Chromatography Forum

While I was sitting today looking for a Foreline pump for my new instrument I hear a dripping noise and the lab gets earily quit. The Foreline pump on my 5975b is apparrently dead. It was a Pfiefer Duo.

I have heard the Pfiefer pumps aren't as good as the Edwards I have decided to replace it with an Edwards E2M1.5

The issue I have is the cord that plugs into the MSd is not a typical in the wall plug. I think it is says R7 or something but it is 3 flat prongs in a recessed socket. Is there an adapter or something I can buy that converts the MSD plug to standard outlet.

The plug for the old Duo is actually like the back of a PC Power supply and MSD receptacle is like the end of a PC power cord. Agilent says I either have to buy another Pfieffer Duo or just plug it into the wall so I guess that is what I will do. We've been going through Pfieffer pumps every 3 years which is pathetic. No more Pfieffer pumps for us.

Someone has to make an adapter that fits onto the MSD and makes the receptacle that looks like the end of a PC power cable into a standard 3-prong outlet.

The funny thing is I asked the company I am buying the E2M1.5 pumps if they will give us a credit if we send them the dead Pfiefer and they told us they don't want it that it is poorly designed trash.

Our experience with Pfeiffer pumps is similar.

Either plug into the wall outlet or splice the old cord over. My guess is that the cord from the Pfeiffer will screw onto terminals onto the Edwards pump if you take off a cover.

On the other hand, the Edwards pumps we have recently got do have the correct plug for the MSDs.

It's easy to get to the Edwards connections and remove the power cord, but I'm not sure about the Pfeiffer. If it is easy, just swap the cords. If you do plug the pump into the wall, make sure it's on the same circuit as your MS. If you should lose power to the pump (circuit breaker may trip) and not the MS, you could backstream.

It looks like I got lucky as it almost backstreamed. I found oil on the KF seal and bottom of the foreline hose that was probably the dripping sound I heard. However there was no sign of any near the pump or
analyzer chamber. I vented the moment I realized the Foreline pump died.

Getting to the cord is tricky. I removed a screw cap seal and a nut and it looks like inside the hole the wires split into 3 and wire nut inside the electonics compartment of the punmp. I'll have to open it up.

OK I got the plug out of the Pfieffer.

One has to unscrew the cap and then with a wrench unscrew the plastic nut/plug in the cord hole. Then take off the 4 long poles threaded on the top for the safety cage and that scew on the bottom of the electrical compartment on the bottom. Use a small wrench.

Then the electrical compartment top just pulls off. Inside there is a hot and neutral wire in plastic clips that slide onto terminals along with two others from the pump motor. Finally there is a ground wire (green) that has a ring on the end that is screwed into the bottom of the electrical compartment.

I'll let you know how I hook it onto the Edwards pump when it arrives.

Also be sure to purcahse a 110V model and not a 220V model when buying a pump. Almost all MSD's are 110V.

I understand Edwards pumps can be rebuilt every 5 years is that something I can tackle myself or should I send it out.

Ran into a bit of an issue the KF16 inlet flange on the E2M1.5 was narrower diameter than the one on the PFiefer. The company that sold us the pump is sending a new centering ring. THe centering ring is that oring with metal lips on both sides that fits into the groves on the hose adapter and pump inlet KF flange. THe one on the Pfiefer is same diamter on both sides the one I need has narrower lips on one side for the pump and wider for the old hose adapter.

The electronics is no big deal. The Edwards has a power cord in the compartment with black hot, white, neutral, and green ground as well howver all three are crimped onto a metal loop rather that goes on to a screw. I'll cut off the white slide in termal things and just loop arround the wire.

OK I got the plug out of the Pfieffer.

One has to unscrew the cap and then with a wrench unscrew the plastic nut/plug in the cord hole. Then take off the 4 long poles threaded on the top for the safety cage and that scew on the bottom of the electrical compartment on the bottom. Use a small wrench.

Then the electrical compartment top just pulls off. Inside there is a hot and neutral wire in plastic clips that slide onto terminals along with two others from the pump motor. Finally there is a ground wire (green) that has a ring on the end that is screwed into the bottom of the electrical compartment.

I'll let you know how I hook it onto the Edwards pump when it arrives.

Also be sure to purcahse a 110V model and not a 220V model when buying a pump. Almost all MSD's are 110V.

I understand Edwards pumps can be rebuilt every 5 years is that something I can tackle myself or should I send it out.

Remember KISS

Unplug the power end of the cord (VERY IMPORTANT !) and cut it off the pump with side cutters. To connect it to the Edwards strip the insulation as required.

Peter

Edwards sells a refurb kit for thier pumps. I have never rebuilt one myself, but it looks simple enough. Given what you have been working on since you turned up on the board, I am sure you can rebuild a pump.

I usually evacuate the MS manifold by plugging the rough pump into a wall outlet first. Once I am ready to finish pumping down I will turn off the rough pump, plug it into the convenience outlet on the back of the MS, then go for the conventional pump down using the MS software or the front panel. That first power on with a cold pump seems to stress the MS electronics.