Condensation pump on furnace

[Cheese]

The condensation pump on the furnace was making some bad sounds so I decided to replace it after 8 years of service. This is what the inside looked like. It's a very slimy liquid, very mucousy in nature. It just clings to every item on the bottom of the pump. It doesn't smell but it sure is horrific to look at. I now need to examine the condensate pumps on the Honeywell dehumidifier & Rinnai tankless water heater.

Has anyone seen this nasty stuff before?

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[Bob D.]

Looks like it has the color of iron oxide in it. Which may come from exposed steel parts in the damp environment of the pump reservoir. I've seen similar slime develop in past condensate pumps.

Last time one of mine died I bought this because it was the only one I could get on short notice. Found it on Amazon with delivery the next day, I did not find a pump locally but I'll admit I didn't search every plumbing supply house in the area.

This pump automatically self-cleans (which you can initiate manually if you want) among it's many other features. It will sense when it has not been run in a while and perform a clean cycle. There is no float switch to beak or jam. It has an audible alarm for malfunctions. And many other features.

I normally keep a spare on the shelf so if one craps out I have a spare on hand and I'm ready to deal with it 24/7. When I bought this I was looking for one to replace my spare that I was going to put in service then when I found this I said leave that Utilitech pump on the shelf, I'm going with the Diversitech pump now. The form factor is identical to the Utiltech pump. The hanger lugs, connections, etc are all the same so an easy swap out.

I am happy with my choice as it has been performing flawlessly for almost a year now. I will buy another soon as it is time to replace the other condensate pump which is getting noisy and on its last legs.
https://www.diversitech.com/en-US/i...ment/condensate-pumps/clearvue™-pump--IQP-120

 

[bobtskutter]

I'm in the UK and I think what you're showing is a condensate pump from a gas condensing boiler.
It's normal in the UK for these boilers to have a U type liquid seal (similar to the U bend on a toilet).
Dirt from the atmosphere accumulates on the heat exchanger inside your boiler and then the condensate washes it into the sump / U-bend.
In the UK, the sump / U-bend  is cleaned on the annual boiler service.
Has your condensate sump ever been cleaned in 8 years?
You may want to the have the heat exchanger on your boiler cleaned.
regards
Bob

 

[Cheese]

Looks like it has the color of iron oxide in it. Which may come from exposed steel parts in the damp environment of the pump reservoir. I've seen similar slime develop in past condensate pumps.

Thanks for the pump info Bob...from the ClearVue brochure:

"ClearVue even senses when water has remained stagnant in the tank for extended periods of time and will run a complete tank drain to reduce buildup and slime growth in the tank."

It sounds like that's a common occurrence [sad] so I'll be checking the 2 other condensation pumps.

That ClearVue product seems pretty nice and it isn't that much more expensive than the Little Giant pumps I installed. I'm going to order one and try it out.  [smile] 

The tank drain option would be especially nice for the Honeywell dehumidifier as it only runs during the heating season. Shut down the dehumidifier and push the tank drain button...done.

 

[mino]

That looks wonderful!

Do you have a recipe?
Did you use chocolate or cocoa icing?

 

[Crazyraceguy]

Now I need to go look at mine.  [eek]
I have only had this furnace for 2 winters and everything has been great. This is the first one I have had that requires a condensate pump.