Day Tank
Maintenance

Pump Set Maintenance

Troubleshooting
 

DAY TANK MAINTENANCE

Simplex Day Tanks are designed to require minimum maintenance. All components have been chosen for a long, reliable life. The Day Tank is constantly lubricated by the diesel fuel it transfers. Inspect this tank at least once every year for damage, leakage, or rust on both inside and outside the tank. Promptly repair or replace any significantly damaged or deteriorated Day Tank. Two basic intervals of maintenance are required:

Each Year

1. Water and sediment should be drained from the tank each year. If normal engine/generator testing does not consume one tank full of fuel each year the tank should be drained and refilled with fresh fuel.
 
2. Remove the inspection port from the Day Tank. The port is shown in the illustration below. Examine the interior of the Day Tank. Using an inspection lamp examine all internal Day Tank components. With tank drained test sending unit operation. Install a new inspection port gasket and replace the inspection port cover.
 
3. Press the Press-To-Test button and observe pump and motor performance.
 
4. Inspect pump/motor alignment and wear. Inspect the pump for leaks.
 
5. Tighten hose clamps at pump/hose connections. Tighten the pump bracket, motor bracket, and pump/motor coupler hardware.
 
6. Inspect all plumbing connections for leaks. Test all options and fuel level alarms for proper operation.
 
7. Tighten all electrical connections.
 
After the first three years of normal use oil the Day Tank motor with 10 drops of 5W30 or 10W oil. Do not over oil the motor.
 

 

Day Tank
Maintenance

Pump Set Maintenance

Troubleshooting
 

PUMP SET MAINTENANCE

Simplex Pump Sets should be visually inspected for maintenance purposes every six months during light duty cycles. Pumps sets used daily for long hours should be inspected every month.

1. Prior to performing the maintenance procedure ensure that the optional Main Disconnect Switch is operating properly, the user supplied circuit breaker is in the Off position, and that all sources of power are isolated from the Pump Set. Proceed only after this is verified.
 
2. Check Main Disconnect Switch, door and hinge operation.
 
3. Check cabinet mounting hardware at feet and wall mounting flange. Tighten as necessary.
 
4. Test pumps in duplex pump sets. Ensure both pumps are operating normally, test each pump individually, test simultaneous operation, test alternating operation.
 
5. Check pump/motor hardware for tightness. Pump/motor hardware for tightness. Pump/motor hardware will loosen after normal operation due to vibration. This hardware is double nutted, check all bolts for double nuts.
 
6. Rotate shaft by hand and check for smooth operation. Check pump/motor coupler shown at left for proper alignment and spacing. The Lovejoy coupler should have approximately 1/8" clearance between coupler halves. If this clearance is reduced or the pump and motor are not properly aligned excessive noise and pump/motor wear will occur. Loosen pump motor mounting hardware to realign motor/coupler. Loosen one end of pump coupler to adjust for necessary coupler clearance.
 
7. Check all electrical terminals and connections for tightness.
 
8. All motors are permanently lubricated and do not require any lubrication.
 
9. All pumps are self-lubricating and do not require any maintenance.
 
10. Check all plumbing joints for leaks. Tighten fittings and joints as necessary. Drain accumulated fuel in catch basin as necessary by removing catch basin plug.
 
11. Inspect all fuel strainers. Disassemble strainer and clean strainer element, replace as necessary. Reassemble unit and check for leaks.
 
12. Test hand pump operation, check for fuel leaks, tighten as necessary.
 

Day Tank
Maintenance

Pump Set Maintenance

Troubleshooting
 

TROUBLESHOOTING
 
No Fuel Delivered
1. Pump not primed
2. Lift too high
3. Rotation direction incorrect
4. Check valve installed backwards
   
Insufficient Fuel Delivered
1. Air leak at inlet
2. Defective solenoid valve or check valve
3.  Lift too high
4. Pump worn
5. Inoperative foot valve
6. Piping improperly installed
7. Fuel strainer plugged
   
Rapid Pump Wear
1. Dirt or grit in fuel
2. Pipe strain on pump causing bind
3. Worn pump/motor coupler
4. Pump has been run dry or with insufficient fuel
   
Pump Delivers for Short Period
and Quits
1. Leak at inlet
2. End of inlet not deep enough
3. Air or gas in fuel
4. Supply exhausted
5. Vaporization of fuel at inlet
6. Air or gas in inlet line
7. Sand or abrasives in fuel
   
Pump Requires Too Much Power
1. Air in plumbing lines
2. Liquid heavy or too viscous
3. Bent pump shaft binding rotating element
4. Misalignment of pump/motor coupler

 
 
Noisy Operation
1. Insufficient fuel supply
2. Air leaks in the inlet pipe
3. Air or gas at the inlet connection
4. Pump and motor out of alignment
5. Worn out spider coupling
6. Pump coupler out of balance
   
Pump Requires Frequent Re-priming
1. Inoperative foot valve
2. Inoperative check valve
3.  Inoperative solenoid valve
4. Pump cavitation
5. Plumbing air leaks
6. Lift too high
7. Pump seals leaking
   
Motor Does Not Turn or Turns Intermittently
1. Control power not available
2. Motor thermal overload condition
3. Pump failed and seized
4. Motor failure
   
Pump Leaks Fuel
1. Loose pump plumbing fittings
2. Worn pump shaft seal
3. Pump pressure relief valve failure
4. Fuel leak elsewhere running towards pump area
5. Excessive head from overhead storage tank
6. Worn pump O-rings
Back to Fuel Supply Main Page
 

Simplex, Inc., 1139 North MacArthur Boulevard, Springfield, IL 62702-2314
800-637-8603, 217-525-6995 (24 Hr.), Fax 217-525-7984