Motor Mounted Rotary Vane FAQ back to FAQ home
Rotary vane units come in two different groups they are motor mounted and separate drive. These two groups are then broken down into oilless and lubricated groups.
A motor mounted unit is where the pump is built directly onto the motor shell and is considered as a one piece unit.
A separate drive unit is where the pump is an item by itself and requires a separate motor to be attached by a coupling or belt to power the pump.
Rotary vane units are used in applications where a deep vacuum (20”Hg to 28”Hg) and low flows (.3cfm to 110cfm) are normally needed. They are also used for light pressure (10psig to 25psig) with the same flows.
Oilless units are used in dry vacuum applications where as lubricated units are used in some moist vacuum applications. The different between an oilless and lubricated unit is in the make up of the two units. An oilless unit has carbon vanes and as these vanes wear they produce a graphite powder that acts as the lubricant for the vanes.
Lubricated units have vanes made of a Phenolic Resin with woven fiber reinforcing and require oil to lubricate the vanes to help fight friction and also to help seal the vanes so that the unit can produce the depth of vacuum that is call out for in the catalog and it also helps fight rust and corrosion to a degree.
If an oilless unit was to pull a large amount of moisture into it what would happen is that the carbon dust would mix with the moisture and become pasty and that would prevent the vanes from moving freely in the vane slot. This would lead to a low or failed vacuum level and if the unit was to sit for several days the unit may start to rust or corroded inside where as the lubricated unit will allow a small amount of moisture to be pulled into the unit for the moisture will mix with the oil and be blown out on the exhaust side of the unit. However both units will rust or corrode if enough moisture is ingested into either unit. See (What is the proper shutdown step for an oilless or lubricated vacuum unit?).
Vacuum rotary vane units are used in a number of applications such as for vacuum hold down, vacuum bag veneering, pick and place, lab use, milking machines, liquid and dry filling, pump priming and camera film holding.
Pressure rotary vane units are used in applications such as pond aeration, air bearing, respiratory equipment, swage agitation & aeration, textured concrete spraying, fuel atomization in heaters, soil sparging and air tables.
Rotary Vane Oilless Motor Mounted
Q: Do I need a check valve on my unit for either pressure or vacuum?
Q: Do I need to lubricate this unit in anyway?
Q: What should I do if I have lubricated the unit already?
Q: Do I need to grease the bearings?
Q: What kind of flushing solvent should I use to flush out or clean my unit?
Q: Can I pump a liquid thru my unit?
Q: Can I pump flammable or hazardous gasses with my unit?
Q: I use my vacuum unit in a lab will water vapor effect my unit?
Q: What is the proper shutdown step for an oilless vacuum unit?
Q: I bought a new unit and want to run it on low volts but the unit is labeled as wired for high volts from the factory how do I rewire it?
Q: My unit is an older model and is now in need of some parts do you offer any repair kits?
Q: What comes in a repair kit?
Q: What tools do I need to rebuild a motor mounted rotary vane unit?
Q: I know nothing about servicing a unit and live out West how can I get my unit serviced?
Q: Where do I get parts for my unit?
Q: Do I need a check valve on my unit for either pressure or vacuum?
A: Yes it is highly recommended that a check valve be place inline for either pressure or vacuum applications. This will prevent pressure or vacuum lost when the unit is turned off and also it prevents the unit from rotating backwards when turned off for if the unit was to re-start while rotating backwards you may take the chance for snapping the vanes and damaging the unit.
Q: Do I need to lubricate this unit in anyway?
A: No you should not use any type of lubrication on an oilless unit for it will cause the carbon dust that the vanes produce to gum up and the unit will fail for it is the dust that acts like a graphite powder to lubricate the unit.
Q: What should I do if I have lubricated the unit already?
A: You should remove the end plate on the unit so that you can get into the pump area and then remove the vanes from the unit. You should then use a flushing solvent (Gast part number) AH255B to completely flush out the inside of the unit, end plate and flush down the vanes as well. Then you should blow out the inside of the pump and wipe down the vanes and reassemble the unit. You should also replace the filters at this time as well with new filter elements.
Q: Do I need to grease the bearings?
A: No the bearings are shelled and need no maintenance.
Q: What kind of flushing solvent should I use to flush out or clean my unit?
A: Gast part number for our flushing solvent is AH255B. This solvent is a non-petroleum based solvent that is also non-electrical conductive and flammable. You should NOT use any solvent that is petroleum based, electrical conductive or flammable. You can buy AH255B solvent form your local Gast Rep or Distributor. Please go to the Gast web site at www.gastmfg.com and look for sales and distribution. Click on that to find the distribution center closes to you. It site list our Gast Distributors by US, Canada, and International
Q: Can I pump a liquid thru my unit?
