Blower Repair process
The blower will undergo thorough repair and inspection from qualified and highly experienced technicians. During the Blower Repair process, a rigorous cleaning process will be handled that will include bead blasting of impellers, housing and head plates. Upon the completion of Blower Repair, a complete mechanical test is performed on the repaired blower including a high vacuum booster pump down and a blank-off test to one micron of vacuum. In addition a fresh coat of paint is applied. Blower Repair is additional expense but it is a more cost effective alternative to buying a new one.
How to maintain vacuum pump blowers
Vacuum blower maintenance requires simple monitoring of the oil levels in the pump. The blower is used in conjunction with the mechanical pump so as to improve pump down rates and ultimate vacuum levels. Contained within the pump housing are pistons and timing gears to fill the gear case with an appropriate grade of oil until it overflows from the oil level/filler holes. Before inserting the oil level filler plug, excess oil must be allowed to drain but this must be done when the vacuum pump is not in operation.
Overfilling must be avoided as this may cause the gears to run hot which will eventually result in damage. Oil levels must be checked weekly or every 100 working hours and the gear case should be drained and refilled to the correct level every 6 to 12 months according to the condition of the oil. In instances when the there are considerable temperature changes, it may be necessary to change the grade of oil being used. Oil used should have the proper viscosity for the minimum ambient temperature and for the highest oil temperature reached on a maximum load.
The recommended oil for most booster pumps should be straight mineral oil that contains the following characteristics: anti-wear, rust resistance, anti-foam and anti-oxidant additives. It must not contain any extreme pressure additives or additives that tend to emulsify. Oil should have a viscosity of not more than 2,500 centistokes at minimum ambient temperature and less than 30 centistokes for the highest oil temperature reached on a maximum load. Take note that there are summer and winter oils specifically manufactured for changes in weather conditions.
Gear teeth are provided with the correct amount of backlash and it is normal for a reasonable amount of wear on the teeth to occur without permitting contact between the lobes of the two impellers. A high level of oil in the gearbox usually causes churning and excessive oil heating which is indicated by unusually high temperature at the bottom of the sump. If operation is continued under this condition, gears will heat and teeth may be affected by rapid wear which can lead to unit seizure.