Globe Impellers

[allsail]

Looking for some feedback regarding Globe Impellers for raw water pumps. I have a Universal M-35B engine. Supposedly u can run them dry for up to 15 minutes and are resistant to pink antifreeze degradation. There has some reports re loss of suction, which is my primary concern. Has anyone installed the Globe and experienced loss of suction during operation and after initial suction was established? Thanks.

 

[Andy]

Not installed yet

Late this year I had an impeller failure. To double my efforts I order a Globe "Run Dry" and a pair of genuine Yanmar impellers. The Yanmar impeller came in and I was anxious to get back out before winter (frreeking freezin' stuff,rrg). I installed one of the Yanmar impellers and get the spare to compare. In comparison it looks great and you will have no trouble installing it. Before my dilema and order, I search the website archives but didn't find many (if any) responses. May some our friends will help out this time!! HINT. Bottom line-for what its worth, If I replace the impeller again, I will put in the Globe.

 

[Warren Milberg]

I ran a similar item last year and only got a few hits. One person indicated he discussed using Globe impellers with his Yanmar mechanic who opined that he thought "it would wear out the water pump quicker." Sounds like an anecdotal remark to me.

 

[Robert Moretti]

Globe impeller failures

The Globe impellers sounded great to me, but my yard mechanic said that he had seen failures of them after installation. But I wasn't going to be talked out of it, so I called Globe and asked them about it. They told me there had been a problem at one time, but that it had been corrected. So I bought one and installed it. It failed during operation after about only 50 hours.The type of failure I experienced is the same as others had reported. The plastic hub of the impeller separated from the impeller body. This meant that the hub kept turning, but the impeller blades no longer did. If I hadn't been alert to the lack of water coming out the exhaust, I would surely have overheated. I was able to shut the engine down and do a replacement of the impeller while out on the water.Shortly after asking about this on a Catalina listserve, another owner emerged who had experienced the same problem. He said that Globe offered to refund his purchase price, but that he hadn't seen any money after 1 month.The idea behind the Globe impellers is great, but how can you know when they have finally gotten it produced right?

 

[Al]

The Globe failed

on my Universal M-18. I changed out the impeller every 2 years and the Globe was in my parts box. It was left by the PO, lucky it was the last sail of the summmer and really close to the marina. while motoring the engine made a funny noise and checking the exhaust port there was no water coming out, shut her down, up the genny and as friends sailed I checked the raw water pump. I thought it would be in pieces, to my shock all the veins were intack. Called my brother for a tow to the marina. After removing the shaft and impeller, I found the PLASTIC sleeve had broke from the impeller and just spun around til it fused to the shaft. NO more, now I check and buy only metal sleeve impellers. Someone posted close to the same problem on here once before, check the archives for more info.

 

[allsail]

Looks the prudent course is to pass on the Globe. As Robert said, it is a good concept so hopefully they may get it right down the road. Thanks for all the feedback.

 

[camaraderie]

They work...

Any product is gonna have occasional failures and then someone starts posting and internet "legends" are born. I've been using globes for years now and find they are terrific. I replace mine every 18-24 months and have never had a failure and for the last 6 years have been full time cruising so that is a lot of wear! Of course my experience is anecdotal too. What I suggest is that you buy one and get a "normal" spare. It is not exactly gonna break the bank and you may just save some time and trouble down the road. Worst case...you spend 15 minutes to replace it and you're out a few bucks.

 

[Robert Moretti]

Cost is not the problem

I don't mind spending money on a concept product that promises benefits beyond the usual. The real problem is that the failure of a Globe impeller is unpredictable, and when something goes wrong on a boat it is often at the worst time. I think of my engine as a safety feature, so I do everything I can to ensure its reliability. So, until I see proof that Globe has corrected this serious problem, I won't purchase the product, and will advise others of my experience. I do think it is significant that all the failures I have heard about regarding Globe impellers describe the same problem -- the breaking away of the hub from the impeller body.I DO want to allow for the possibility that not all Globe impeller models are the same in their construction details. Maybe that accounts for the differing experience noted by Camaraderie.