Storing dock circulators

Eagle54 · 05-07-2016, 03:29 PM

Now that its time to store dock circulators for the summer, I'm looking for advice on the best method. I have had people tell me to disconnect it and leave it under the dock for the summer so gaskets don't dry out. Others have said to take it out of the water and spray it with WD-40 so it doesn't dry out (and doesn't get the algae, etc from leaving it in the water). The unit I have is an Aquatherm bottom unit, with a PVC-like frame holding the motor/propeller.
Thank you for any advice or recommendations.

Cobalt · 05-07-2016, 06:47 PM

I was told to leave the pump in the water to prevent the seals from drying out.

Initially, I separated the pumps from the frames and stored the pumps in a bucket of water. I have two pumps mounted on metal frames which have become rusted over the years. The pumps are about twelve years old, and for the last nine or ten years, I disconnected the power and leave the complete units under the dock.

Both units are still running fine, and I only needed to replace the occasional plastic propeller.

Hope this helps.

RUGMAN · 05-07-2016, 09:19 PM

based on the type I have , I was told by Water mark to keep it in the water. It is a well pump that likes to stay wet. Being my first year I plan to store mine under my dock.unless someone has a better idea.

Bear Islander · 05-07-2016, 11:35 PM

Take it out of the water and store it upside-down so that the oil inside gets to the seals. The seals need to be oiled, not watered.

That is what the manufacturer recommends.

Eagle54 · 05-08-2016, 08:26 AM

Thanks to all that replied; I will try the upside down storage - that does make sense that keeping oil on the gaskets would be better than water. I may also spray the unit with oil to keep the bolts, etc from corroding, unless anyone thinks thats a bad idea.

Barney Bear · 05-08-2016, 10:23 AM

Our contractor always stores the circulator upside down for the reason given above. 🐻

Outdoorsman · 05-08-2016, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eagle54

Thanks to all that replied; I will try the upside down storage - that does make sense that keeping oil on the gaskets would be better than water. I may also spray the unit with oil to keep the bolts, etc from corroding, unless anyone thinks thats a bad idea.

I would imagine the bolts are stainless steel to prevent rusting, but don't quote me on that. I can't imagine it being a bad idea either.

meredith weekender · 05-08-2016, 01:20 PM

When we bought our new circulator 3 or 4 years ago. The manufacturers instructions stated to store the unit upside down in a dry location.

PaugusBayFireFighter · 05-08-2016, 02:20 PM

I have two Powerhose Ice Eaters that I store prop pointing down. I clean them and that's about it. Here's a screenshot of their maintenance instructions.

SAB1 · 05-09-2016, 10:20 AM

Ours have always been stored under the dock. Havent been out of the water since the day they went in.

Boat Doc · 05-13-2016, 12:50 PM

Be careful with how you store a circulator...if you have an oil filled motor, such as KASCO or ICE EATER, you should store them prop-down to keep oil on the seal, however, if you have a "Bottom-Mount" (such as Watermark or Aquatherm) which use a well pump style motor, you should store them in the water to keep the seals wet. Most people leave this type under their docks out of the way.

05-07-2016, 03:29 PM	#1
Eagle54 Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 32 Thanks: 10 Thanked 10 Times in 8 Posts	Storing dock circulators Now that its time to store dock circulators for the summer, I'm looking for advice on the best method. I have had people tell me to disconnect it and leave it under the dock for the summer so gaskets don't dry out. Others have said to take it out of the water and spray it with WD-40 so it doesn't dry out (and doesn't get the algae, etc from leaving it in the water). The unit I have is an Aquatherm bottom unit, with a PVC-like frame holding the motor/propeller. Thank you for any advice or recommendations.

05-08-2016, 08:26 AM	#5
Eagle54 Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 32 Thanks: 10 Thanked 10 Times in 8 Posts	Good feedback Thanks to all that replied; I will try the upside down storage - that does make sense that keeping oil on the gaskets would be better than water. I may also spray the unit with oil to keep the bolts, etc from corroding, unless anyone thinks thats a bad idea.

05-08-2016, 10:23 AM	#6
Barney Bear Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 962 Thanks: 495 Thanked 273 Times in 174 Posts	Ally Oop Our contractor always stores the circulator upside down for the reason given above. 🐻

05-08-2016, 02:20 PM	#9
PaugusBayFireFighter Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 837 Thanks: 361 Thanked 674 Times in 264 Posts	I have two Powerhose Ice Eaters that I store prop pointing down. I clean them and that's about it. Here's a screenshot of their maintenance instructions. Attached Images

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05-07-2016, 06:47 PM	#2
Cobalt Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 130 Thanks: 70 Thanked 33 Times in 25 Posts	I was told to leave the pump in the water to prevent the seals from drying out. Initially, I separated the pumps from the frames and stored the pumps in a bucket of water. I have two pumps mounted on metal frames which have become rusted over the years. The pumps are about twelve years old, and for the last nine or ten years, I disconnected the power and leave the complete units under the dock. Both units are still running fine, and I only needed to replace the occasional plastic propeller. Hope this helps.

05-07-2016, 09:19 PM	#3
RUGMAN Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: weirs beach, Posts: 281 Thanks: 37 Thanked 39 Times in 32 Posts	based on the type I have , I was told by Water mark to keep it in the water. It is a well pump that likes to stay wet. Being my first year I plan to store mine under my dock.unless someone has a better idea.

05-07-2016, 11:35 PM	#4
Bear Islander Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bear Island Posts: 1,757 Thanks: 31 Thanked 429 Times in 203 Posts	Take it out of the water and store it upside-down so that the oil inside gets to the seals. The seals need to be oiled, not watered. That is what the manufacturer recommends.

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Bear Islander For This Useful Post:
Barney Bear (05-08-2016), Eagle54 (05-08-2016)

05-08-2016, 01:20 PM	#8
meredith weekender Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Meredith / Manchester Posts: 373 Thanks: 87 Thanked 83 Times in 56 Posts	When we bought our new circulator 3 or 4 years ago. The manufacturers instructions stated to store the unit upside down in a dry location.

05-09-2016, 10:20 AM	#10
SAB1 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Tuftonboro Posts: 1,165 Thanks: 182 Thanked 297 Times in 220 Posts	Ours have always been stored under the dock. Havent been out of the water since the day they went in.

05-13-2016, 12:50 PM	#11
Boat Doc Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 14 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Be careful with how you store a circulator...if you have an oil filled motor, such as KASCO or ICE EATER, you should store them prop-down to keep oil on the seal, however, if you have a "Bottom-Mount" (such as Watermark or Aquatherm) which use a well pump style motor, you should store them in the water to keep the seals wet. Most people leave this type under their docks out of the way.

The Following User Says Thank You to Boat Doc For This Useful Post:
raydoe1 (05-20-2016)