Surge Alamo pump, how to drive it?

[maple flats]

It is my understanding that an Alamo rotary vane pump is designed to run at about 400 RPM. With a 10" pulley on the pump I got a 1.8" on the gas engine and figured I'd put a stop on the throttle to keep from over speed. My problem is I can't get enough friction to drive the pump from 1 belt and I can't find a 2 grove under 3". How do you run your pumps, Do you need a jack shaft to cut the RPM? What are my options? Must be gas engine.

[Dennis H.]

Where did you hear about the rpm range??

My alamo is running well above that, somewhere above 800 I know, I just can't remember exactly.

My little delaval 73 vane pump is rated at 1000rpm with a 1/2hp motor. and 900 with a 3/4hp and 8something with a 1 hp.

My understanding is that only the piston pumps need to running in lower rpm range because of all that mas that has to change direction every revolution. With the vane pumps the higher the rpm the greater it forces the vanes outward.

[syrupkid]

400 rpm's is almost too slow for a vane type pump. At that speed you run the risk of not pulling enough air through the pump therefore overheating and siezing the pump. Depending on the size of the pump 800 rpm's is about right, but you may want to even run it a little faster than that.

[3rdgen.maple]

Maple Flats you can try a v blet tensioner to get some more bite on the pulleys. You can also find double v-belt pulley (sheaves) at grainger. Need an account there though. But if you know someone with one just give them their phone number and pay cash or credit and your good.

[maple flats]

What is the RPM design on an Alamo Vane pump? I believe this forum is where I got the 400 RPM figure.

[mountainvan]

I use 5.5 horse honda with 3/4" keyed shaft and put two 2.5" pulleys from tsc on the motor. pulleys are Chicago diecast. they can break during the season so I keep spares. I have one with the screw toward the motor and one with the screw away. I run 4 alamos this way and can pull 24" of vacuum all day long. I'll try to take a picture later.

[lmathews]

I have an all original set up.50+ alamo pump with a 3 hp electric motor that runs 220v 1750 rpm.2.5" pulley on motor and 10" on pump.

[maple flats]

Thanks to Miles Teg, I contacted a surge Dealer who gave me lots of info. He said my pump is a 75 CFM and that I should run it at 700 RPM for 19" vac and about 10 CFM. Since I think I will only have about 550 taps on this this season I might try running it about 650 RPM. I asked about temperature problems and he said as long as I keep oil showing in the sight glass I still have 3/4 gal of oil, another gal fills the sight tube. If I get too hot I will see oil smoke in the exhaust, if no smoke it is not too hot. He also said to run that much vac I should have at least 15 drops of oil to the bearings every minute. He gave me a price of $242 if I need new vanes, anyone know where I might get some for less. I think I'll order a set to have on hand.

[maple flats]

I use 5.5 horse honda with 3/4" keyed shaft and put two 2.5" pulleys from tsc on the motor. pulleys are Chicago diecast. they can break during the season so I keep spares. I have one with the screw toward the motor and one with the screw away. I run 4 alamos this way and can pull 24" of vacuum all day long. I'll try to take a picture later.

Mountainvan, Why not use cast iron or solid steel pulleys and never need to replace them? I imagine if you have 2 pulleys on the motor you must have a double on the pump, what are you using for the pump pulley? I can't use more than 19" this season because I'm using a Zero vacuum tank, but for next year I plan to get a releaser and go to higher vac level.

[maple flats]

mountainvan, are your Alamo's rotary vane type?

[3rdgen.maple]

You can try KINEQUIP for vanes thats is where I get all mine for work. Not sure if they are price competative but they are in Syracuse.

[mountainvan]

mf..... getting the pulleys from tsc is easy and only on or two break a year, plus they are cheap, like me. my alamos are rotary vane. I have had to file down some of the vanes from previous damage, but the pumps are pretty much bomb proof. I used to run 19" but with a good reclaimer they can really suck. here's trying the pictures.....

[maple flats]

MV, Are you using 2 of the 10" in die cast on the pump?

[maple flats]

mountainvan, can you email a pic of the pumps as you have them set up? dklish@earthlink.net

Thanks,
Dave

[mountainvan]

the pumps came with steel pulleys. I only use the die-cast on the motor. I have not found and 2 1/2" double cast pulleys that are for a 3/4" shaft. I'll try to email.

[maple flats]

My pump came with a single pulley, for 1/2" or 5/8" belts, 10" OD. Does yours have a double @ 10"?

[mountainvan]

one of my pumps has a single pulley, the other three double.

[maple flats]

On the single do you use a std belt or one with teeth for more friction? Such as a Dayco Premium Gold COG belt

[maple flats]

MV, are your pumps 75 CFM or 30 CFM or some other size? Mine is 75 at 960 RPM and 15" vac according to the dealer I talked with this week.

[maple flats]

I have an all original set up.50+ alamo pump with a 3 hp electric motor that runs 220v 1750 rpm.2.5" pulley on motor and 10" on pump.

Imathews, at that you are running just over 400 RPM on the pump. 10/2.5=4, 1750/4= 437.5 RPM How many taps and what vac level do you run? Is your pump a 75 CFM?

[maple flats]

I tried the pump today with a single 2.5" pulley on the motor (10" on the pump) It seemed to run good, tried to suck me in thru the vacuum inlet. Good thing I am bigger than 2" diameter, (lots bigger) or I would have gone thru the pump. Now I've got to plumb it, install vacuum controller and connect everything to the tank. This was a big relief just to get it going. Thanks mountainvan for your guidance.
Dave