OK, so thanks to some members of this board I got my IC water spray working this afternoon. I also burnt out a pump running it dry in about the first 20 minutes.


How do you guys keep from burning out your pumps when you run dry. Right now I am (was) using an aftermarket pump, do real subaru pumps run fine dry? I do have a ver.7 STI pump though in my office that with some adaptation I will install.

Also I need some waterspray basics answered:

1. How long (in general) do you leave the spray on? I mean do you just give it a few seconds or do you leave it on for minutes at a time?

2. Do any of you have any trick ideas on how to shut off the pump automatically when the water runs out?

3. Right now I have it powered directly to the battery, I don't really like that. If for some reason the switch is left on it will run until the battery dies/or it cooks to a stop and causes a short. Can I use the second power feed that is already run for the auxillary pump (wagon) to power it only when the key is on. ( I am not sure of the wiring diagram of this)

Thanks
Russ

The best arrangement would be to have it spray only above certain boost levels and/or throttle position, to avoid wasting water and running the tank dry for no reason. You would also want a level sensor to at least provide a warning when the water level is dangerously low, and ideally have it control the pump so it can't run dry.
Any fluid pump will be damaged if run dry for long enough.
I hope that you at least have a fuse on that circuit for safety.

Yes I fused it at the battery and at the switch. I have the reservoir out of a JDM Ver.7 RHD and it has a level sensor in the bottom. I just have to find a place to put it. I like the setup I am running now though as far as weight and convenience... I just need to be more careful about the pump. Do the factory pumps shut off with a level sensor? I have never looked inside my factory reservoir. If so will using the power from the plug designed for the second pump (wagon) allow it to be shut off by the same level sensor?

Check this out:

"DIY Intercooler Sprayer Washer Pumps - Post your part numbers
ImportVenom 07-20-2004 03:56 PM
by Saunders 21 330 Factory 2.0L Turbo"

Covers better quality pumps that won't burn out.