Thu Jun 28, 2001

Here is is the soon to be 13P vacuum bagging system.  It runs off of 220V.  I tested it at the store and measured the vacuum it was 25" Hg.  Didn't feel like much when I put my thumb on it though... I had to measure my shop vac and compare.  It barely pulled 4"Hg like Dave Schneider said it would.  I am feeling much better now.  I think I will be able to use this pretty much as it stands. 

2nd Picture Right:  This component is labelled as a fairchild back pressure regulator.  Not sure what this does.  It is hooked up to the output. (the part of the pump that blows air)

3rd Picture Right: The Gast 0523 with the input and output tubes.

4th Picture Right: I believe this is a vacuum relief valve.  When we powered it up at the shop it was sucking like it was wide open. 

5th Picture Right: There are two traps.  They look fairly expensive and very clean. 

6th Picture Right:  The view from behind the traps.

Sat Jun 30, 2001

Pictured top right - I picked up a 1/2" inline hose joiner.  It is made of plastic.  I drilled a 1/4" hole in it and screwed in a brass niple.  I connected the vacuum gauge to this.  I chose to put it behind the filter so it would be protected from anything the vacuum may suck down the hose.

Pictured middle right -  I bought a 70' generator extension cord which was rated at 250V @ 20A.  I spliced one end with a switch to the Gast Vacuum pump.  On the other end I bought a replacement dryer power plug and wired it so it would supply ~220V to the vacuum pump.  A dryer has 3 connections plus a ground.  It has a white (neutral), a black(load), a red(load) and a green (ground).  This is because the dryers heater element works of 220V while the electronics in the dryer work of 110V.  I connected the Black and Red and Green to the generator. This means I had the neutral left over.  I capped it.  I have seen some 220V tools that have the neutral attached to the chasis of the tool.  I only had a 3 wire extension chord so I did not do this.  Even if I had a 4 wire extension chord I would have done it this same way.

Pictured bottom right - I secured the swich and power chord to the vacuum chasis with wire ties.  The tube forefront is what I will connect to the hose.  I bought 1/2" braided clear PVC tube to run to the bag.

Sat Jun 30, 2001

cont...