Vacuum Pump Install ???

Phil Dwyer

Phil Dwyer

Joined
Feb 28, 2006
Messages
3,494
Hi Friends,

I have a pretty sweet vacuum pump from Stacy Apelt (along w/ a centrifugal caster and burnout oven), but don't quite know how to install it. It's wired for 220V. Converting it to 110V looks straight forward enough. I just have to round up another jumper. There are three loose wires (not the power source wires) that I am presuming need to wire to some sort of on/off switch. There or two 1/4" tubes that go somewhere. One has a compression fitting sleeve on it. There are two 1/2" or 3/4" (can't remember) open threaded pipe nipple. Stacy sent along two screw on hoses with the pump. Oh, and there's a capped off T behind the vacuum gauge.

I tried uploading some photos, but they seem to have gotten lost in the shuffle and now the "manage attachments" option isn't working for me.

So, anyone got any suggestions?

Thanks, Phil
 
Hey, hey,

I'm making another post in the hopes that I can upload some pix. The 1.5 hp vacuum pump is a Ohmeda SP-1500.

The pic of four copper bowls are of some of the kids work. They're casting bronze trivets for stand for their bowl, four of which can be seen straight from the casting still with sprue buttons and sprues.

Looks like I need another jumper to convert to 110V. Where would I source that?

Thanks, Phil
 

Attachments

  • VacLooseWires.jpg
    VacLooseWires.jpg
    47.9 KB · Views: 65
  • VacTube&Pipe.jpg
    VacTube&Pipe.jpg
    30.3 KB · Views: 54
  • VacWiringJumpers.jpg
    VacWiringJumpers.jpg
    54.9 KB · Views: 57
  • Castings,Etc.jpg
    Castings,Etc.jpg
    73.6 KB · Views: 60
  • VacWiringDiagram.jpg
    VacWiringDiagram.jpg
    53.9 KB · Views: 40
Last edited:
For a Jumper? you can use #12 wire solid or stranded (solid is better for jumpers easier to work with) I see that it came with jumpers installed but just regular old wire will do the job. looks like the others are for control circuits.
 
It's tough to tell, but that compression fitted 1/4" tube may (?) be a water intake for that particular pump to create vacuum. The threaded pipe fittings could be the vacuum intake and output.

Good luck with the project, Craig
 
Ya it has 2 jumpers, but needs a third for the 110V configuration. Hmmm, 12 ga wire, that's easy enough. Now for the switch, intake, etc....
 
I got a pack from McMaster-Carr a while back. There were 20 more than I needed, but it was only $3 for the pack.
 
Phil, I would contact the manufacturer with any specific questions. You can probably download a PDF operators manual.

The jumpers are just #12-14 wire. With a 1HP motor, 220 is better, but a 20 amp 110 line will run it. The colored wiring went to the control switches that turned the motor and the vacuum solenoid on and off.( The round thing attached to the control box is the solenoid). I believe the unit was water cooled,too.

For what you want, I would operate it in the simplest fashion possible. An electrician or someone who is knowledgeable on circuitry should be able to hook up a simple on/off switch for the motor contactor and vacuum solenoid. Also, you can just take the vacuum from the manifold ( where the gauge is), and not bother with the solenoid.

I have another identical unit in the garage. I will have to look it over when I get back from San Diego next week.

Keep me posted.
Stacy
 
Hi Tracy,

We'll primarily be doing lost was casting with it. We'll vacuum out the air bubble from the refractory material, or investment, so there aren't metal beads on the finished castings. We'll also use it to assist with gravity pours by sucking a vacuum through the burned out investment molds to aid the molten metal's completely filing the mold's voids.

I hope to try my hand at stabilizing with it too. I'll have to work out the vacuum/pressure chamber, which is/are different than the the bell jar used for the mold making. Yes, indeed, what stabilizing media to use? There seem to be a couple main ones folks use. Darren Ellis promotes the Nelsonite 30B02. The other is 90c (Loctite Resinol 90C). I haven't read enough yet to know which way to go. There are others too, of course, and various concoctions or recipies.

Got any suggestions?

All the best, Phil
 
Thanks for the heads up Stacy. I've been trying to track down the manufacturer. My sleuthing skills are a bit deficient though, but I'll persist and see if I can come up with some documentation. Have a safe trip to San Diego Mr. Jetsetter! All the best, Phil
 
Hi Friends,

Tracking down technical info for this pump has been a most interesting endeavor. It seems the brand, Ohmeda, wasn't the OEM (original equipment manufacturer, but haven't been able to track that company down. It seems Ohmeda was a subsidiary of BOC Health Care and was split up and sold off into thirds, I guess. I believe this is what I found out from Ohio Medical, seemingly a descendent of Ohmeda. The road next lead to BOC-gases.com, then onto BOC Edwards. All roads seem to lead no where though. Although, I have picked up helpful info along the way by talking with various tech support guys. I finally just did a search for vacuum pump repair companies. Managed to talk with a guy who's been in the biz for a while. He didn't have info or experience with this model, but thought he knew of a guy who might. So next week I'm going to check in with a fella who used to work for Ohmeda, way back when, but is with another company now.

I'll share more when I get more. Thanks, Phil
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top