Re: Need info on Edwards Vacuum pump

["Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>]

Original poster: "Jochen Kronjaeger by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>" <Kronjaeg-at-Stud-Mailer.Uni-Marburg.DE>


> Does anyone have any info on this pump, and any general 'care and
> feeding' type tips for someone like me whose knowledge of vacuum

The following tips are not specific the the Edwards pump...

In any case it would be good to change the oil
(if there is still any at all). Real rotary vane pump oil is not that
expensive, and you need probably not more than 0.5-1 liter. Try
www.lesker-dot-com.

The pump can be drained quickly by running it with open oil drain hole and
blocked exhaust pipe. Fill with fresh oil, run for a little while and
drain again to clean the interior of the pump. 

>  How critical is the oil type - can I use compressor oil?

I would try to get real  pump oil, although I donīt think compressor oil
will damage the pump. It might reduce its vacuum capabilities.

> Is the vacuum created by this type of pump likely to be good for
> plasma-sphere/crookes tube type effects and messing with low-pressure

Definitely. Even if its not working perfectly well.
Be careful about the vessel you evacuate - it must be quite strong,
otherwise it might implode and shatter (not good for your health...)

Iīd prefer plastic for first experiments, as its less dangerous than
glass.

> Anyone know of any  'fun things' (HV or otherwise) to do with a vacuum
> pump?

Have a look at  http://www.tiac-dot-net/users/shansen/belljar/ .

Regards,

  Jochen

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  Jochen Kronjaeger                     Kronjaeg-at-stud-mailer.uni-marburg.de 
                                                                           
  The High Voltage Page  http://www.mathematik.uni-marburg.de/~kronjaeg/hv/  
    info, plans, photos of home-built HV-sources, sparks, HV-experiments    
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