Electrical question about pond pumps!!!

I have 2 identical pond pumps which I utilize to do water changes on my aquariums, i.e. the pumps with tubing attached pump the clean water change into the tanks.
One pump has an ordinary 3 pin plug attached the other has a transformer, no idea why, the wires entering the transformer have ruptured through use, can I cut off the transformer and wire the 2 wires directly into a 3 pin plug?

Val

 

No, you'll blow the pump with too much voltage.

 

The transformer is there to reduce the mains voltage (240 - 250 Volts) to that voltage required by the pump, possibly as low as 12 volts.

Just clarifying what was said above,

Cheers, Tony.

 

Transformer should have the voltage on it, should be straightforward to get a new one of same voltage.

Check if its AC or DC output too ... if its DC you'll need to get the wires the right way round, otherwise the pump will go backwards!

 

Well the pump is 24volts, but how do I wire a new plug in transformer? I cut the other one off so I just have the end of the cut wire, I can't find a plug in transformer that I could attach this to. I don't have a clue if it is AC or DC. had them a long time so all paperwork is long gone, will I have to buy another pump? it is a Cascade 700.

Val

 

In difficult to read text somewhere on the pump, it will tell you the electrical specifications you need. As a minimum there will be voltage (V), whether it is AC/or DC (or the symbols that indicate them, AC is a squiggle like this ~, DC is like this _ but with three dots over or under it), and either the current (symbol is I, A or just spelt amps) or power W or watts.

All that said, electrics are a funny thing. If you get it wrong there is the risk of electric shock (or worse) and the lesser acknowledged risk of fire (a funny quirk of ohms law means that for the same power output, you can reduce the voltage to reduce the risk of electrocution, but doing so increases the current thus increasing the risk of fire).

I guess what I'm saying is that if you're not entirely sure what you're doing, best leave it alone. Its not worth the risk.

 

You are SO right, I am way out of my depth here, I shall buy a new pump!!

Val

 

It uses a 24v ac 11w transformer, which are commonly used for fibre optic christmas trees, christmas decorations, cctv cameras etc. Any 24v ac power supply capable of 1 amp (24va) would do the trick.

 

Thanks for this, but I have a new pump now!!

Val

 

It can be a dangerous game with electricity! In a nutshell NO.
Read the instructions on the transformer. A transformer is a device which changes the voltage. Mains voltage in the UK is 230 volts which can easily kill. Your transformer instructions should tell you the voltage at which your pump runs. Read, understand but that is all.
A person with suitable electrical qualification should be able to help you.