Lapidaryforum.net
Gadgets, Gizmos, and Dohickeys => Fixing, Modifying and Refurbishing your Lapidary Equipment => Topic started by: Moontide on August 03, 2016, 01:12:16 PM
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I finally got my water system running as I thought it should be, I replaced all the pump leathers, gasket, belt and tubes, cleaned and oiled all the parts and had it working wonderfully... until I shut it the machine off. When I turned it back on the spitters were no longer working, the pump pulley seemed to be sticking. I took took the wheels off to access the pulley, oiled what I could with minimal disassembly, cleaned the belt groove to avoid slipping and it worked perfectly again until I shut it off. Today once again, I did the same but decided to let it run a bit before putting the grinding wheels back on, shutting it on and off, it works perfectly...with no wheels. Once I put the wheels on, the pump pulley no longer works and I have no idea why that would be or how that would change anything. I'm a bit frustrated, my experience with this new found hobby has been more tinkering than creating! Can anyone give me any suggestions?
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Probably a question for DP as they have probably seen the issue before. I know on my Titan the I had issues with the freezing of the pulley which is the inner most on the arbor and in my case only affected one of the 2 squirters. I finally just succumbed to it and use a bubbler for the 2nd source.
On the remaining squirter occasionally it would not run on startup and taking a small screwdriver and taping the bottom of the pumps cranks shaft (bottom of the housings are open so you can see the crank turning when running. I then just sprayed a little wd40 up the crank area and the start problem went away. It might be some grindings buildup in the housing which is what was happening in my case. I keep the top oiled with marvel mystery oil for the piston seal.
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Call Diamond Pacific and ask to speak to Don, he has lots of experience trouble shooting these and should be able to help you out.
Tony
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I did send an email, I had been waiting to hear back, somewhat impatiently. I just messed with it some more, it seems to be a careful balance of belt tension vs. the weight of the wheels. I hope. It seems once all the trays are full of water I have to take it apart again. Grind 30 minutes, tinker 90. My fingers are crossed. Again!
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I brutalize my two Genies - to the point I wore out one motor so far! The air pump is what I think killed the motor - too much drag in my opinion.
I now use a high volume aquarium pump with four ports - two ports for each Genie. If you insist on using the crappy air pump DP puts on the machines I have a box of spare parts for them I will send you for the cost of shipping.
The spitters are pretty easy to rebuild so never buy new ones. I think I did a tutorial on how to rebuild one.
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Talked with Don from DP today at our show. Am wondering what your left-hand shaft adapter looks like. Does it have a brass part that screws into the end of the left shaft?
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Yes it does, I'll try to attach a pic. It's such a pain to take the wheels off. I took it apart again today, I was wrong about the belt tension and once again I removed the pump and cleaned and oiled the piston, that seemed to fix it for now. My fingers are crossed, I've been using it all afternoon.
Redrummd- I pm'ed you.
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I have two Genis that I teach on and I replaced the original pumps with the aquarium pumps and I use a high volume spitter from Kingsley North.
Bob
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Kingsley North calls them a brass geyser.
Bob
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Yep, that's the current design for the shaft adapter. There was an older style with a different design.
Wheel spacings look a little odd there, but that shouldn't matter. The adapter flange on the end nearest the pump just needs to be snugged up against the flange of the pulley for the pump belt. That's what turns the pulley, so if your belt isn't slipping this is the only other place for slippage to occur.
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Redrummd, I also would appreciate a tutorial on spitters or suggestions for replacements. I bought my Pixie used and have no manual for it. I knew the air pump was not properly working when I bought it, however I've been able to get it working off and on but currently its off again.
When you say you use an aquarium pump, do you mean an aquarium air pump? Just hook the aquarium air pump to the brass spitter?
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As replacements for DP spitters, does anyone have experience with the "Wheel Wetter" from Kingsley North or the "Lapidary Spray Pump" from American Lapidary Wholesalers? They both appear to be the same as an aquarium pump, tubing and nozzle.
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I use a high volume air pump designed for hydroponic gardening. I can run 4 spitters at the same time.
I will try to remember to get my camera out and do a rebuild tutorial for the spitters......
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I bought the largest dual output aquarium air pump from Petco (I think they were about $25) and hooked them to the Kingsley North brass geysers. Some of the air pumps have a volume dial but It just causes problems when someone turns it down and the next user doesn't notice it has been turned down. I wouldn't recommend getting that model. We use these air pumps in a classroom setting.
Bob