Ebay used great deals often require skilled repairs

[CWO4GUNNER]

Yesterday I received my Ebay used combo purchase of an AC110 filter, Supreme Heeter Mod II (old Penplax). Although potentially usable both items were in need of repair as the AC110 would hum and chatter while operating and the heater adjustment knob was corroded and frozen in position. Its always interesting how sellers eloquently talk around these little unmentioned issues.

After clearing up the AC110 and inspecting the impeller it was clear that the impeller shaft ($3) needed to be replaced. The impeller itself was relatively new which meant that the previous owner after replacing the impeller and continuing to hear chatter gave up and placed this filter on auction for $24 including shipping with the heater I mentioned. Still an Impeller shaft requiring some basic mechanical understanding, proper use of basic hand tools and basic electricity theory for heater repair (old non-submersible heater), would be of little value to the without these basic skills looking for a deal. So learning to read between the lines in the Ebay sales add is very important. Nevertheless for someone with the basic repair skills $24 shipped plus parts ($3) for a good working backup heater and rebuilt AC110 is not bad at 50% of new.

Below we start our repairs by removing the AC110 bottom plate on the motor pried off with a simple knife blade in order to make sure that we do not brake or exceed the depth placement of the new impeller shaft inside the shaft crown support as shown in the photo that crowned high spot on the bottom of the motor. If we punch a hole here or crack this crown by being heavy handed with the shaft removal and replacement, the motor will be ruined and need replacement about another $30. If this happened it would make this purchase a waste of time at a total cost of $57 one could have been bid on brand new for $50-$60. So these type repairs are only for very the very confidently skilled. For me easy as tying my shoes blindfolded with numb fingers LOL.
http://i582.photobucket.com/albums/ss270/CWO4GUNNER_G/Ebay2AC110repair007.jpg?t=1260130471
http://i582.photobucket.com/albums/ss270/CWO4GUNNER_G/Ebay2AC110repair009.jpg?t=1260130512
http://i582.photobucket.com/albums/ss270/CWO4GUNNER_G/EbayAC110Repair005.jpg?t=1260130576
http://i582.photobucket.com/albums/ss270/CWO4GUNNER_G/EbayAC110Repair008.jpg?t=1260130651
http://i582.photobucket.com/albums/ss270/CWO4GUNNER_G/Ebay2AC110repair010.jpg?t=1260130770
http://i582.photobucket.com/albums/ss270/CWO4GUNNER_G/Ebay2AC110repair011.jpg?t=1260130818
After reassembly and testing the filter runs silent and effective like
new!
http://i582.photobucket.com/albums/ss270/CWO4GUNNER_G/Ebay2AC110repair012.jpg?t=1260130860
Now for this old heater which actually has pretty good electric hardware.
http://i582.photobucket.com/albums/ss270/CWO4GUNNER_G/Ebay2AC110repair014.jpg?t=1260131045
http://i582.photobucket.com/albums/ss270/CWO4GUNNER_G/Ebay2AC110repair022.jpg?t=1260131072
http://i582.photobucket.com/albums/ss270/CWO4GUNNER_G/Ebay2AC110repair026.jpg?t=1260131097
http://i582.photobucket.com/albums/ss270/CWO4GUNNER_G/Ebay2AC110repair027.jpg?t=1260131119
So remember! read between the lines of used Ebay sales for such comments as "heater warms up and light works and has control knob". When what they are really saying is: "heater doesn't get hot, and the control knob doesn't work!" Then you will have an idea what to expect and decide if its worth fixing. Although I did not need this heater Iin this combo sale, I was after the AC110 which I had already figured had a problem the seller couldn't fix. I had figured it was the shaft or impeller before I ever bid on this, and it was worth it for me, but may have been an inherited problem for someone else who now has to pass it on in an other sale hopefully with full disclosure.

[excuzzzeme]

I remove my energizers from the filter first as it makes them easier to work on. Sand will cause the kind of wear you see on the original shaft; or in my case it did.

Removing them is usually a simple 1/4 twist. At that time you should also replace the o-ring that keeps them from leaking as many people get rid of them due to leaking, not being aware there is an o-ring located there and that it is replaceable.

