Transfer Pump

[wineview]

Moderator (Bryan) Note: The transfer pump discussion is a good one, but way off topic from the AiO pump, so I moved the discussion to its own thread.

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Still a deal breaker for me, I can accomplish racking with a transfer pump and don't have to move the carboys at all. Prior to bottling, I rack into a bottling bucket that has a spigot so bottling is a very simple operation.

What kind of transfer pump are you referring to. I also use a bottling bucket with spigot.

 

[winemaker81]

Still a deal breaker for me, I can accomplish racking with a transfer pump and don't have to move the carboys at all. Years ago, moving and lifting carboys was not so difficult, even so, I did drop and break one. Now, at 81 years old, moving carboys, even the miniscule distance from counter to dolly is more than I care to risk. Prior to bottling, I rack into a bottling bucket that has a spigot so bottling is a very simple operation. I don't stand while filling bottles, I sit. FWIW, I make 12-14 kits a year.

I purchased a transfer pump a few years ago, as it met all my needs, one of which is racking large batches in/out of Brutes, things a vacuum pump won't work for. I spoke with Steve and was VERY tempted to buy the AiO, but the barreled wines are the bulk of my production, so it wasn't going to work out.

I also have a couple of demijohns (54, 25 liter), which can't handle the regular pressure. Steve has a solution for that, which steps down the pressure, although I'm too nervous to do that with 14.5 gallons of wine ...

Anyone who isn't sure, talk to Steve. He's helpful and may have an answer for a perceived problem.

Funny, I keep coming back to the AiO, and everything indicates it makes bottling much easier, and I do have carboys, e.g., right now we have eight 19/23 liter carboys full. I have to watch the budget, but I keep looking at them ...

What kind of transfer pump are you referring to. I also use a bottling bucket with spigot.

I have this one:

https://labelpeelers.com/equipment/pumps-and-filters/super-transfer-pump-w-prefilter/

It works very well. However, ya gotta ensure all connections are tight, especially the pre-filter. If there is a leak anywhere, it won't pump.

When done with a usage, I pump 3 to 5 gallons of warm water through the pump to ensure it's clean. If left gunky, it won't seal internally and it won't pump.

 

[BarrelMonkey]

Anyone who isn't sure, talk to Steve. He's helpful and may have an answer for a perceived problem.

I don't have the AiO system but have Steve's free run tube and from my experience I concur that his products and service are very good. I could have probably made the FR tube myself for a bit less, but to be honest the quality is better than I would have produced with my limited DIY skills.

I have this one:

https://labelpeelers.com/equipment/pumps-and-filters/super-transfer-pump-w-prefilter/

It works very well. However, ya gotta ensure all connections are tight, especially the pre-filter. If there is a leak anywhere, it won't pump.

I have the same pump and it has served me well. I bought mine from Morewine and if you compare their picture with the link that @winemaker81 posted you'll see that the filter housings are different. I originally bought the version as shown in the labelpeelers picture, and the filter housing and filter were a pain to remove and replace. I upgraded to the new quick disconnect prefilter (morewine sells it as a standalone part) and it's much, much better. I use the filter for all wine transfers but for pumping free run out of newly fermented must I remove the filter and rely on the mesh from my free run tube to exclude wayward grape skins, etc. It's important not to get any large solids into the pump itself because it can clog the diaphragm.

As far as cleaning goes - I run peroxy solution through the system for a few minutes followed by tartaric rinse before and after every use.

 

[Bmd2k1]

I don't have the AiO system but have Steve's free run tube and from my experience I concur that his products and service are very good. I could have probably made the FR tube myself for a bit less, but to be honest the quality is better than I would have produced with my limited DIY skills.

I have the same pump and it has served me well. I bought mine from Morewine and if you compare their picture with the link that @winemaker81 posted you'll see that the filter housings are different. I originally bought the version as shown in the labelpeelers picture, and the filter housing and filter were a pain to remove and replace. I upgraded to the new quick disconnect prefilter (morewine sells it as a standalone part) and it's much, much better. I use the filter for all wine transfers but for pumping free run out of newly fermented must I remove the filter and rely on the mesh from my free run tube to exclude wayward grape skins, etc. It's important not to get any large solids into the pump itself because it can clog the diaphragm.

As far as cleaning goes - I run peroxy solution through the system for a few minutes followed by tartaric rinse before and after every use.

are you pumping from the top of the vessel or via a bottom spigot? If from top, what are you connecting to the tube to facilitate?

Cheers!

