Greetings fusor community,
I have recently purchased a MetroVac 033C diffusion pump off of EBay for a pretty fair price along with a 14 day return policy. Since this was an EBay product and had been noted to have some cosmetic wear, I was wondering if there would be a way to test the diffusion pump to make certain that it is fully functional without hooking it up to a fusor or other vacuum system.
If it helps, the diffusion pump has a heater and is water-cooled. thank you.
Joshua Guertler
Pre-Testing a Vacuum Diffusion Pump
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Re: Pre-Testing a Vacuum Diffusion Pump
Use a multimeter to check the resistance of the diffusion pump heating coil. Diffusion pumps have no moving parts so it is hard to test them without hooking them to a vacuum system. This is all in the FAQ!
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Re: Pre-Testing a Vacuum Diffusion Pump
After checking electric resistance as suggested Jack, look for right insertion of the heater;
Check the flanges surfaces for no dents;
Check for no leaks of the main vessel ( water filling it in case has no oil on it).
Check water refrigeration circuit for no leaks or clogs and you are done.
Good luck,
Roberto
Check the flanges surfaces for no dents;
Check for no leaks of the main vessel ( water filling it in case has no oil on it).
Check water refrigeration circuit for no leaks or clogs and you are done.
Good luck,
Roberto
- Rich Feldman
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Re: Pre-Testing a Vacuum Diffusion Pump
There's an easy additional test, reported here by Muhammad Faizdul.
viewtopic.php?f=18&t=11088&p=73737
After cleaning the empty chamber, he filled it halfway with water and brought it to a boil. OP mentions one hazard. Roberto already mentioned water filling as a way to detect gross leaks, without using vacuum.
A heater test by ohmeter (only) might miss things like mouse or spider nests in the bottom of the unit.
viewtopic.php?f=18&t=11088&p=73737
After cleaning the empty chamber, he filled it halfway with water and brought it to a boil. OP mentions one hazard. Roberto already mentioned water filling as a way to detect gross leaks, without using vacuum.
A heater test by ohmeter (only) might miss things like mouse or spider nests in the bottom of the unit.
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