Question Vacuum Pump Power Cable

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n1phan

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Dec 7, 2011
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I recently purchased a used Vacuseal 5298 vacuum press. The GOOD news is that it came with a seemingly new vacuum pump. The pump works great, pulls good pressure in the press (27-ish") and is fairly quiet. The BAD news is that it has a standard three-prong power plug and, for the pump to be controlled by the press, it needs a European-looking three-holed, male plug. I am attaching photos of each.

YES....I KNOW I can plug the pump into a 110 outlet and let it run continually and just allow the press to adjust the pressure but I want the press to work PROPERLY and control when the pump turns on and off. I tried the "rigged" way and the press still holds about 18" of pressure once it TRIES to de-power the pump. The only solution is plugging in and unplugging the pump each time. If I wanted it to be THAT rigged I would just be using a shop vac and an old iron.

There MUST be a simple solution to this. I'm not an electrician. Is it easy/inexpensive to have the current plug changed to the proper one for the press? Is there a converter plug? All help greatly appreciated!!! Thank you!
 

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I suggest that you contact an electrician - the female portion of the plug that is in the press is pretty standard and most electricians should be able to get the male portion of the plug. It may cost you a few dollars to hire one but at least you will know it is right.
 
JoeB is right - call an electrician unles you know what you're doing.

You could probably have him replace the special female receptacle in your press with a 3-prong receptacle of standard configuration. You might even be able to match the two-hole panel mount. But first, make sure there's no special reason that the standard configuration wasn't used in the first place.
 
Did you by any chance think to call VacuSeal and see if they had an adapter? Looks like a fix that is screaming for a $5 adapter from the manufacturer....

Just saying...

Oh, and, Welcome to the grumble :)
 
Online there is a manual for the press. On page 28 there is a part number for an "accessory plug, pump" #120252. That "might" be what you need. Or it may be the same plug you are looking at :)

But I really think that there has to be a pig tail adapter out there. Maybe the folks at Pictureframeequipment.com have the adapter.....
 
Wouldn't it just be easier to get this?

http://www.cablestogo.com/product.asp?cat_id=1024&sku=03147&relatedItem=true

Just be aware that both cables (the one Pat suggested and the one I posted) are 18AWG.

What is the current draw of the pump? You may need to buy a cable with a higher rating - check to see what the wire gauge of the pump is (it should be stamped/moulded into the cord) or current draw to confirm that you will not overheat the cable.
 
Thanks!!!

YES! The 1ft extension/converter cord is PERFECT (I think). It LOOKS like it will work and the 18AWG is perfect. Am ordering it for $4.99!! HA! Thanks everyone. Wow...cablestogo. Keeping THAT little site bookmarked forever. Awesome.
 
That extension adapter should work. My guess is that someone replaced the original vac pump with some other vac pump. The original factory pumps are very expensive, about $600.
It could be a pump used to evacuate auto air conditioners or some other application and it was just cheaper to buy.
That doesn't mean it won't work OK, but the original pumps require no oil and your pump might need oil from time to time (or possibly not I don't know the brand of pump that you have).
I have a Bienfang heat vacuum press and it has the original pump, a Thomas- Gardner Denver made in the USA in Wisconsin.
The pump runs on 115volts while the heat part of the press runs on 220volts.
If you have the proper 4 prong 220volt plug setup on the press it will have 2 hots(220 volts) plus a ground plus a neutral leg so the press will have 220 for the heat and 110 for the vacuum pump and the accessory plug for the tacking iron.
 
Thanks!!!

Thanks Neil. I received the extension/adapter today. No luck. It powers the pump "on" only when plugged into the back of the press. Yes, I did have a single-phase, 230, twistlok outlet installed for the press. There is power to the 110 outlet for the tacking iron and there is apparently power to the pump power outlet but I cannot control the pump from the front control panel. The pump is always on when plugged in to the press. Also, I have to hold the plug just right in the back of the press or it doesn't work. I have the feeling the connector plug on the extension cord is very VERY close to the correct one.....but maybe not completely correct. I should have the pump that CAME WITH the press here in a few days and I am assuming that will have the correct connection. It's a long story. I'll let you know!!!

I DID manage my first over-laminating of canvas this evening with a combination of heating the press and manually activating the pump, etc. It worked but I think I need a longer dwell time for the Satinex laminate. I used 185 degrees and 5 minutes. I think I could stand a tick warmer and 30 seconds longer and all would be good! Thanks again!
 
So the pump continues to run after you hit the 'Stop' button on the front panel?
There could be something wrong with the 'Stop' switch on the front panel or possibly a relay controlled by the switch.
I guess you'll know for sure if the stock pump does the same thing.
 
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