Refrigerator compressor for vacuum pump

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Tim'sTurnings

Tim'sTurnings

Member
Joined
Aug 19, 2008
Messages
420
Location
Central Michigan
I have a refrigerator compressor that I plan on using as a vacuum pump as soon as I get my vacuum chanber from Curtis. I am getting pretty close to 30 vac. on my gauge. I also have a 2nd compressor as a backup. They both want to switch off as they choose. On my 2nd pump, it is from a small apartment refrig. It shuts off as soon as it gets to 15 vac. on the gauge.
My question is: Is there a way to rewire the components that are attached to the pump so you can have direct current to the compressor/vac pump? There is what appears to be a magnetic starter on the one that gets to 30 on the gauge. But there is a round cylinder thing and I think a magnetic switch on the one that trips off at 15 vac.
I tried looking the data up on the internet but I can't find exactly what I need.
Does anyone else have the problem of the refrig. pump turning itself off and have you found a resolution?
 
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Hey Tim when did you order your vacuum chamber from Curtis? I have one ordered too. I can imagine there will be lots of new posts after they get here.
 
I know Curtis is busy by looking at the timeline he posts for the pre-orders. I know there are other people using and recommending refig. compressors for a vacuum pump and I think mine will work. I just can't figure out how to keep it running all the time I want it to. I know there must be a way to wire it up differently.
 
Tim, I'll post pictures of mine tomorrow...Curtis asked me to send them to him several weeks ago and since I suck it hasn't been done yet...I'll send them to him too! It will be a response to your post if you don't mind the hijack? Mine works great and can't see spending the extra $$ if this works like a charm!
 
I just need to know if there is a different way in wiring the pumps. Mine runs ok but it turns off it seems whenever it wants to. Maybe they are all made and wired differently. I just wanted to know if other people do a direct wiring to the pump other than going through the separate starter system that are on them or not.
I just got a second, smaller pump from a small frig. just for the heck of it and that one shuts itself off when it reaches the 15 on the vac. gauge. My bigger one pumps for awhile but doesn't always turn on when I flip the switch.
I don't mind any hijack if it helps someone and it seems this will help me also.
Here is a picture of mine, minus the tank I haven't received yet.
Vacuumpumpsetup.png
 
Here ya go Tim...I really need to be more responsible about pic's:redface::frown:
First...this came wired from the guy down the street so I can't offer any "this that or what". The white...I think it's neutral?? is connected to two wires off the 3 prong plug and you can go from there. Green as you can see is just hangin' in the breeze.
I tossed in a pic of the connector for the vac plumbling...just a connector to go from 3/16" tubing (on the chamber side) to 3/8" tubing (my pump size). It really doesn't get any easier!! Hope that helps and if there is anything else I can do to help...just ask!!
 

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Jim, I can't see the entire wiring set-up from your pictures. I just want to know if I can wire up the outlet plug directly to the 3 wires coming from my pumps. The 3 wires coming from my pumps are connected to a box (starter?). Then the 3 wires from the outlet plug are connected to the box. The starter boxes are tripping the pump off.
I just want to know if the refrig pump can be connected directly to the outlet plug, without going through the starter box.
Does your pump have some kind of connector box (starter)? Or is it connected directly to your outlet plug? (I am guessing that the starter box is necessary and I don't know how to keep the pumps running until I switch them off.)
I hope my question is clearer than it appears. Tim.
 
Tim

You always want a a switch on the hot lead (wire), and you certainly want the ground lead connected directly to the plug ftom the pump.

The switch system on the pump has a pressure switch set to open at 15inches of vacuum. Replace that with a straight switch and a fuse.
 
Tim'sTurnings said:
Jim, I can't see the entire wiring set-up from your pictures. I just want to know if I can wire up the outlet plug directly to the 3 wires coming from my pumps. The 3 wires coming from my pumps are connected to a box (starter?). Then the 3 wires from the outlet plug are connected to the box. The starter boxes are tripping the pump off.
I just want to know if the refrig pump can be connected directly to the outlet plug, without going through the starter box.
Does your pump have some kind of connector box (starter)? Or is it connected directly to your outlet plug? (I am guessing that the starter box is necessary and I don't know how to keep the pumps running until I switch them off.)
I hope my question is clearer than it appears. Tim.
Click to expand...

I'll pull the cover off and get a shot of that too. Mine is wired directly from the wires coming from starter box to a 3 prong plug.
 
Thanks anyway Jim. I think I have the jist of it. I'll have to figure it out myself. If yours has a box on it then you have the same thing I have. I'll just check the voltages and go from there.
And thanks Ken V. I now have a starting point and I think I can figure it out.
 
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