[CWO4GUNNER]

I remove my energizers from the filter first as it makes them easier to work on. Sand will cause the kind of wear you see on the original shaft; or in my case it did.

Removing them is usually a simple 1/4 twist. At that time you should also replace the o-ring that keeps them from leaking as many people get rid of them due to leaking, not being aware there is an o-ring located there and that it is replaceable.

I found removing motors from old AC filters are usually very tight especially if used for salt water (this one) taking the risk of cracking the old plastic housing. I refer to this AC as a 110 but it is actually the much older AC500. Old plastic can have micro cracks which is enough to make them fail if stress twisting an old motor off. In any event its also easier to steady the motor inside the housing while trying to pull out a shaft. A removed loose motor can easily slip and flip bending the shaft. The shaft change out in the housing was deliberate and simpler. besides if the motor/housing O-ring is not leaking, why fix it?;)

[rainbowcharmer]

Out of curiosity - what kind of feedback did you end up giving the seller for these?

[foolishfish]

Cool post Gunner. I've got a reasonably new Guardian heater that I couldn't get to heat after moving some tanks and I just keep avoiding really looking at it to see if it can be fixed. Thanks for the inspiration. I buy and inherit a lot of used gear, not so much on Ebay anymore but a good bit of local P/U stuff off of Craigs list.

You better stop with this fix it rather than replace it thinking. That's no longer the American way. You know there are billions of communists in China depending on us to break everything and keep buying new. What are you tryin' to do...undermine the economic recovery plan? (sorry, I know...no politics, just can't resist the urge to be a S/A sometimes)

[CWO4GUNNER]

Oh unless I get outright lied to I always give positive feed back although I may offer advice like on packing, more for constructive criticism.

The last time I gave negative feedback was about 6 months ago when I purchased a "New in Box" AC 70 Powerhead for $14 winning bid. The item arrived in an old torn box, dirty and used with the entire impeller assembly missing. When I contacted the seller explained this the seller replied that he had just arrived back from a long trip and would call me the next morning. After receiving no response to a 2nd email the following evening I posted negative feedback referring to the add header "new in Box" and what had transpired. The sellers reply was that I was too impatient and he is not responsible as a second party seller.

My post here is to help inexperienced members have some insight into the more normal practice of everyday human deception that we have all used in one way or another to get what we want from someone else, in this case Zbay transactions. The fact that the practice is more the rule then the exception i.e why they have sellers with 99% reputation and 12K transactions while almost everyone else is below that cut, doesn't mean I shouldn't "tell it like it is" and teach a few members some pointers.

Of course Im going to leave positive feedback becasue I knew what I was buying in spite of the smoke screen, I just want others to see the light as well. "He that demands accurate scales and balances; he sets the standards for fairness."

[The Red Severum]

Wow, very useful post. Thanks!

[foolishfish]

I encountered by chance a guy who was scamming sellers on Ebay. His M.O. was to buy from folks that had 100% feedback and over 1000 transactions. No matter what they would send him he would refuse to be satisfied and continue to threaten them with negative feedback. Due to the obvious effort that it takes to please over 1000 people 100% of the time he was betting that the sellers would do just about anything to maintain their 100% rating...and he was correct.

It was only after I gave him a negative that other people started to contact me and tell me their stories. Many of them (there were about a dozen in all) had refunded all of his money and told him to keep the merch...after which he would still harass them. He was also very adept at having any negatives on him quickly removed...so even the vigilant would still be in the dark.

I had won an auction for a used filter and he immediately emailed me to tell me that he couldn't use Paypal 'cuz his account was frozen...so I was to send him a money order. Yeah right! I reminded him that he had "Pay Pal Accepted" on the ad and that that was the only way that he would get paid. He started threatening emails immediately. I told him to just cancel the deal and he refused, sent more real threatening emails. I complained to Feebay and they ultimately suspended him for a month or two but he's still at it.

At one point he mentioned that he was only a few hours away and that he hadn't been to B'more in a while and that this was a perfect excuse. Then it dawned on me that since I was using my wife's acct. he thought he was threatening her. Before that I just thought he was a jerk, but after that realization I decided to play his game.

