Thanks so much! Looks like a powerful little pump. It may help to note that the instructional video states you must submerge the pump before you plug it in.
Thanks for the review on this, that little bot is neat! Some of the "strange stuff" are easily understood: The smartbotonline web site implies the sensors are a pair of metal pins, one long one short, that 'detect' contact with water. contact with both pins turns it on, when the long pin no longer detects contact it turns off. And since it strongly recommends a GFCI outlet, it likely measures a low voltage "leakage" into the water compared to the ground prong. I'll email you about a workaround for that. Auto-Flow specs say it needs 2" of water before it turns on which may be why it won't work in the spillway from the pond. Unplug and replug to restart is probably due to the "run dry protection" timer delay that makes sure the motor can cool down if it's run till it thinks things are "dry". This is needed since the motor is sealed in and not fan cooled. Immersed in water and impeller spinning but not pumping => air lock - a large bubble of air trapped around the impeller and it can't push air. Lifting & resetting let some air out so the impeller had some water to push against clears the remaining air bubble. There should be a tiny hole to let air out from around the impeller but may take a minute or so to let enough out to immerse the impeller.
Seems like the company's engineers need to take a long hard look at propper cast iron and stainless steel sump pumps that have very little plastic if any and no computer controls. They are reliable and will provide years of maintainace free service.
I'm sorry but this literally is what I would expect I'd get if I ordered a sump pump from ali express for 5 dollars. it's cute but it just ....need a good try again start over
I can’t really see how having a utility power outlet instead of your inverter can make a difference to a fully immersible (and therefore double insulated) pump? Makes even less sense when you’re pumping from a polyethylene box which will completely insulate it from the ground.
The pump has two metal poles inside that read the presence of water. My guess is by electrical resistance. I am only guessing that earth ground needs to be present.
@@LandtoHouse I’d guess it’s just the conductivity of the water that it detects, otherwise it wouldn’t work in that polyethylene storage box which is an excellent insulator. Did seem flakey as hell though.
Yeah, seems like an ok impeller when it works, but not interested in manually unplugging/plugging a “smart” pump. Seems it is not a very smart pump at all.
Not what I would call "smart", if it will only turn back on when you replug in the power. And not having a check valve built in seems to me as a Major fault...that and it not automatically turning itself on.
sorry , the pump is junk , its just a shame you cant see that technically . it has no air release for the impeller chamber which is why it wouldn't restart , its a design issue , just a shame people will buy it .seems more about gimmicks than real benefits . sorry for harsh comment .
@@alanthecat59 No need to say sorry. I spent 4 hours working with this pump and really wanted it to work well...but it has design things I would change.
That's a cool pump and the twin LED to give it robot eyes is a neat design choice.
Thanks so much! Looks like a powerful little pump. It may help to note that the instructional video states you must submerge the pump before you plug it in.
Absolutely. Check out the updated video on the bigger pump. It's working flawlessly.
Yay! Thanks, I’m planning to pick one up if I can figure out how to use solar for power. Have you ever ?
I used to have a car that worked like that pump. Thanks for sharing this with us.
Cool! My pond needs serious health updates before I can even consider a pump but always watching for cool gadgets like this!!
I love your projects, information and videos. The part about not running from the power station is critical for me. I call it "Plug it in"
Thanks for the review on this, that little bot is neat!
Some of the "strange stuff" are easily understood: The smartbotonline web site implies the sensors are a pair of metal pins, one long one short, that 'detect' contact with water. contact with both pins turns it on, when the long pin no longer detects contact it turns off. And since it strongly recommends a GFCI outlet, it likely measures a low voltage "leakage" into the water compared to the ground prong. I'll email you about a workaround for that. Auto-Flow specs say it needs 2" of water before it turns on which may be why it won't work in the spillway from the pond. Unplug and replug to restart is probably due to the "run dry protection" timer delay that makes sure the motor can cool down if it's run till it thinks things are "dry". This is needed since the motor is sealed in and not fan cooled. Immersed in water and impeller spinning but not pumping => air lock - a large bubble of air trapped around the impeller and it can't push air. Lifting & resetting let some air out so the impeller had some water to push against clears the remaining air bubble. There should be a tiny hole to let air out from around the impeller but may take a minute or so to let enough out to immerse the impeller.
Hello, I am having the same issue, regarding the auto flow and was wondering if you could share the workaround for that
Wow dude !! Great vid !! Keep up the good work !!
Dude I have one of those pumps! That thing is a beast!!!! Great vid! Josh #stoneyridgefarmer
Its likely related to how long you wait. It probably has an internal timer of say 10 minutes.
So don't get this pump is what you're saying?
POS
Until the auto flow feature is figured out I would not trust it to be left alone for auto start.
@@LandtoHouse I bet it has a pressure switch, probably needs 8 or 10 inches of water to restart, to avoid constant cycling.
Seems like the company's engineers need to take a long hard look at propper cast iron and stainless steel sump pumps that have very little plastic if any and no computer controls. They are reliable and will provide years of maintainace free service.
This company asked for the two test units back. I hope they can figure out changes and make this a good product.
For the price there should be a vented check valve in the box.
Where I'm from we call that junk
I was hoping for better results!
Nice.. but don't care for the 'male to male coupling'...
It does seem to add an additional part to keep up with.
I'm sorry but this literally is what I would expect I'd get if I ordered a sump pump from ali express for 5 dollars. it's cute but it just ....need a good try again start over
Good video just that the pump is no good . Would not want that pump in my basement
Don't be too gentle with them - it's almost useless for what it is . :-(
I can’t really see how having a utility power outlet instead of your inverter can make a difference to a fully immersible (and therefore double insulated) pump? Makes even less sense when you’re pumping from a polyethylene box which will completely insulate it from the ground.
The pump has two metal poles inside that read the presence of water. My guess is by electrical resistance. I am only guessing that earth ground needs to be present.
@@LandtoHouse I’d guess it’s just the conductivity of the water that it detects, otherwise it wouldn’t work in that polyethylene storage box which is an excellent insulator. Did seem flakey as hell though.
Yeah, seems like an ok impeller when it works, but not interested in manually unplugging/plugging a “smart” pump. Seems it is not a very smart pump at all.
Not what I would call "smart", if it will only turn back on when you replug in the power. And not having a check valve built in seems to me as a Major fault...that and it not automatically turning itself on.
Just get an automatic Bilge pump
Product seems to be a dud
I tried two of them! Both the same result.
Seems like finicky junk..
The auto start does not seem to work. Not sure why!
@@LandtoHouse The one sent to you may be a fluke unless there's some operations order you missed somewhere.
This thing doesn't seem very "smart".
pretty poor review , no understanding of what's happing or why
I started the review weeks ago and the unit did not work. Another was just sent and the company put a deadline for today.... so yes it was hurried.
sorry , the pump is junk , its just a shame you cant see that technically . it has no air release for the impeller chamber which is why it wouldn't restart , its a design issue , just a shame people will buy it .seems more about gimmicks than real benefits . sorry for harsh comment .
@@alanthecat59 No need to say sorry. I spent 4 hours working with this pump and really wanted it to work well...but it has design things I would change.