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After reading about DUB's repair of his vacuum tank, and knowing I need to test mine, is there any type of vacuum generator other than the MityVac which I do own and have already broken twice. I need something to test and run my light actuators and wiper door. Is there anyway my compressor can be reworked with an add on to generate variable vacuum for testing purposes?
Like this but this will only get you a drop to 13psi (28.3 inches of mercury = 13.8 psi) If it can only vacuum down to 13psi that means on a normal day the ATM is 14.7psi so you're only getting about a lb of drop. Should be good to vacuum out AC lines like it was designed to do but it not variable as the OP is looking for.
Something like this should work if you can find one that can produce a large enough vacuum.
Like this but this will only get you a drop to 13psi (28.3 inches of mercury = 13.8 psi) If it can only vacuum down to 13psi that means on a normal day the ATM is 14.7psi so you're only getting about a lb of drop. Should be good to vacuum out AC lines like it was designed to do but it not variable as the OP is looking for.
Something like this should work if you can find one that can produce a large enough vacuum.
Sure it is. It is a venturi. You push less air through it and it produces less vacuum. Pretty simple really. I own one of these, have used many times.
Since the vacuum diaphragms are not a loss system it takes very little vacuum to move them. More vacuum just moves it faster. My headlights will come up with as little as 6" HG.
You could also use another car's intake vacuum via a hose and introduce a leak into the line you hook to the item you are testing. Open up the leak and you get less vacuum at the test item, close down the leak and you get more. The same could be done using any vacuum source that has a continuous flow as in the A/C vacuum compressor pump at harbor freight I linked.
Last edited by REELAV8R; Dec 16, 2016 at 11:44 PM.
For 20 bucks I will pick up the harbour freight one and give it a try. I have a fairly descent compressor and likely only need about 5-10 in of vacuum anyway.
Thanks all,
I will report back with my results
Pete
amazon has vacuum pump for around fifty bucks. the link is for the one i bought. it would do fine for the vacuum system and can easily do air conditioning systems also. they have less expensive pumps and some twelve volt pumps. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Anyway, I like the simplicity of the one that REELAV8R suggested that just uses the Venturi principle and the $20 price tag so I am going to resist my better judgement and try the Harbour Freight one.
I will follow up after Christmas with a results post.
Harbor Freight can be hit or miss. I'm batting about .500 with their products over the years. Bought a dial indicator with a base......great. Bought a tap and die set.....looks and performs like it was made in the bronze age.
That venturi pump looks OK and the best part is one of our members has one and recommends it. Go for it.
Harbor Freight can be hit or miss. I'm batting about .500 with their products over the years. Bought a dial indicator with a base......great. Bought a tap and die set.....looks and performs like it was made in the bronze age.
That venturi pump looks OK and the best part is one of our members has one and recommends it. Go for it.
Agreed, Harbor freight is pretty hit and miss. I always look at the reviews on an item to try to get a feel for what my chances of getting a good unit are.
Tap and die's LOL those things are garbage at harbor freight and many other places too.
simple stuff and stuff you don't want to bet your life on are ok at Harbor frieght. I won't buy jacks or a engine hoist there or many other items that I have to depend on.
Have plenty of magnetic trays though.
Last edited by REELAV8R; Dec 18, 2016 at 10:57 AM.
Just an update for anyone who may be interested. I now start the restoration of my vacuum system. As promised I purchased the Harbour Freight Vacuum generator.
Control Vacuum very easily from 0 to 30 inches depending on how many PSI from your compressor. Though it may blow up in a couple days, so far so good. I give it a 9 out of 10 for now!
Pete
completely variable stable vacuum supply form 0 to 30 inches,,,,, just vary your compressor output
Just an update for anyone who may be interested. I now start the restoration of my vacuum system. As promised I purchased the Harbour Freight Vacuum generator.
Control Vacuum very easily from 0 to 30 inches depending on how many PSI from your compressor. Though it may blow up in a couple days, so far so good. I give it a 9 out of 10 for now!
Pete
completely variable stable vacuum supply form 0 to 30 inches,,,,, just vary your compressor output
I kind of always worried about my compressor too when I used that venturi pump to vacuum down A/C systems. I limited it to about 20 minutes at a wack to give the compressor a break. Never did blow up the compressor. If you got a "dry" air compressor, your on your own I don't know how robust those things are.
I purchased a dental vacuum years ago... You might look on eBay for either medical or dental pumps.. I think I maybe paid around 50 bucks for it but that was a very long time ago.
I also have a portable 24 volt pump that we can move from car to car, you just need a 24 volt power supply... but the one I have is very close to this one on Ebay. http://www.ebay.com/itm/KNF-Neuberge...wAAOSwaB5XpfnL
Some type of variable vacuum generator
