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Cheap vacuum pumps - up to the job?

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merl
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Cheap vacuum pumps - up to the job?

Postby merl » Mon Dec 16, 2019 1:59 pm

There are a number of cheap vacuum pumps. The cheapest ones are EUR 50-60

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre ... 3985086732

Anyone bought one for lamination? How long can you safely run it?

Any other suggestions for low cost low effort vacuum?
Last edited by merl on Tue Dec 17, 2019 1:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.

PrfctChaos
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Re: Cheap pumps - up to the job?

Postby PrfctChaos » Mon Dec 16, 2019 3:08 pm

I have one of those. It has seen quite a bit of duty over the last year. And still works well, no complaints.

It can get quite warm to the touch if running for extended periods. So i wired a pressure switch in so can leave it on and it will only run for a few seconds if the pressure gets high enough.

merl
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Re: Cheap pumps - up to the job?

Postby merl » Mon Dec 16, 2019 5:17 pm

You have plans for a pressure switch or is it something you can buy?

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Re: Cheap pumps - up to the job?

Postby PrfctChaos » Mon Dec 16, 2019 10:45 pm

Used one of these switches from ebay:

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre ... 3108010980

An alternative cheap option, could be simply using a infinite delay cycle relay. Then you can set it to run for 30 seconds every 5 minutes for example (depending on size of leaks). Like this relay for example:

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre ... 3108010980

When you dont have any leaks, none of this is needed.
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merl
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Re: Cheap pumps - up to the job?

Postby merl » Tue Dec 17, 2019 11:14 am

The second link is the same as the first, but a quick search finds the sort of thing I think you mean. Very useful info - thanks.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/QF-RD72-220V ... SwoOddbOGG

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Re: Cheap vacuum pumps - up to the job?

Postby PrfctChaos » Tue Dec 17, 2019 2:20 pm

Ah yes, wrong link on my post. But you got it. 👍

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downunder
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Re: Cheap vacuum pumps - up to the job?

Postby downunder » Tue Dec 17, 2019 3:04 pm

Search this forum mate or visit Chaos bro's web site:

http://www.boardbuilders.co

Old fridge pump will serve for years. I keep it running all night, no probs. Did install a PC fan underneath tho.

This are noisy as hell, have one, never use it.

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Re: Cheap vacuum pumps - up to the job?

Postby merl » Tue Dec 17, 2019 3:37 pm

downunder wrote:
Tue Dec 17, 2019 3:04 pm
Search this forum mate or visit Chaos bro's web site:

http://www.boardbuilders.co

Old fridge pump will serve for years. I keep it running all night, no probs. Did install a PC fan underneath tho.

This are noisy as hell, have one, never use it.
I thought this might not be so simple - you need to make oil traps and vacuum switches don't you? Also you need to remove the pump without releasing the refrigerant? It sounds like you are saying that you can run it continuously...

[Edit] The info from the page makes using a fridge pump sound far from simple:
http://www.boardbuilders.co/search?q=vacuum

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Re: Cheap vacuum pumps - up to the job?

Postby downunder » Tue Dec 17, 2019 4:07 pm

Nah,

No switches, been there, done that. Oil trap is just a plastic bottle.

As a matter of fact one could buy a closed oil system for aircon but more expensive. Way more powerfull to suck the air out tho.

It is simple, really. Do not over think this. Any fridge fixing shop can sell u one for almost no money. Most of broken fridges have no gas in them, hence broken ;)

The pump is designed to run continuously, it goes warm but thats ok. Better to run all the time than loose a vacuum. Loosing a vac is more expensive, it might ruin the project. Your call...

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Re: Cheap vacuum pumps - up to the job?

Postby Bille » Wed Dec 18, 2019 4:52 pm

Before i ramble on about how awesome a Free fridge pump is from
the curb on trash day ; do you use 220v in Sweden ?
We use 110v for most household items in the USA , (including the fridge)
so i would know nothing about wiring up for 220v ; other than it
can kill Ya if you get it wrong. 110v is a bit safer than 220.
I sprayed WD-40 in the fridge line ; every time i used it, (since 1985).

The holding tank is the most important part of the vacuum pump ;
doesn't matter if Ya got a small pump, but I need time to find
the leeks , and it's the tank that allowed for that, when using a small pump.

My holding tank, is a 15-gal Beer Keg ; i want another one to add
to it, only makes things easier !

Yea -- you definitely, want an adjustable HG switch , because the HG used, is
different for different core materials ; ply core, use Max Hg , Nomex honeycomb
will need less than 10Hg, 3.5oz density foam core is a different HG than roracell.

Take the time to do the adjustable HG switch ; you WILL Need it (.)

Bille


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