Pressure Pot. How to set up correctly?

General Composites Discussions Equipment Talk
#1

My pressure pot came in today =)

Now, currently I have replaced the PSI gauge with a Vacuum gauge, but do have a few questions as far as setup goes.

On the 4 way connector, does it matter which end I put my vacuum pump line and line to mold? I did notice an arrow, so not sure if there is internal valving which only lets pressure go one way. Also, the connector which is supposed to be used to hook up the spraygun, can I just cap that off and set it up air tight like that, or are you guys running your line to mold from there and capping off one of the ends from the pressure pot’s 4 way connector?

#2

your 4 way connector looks like a pressure regulator, and if it is then you will have to take it out of your setup since your not using pressure. same maybe said for the pressure relief valve at the bottom of the stack up (thing with key ring on it)

#3

I am thinking about removing the relief valve, as it looks like a 1/4in connector which that goes into, and using the part where you would connect a spray gun, as my line to the composite part itself.

I have seen a few setups, using the 4 way regulator/connector, but unsure exactly how they have it done. If I eliminate that regulator, I can easily just run a T. One connector go go into the pot, one for my gauge, and one, of course input to connect my vacuum pump to. Sounds like common sense, but I wasn’t sure if I could utilize any of the parts the pot came with.

#4

are you going to use the pot as a catch?

#5

Yes, a safeguard so the pump does not get killed from resin. :stuck_out_tongue:

#6


or you can reverse the two, since im not sure what it looks like from the inside. that is if you going to be using it as a resin catch.

#7

Your picture makes sense. I already had some spare fittings so I can connect my pressure fitting for the hose going to the part. However I need to grab a T, can’t find any in my box that are 1/4 male connections. Once that is done I will take a picture to show you, as well as hopefully help answer future questions about it from fellow forum members

#8

Okay, I set it up, and tested it. (I had to remove the release valve as it was leaking from that area).

I then tested the vacuum pump for a 2nd time after the change. I ran it for about a minute the first time, and about 2 minutes the second, and I noticed something weird the second time. The vacuum pump started to smoke a little (brand new pump), and it looked like the oil was bubbling. I took a picture of that as well, return the pump for a new one? It did burn a little oil in those two minutes (atleast it seems like the oil level went down a tad), may be like a car though where you have to let it sit for a bit to get a correct level. Still though, the smoking seemed like an issue

Here is right after I saw it smoking, turned it off and took this picture of the oil view. It is a 2.5CFM pump, generic brand.

Any help guys? I saw a post about a smoking pump on here earlier, going to search it out but figure this may be something common?

**I have done a bit of looking around, and if this is just vacuum pump “exhaust” you can go ahead and call me an idiot. :stuck_out_tongue: I am not sure if it is burning any oil though, haven’t really ran it long enough to see, I know if its burning up quick theres an issue, hopefully not :x

#9

what happens when you pull a vacuum and turn off the pump? does the vacuum hold or do you lose vacuum, if so then you have a leak somewhere. if you have a leak then that may be why your vacuum pump is smoking. My tanks take 12mins to go from 29" to 27.5" of vacuum, which is when my vacuum switch turns my pump back on. i also have a 7 CFM vacuum pump.

#10

I have zero vacuum leaks, I did what you asked, went up to 26.5hg, currently my method of holding off the vacuum tube is just crimping it and holding it by hand until I can find a cheap single welding style locking plier. I waited for about 9 minutes before my hand got tired, and I was still at 26.5 :stuck_out_tongue: Vacuum leaks are not the issue from the test that I passed which you told me to do =) However, my question is to whether it is normal or not, I wish I had better lighting so I could take a video. (still working on mounting a dentist style halogen light for my work area).

Where the “smoke” emits from is from the black cap labeled “GAS” which is also a direct lead to where the oil reservoir is. It looks like it is vented for this purpose, but I am not sure as this is my first pump. It is a generic, and looks just like this guy right here:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21KJrfWC2XL.SL500_AA150.jpg

The big black cap, is where the light smoke is coming from which is the exhaust port on the unit.

Normal, not? I know on the Robinair units the exhaust comes from the back of the handle, I am guessing that this is normal. The unit comes with a 1yr warranty either way, but I will be buying some Robinair Vacuum Pump oil just incase so I have some on reserve.

#11

So any ideas on the oil exhaust smoke being normal operation?

If possible when I setup my new lighting, I will try to get it on video.

#12

It’s normal as far as I can tell, I’ve seen both vacuum pumps and converted fridge compressors do it. I’m pretty sure it’s the by product of having a leak, however small, in the bag sealing. It’s no big deal though, the pump doesn’t run much in any case.

#13

Can’t help on the pump issue, but you can use a normal ball valve for the vacuum side, so you can shut off the vacuum line without having to kill the pump. This way you can check for leaks faster, and not worry about the vacuum pulling oil out of the pump!

obviously, put the valve pumpside of the gauge :slight_smile:

#14

About the photo of the Robinair 15600 Pump oil level…

your pump is burning oil off because it was overfilled. Way too much oil. Drain it off until the level reaches exactly to the oil level line. Perfecto. now it will not burn so much oil. The pump will now burn oil much more slowly, BUT keep an eye on the oil level and add as needed.

Now for the next issue you have. The pipe that extends down into the vacuum pot… cut it off so it is only 4" long. Remember this H/F paint pot was designed to suck or siphon paint up from the bottom of the pot. As a resin and vacuum pot you don’t want that long tube.

All issues fixed.