Robinair pump problem

General Composites Discussions Equipment Talk
#1

I bought a new Robinair 15600 pump not long ago. I have put 8hrs on the pump total. It died today. The aluminum housing is really hot right now and the pump won’t even run. So I have a few questions for those of you who know about Robinair pumps.

Do you add oil regularly? If so how many hours of operation before you add pump oil?

Do you open the gas balast valve at all during or before operation? Mine has always been closed, always. maybe that is part of the problem.

Ok now on the front of my 15600 underneath there is a gold fitting with a brass cap or knob? What is that. I have never touched that since i have took the pump out of the factory box.

The large side knob/lever is always open while the pump is turned on. So that should not have caused the problem. I did forget to close the lever last time i was done using the pump.

The oil level is low, barely visible in the site glass window. I didn’t know these things burned so much oil.

#2

Ok, I thought about what i did wrong. Working on Sunday :o

The pump cooled down and now it works again. I just have to change the oil and fill it back up.

People… keep an eye on your rotary vane vacuum pumps, always, always keep the oil filled up because as I found out today, they burn oil. And change the oil for like every 36 hours of use. Good safety measure.

I’m also open to any suggestions or tips for this pump.

#3

gas ballast should be kept closed, the only time you open it is if you have alot of moisture in what your vacuuming because it will destroy the vacuum, however with composites you do not need to worry about this. but I am suprised about how fast your pump ate that oil, ouch, awfully fast

#4

Has anyone use a brand of vacuum pump called Gast? I borrowed one recently and it seemed good, quiet ,too.

#5

I use a Thomas pump that look similar to Gast’s stuff. Its very quiet. Most Ive gotten from it is 27" though.

The pump I used to use at my old job was a Gast. It was industial sized, very loud. Only pulled 26", but could draw air from a bag with a quickness.

#6

I think what may have happened is i filled the pump when new with oil to the right level, then once the pump got turned on the oil level may have went lower and i never caught it. Other people have said they’ve used their Robinair for one year with no problems, every day. I’ll just add oil and hope it’s all good now.

#7

Gast pumps are good. Werksberg uses them.

#8

i hsve had ym robinair for 4 years now problem free. I change the oil about every six months. I need to do it more but I dont lol. Mine shut down on me once and I took it to a pump repair shop and they did something to fix it

#9

Mine stopped once because it overheated. I just let it cool down for several hours or more, then i hit the reset switch and it started right up. :slight_smile: I also changed the oil after that incident and made sure it was to level.

#10

Mine (15500) has never overheated or shut down. Remember that thing I did on “controlling the vacuum” well that’s one reason I don’t like electrical equipment running constantly. I know, I know, these pumps can do it but…

Anywho, mine does consume some oil and have had to exhaust it outdoors. I tried a paper filter trap but it just kept getting clogged. I usually top up the oil on each use and changed it after half a dozen uses (I’m not doing much these days). The oil is (relatively) cheap but the pumps aren’t.

#11

we will see about the 15,600 Robinair i’m using…we left it to run all night, 14 hours.

#12

i remeber leaving mine going all night once in a 500sqft place and it was soooo smokey in there when I came in the morning lol

my pumps usually are only running for an hour or so. I leave it under vacuum for about 45 minutes before I infuse and most of my items infuse in a minute or two, or unless it is a big roof I am doing that is 5 or 6 ft long those take about 5 minutes to infuse. Once i confirm no leaks I clamp of the vacuum line and turn the pump off

#13

I ran a piece of hose from the exhaust of the pump to the outside of the shop. No more smokey shop! :wink:

#14

That sounds just about what we are going to do… run a vent down to the pump exhaust and on the other end of the vent is an electric exhaust fan. Breathing pump exhaust sucks.