Rectorseal 83939 Aspen Mini 100-250V Condensate Pump, White

Update (06/30/2023 - Intermittently stops pumping correctly):After my last update to this review, I did give in, and buy two new ones, back in August of 2019. Now, both are (surprise) giving me issues again. However, I think I know why. So this time, I managed to get 4 years out of them both, before a lot of issues. These pumps do work well, when they work well! I didn't clean them out enough, I didn't keep my evaporator / air handler in perfect clean condition, and the drain line is very clogged (possibly) after all these (10 yrs) years of use. The pumps are actually still working, but recently they will sometimes simply fail to pump (even though running), and my mini-split's air handler will display E6, meaning that it's in error mode, and not actively cooling (even though the air handler is still moving air). The only problem with this, is it's too little, too late. When it gets to this point, the reservoir is already overflowing. I will dump the water that is in the reservoir, and then force the pump to pump air by manually lifting the float until the pump activates (for about 1-2 seconds...I don't want to burn up the pump), then put the reservoir back, and cross fingers. This actually gets us through the worst humid days (and I have only had to do this once for both pumps in the past week). This "fix" (it's not a fix at all really) works for about a couple weeks. So recently I used 90% alcohol to "clean" the pump and line, after doing this "fix", and this seemed to fix my problem for longer, which is why I think it's the line maybe clogged a bit, and the humidity levels have been over 80% lately off and on, which also is why I think the pumps will have trouble keeping up.Look, I get it....if I'd just purchase a "commercial grade" condensate pump, like the Little Giant, I'd probably never have to go through this (at least not for a very long time). But the folks that make that pump don't consider it to be installed under the air handler within the visible living space. You would have to make a special nice looking cover for it, and that is why I keep coming back to these Aspen Mini's. The do the job, and (not to start an argument) the do it fairly quietly (if installed with proper drain line size, AND the orange/red backflow prevention check valve). BUT, I've had too many failures over the years to keep recommending these.So, I ask someone out there in 3D printing heaven, to come up with a specially designed cover, and back mount to fully enclose one of the competing Little Giants (one that is small and would compete with this unit on specs, and that can be wired into the mini-split like this one (will work off either 120/240VAC), and that has communication wires to report problems back to the mini-split, like this Aspen Mini DOES). Then put your 3D printed enclosure (along with any necessary hardware, like proper wall anchors, rubber grommets installed into the back plate of the cover, etc. - don't be cheap!), into a kit that should be listed here on Amazon for the folks like myself to easily find, and purchase. If I had a 3D printer, I would do this in a heartbeat. Maybe I need to get one, and begin doing this. It's not like the issue of having to remove condensate water from a wall hanger mini-split is going away anytime soon!Anyway, I hope this helps folks who are looking to purchase these pumps or any condensate pump for their A/C (specifically Mini-Splits).For me, I am going to run some more 90% alcohol (I don't think this is recommended, and could potentially damage the seals, impeller, etc. within the pump), through the pump by filling up the reservoir and letting the pump, pump it out. And then I am going to disconnect the drain line, and fully blow it with my air compressor (hopefully dislodging any gunk that may be built up within the line). Then maybe the pump can work better, and make it though the rest of the summer.All I know is if you are about to purchase a mini-split, do yourself a favor, and install it on an exterior wall. That way you can simply let gravity do all the work to remove the condensation from your wall hanger. And if you do install cartridge style air handlers (which are nice, and I considered this option), be sure you can add some type of catch pan, underneath whatever you use for a pump, and install a moisture detector (that will sound a very loud audible alarm) in case the pump fails, and water begins collecting in the catch pan.If ANYONE has a better plan, please let me know. I even wished that ALL of the mini-split wall hangers were designed with a cleaning agent tank of their own, that the home-owner could add some kind of cleaning agent to (white vinegar, alcohol, etc.) and that the unit would automatically periodically use to wash down the coils somehow, or maybe be "on-demand" with an alert that it was time to do so, and then I could catch the runoff by removing the reservoir of my chosen condensate pump, into a bucket or something. Or if it's just vinegar it would do so automatically, and the pump would also benefit from this "cleaning". And one last thing about this wall hangers.....please improve the filter design! How can anyone expect a nylon screen to catch everything? They need true filters. How? I don't know, but I'm sure a smart engineer working at one of the HVAC manufacturers can come up with an ingenious design that will allow for a true filter, like a hepa filter to be included so it can be removed and replaced with ease. This would solve a lot of the problems I've been facing over the years with these very nice Mini-Splits!Oh, and in case you are wondering about my home environment...yes I have pets, and kids running out and in the door. Yes the air quality is not perfect, which is why I have several air cleaners throughout my home that have a pre-filter, a charcoal filter, and finally an allergen hepa-filter. So I do try to keep the air clean.Ok, I'm finished ranting. Good luck, and God Bless.Update (05-08-19- Another failure):Well, both of my Rectorseal 83939 Aspen Mini pumps (I've got two of them) have stopped working properly again. I've checked the outlet drain lines, they are clear. And no, the drain line is not too elevated for the pump, it's within the specs that all the mini-split condensation pumps claim is ok. We've had a very mild winter, and at times some days got hot enough to have to switch my heat pumps (mini-splits) to A/C mode. The pumps worked fine throughout....that is up until about two weeks ago. I'm currently using a 5 gallon bucket to catch my condensation water (yes I