The next day I drove to Pa. and showed up at his door with a copy of his emails. I'm 6'1" and 230 lbs. so I was looking forward to letting him know that I wasn't ----girl that he thought he was threatening. Turns out his wife and neighbors think he's a jerk too. I gave her the emails after he realized who I was and disappeared to hide inside of the house. His wife then got the story from me and I asked her how she would like it if the emails had been sent to her. She then invited me to kick his arse.

I declined and left him to her capable mouth, (the neighbors -who I also shared the emails with - and I could hear her screaming at him for quite a while). I also gave a copy of the emails to the local police chief and he agreed to stop by and give him a little talking to just to reinforce the issue.

I suppose my biggest gripe with Ebay, and the internet in general is that so many people try to use the anonymity of the medium as an excuse to be rude or obnoxious. Whenever possible I try to resolve these sorts of social failings up close and personal. I find that in person the biggest internet jerks are frequently the same type of jerk in person...just not quite as glib. They also don't appreciate their family and neighbors being shown just how much of a jerk they can be.

[msjinkzd]

excellent post. Thanks so much for teh pictures as I am sure they will be invaluable to those of us who need to work on our used/old equipment.

[FISHSHROD]

The gun man can cause he mixes it with common sense and makes the motor go round :)

[CWO4GUNNER]

One last thing Id like to point out in regards to the older clip on heater with dry controls. It is great when you have to medicate a tank or dedicated QT tank and rather then having to reach inside the water to upset the perfect adjustment on your permanent submersible heater and its mounting bracket for medication and heat therapy, you simply clip on the older style without getting wet and where the heat control is plain to see, accessible and easy to adjust with dry hands. Since the high med temp is temporary, removal after treatment is a snap all without tampering with your primary heater controls deep underwater.
http://i582.photobucket.com/albums/ss270/CWO4GUNNER_G/ElectricBlueMale012.jpg?t=1260393167

[RDTigger]

I encountered by chance a guy who was scamming sellers on Ebay. His M.O. was to buy from folks that had 100% feedback and over 1000 transactions. No matter what they would send him he would refuse to be satisfied and continue to threaten them with negative feedback. Due to the obvious effort that it takes to please over 1000 people 100% of the time he was betting that the sellers would do just about anything to maintain their 100% rating...and he was correct.

It was only after I gave him a negative that other people started to contact me and tell me their stories. Many of them (there were about a dozen in all) had refunded all of his money and told him to keep the merch...after which he would still harass them. He was also very adept at having any negatives on him quickly removed...so even the vigilant would still be in the dark.

I had won an auction for a used filter and he immediately emailed me to tell me that he couldn't use Paypal 'cuz his account was frozen...so I was to send him a money order. Yeah right! I reminded him that he had "Pay Pal Accepted" on the ad and that that was the only way that he would get paid. He started threatening emails immediately. I told him to just cancel the deal and he refused, sent more real threatening emails. I complained to Feebay and they ultimately suspended him for a month or two but he's still at it.

At one point he mentioned that he was only a few hours away and that he hadn't been to B'more in a while and that this was a perfect excuse. Then it dawned on me that since I was using my wife's acct. he thought he was threatening her. Before that I just thought he was a jerk, but after that realization I decided to play his game.

The next day I drove to Pa. and showed up at his door with a copy of his emails. I'm 6'1" and 230 lbs. so I was looking forward to letting him know that I wasn't ----girl that he thought he was threatening. Turns out his wife and neighbors think he's a jerk too. I gave her the emails after he realized who I was and disappeared to hide inside of the house. His wife then got the story from me and I asked her how she would like it if the emails had been sent to her. She then invited me to kick his arse.

I declined and left him to her capable mouth, (the neighbors -who I also shared the emails with - and I could hear her screaming at him for quite a while). I also gave a copy of the emails to the local police chief and he agreed to stop by and give him a little talking to just to reinforce the issue.

I suppose my biggest gripe with Ebay, and the internet in general is that so many people try to use the anonymity of the medium as an excuse to be rude or obnoxious. Whenever possible I try to resolve these sorts of social failings up close and personal. I find that in person the biggest internet jerks are frequently the same type of jerk in person...just not quite as glib. They also don't appreciate their family and neighbors being shown just how much of a jerk they can be.

good read...lol :hitting: