converting filter press

[lafite]

I have a wesfab 7" hand pump filter press. I'd like to convert it to an electric pump. I'm looking for recommendations on how to do this.

thank you!

[maple flats]

Just remove the hand pump and replace it with a pressure pump that can handle the temperature. I might suggest an air powered diaphragm pump.
I swapped my original bronze gear pump to an air diaphragm pump. If you do that, one of the smaller pumps designed to work with 200F + temps is fine, then just hook it to an air compressor.
I got a 3/8" pump and ran a 1" silicone supply hose to it, but I think a 1/4" pump would have been fine. I filter up to 6 gal at a time and often repeat to work thru 30 or more gal at a time. That is on a 7" 5 bank filter press. If your filter is a 5" you will be able to do maybe 1/2 on a batch . When the hollow plates are full you will be done. You will want a way to regulate the pressure, I do it by having a by pass back to the source (my hot syrup mixed with DE). I just watch the pressure gauge and as it climbs close to 40 PSI I slowly open the bypass and hold it there, if the pressure climbs more, I open the bypass more.
Even a small compressor will work, I use a small pancake compressor, set the regulator to about 60psi and then regulate it by using the bypass.