Reliable Ketlle Pump Recommendations

[StackBrewer]

Our kettle pump (less than 2 years old) constantly leaks! It came new with our 15bbl DME system. It's fair to assume that it gets the most use out of any of it's matching friends around the brewery, but we've replaced the seal kit 3 times now and we've just ordered a fourth kit. It seams extreme, so I thought I'd see if anyone here could suggest a more reliable pump. The pump has 1/2" TC ports and works as a lauter transfer/whirlpool/chiller pump, runs constantly during a brew, and regularly gets caustic/acid/PPA. Any super solid pumps out there?

[Starcat]

Waukesha

1/2" TC sounds quite small as I don't know the size of your system and details.
Waukesha make a good pump for this purpose, and the seals can be wet washed from the back which is likely a good idea.
What I am seeing is that there are a lot of things that are set up out there at large that are misconfigured and not sized correctly, so its very important to get the correct match for your system, piping arrangement and desired flow characteristics.
By experience these pump seals will give more trouble when there is a lack of experience with the operator on the brewhouse. What can happen is getting grain husk between the seal and the back plate and from that point you are leaking until you deal with it. This is caused by dead heading the pump at the wrong time. Also another good reasonsto consider VFD on that pump and go with very careful and well ordered methods for running. There is a major lot of equipment abuse that can happen in certain settings that would be unheard of in others.
I can offer some set up tips on this brand of pump.

[StackBrewer]

Thanks for the suggestion! I meant 1-1/2" TC (not 1/2").

[TGTimm]

The Waykesha CB C114 is one of my favorite little pumps. Replacing a seal takes less than five minutes and almost no tools. Seals are cheap and easy to get. Buy it with a 3-phase motor and use a VFD to drive it, and Bob's yer uncle. For low-hp pumps like this, a VFD can be driven with single-phase and give a finely controllable, 3-phase output.

For use with wort and hot cleaning chemicals, a washed seal is necessary. Our Vorlauff/hot side transfer pump--a C114--ate its seal within a couple of weeks. I added a simple water wash to the seal; it's been over six years and the seal is going strong. With the external seal of the C114, all you need is a little tube to dribble water over the seal.

[Ted Briggs]

Add a VFD to avoid cavitation and throttling with a valve, add water cooling to back of head at 3-5 gpH. Add a 5 min rest after end boil. Should be fine then.