DIY Automatic Oil Filter & Water Separator for your Freeze Dryer Vacuum Pump

[@payne7028]

Your brilliant mind never disappoints!! Thanks so much for taking your time to share this with us… we love ALL your videos 😊 Derek and Michella Payne

[@CaptainWingnut]

Thank you so much! It means a lot to me.

[@tracycolorado]

Good job wingnut. 👏 plus it is a closed system that means no vapor or evaporation of the oil

[@CaptainWingnut]

What I didn’t say is that my pump is extra fast at pulling down and maintaining a very deep vacuum. It used to take up to 10min to get below 600 but now it drops below 500 in just 4-5 min. I’m sure it’s because the internals are so clean and because I moved to dairy vacuum oil. I’m not sure this will not be a big video as it takes some mechanical ability to make and install it but my hope is that it can help those with the ability to simplify their lives. It is so fast to turn the cycle around and have the machine rolling again. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment

[@sparksmcgee6641]

Thank You for the parts list. I just started looking into a dryer today and this is what i need. Im a contractor with a bit of HVAC experience. The oil was thw first thing i thought would be an issue.

[@ChrisSmith-rv5wb]

thank you for this. looks great i ordered my parts and will try and put one in this weekend

[@daveb8598]

This is really cool! Have you ever changed the filter? If so was it full of gunk?

[@CaptainWingnut]

As a matter of fact i took it off to examine it just this morning and the gunk is filling the water chamber. I think the filter element is full. Looks like it’s time so I ordered a new filter for it.

[@sheilam4964]

👍👍👍👍👍 - brilliant.

[@Voidy123]

I wonder if an inline pneumatic cyclone filter will work on the line, that way you can filter out the gunk before it hits the pump

[@TerriB-x2c]

I have all the parts to set this up but I am electronically challenged. The video is not clear on how to set up the electronic element. Can anyone please help? 17:39

[@MrTIGERH1752]

Great Work!!! Please let me add a bit of engineering from my years of experience as a Refrigeration mechanic and automotive technician and well as an ME. Automotive electric fuel pumps don't work well as suction pumps. They like to source fluid from below fluid level. I know this interrupts your filter system, but hey!!! Moisture likes to stay low any way!!! Consider a cold trap, as commonly used in physics/chemistry experiments, to remove moisture before it can get back into your vacuum pump. As a refrigeration mechanic, the thought of that much moisture getting into my vacuum pump make me cringe!!! I am going to build a similar rig, as I am vacuum to power a flat plate vacuum hold down plate for surface grinding graphite material for use in an EDM die sinker. As stated, I really hate the thought of getting moisture into my pump, as even atmospheric air has a lot of moisture in it. Your idea seems like a good idea, so I will experiment with it, and see how it goes. You have a fantastic channel, Thanks, Tim

[@jasonbadger9164]

I would really like to do this with a moisture trap as well, but I can't seem to find any way to do it economically. Do you know of a way to accomplish this without spending more than a couple hundred dollars? Thanks! -Jason

[@MrTIGERH1752]

You need a container with in a container. place your small vacuum container inside a bucket, or other container to allow space all abound the inter one. Your vacuum is moved through the smaller container that is suspended in an ice bath. That way moisture in the vacuum chamber will condense out in the container, and not get drawn into your vacuum pump. If you really want to keep things below the condensation point, fill your outer container with a mixture of mineral spirits, or alcohol, and mix in some chunks of dry ice. That should give a temperature of about -109 degrees F, and should trap out large amounts of moisture before the mix warms up. For better results, insulate the outer container, top, bottom and sides!!! Yes it's crude, and not maximally efficient, but the idea can be expanded upon, and can be made very efficient. In some locations, ground water will be enough below the dew point pf moisture to cause it to condense. Super cold just gets more of the vapors in less space. the longer the air remains in contact with a below condensing point surface, the more moisture gets removed. Think a long thin tube in an insulated trough!!! Some experimentation will be required, your results will vary. Reference tube with in a tube condenser, as used in refrigeration applications. You might find a junk one in the scrap yard, or fabricate one from copper pipe and tubing. just remember, low air flow and large surface area for condensation to take place. Tim@@jasonbadger9164

[@walthodgson5780]

Is the mung coming from the stuff you're freeze drying? Because if so, it seems like some kind of prefilter between the dryer and the pump would keep the mung out of the oil in the first place. Something like the oil & water separator you'd use on an air compressor discharge, perhaps.

[@boydminer]

Wonderful project. I am buying my first freeze deyer tomorrow and I eas wondering if there was an easy way to filter and remove the water from the pump oil. This viseo makes me wonder why this type of system is not sold included as an optional water filter and pump oil cleaner. It looks like a great option for making the pump oil last much longer making the cost of running a freeze dryer much more cost effective and efficient. Thanks again for your great idea which I plan to figure out a way to imcorporate without voiding my pump or freeze dryer warranty.

[@CaptainWingnut]

I love NOT having to drain the oil and filter it and then find the pump gumming up with the sludge… My pump is still as clean as the day we got it… its the second pump as the first one died from a pump heart attack from being so gummed up.

[@briansmith4724]

Your parts list is Great. Thank You 🙂 Could you provide more information on your Dairy Vacuum Pump oil, part # and vendor, Please. PS Went to your website, links were Not working for me to Buy the parts for vacuum pump oil filter system. 😢

[@briansmith4724]

I am Building your System, I have added 1 modification. I found a 240 mm computer radiator and 2-12 vdc fans to fit the radiator. My thought was you have the oil out may as well cool it while you are moving the oil.

[@jonasthomander1230]

Greetings Cap. I have a question about your oil filter set up. I just ordered the main parts for my own oil system as I am as disgusted as you with cleaning the pump all the time. The question is: do I need to be concerned with running the pump full of oil? Watching your video and a couple others (Epicenterbryan for one) it appears that the pump reservoir will always be full, yet the videos seem to show half full in the sight glass. Can you explain this for me please. FYI, I found a water separator/filter with an amber plastic bowl with a drain for water. Thanks, Jonas (your Utah neighbor)

[@CaptainWingnut]

Mine runs right at the full line... 1/2 way in the glass.

[@goldfieldgary]

TFE paste is much quicker to apply than Teflon tape, in my experience. But use what you have!

[@syexplorarconmigo8853]

Quick question--- I have an HR Oil Less VAC PUMP... I wanted to apply this Air Drying Technique to the FD--- passing the MOIST AIR through a DRYER before it hits my Vacuum Pump... You have a set up suggestion for this??

[@CaptainWingnut]

I’m sorry I don’t. You’d probably have to install an inline desiccant type dryer in the line between the freeze dryer and the vacuum pump. There will be testing to verify that the filter can withstand the vacuum of zero atmosphere, and that it would maintain the vacuum, and also if you would need to install a computer chip cooler to the filter to condense the moisture. Before I built this filter dryer I tested all of the variables and had actually run it in a very hodgepodge form to prove that it would work before I actually went through the trouble of making it and filming a bust (been there done that).

[@dustinfinlinson3203]

So that separates the water from the oil but is there no other filtering that's needed for all the gunk that you were seeing before or does that all come out with the water?

[@CaptainWingnut]

The filter is a filter first and then a water settling chamber at the bottom and yes, it traps all of the gunk down to I believe 5microns which is very small. The oil coming out of the filter is extremely pure and moisture free and the pump inside looks like new after over 50 batches now.

[@rexhavoc2982]

If we clean the vacuum hose air before it enters the pump. Tests have showen a smaller suction hose stops the contaminates, simple as pushing another hose inside the hose you have. Why is the vacuum pump running all the dry time? What is the lowest vacuum you can pull?

[@CaptainWingnut]

My pump typically pulls down to 150 torr

[@rexhavoc2982]

@@CaptainWingnut I burn a stick of incense and watch the smoke as I move it around all the joints and fittings.

[@alexshepherd3654]

Hi Brad, I have the standard hr pump, when I turn it on there is air under pressure from the demister filter, if I connect the oil line here will that not put pressure into the line ? Or do I connect to where yoυ fill up the pump, any help would be great, from the uk

[@CaptainWingnut]

Go to the Parts list @ 2:46 minutes. Then, I show you the demister section @ 13:00 minutes. You'll want to set it up with some kind of container. I used a quart jar with a hole drilled into the lid to fit the PVC I used. You must have at least a 6 inch tall riser. This system will separate the oil from the air when you initially turn the system on. It keeps everything cleaner and contains that first burst of oil, that sprays everywhere. I had that problem before I put the filter on.

[@kevinm3815]

will this work w/ the premier pump ????

[@CaptainWingnut]

i don't know. Most likely if it is an oil bath pump.

[@jonasthomander1230]

Can anyone tell me where I get a cover seal for my JB DV 6E pump? JB doesn't sell to the public. Century Tool sells a seal, but it's too small. Thanks!

[@rexhavoc2982]

Just buy O-ring material and super glue.

[@HivetoHome]

I’m assuming this isn’t an issue since you’ve been running this setup for a year now with no issues. But, is there a risk of running the pump with too little oil in it since you are using the fuel pump to pull oil out of the vacuum pump while it’s running? Is the oil going back into the vacuum pump at the same right that it’s being pulled out?

[@CaptainWingnut]

You can add to the pump while the entire setup is running. The filter is putting the oil back in the reservoir on the no vacuum or pressure side. Yes, The filter system puts oil back in at the same rate it comes out with the exception of the initial startup where the oil filter must fill up. I run the oil filter pump system before I turn on the freeze dryer to make sure the system is full of oil and in the center of the site glass. I also set the oil filter system to sporadically run 60sec on and 360sec off when the freeze dryer is not in use. This prevents sludge from building up in and plugging the filter as well as keeps all moisture out of then vacuum pump

[@HivetoHome]

@@CaptainWingnut thanks!

[@OurSoVaLife]

Doesnt using this system lower the amount of oil in the pump? How do you know how much oil to put in?

[@CaptainWingnut]

Once its working, just add more oil to the pump until its at the full line.

[@Thomas-qr3bg]

What Brand of Oil Do YOU USE?

[@CaptainWingnut]

www.amazon.com/dp/B00CAO7O1W/ref=as_sl_pc_as_ss_li_til?tag=cougarridgera-20&linkCode=w00&linkId=0e5196e098ab4423a14b4106c5c75be8&creativeASIN=B00CAO7O1W Here you go.

[@bjones263]

Could I pay you to make one of those for me??

[@TerriB-x2c]

I have all the parts to set this up but I am electronically challenged. The video is not clear on how to set up the electronic element. Can anyone please help? 17:39

[@CaptainWingnut]

I'm sorry no one has helped you. Here's a couple of setup videos for the timer, sorry, they are somewhat English compromised but I hop this will help you. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aoW3p5mJjt5lZpY kzbin.info/www/bejne/jmq6ooOQaZeIhaM Good luck and thanks for asking and my apologies for not seeing this sooner.