Hi Penny

You may be be having the problem that seems to be common with these DUO 
5 pumps in that the clutch is slipping. Try disconnecting it from the 
turbo and switch on so it pumps air. If it then starts run it for a 
while with a bung on the top to warm it up. Then replace it in the system.

John

UCL chemistry

Penny Higgins wrote:
> I'm having troubles (I think) with our rotary vane pump. I wonder if any 
> of you can help me determine if I really am having a serious problem.
> 
> I had to shut down our mass spec for maintenance and I serviced the 
> pump. It's been working fine since. I've had to shut the mass spec down 
> again (for the troubles I described earlier this week) and now when I 
> try to fire up the vacuum pumps, I do not hear the usual gargle from the 
> rough pump - just a clicking that seems to increase over time. I look in 
> the oil window there and rather than seeing the oil flowing like usual, 
> it almost looks like it's splashing and the pump itself is shaking. 
> Before the turbos kicked on, I shut down the whole thing. It's a 
> Pfeiffer Duo 5 (or Duo 5 C - I can't remember) rotary vane pump.
> 
> With the troubles I've been having this week, I really don't want to 
> make matters worse with a bad rough pump.
> 
> Thanks for your help,
> 
> ~Penny
> 
> *******************************************************************
>                       Dr. Pennilyn Higgins
>                        Research Associate
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>                             "SIREAL"
>   Stable Isotope Ratios in the Environment Analytical Laboratory
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