Should You Run a White Ink Circulation Pump 24/7 on a DTF Printer? 24V vs 5V Power, Pump Lifespan, and Why Peristaltic Pumps Cycle

Question : If I run my 24V micro diaphragm pump nonstop to circulate white ink, is that a good idea? Can I power it with 5V? And why do peristaltic pumps run briefly and then stop for 30 minutes?

To reduce white ink clogging issues, I'm thinking of installing the Micro Diaphragm Pump for DTF/DTG Printers - White Ink Management System - 24V 3W 100-200 ml/min that I purchased from you. If I connect an external 5V power supply and circulate white ink continuously without stopping, is that a good idea, or will the pump life be short?

Also, why do peristaltic pumps typically run for 10-15 seconds and then stop for about 30 minutes?

Answer: 

1) A 5V power supply is not sufficient for a 24V pump

If the pump is rated 24V, 3W, a 5V supply generally will not drive it properly. Here's why:

• Pumps are designed around a target voltage so the motor can reach the correct speed/torque.

• At 5V, most 24V diaphragm pumps will either:

  • not start at all,

  • stall under load,

  • pulse weakly,

  • or run inconsistently (which can actually stress the motor and cause overheating in some cases).

If you want to run that pump externally, it should be powered by a proper 24V supply with enough current capacity (3W at 24V is about 0.125A nominal, but motors can draw more at startup, so you generally want headroom).

2) Continuous white ink circulation isn't usually necessary

White ink does benefit from agitation/circulation because pigment settles. However, continuous circulation 24/7 is typically overkill for most setups.

Most white ink management systems aim for:

• periodic movement to prevent settling,

• gentle mixing to keep pigment suspended,

• minimal pressure fluctuations in the ink path.

If you circulate constantly, you may reduce settling, but you also introduce other risks (more on that below). So: it's not "wrong," but it's usually not required to solve the white ink problem-and it can shorten component life.

3) Will nonstop pumping shorten the pump's life?

Yes-almost always.

Both diaphragm pumps and peristaltic pumps have consumable wear characteristics:

• Peristaltic pump: the tube is repeatedly squeezed by rollers/rods. That tubing is a wear item. The more it runs, the faster it fatigues, flattens, cracks, or loses elasticity.

• Diaphragm pump: the diaphragm flexes continuously, and the check valves open/close repeatedly. Like any mechanical reciprocating system, continuous duty accelerates wear.

So if you run a pump nonstop:

• it will break sooner than if it runs intermittently,

• and you'll also notice performance changes over time (flow rate drops, noise increases, priming becomes harder).

In other words: the pump doesn't have an "infinite life." You'll see the wear eventually-and running constantly makes "eventually" arrive sooner.

4) The bigger risk: pumping can add pressure stress to the printhead and ink path

This part matters a lot. Any active pumping introduces pressure changes into a system that often depends on controlled negative pressure (vacuum) at the head:

• If the pump creates too much positive pressure, it can contribute to:

  • ink flooding,

  • dripping at the cap station,

  • cross-contamination,

  • or ink being pushed into places it shouldn't go.

• Even if the pump is on a recirculation loop, the motion can still create pulses and pressure spikes depending on how the loop is plumbed.

• Pressure instability can also aggravate nozzle behavior (inconsistent firing, starvation, or weeping).

So while circulation can help settling, too much pumping can create a different failure mode-especially for white ink systems.

5) Why peristaltic pumps often run 10-15 seconds, then stop for ~30 minutes

That common "short run, long rest" schedule is used for a few practical reasons:

1. Reduce tubing wear
   Peristaltic pumps wear tubing as a direct function of run time. Cycling dramatically extends tubing life.

2. Avoid overheating / extend motor life
   Many compact pumps are not designed for full-time continuous duty. Short cycles reduce heat buildup.

3. Prevent over-pressurizing the ink system
   Short bursts move enough ink to keep it mixed without constantly pushing/pulling on the printhead path.

4. "Good enough" mixing
   White pigment needs movement, but it doesn't need a constant torrent. Intermittent circulation is often sufficient to keep pigment suspended-especially if the printer is used daily.

6) A practical approach: intermittent circulation is usually the safest compromise

If your goal is "reduce white clogs and settling," most people get the best balance by using:

• correct voltage (24V for a 24V pump),

• intermittent run cycles (rather than nonstop),

• and a setup that avoids directly pressurizing the printhead.

That keeps pigment moving while reducing:

• pump wear,

• tubing wear (if peristaltic),

• heat,

• and printhead pressure stress.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems, especially with custom DTF white ink plumbing and the many ways systems are routed. Because of that, we're not able to provide remote troubleshooting, suggestions, or support for printer repairs. We offer an in-person evaluation and repair service via our local diagnostic facility, Printer Repair Service (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Given the high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so it may take a few weeks before we can schedule a time for you to drop it off. Our services are structured to repair either a whole printer or specific parts, with clear instructions on how to proceed. However, we acknowledge our rates aren't the most economical. That's why we strongly recommend self-help through online research first. You can start by checking out YouTube or visiting our YouTube channel's homepage, BCH Technologies on YouTube (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Look for specific videos using the search icon next to "About" on the right-hand side of the menu bar. I receive dozens of queries every day asking about videos for specific topics. Having created videos over the past nine years, it's challenging to remember every single one, so using YouTube's search function is the most efficient approach. Plus, YouTube may suggest relevant videos from other channels that could assist you as well.

Thanks again for reaching out, and I'm glad you're thinking through the long-term consequences before wiring the pump to run constantly. White ink management is all about balancing circulation, component life, and printhead safety-and asking these questions up front is exactly the right approach.