Nitrile impeller and antifreeze

[mike66]

Does anyone know if a nitrile impeller can be safely stored with RV antifreeze in the pump? I've read about and experienced some softening of my rubber impellers after winter storage. My gen impeller is a bear to get to, so I'd rather not remove it after running antifreeze through. Any thoughts?

[jleonard]

I leave my impellers in and it hasn't seem to have affected them.

[mike66]

How long do yours last? I usually change mine every 2 years, and they usually have small tears and a loss of spring compared to new. This year I got one year out of the westerbeke impeller; it lost a vane.

[jleonard]

I usually change every 2 years. Never saw a cracked vane or a tear. Yes they are less resilient as I would expect.
I use either Jabsco or Johnson impellers in my Lehman, Jabsco or OEM in my Westerbeke generator. I also don't buy too far ahead. I carry one spare for each and use the spare for replacement and then buy a new spare.

[mike66]

Thanks. That's pretty much my routine too. If I can find a nitrile replacement for the Westerbeke, I'll give it a shot. Removing the sound cover and crawling around to the pump is getting old (and so am I). Even another year's use would be worth it.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=we ... 1&_sacat=0

Update: Just ordered, guess I'll give it a try.

[jleonard]

I never used a globe impeller. A friend used one once and it burned up in about 6 seconds so I shy away from them even though they claim they can run dry.

By the way, according to my chemical compatibility chart (by Shurflo products) propylene glycol is compatible with nitrile, epdm, silicone, and viton which are basically all the seal materials.

[mike66]

Thanks for that list.
The Globe impeller came today. One of the more interesting things is the compatability list on the package and the listing. I could never find a subsitute for the Westerbeke boxed one, and now it seems there are quite a few that will fit (hopefully at <$). Anyway, I won't know how this new one works for another year, so if I'm still around an update will be posted.