A: No, Gast oilless rotary vane units are designed to be used for ambient air only. You should never pump a liquid with your unit for you can damage it by braking the vanes or rotor.
Q: Can I pump flammable or hazardous gasses with my unit?
A: No, Gast oilless rotary vane units are not completely sealed and will leak.
Q: I use my vacuum unit in a lab will water vapor effect my unit?
A Yes, water vapors may cause your unit to rust up if enough water vapor is sucked into the unit and if it sets for a couple of days without being used. To help prevent your unit from rusting you need to follow the proper shutdown steps for your unit.
Q: What is the proper shutdown step for an oilless vacuum unit?
A: Proper shutdown procedures must be followed to prevent pump damage. Failure to do so may result in premature pump failure. The Gast Manufacturing pumps are constructed of ferrous metals or aluminum which may be subjected to rust or corrosion when pumping condensable vapors such as water. Follow the steps below to assure correct storage or shutdown of the unit between uses:
- Never oil a non-lubricated unit.
- After using the unit, disconnect it from your application and allow the pump to run open for at least 3 minutes.
- Then block the inlet port and let the pump to pull a deep vacuum on itself for at least 5 minutes. (this lets the pump get very hot and will dry out any moisture that the pump has sucked into itself)
- Then after the 5 minutes open the intake and let the unit run for 3 minutes to cool down now the unit is ready for storage.
Q: I bought a new unit and want to run it on low volts but the unit is labeled as wired for high volts from the factory how do I rewire it?
A: On the side of the motor you will find a motor manufacture information label and on this label it will show or tell you how to rewire the unit for low voltage just follow the directions listed there.
Q: My unit is an older model and is now in need of some parts do you offer any repair kits?
A: Yes, Gast dose offer repair kits for most all our units. You can buy your kits form your local Gast Rep or Distributor. Please go to the Gast web site at www.gastmfg.com and look for sales and distribution. Click on that to find the distribution center closes to you. It site list our Gast Distributors by US, Canada, and International
Q: What comes in a repair kit?
A: In most kits from Gast you will get everything you need along with an owner manual to rebuild that unit.
Q: What tools do I need to rebuild a motor mounted rotary vane unit?
A: In most cases all you will need is a socket or box wrench.
Q: I know nothing about servicing a unit and live out West how can I get my unit serviced?
A: For your convenience Gast has 13 locations in the US and 5 in Canada please go to our web site at www.gastmfg.com and look for service. All Gast certified warranty/ service centers are listed there.
Q: Where do I get parts for my unit?
A: Please go to the Gast web site at www.gastmfg.com and look for sales and distribution. Click on that to find the distribution center closes to you. It site list our Gast Distributors by US, Canada, and International.
back to oilless motor mounted questions
Rotary Vane Lubricated Motor Mounted
Q: Do I need a check valve on my unit for either pressure or vacuum?
Q: Do I need to lubricate this unit?
Q: Where do I get AD220 oil?
Q: What is AD220 and is there a substitute?
Q: How much oil do I need to supply to the unit?
Q: How do I regulate the mount of oil?
Q: What should I do if I see a drop in performance?
Q: Do I need to grease the bearings?
Q: What kind of flushing solvent should I use to flush out or clean my unit?
Q: Can I pump a liquid thru my unit?
Q: Can I pump flammable or hazardous gasses with my unit?
Q: I use my vacuum unit in a lab will water vapor effect my unit?
Q: What is the proper shutdown step for a lubricated vacuum unit?
Q: I bought a new unit and want to run it on low volts but the unit is labeled as wired for high volts from the factory how do I rewire it?
Q: My unit is an older model and is now in need of some parts do you offer any repair kits?
Q: What comes in a repair kit?
Q: What tools do I need to rebuild a motor mounted rotary vane unit?
Q: I know nothing about servicing a unit and live out West how can I get my unit serviced?
Q: Where do I get parts for my unit?
Q: Do I need a check valve on my unit for either pressure or vacuum?
A: Yes it is highly recommended that a check valve be place inline for either pressure or vacuum applications. This will prevent pressure or vacuum lost when the unit is turned off and also it prevents the unit from rotating backwards when turned off for if the unit was to re-start while rotating backwards you may take the chance for snapping the vanes and damaging the unit.
Q: Do I need to lubricate this unit?
A: Yes, for all lubricated rotary vane units Gast recommends using our oil AD220 (Gast part number).
