Funny question about pumps

[crosstiger]

If I would switch the 12v and ground pin on a pump, would it spin in the opposite direction?

[Praxis727]

Depends on the pump.  Some can operate at bother polarities and some are made just to have a one directional feed.

 

[crosstiger]

And a pump that's not designed to run in both directions would simply not turn on?

[unknownmiscreant]

46 minutes ago, Praxis727 said:

Depends on the pump.  Some can operate at bother polarities and some are made just to have a one directional feed.

It won't.

 

Most pumps that are worth buying are brush less DC motors. This means there is a microcontroller in the pump that is alternately driving at least two coils spaced evenly around the impeller. The microcontroller will not operate if fed reverse voltage or worst case scenario it will break.

 

If you have a cheap pump with a brushed DC motor ofc it will spin the impeller backwards, but it likely will not move much fluid and the little it does move will be forwards.

 

Bottom line, I wouldn't try.

[RollinLower]

1 minute ago, unknownmiscreant said:

It won't.

 

Most pumps that are worth buying are brush less DC motors. This means there is a microcontroller in the pump that is alternately driving at least two coils spaced evenly around the impeller. The microcontroller will not operate if fed reverse voltage or worst case scenario it will break.

 

If you have a cheap pump with a brushed DC motor ofc it will spin the impeller backwards, but it likely will not move much fluid and the little it does move will be forwards.

 

Bottom line, I wouldn't try.

especially if it's an D5 style 'centrifugal' pump. those things will only work with a 1 directional flow.

[crosstiger]

5 minutes ago, unknownmiscreant said:

It won't.

 

Most pumps that are worth buying are brush less DC motors. This means there is a microcontroller in the pump that is alternately driving at least two coils spaced evenly around the impeller. The microcontroller will not operate if fed reverse voltage or worst case scenario it will break.

 

If you have a cheap pump with a brushed DC motor ofc it will spin the impeller backwards, but it likely will not move much fluid and the little it does move will be forwards.

 

Bottom line, I wouldn't try.

That makes sense. Tanks!

[unknownmiscreant]

3 minutes ago, RollinLower said:

especially if it's an D5 style 'centrifugal' pump. those things will only work with a 1 directional flow.

Yeah, that and the DDC are what I primarily based my answer off.

 

Brushless is preferable in pumps, as it means the impeller is driven via magnetic coupling, so there is no spinning shaft to seal. Cheap things off ebay etc may or may not be brushless, idk. Ive never looked into them.

 

Although I have blown up a fan from reverse voltage in the past. But most are fine with it, can't speak for pumps though.