Septic pump replace: DIY internal splice box

After moving, one of the first things I did was pay to get the septic tank pumped. Afterwards, I was pleased to discover that my 20 year-old effluent pump looked as though it was on board the Titanic. This video is just a basic overview of what I learned about the system by replacing the pump and its junction box.
-October 2018
*****
UPDATE (November 2022):
The 'new' pump died yesterday. It survived for four years and one month. As I pulled it up, it was a rusty mass of mess that actually had pieces of metal falling off. Because the price of replacement (of a LIBERTY 257 series) had jumped from $141.51 to $210.75, I decided to go with Harbor Freight's comparable submersible effluent pump, a ½HP DRUMMOND, which was $159.99 and seems just as well-built. Time will tell.
As for the splice box, it did a great job. Very little condensate was inside. Some corrosion to the bare copper was evident, and so I was more careful to cover any exposed wiring this time. The silicone plugs did a nice job; I was easily able to pop one out in order to rewire the new pump, and it was then just as simple to replace.
This time, as an experiment, I placed inside of the splice box (on the bottom) a few pieces of scrap copper wire, just to act as a sort of anodic lightning rod. The idea was to have these piece of copper become consumed over time, thus absorbing most of the free ions that would otherwise be available to contribute to the degradation of wiring inside of the box. Note that the splice box is a rather well-sealed environment, making it somewhat of a closed system. Thus, the chemical change occurring to the copper inside is a reaction that can be controlled, and much like any stoichiometry problem, guiding the process(es) taking place becomes a game of recipes, in which we need only to determine the limiting reagent in order to slow degradation. One can bake only so many cookies with five pounds of flour. Again, time will tell.

[@pocket83squared]

UPDATE (November 2022):

[@diegoroswell302]

My pump died (19 years old) and when the pro came to replace it we found the same kind of wire box. The connections were fried. Literally burned black. No tripped breaker in alarm box, no tripped breaker in main house box. Cleaned tank, replaced pump and box and wires. That was two years ago. Alarm went off today. Pump not working. Hopefully pro comes tomorrow. Watching your video explains what the problem is (bad wiring, corrosion in wiring, something in the wires obviously) and I will make them fix it right this time even if it means mounting the wire box on my tool shed. Thanks for the videos

[@travismaenle9416]

Pocket83^2 officially has more videos than Pocket83. And i could not be happier

[@Dusty_Ford]

I'm a Pump Technician and while I dont do anything with sewage I do mess with Sump Pumps quite a bit and also wiring what I need and honestly I dont see anything wrong with what you've done. While I'd do it different with my van stock I would probably do it the same way you did if I had to pay for it myself and find the parts myself. Looks good! Theres 100 different ways to do anything in the pump world!

[@Timeshifter32]

The begining cracked me up, " Oh she looks mint" lol

[@sinom]

I just love these random videos of yours.

[@RobustEnigma]

That screwdriver trick was awesome! :D

[@DonkeyLipsDA3rd]

I have been electrician for

[@SourcePortEntertainment]

Excellent DIY solution! Those home repairs are a lot of work. Hope things are going well for you. - Danny

[@funkysod]

Excellent McGyvering! Thanks for sharing.

[@russveinot5754]

Even when you "jury rig" something it has a full function quality and is nice looking at the same time. my ideas always look ugly the first time. I like your taking serious the dropping of screws and its impact. painter's tape with it taped to a finger might be safer (can't drop the whole thing). you still make great videos that are also educational.

[@Jack-Surreal_Panes]

Yes. My 4 tank system 17 years old. Issues from day 1. Major problem is flooding during heavy rains. Flooding meand electrical plugs and wires were the issues like aerators burning out, floats inop, box fried. I finally got new box. Tried wiring it, pretty easy, this one to that one..Noticed alarms buzzing but off. Opened the junction and entire pipe, splices flooded. Now, realized I need to raise the junction to inside near lid. Foumd a box on Amazon that has 4 water tight in ports for the 3 float wires and pump. Need a 1.25 hole to pvc conduit. Saerched and similar to the box you have. Added safety was water tight wire couplers floats 2 wire and pump 3. Before, the pvc came in thru riser level with tank so if water ever got high for a bit the commectiins were flooded and wet. Pump always worked though bit the connection elbow hole only had silicone to seal a those cables. Now find 20' wires to run new to box. I will use DB wire in the 1.25 for pump. Did it to my aerator and that sucker still good and no more corroded wires.

[@NickMoore]

They to make all plastic "strain relief" connectors for cable but your silicone solution is better than anything I have seen. Great job!

[@cdawg9149]

Thx for the video. Trying to copy what you did on septic. Great job.

[@MaxMakerChannel]

That corrosion! Its like somebody filled it with ground up soap bars!

[@roblescurbappealconcrete]

Really enjoyed the video. Thank you for sharing.

[@TheSepticGuy]

I do this for a living.

[@samo4648]

Nope, wrong video to watch on my lunch break

[@projekt6_official]

LOVE the cardboard trick!

[@AStanton1966]

Nice upgrade and trick.