 

[wineview]

I purchased a transfer pump a few years ago, as it met all my needs, one of which is racking large batches in/out of Brutes, things a vacuum pump won't work for. I spoke with Steve and was VERY tempted to buy the AiO, but the barreled wines are the bulk of my production, so it wasn't going to work out.

I also have a couple of demijohns (54, 25 liter), which can't handle the regular pressure. Steve has a solution for that, which steps down the pressure, although I'm too nervous to do that with 14.5 gallons of wine ...

Anyone who isn't sure, talk to Steve. He's helpful and may have an answer for a perceived problem.

Funny, I keep coming back to the AiO, and everything indicates it makes bottling much easier, and I do have carboys, e.g., right now we have eight 19/23 liter carboys full. I have to watch the budget, but I keep looking at them ...


I have this one:

https://labelpeelers.com/equipment/pumps-and-filters/super-transfer-pump-w-prefilter/

It works very well. However, ya gotta ensure all connections are tight, especially the pre-filter. If there is a leak anywhere, it won't pump.

When done with a usage, I pump 3 to 5 gallons of warm water through the pump to ensure it's clean. If left gunky, it won't seal internally and it won't pump.

This is very interesting. Is the Label peelers pump the same as this one from The Vintage Shop? I watched some videos on this one. Seems very simple to use. The only difference I see is the filter seems a bit smaller. Not having ever seen one in the flesh, can you make a recommendation between the two? Are there features in one or the other I am not seeing?

https://search.app/Gb7bYJA7536HcRPJ7

 

[AFW]

I use the Everflow RV pump model # EFRV3000 it is 12v DC with 1/2 inch tubing. This is used to pump drinking water in an RV. Says it moves 3.0 GPM but it is slower than that. I had to use a 110 v AC converter to 12 v DC for the electric connection. I mounted the pump to a board and wired in a switch on the negative wire to turn it on and off without plugging and unplugging the plug. Simple DIY and I use it to pump from the floor up to counter height to a carboy or bucket for bottling. Use it to transfer my wine to rack into another vessel. I don’t use the small filter that comes with it because it will introduce air in the wine as been my experience.

 

[wineview]

I use the Everflow RV pump model # EFRV3000 it is 12v DC with 1/2 inch tubing. This is used to pump drinking water in an RV. Says it moves 3.0 GPM but it is slower than that. I had to use a 110 v AC converter to 12 v DC for the electric connection. I mounted the pump to a board and wired in a switch on the negative wire to turn it on and off without plugging and unplugging the plug. Simple DIY and I use it to pump from the floor up to counter height to a carboy or bucket for bottling. Use it to transfer my wine to rack into another vessel. I don’t use the small filter that comes with it because it will introduce air in the wine as been my experience.

Your setup sounds a lot more complicated than the link I posted. I watched a video demonstrating the power of the pump above. They ran water through 200 feet of tubing and up 15 feet off the floor and it pumped with no problem. I also like the quick disconnect feature on the pump. There is another version with a larger pre filter but you need a wrench to remove it. I’m guessing that is an older model.

 

[BarrelMonkey]

are you pumping from the top of the vessel or via a bottom spigot? If from top, what are you connecting to the tube to facilitate?

Cheers!

From the top - I use a racking cane on the inlet side of the pump which lets me get to the bottom of my kegs/carboys...

 

[BarrelMonkey]

This is very interesting. Is the Label peelers pump the same as this one from The Vintage Shop?

I'm pretty sure they are the same thing. I think Vintage shop is the brand and Super Transfer pump the name of the device?

The bigger prefilter (as in the Labelpeelers picture) is the old version. That was what came with my pump originally (I bought it from morewine). More recently they changed to the new prefilter which IMO is vastly better. If you're thinking of getting one I would strongly recommend making sure it comes with the new smaller prefilter.

 

[AFW]

Wineview, Not anymore complicated than the All in one or what you posted. I was just offering another option as there are some on here that like DIY. We are all doing the same thing just that we do some things with more flair .

 

[wineview]

I'm pretty sure they are the same thing. I think Vintage shop is the brand and Super Transfer pump the name of the device?

The bigger prefilter (as in the Labelpeelers picture) is the old version. That was what came with my pump originally (I bought it from morewine). More recently they changed to the new prefilter which IMO is vastly better. If you're thinking of getting one I would strongly recommend making sure it comes with the new smaller prefilter.

Those were my thoughts exactly. Quick disconnect

 

[winemaker81]

I bought mine from Morewine and if you compare their picture with the link that @winemaker81 posted you'll see that the filter housings are different.

My pre-filter is different from the one in the LabelPeelers picture. I'm guessing there are several models, and the pictures don't get updated.

