measured using a ammeter clamp
1.09A 118V measured using a Wavetek 27xt multimeter
1.12A 118V measure using a Fluke 87 multimeter
All in all I think this is a good pump at a good price. I wish another distributor would contact C-A0 and distribute them in Northern America and I would add a star to the rating. Nonetheless, if you are considering an Iwaki MD30 or MD40, Dolphin 2100, GRI 518, Velocity T4, LG 3or4, or GenX take a look at the C-A0. I would not expect much in the way of customer service, but for the price its worth the gamble. I give this pump:
I ordered the pump from Champion Lighting for $139 + $10 S/H. Champion Lighting is the only distributor. Being one of my least favorite vendors this was certainly a consideration. Questions were not answered completely or quickly and I did not expect good customer service if there was a problem.
When I received the pump and I was surprised to see it was not a Blueline. The true manufacturer of the pump is C-A0, model NT-70. Champion/Blueline didn't even attempt to hide this and the label clearly states that it is a C-A0 pump. I asked Champion about this but never got a reponse. After double-checking with other Blueline pump users I felt sure that this was not a mistake and that I was not sent the wrong pump.
The inlet and outlets on this pressure rated pump are 3/4". I used a 3/4" -> 1" adapter and ran it through 1" PVC. I am using the pump via a bulkhead to drive my chiller (which is 5' away) and my skimmer. As with my Iwaki I use a gatevalve to scale back the flow in order to maintain the proper water level internally for the skimmer. I had a noise issue when I first started the pump up. It was making a vibration which did not sound healthy. It turned out this was because my old bulkhead was mounted slightly slower than the intake causing the pump to be at a slight angle. Once this was fixed the pump was relatively quiet. Not as quiet as my Iwaki MD30RLXT but a good less noisy than the fan-cooled MD40.
Overall, my chiller and skimmer have been performing very well since the installation of my "Blueline" 1100 pump. Considering the 10'+ of horizontal plumbing for the chiller and the gatevalve on the skimmer I would say this pump is performing extremely well. Unlike many manufacturers, I think you can trust the flow chart shown on Champion's sight which is taken directly from the real manufacturer, C-A0. The noise factor is certainly decent and I have noticed no heat transfer. Energy consumption was measured in another thread by dbernard and is shown here:
1.09A 118V measured using a ammeter clamp
1.09A 118V measured using a Wavetek 27xt multimeter
1.12A 118V measure using a Fluke 87 multimeter
All in all I think this is a good pump at a good price. I wish another distributor would contact C-A0 and distribute them in Northern America and I would add a star to the rating. Nonetheless, if you are considering an Iwaki MD30 or MD40, Dolphin 2100, GRI 518, Velocity T4, LG 3or4, or GenX take a look at the C-A0. I would not expect much in the way of customer service, but for the price its worth the gamble. I give this pump:
