I am pleased to report that the aeration pump rebuild project has been completed. Thanks to the aeration committee, Michael Brodie, Glen Sackman, Dave Clausen and Marv Marshall – special thanks to Glen for taking the lead and completing this project!
Following is a transcript of the activities:
09/12/2012 (from Marv):
The aeration committee, Michael Brodie, Glen Sackman, Dave Clausen and I met today with Brian Spangler and Mark Stanley of the DNR. at 10 a.m. on September 12th. Seven lines are pumping air, and the other is capped off for now.
Michael used his kayak to check on the air bubbles and determine that the line floating up by the second float on the left side was not attached to anything, and it was removed.
Glen , Michael , and Dave drove in from home just to be there for the 2 hours meeting with the DNR and then Glen, Michael and I spent another half hour removing the 4 pumps. Glen had offered to take the pumps home, clean them up, replace the graphite vanes and the o ring and gasket if necessary. He is appalled at the $104.44 cost of 4 vanes, plus shipping and taxes too probably. He is going to shop the internet to see whether he can get the cheaper as they were only about $30 back about 5 years ago. Glen will buy the parts and we will reimburse him. What good neighbors and volunteers! Michael says he will help him, and the pumps are in the Twin Cities already. It is a lot better to get them all repaired in the summer-fall weather than wait til freeze-up. Glen also has a print out of the manual pages involved,
I got a sample of the pole they recommend with a small float pounded on it, the black marker they recommend tied to the top of each 5th pole, and their reflectors. We felt our bottle float was bigger, better, and cheaper for our existing poles The reflector was a corrugated plastic with one orange side that was held in place by the plastic strips we are currently using. The 3M reflector tape would be a good, but expensive, addition on our present poles and reflectors.
Glen also will spray the top of the shed with a product called “Spray and Forget” for moss which has accumulated on both upper sides of the roof. It will kill the moss and help preserve the shingles He noted about 3 tiles that needs to be re-tarred, but the present roof does not appear to be leaking.
It was a very good day!
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09/12/2012 (from DNR):
Hello Marv,
Here’s a summary of the repairs made on 9/12/2012 by Largon lake district members and WDNR Barron Fisheries management staff.
Largon Lake members in attendance were: Marv Marshall, Michael Brodie, Dave Clausen, Glen Sackman. WDNR staff: Fisheries technicians Brian Spangler and Mark Stanley
Repairs made to the system are as follows:
- Pump 1: Ran lines to locate floating portions and reattached rebar with electrical zip ties to re-sink the lines by boat.
- Pump 2: Ran pumps and lines and everything is still functioning properly since our initial recon/inspection trip.
- Pump 3: Ran pump and determined that problem with plugged line was a valve issue in the shed. Valves were adjusted and both lines are now functioning properly.
- Pump 4: Ran pump and located air leak at a splice connection on line 1. Attached a hose clamp that was missing and tightened up eliminating the leak. (Note, since the line could not be pulled up to the surface to work on both Mark and Brian got really wet while making this repair since we were at the top of waders and working “blind” underwater by feel to complete the repairs)
- Line 2 had been pulled apart and unfortunately we were unable to locate the end of the line to reattach. Line was capped off and tied to shore to facilitate retrieval and reattachment and layout of a new line replacement line next summer.
- In addition, we located an additional floating line that was not attached to shore and were able to remove this from the lake. Not sure if this is an old line leftover from an earlier system renovation or the missing line on pump 4. The section wasn’t near the pump 4 lines and not long enough so most likely this was left over from an earlier renovation.
Brian and Mark trained Largon lake members on a pump repair and vane replacement procedures utilizing an old pump as a demonstration model. Also supplied copy of an owners manual for the pumps, parts list and prices from Aquatic Eco systems for ordering replacement parts and a copy of the manual code on barrier fence requirements.
Currently the system is ready for winter, however Largon lake members determined that they were going to take the functioning pumps apart to inspect the vanes since it has been quite a few years since vanes were replaced.
I noticed one other thing that you will need to keep an eye on, with the low water levels, is the potential for the lines freezing up at the air water interface because a portion of the line is exposed where it enters the water now. One way to potentially avoid this problem. Is to run the pumps frequently(weekly), at ice up, just enough until the lines blow clear to keep water out of the lines.
It was good to meet with your group and train you on pump repairs. If you have any questions or need additional assistance please call or email me and I’ll keep you posted in the future on dissolved oxygen monitoring during the winter months.
Thanks for your help.
Brian W. Spangler
Advanced Fisheries Technician
Barron and Polk Counties
127 S. 4th St. Barron, Wisconsin 54812
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
phone: (715) 637-6861
fax: (715) 537-3246
e-mail: brian.spangler@wisconsin.gov
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09/18/2012 (from Glen):
I disassembled the (4) pumps last week with the following findings:
1) The pump manufacture is: Gast Model 0823-101Q-G608X not Sweetwater AQ5.
2) Two pumps had manifold gaskets installed improperly resulting in air leakage.
3) One pump had a broken outlet pipe resulting in air leakage.
4) Carbon vanes in all pumps were worn greater than 50% and some were chipped.
5) Vane length from wear was different in each pump with possibility of stuck vanes due to corrosion in the vane chambers. This would result in inefficient air output.
6) Input air filters were clogged with debris.
I purchased the repair kits yesterday at Midwest Machine Tool Supply in Fridley. They were cheaper than what I could find on the internet even though I had to pay sales tax. ($90.33 + tax each)
I’m in the process of cleaning units and should have done this week. I had to wire a 220 volt plug in my pole shed so I can adjust and test run the pumps.
I have been researching and consulting with the pump manufactures and distributors on what could be done to eliminate the rust in the vane chambers which is caused by setting idle during the hot humid summer months. The rust build up in the chambers is damaging to the carbon vanes and can reduce the life and efficiency of the pumps.
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09/19/2012 (from Marv):
Glen stopped by to get a key for the pump house on 9-19-12. Mike and Glen will meet and replace the worn vanes on Thursday of this week. Glen was able to buy the vanes locally.
He plans on bringing the assembled pumps back to the pump house on Saturday and re-installing them. He recommends putting a shut off valve in front and back of each pump. That way when the pumps are shut off in the spring, the valves can by closed and minimize the chances of rust in the pumps. Good idea! Glen also fixed the shingles, sprayed for moss, and recommends that the shingles be replaced in the spring. Glen has really stepped up to the plate on this Largon Lake problem!
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09/22/2012 (from Glen):
The pumps have been rebuilt, re-installed and operational.
I have enclosed the following:
– (2) expense receipts
– specification/operating procedure/maintenance sheet
I will laminate a copy and put in pump house.
I also took the (3) old pumps home and will attempt to salvage a back-up pump if needed.
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10/06/2012 (from Glen):
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Some great pictures compliments Marv.
Thanks much, guys!