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Update...
We have used this for over a month now. In a few cases, it has been run continuous for 6 hrs with no problem. Heat is not an issue. The digital vac switch has allowed us to fine tume the switching for the 3rd and 4th motors.
I will post some pics in the near future of the new control panel as we are adding solenoid control to the zone valves and my son wants to do a backlit LED "dash panel"
Jr is just like the old man always tweeking something :)
Tom...
Be nice or I wont help you with the "white box" version of this!!:D
What SMC digital switch did you use to control this? I would like to try these Lighthouse motors out as well. I have just stumbled upon your utube videos and found you here on the forum. I like to see this information being shared out there for others. Anyways well done on your vacuum. What's the latest report on you vacuum? Are you still happy with it and how are the motors holding up?
Thanks,
Travis
Travis...
I dont know the exact model, but it does have a NO/NC 24VDC output. They only output 50ma so a small circuit has to be built to operate the relays for the Vacs.
The motors hold up very well. There are dozens, maybe hundreds of us using similar motors. These motors hold up well, even well beyond there published life expectancy as long as they are kept cool.
I am very happy with this setup. All the reasons are listed in previous posts.
Thanks Gary,
Yes I have enjoyed reading all the other Vacuum posts on these motors. I like the sound of the performance you guys are getting for the price of these motors and seems like a very effective way to go for starting out.
Cheers,
Travis
Gary that all look good. you do some nice work. you also help a lot of us with your ideas. I was wonder if you could share better picture or drawing of your vac box. I like to build one and try to improve my vac system since I now have my link for e-cab. If not I understand.
thank you
frank
Frank...
Look at the picture in post #8. That shows the end layout of all the components. Motors mount in the center area, intake cooling air comes in the top. Exhaust cooling air exits to the right ans vacuum exhaust exits thru the holes to the left.
The center lower chamber(s) are vacuum, You can see the outline of the partion that is between the pairs of motors.
Most every picture I have has been posted. They should help fill in the details.
Gary,
This is a great system.
I am going to rebuild my very basic vac system soon, new zones control valves PVC plenum Etc. I am moving my air compressor and a new Oneia 3 HP cyclone dust collector system to a small room in the corner of my shop about 10'x8'. I was thinking about moving the vac hold down system to this room also for noise control. I would have to run about 30' of duct to my table manifold do you think this would negatively impact my hold down vac system?
My simple vac system now consists of a plenum with a 4” ABS main run that 2 Vac motors are attached to and 2” feeder tubes to the zones. I have homemade plastic plugs with O rings for sealing the 2” ABS feeding the zones I am not using. The spoil board it just laid on top of the plenum with dowel pins to align the position. It works fine but is a pain to change zones and everything must be blown off real good on both sides of the spoil board to not change the flatness of the table. I have 8” of vacuum using 2 of the motors you used in this project (they run in parallel all the time) when all the plugs are in but I leak a lot around the edges of the spoil board and typically end up with 3”-5” of hold down. I am using a cheap automotive type vacuum gauge for my numbers.
I could see making a system like this one you show in that room and ducting it to the table area. I plan to add a vent to the room or it might blow a wall out with all the pressure. I may also move the intake for the air compressor outside for fresh air.
Thanks Mike
Mike....
According the the mfgr specs, the LH 7123 flows 75-85 cfm when pulling 5 inHg. By my rule of 1.9 (for parallel/series setups) there would be approx 152 cfm flowing with 2 motors pulling 5 inHg. With a 4" pipe this puts the velocity under 30 ft/sec, which should be reasonable in a pipe of this size. You will experience some resistance and slightly lower performance, but since all of our working conditions are at the above flow or less, I dont see a severe negative impact on hold down.
Guys like Harold Weber (that really know this stuff) can tell you the real deal, but I should be close.
I think you could gain more by adding either a traditional valve system or one like my KISS system ( http://www.shopbotblog.com/index.php...cuum-manifold/) and gluing your plenum down (and sealing the edges) solid than you would ever lose by relocating the vacs 30' farther away. I tried the loose spoilboard method, and tho it seems to leave more options available to we as machinists, vac hold down suffers greatly. I too, could never stop the leaks due to warped spoilboards and debris.
It looks like a "white box" version of this system will be built for my former machine this winter in the FL Keys. Tom is going to use White PVC Foam board and install the unit outside. We will eliminate some of the baffles as noise wont be an issue in his location.
Your plan sounds good, keep us posted as you build it.