know it's so ghetto, but I've put off buying more pumps until I can find a better solution.)This last failure (on both, on different days, but within about two weeks) was bad. The pumps were still "working" so they never initiated a shut-down of the mini-splits. So, water water everywhere .......love it....just love having to replace flooring!!!I love a mini-split heat pump. I think they are fantastic inventions that save $$$ on utility costs, but if you can't install on an outside wall, just don't do it!!!! For all of the energy and utility cost savings over the years, they've killed that by forcing me to replace flooring damaged by condensation water. (I'm going back with flooring that is water-proof).I'm not sure where to go from here. I've thought about some elaborate method for installing a drain line to catch and let gravity take to an external wall, or tie into my sewer lines somehow....but that will be equally difficult if not impossible without complicating the heck out of everything!Maybe I just have to get used to buying these once every two years and replacing before they fail!!! I swear I don't know anymore......Update (06-29-17):Well I just received a warrany replacement on that "other brand" of condensate pump.....I've had two replacements on their internally mounted model and now one on an externally mounted one like this one here that I'm rating. Sorry EDC.....it is what it is...your pumps are incredibly quiet, and will move more more volume very quickly while doing it, but your pumps keep failing. Yes, the last part is me talking to the manufacturer's (Rectorseal's) competitor, EDC International. If it is in fact something I am doing wrong consider that the Aspen Mini has outlasted the other (EDC Limpet). I think I know why EDC won't sell on Amazon.....cause they know if you read real world reviews about their products, you wouldn't waste your hard earned money and labor (replacing these pumps can be hard on your air handlers plastic enclosure, leading to unwanted and unnecessary wear and tear on the air handler / evaporator itself).Ok, all that being said, don't hesitate to buy this, if you need a mini-split condensate pump.Updating to 5 stars....cut pieces of self adhesive velcro (the furry side:), and place all over backside of unit for vibration / sound dampening, or some other soft thing that will absorb vibration).....then you will give this Aspen Mini a 5 star rating too:-)One last thing.....if you can help it, try to mount a mini-split evaporator / air handler, on an outside wall for gravity fed, through external wall condensate drain exhaust to outside, in lieu of having to deal with ANY condensate pumps......but if you have case like mine and have no choice, get an Aspen Mini right now!Happy 4th of July, America's Independence Day! to all my fellow Americans! God Bless and be Safe :--)(Original review begins here:) This thing works fantastic. It appears that I will get very much trouble free operation out of it for years to come.My only complaint is that it is a bit noisy compared to other condensate pumps that I've used (except when they begin to fail - others I mean). I'm surprised that the manufacturer doesn't redesign this pump, so that a self adhesive backed noise dampening pad (provided with pump) could be installed behind the whole apparatus, as this would I think alleviate most of the vibration and noise. I have two mini-split systems, both with the air handler / evaporator mounted on an inside wall, which forces me to attach condensation pumps. I have used the inline ones that are mounted within the back of the air handler / evaporator unit since I first installed them, but those pumps have no filtration, and are not easily accessible even if they did. The lack of filtration leads to pump failure every time, which is why the Aspen is such a great pump. The Aspen Mini is very accessible, and the screen / filter can be pulled out and cleaned easily.I would recommend this to anyone that needs a reliable condensate pump for their mini-split system. (For comparison and redundancy sake, I have ordered and installed a different brand of externally mounted condensate pump on my other unit.... it takes up less space, and is very very quiet. I will come back to update this review and provide comparison over time, and will mention it's brand name later. For now I would rather not tell which one, because I don't have a good case for it yet, as it uses a different type of mechanism to engage itself, instead of a float system like the Aspen. It may prove to be more reliable, and if so I will state this in my review once this has proved to be true. I also am not sure about the other one, due to the fact that the water going into the water reservoir is not filtered going into it, but rather by the pump itself, which means that the electrical contacts which engage the pump can become dirty and affect the pump's operation over time. However it may prove to be a moot point, but I will come back and update my review of that one, and this one, at a later time.)

Mini-split AC.

Mine only lasted a year, and then just went out, cleaned it out every three months. Had to rush buy another one but will find a better model to replace with 😡

Shipping was fast,good prices, work like a charm,very quite.

Given that it's a rectorseal product, I thought I was getting quality. The Aspen Blue pump? A godsend!This pump, however? Yeesh.I genuinely thought the complaints about noise were just easily irritated people complaining for the sake of complaining.Nope. They were justified and I really wish I was joking.It's noticeably loud. One might even dare to say it's a jarring racket.When running, which is frequently and for prolonged periods, it's louder than the mini split with the fan on full speed. MUCH louder.It's so incredibly noisy, I heard it running while I was outside the house AND about forty feet away. Once again, I truly wish I was being hyperbolic and joking.But worse than the noise? It can just barely keep up with the amount of condensate that drains from my air handler.Yes, I do live in an extremely humid area.However, even the no-name mini pump that just died after several years of continuous service moved water more effectively and with practically no sound.Long story short, buy something else. Almost anything else will be better for less money.

The shipment was right on ti but the product had been installed before and was very scuffed up!

had a bit of a wiring concern. The instructions are not that great but called the help desk and they answered my question and it works perfectly.

Very loud.