I use the filter for all wine transfers but for pumping free run out of newly fermented must I remove the filter and rely on the mesh from my free run tube to exclude wayward grape skins, etc. It's important not to get any large solids into the pump itself because it can clog the diaphragm.

I created a racking jig with PVC wrapped in a fine bag. That keeps chunks out. However, I've noted that the pre-filter will get gummed up with the wine from the pressing. I've had to stop the pump, clean the pre-filter, and start again.

This is very interesting. Is the Label peelers pump the same as this one from The Vintage Shop? I watched some videos on this one. Seems very simple to use. The only difference I see is the filter seems a bit smaller. Not having ever seen one in the flesh, can you make a recommendation between the two? Are there features in one or the other I am not seeing?

The pictured item is the pre-filter on mine. I have no idea what the difference are.

 

[wineview]

My pre-filter is different from the one in the LabelPeelers picture. I'm guessing there are several models, and the pictures don't get updated.


I created a racking jig with PVC wrapped in a fine bag. That keeps chunks out. However, I've noted that the pre-filter will get gummed up with the wine from the pressing. I've had to stop the pump, clean the pre-filter, and start again.


The pictured item is the pre-filter on mine. I have no idea what the difference are.

Removing the larger pre filter that is on the side needs a plastic wrench to remove or if you have a strong grip it can be twisted by hand. The smaller pre filter that sits upright with a green tab, has a quick disconnect feature. I believe it’s an updated model.

 

[A14ES]

My setup: first racking: 0.6L round Cheese mold at the cane bottom to screen off skins, then peristaltic pump for transfer into 6 gal plastic carboy filed with N2/CO2 mixture. Second racking - both carboys filled with gas, both closures are connected with a gas transfer tube. The liquid is displacing gas from the second carboy into the first . My peristaltic pump is rather slow, 250mL/min, I am going to replace it with a 1000mL/min soon. I think this method is safer for retention of volatile components in the wine.

 

[Rice_Guy]

are you pumping from the top of the vessel or via a bottom spigot? If from top, what are you connecting to the tube to facilitate

There are two basic types of pumps. Self priming and ones you have to prime.

A pump you prime is a fairly common centrifugal blade. It will have a maximum head it can push or suck. They are fairly inexpensive and safe for equipment. A self priming pump like a peristaltic pump or a homogenization pump will operate with whatever you toss in the top of a carboy / stainless tank. They are more dangerous since they can suck enough to collapse a stainless tank or hoses etc. peristaltic aren’t too expensive and there are sizes which are compatible with 5 and 6 gallon carboys.

Setup? I have numerous racking canes and three foot long polyethylene tubes. I use short sections of silicone tube to join tubes to get from one elevation to another. The source usually is a rigid tube to accurately suck above the lees.

 

[Sailor323]

Moderator (Bryan) Note: The transfer pump discussion is a good one, but way off topic from the AiO pump, so I moved the discussion to its own thread.

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What kind of transfer pump are you referring to. I also use a bottling bucket with spigot.

Most of the other comments in this thread are from people who deal with greater quantities of wine than me. I use a simple pump from Midwest Supplies (about $75). Similar pumps are available for about $50. It is promoted as self-priming, but my experience is that it not self-priming. It is slow, 1 gal/minute but it does eliminate having to move carboys around. You could probably use a pump for fresh water like those on boats and RVs; they are rated for potable water but I don't know if they would be suitable for wine. They are faster than the little pump I use.

 

[winemaker81]

Most of the other comments in this thread are from people who deal with greater quantities of wine than me. I use a simple pump from Midwest Supplies (about $75). Similar pumps are available for about $50. It is promoted as self-priming, but my experience is that it not self-priming. It is slow, 1 gal/minute but it does eliminate having to move carboys around. You could probably use a pump for fresh water like those on boats and RVs; they are rated for potable water but I don't know if they would be suitable for wine. They are faster than the little pump I use.

When I purchased mine, the price was $175 -- it's gone up since then. This is the newer model with the quick connectors.



I looked in Home Depot and Lowes, and had some difficulty is choosing a pump.

• Some were not food grade, or I could not confirm they were food grade.
• Some had a transfer speed that was too fast -- while that may sound odd, I have a concern about a too rapid transfer stirring up sediment by sucking too hard.
• Ensuring I got the correct connections.

The hoses that came with it are larger than standard winemaking hoses, and while I was able to clamp the input into a stainless steel racking cane, I was getting air mixed in. Matt P at LP contacted the vendor and I got a smaller connector so the input is a standard hose size. The output is larger, but I'm not getting any air in it.

Prior to this I purchased a much less expensive transfer pump that died right after the return period was elapsed ...