Q: Where do I get AD220 oil?
A: You can buy AD220 oil form your local Gast Rep or Distributor. Please go to the Gast web site at www.gastmfg.com and look for sales and distribution. Click on that to find the distribution center closes to you. It site list our Gast Distributors by US, Canada, and International
Q: What is AD220 and is there a substitute?
A: AD220 is nothing more then 10wt. SAE high detergent petroleum base oil. And a replacement should be as such. Try not to us synthetic oil for they have a tendency to gum up the units and then you will need to dissemble and clean it.
Q: How much oil do I need to supply to the unit?
A: Just fill the oilier jar up to the fill line on the oil reservoir.
Q: How do I regulate the mount of oil?
A: There is no adjustment for the oil is dispensed by an officer that is built into the oilier assembly. As the unit sucks in air it pulls off the oil from the wick and dispenses it in as an oil mist.
Q: What should I do if I see a drop in performance?
A: You should remove the end plate on the unit so that you can get into the pump area and then remove the vanes from the unit. You should then use a flushing solvent (Gast part number) AH255B to completely flush out the inside of the unit, end plate and flush down the vanes as well. Then you should blow out the inside of the pump and wipe down the vanes and reassemble the unit. You should also replace the filters at this time as well with new filter elements.
Q: Do I need to grease the bearings?
A: No the bearings are shelled and need no maintenance.
Q: What kind of flushing solvent should I use to flush out or clean my unit?
A: Gast part number for our flushing solvent is AH255B. This solvent is a non-petroleum based solvent that is also non-electrical conductive and flammable. You should NOT use any solvent that is petroleum based, electrical conductive or flammable. You can buy AH255B solvent form your local Gast Rep or Distributor. Please go to the Gast web site at www.gastmfg.com and look for sales and distribution. Click on that to find the distribution center closes to you. It site list our Gast Distributors by US, Canada, and International
Q: Can I pump a liquid thru my unit?
A: No, Gast oilless rotary vane units are designed to be used for ambient air only. You should never pump a liquid with your unit for you can damage it by braking the vanes or rotor.
Q: Can I pump flammable or hazardous gasses with my unit?
A: No, Gast oilless rotary vane units are not completely sealed and will leak.
Q: I use my vacuum unit in a lab will water vapor effect my unit?
A Yes, water vapors may cause your unit to rust up or corrode if enough water vapor is sucked into the unit and if it sets for a couple of days without being used. To help prevent your unit from rusting you need to follow the proper shutdown steps for your unit.
Q: What is the proper shutdown step for a lubricated vacuum unit?
A: Proper shutdown procedures must be followed to prevent pump damage. Failure to do so may result in premature pump failure. The Gast Manufacturing pumps are constructed of ferrous metals or aluminum which may be subjected to rust or corrosion when pumping condensable vapors such as water. Follow the steps below to assure correct storage or shutdown of the unit between uses:
- After using the unit, disconnect it from your application and allow the pump to run open for at least 3 minutes.
- Then block the inlet port and let the pump to pull a deep vacuum on itself for at least 5 minutes. (this lets the pump get very hot and will dry out any moisture that the pump has sucked into itself it also helps the unit pull in extra oil to protect it)
- Then after the 5 minutes turn off the unit but DO NOT break the vacuum but let the unit break the vacuum level through natural leakage as the unit comes to a stop the unit is now ready for storage.
Q: I bought a new unit and want to run it on low volts but the unit is labeled as wired for high volts from the factory how do I rewire it?
A: On the side of the motor you will find a motor manufacture information label and on this label it will show or tell you how to rewire the unit for low voltage just follow the directions listed there.
Q: My unit is an older model and is now in need of some parts do you offer any repair kits?
A: Yes, Gast dose offer repair kits for most all our units.
Q: What comes in a repair kit?
A: In most kits from Gast you will get everything you need along with an owner manual to rebuild that unit.
Q: What tools do I need to rebuild a motor mounted rotary vane unit?
A: In most cases all you will need is a socket or box wrench.
Q: I know nothing about servicing a unit and live out West how can I get my unit serviced?
A: For your convenience Gast has 13 locations in the US and 5 in Canada please go to our web site at www.gastmfg.com and look for service. All Gast certified warranty/ service centers are listed there.
Q: Where do I get parts for my unit?
A: Please go to the Gast web site at www.gastmfg.com and look for sales and distribution. Click on that to find the distribution center closes to you. It site list our Gast Distributors by US, Canada, and International.
back to lubricated motor mounted questions
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