As for the step filter holes, just fill them with food grade silicone since you should be hand-washing them any way. Those holes were originally designed for draining when placed in the dishwasher. I have not found a source for those, but honestly, I have not looked.I saw the part # a few months ago scanning the threads, thanks. I did a total disassembly/clean of them, nothing stuck, just a lot of build up. It seems most people switch both out at once, and possibly upgrade the flow rate. Does that seem to affect anything other than drain time?
I saw there is a guy up in Everett selling his zymatic. I was considering buying it for parts/extra step filter. Does it seem the pumps just slowly die? I kinda assumed it would just kick and not run anymore. Debating about how cost effective it would be to just get a backup system, or just the parts needed now.
On a side note, I have one of the original step filter, without the holes. I also got on second one with the holes, but no rubber plugs. Any suggestions on a replacement part for the plugs? I cant even find a decent picture of them
I'm not sure a "spare parts" machine is necessary, given that we have outsourced nearly all of the parts on the unit. If it was a "good" price I might, but it would have to be a real good price.
I've never had a pump actually go bad and I use seaflo pumps all over our brewery for moving liquid. The pump heads will wear out though, due to the high temps, but they are unlikely to just quit. The edpm seals inside tend to wear out and not seal as well as they used to, which leads to diminished flow. I have two units where I replaced the drain pump with the slightly higher flow rate and one of those units has a matching wort pump and the other does not. If you do only replace one with the faster flow rate, make sure it is the drain pump. The difference between .7 lpm and 1.2 lpm is negligible performance-wise on the drain, but may have an impact if used only on the wort side.
I'm assuming, since you completely dismantled your unit, that you topped off the glycol. Be a shame to not do that, while you are there.