Trouble with DIY record cleaning machine

[BDR_23]

For the past few months I have been building a record cleaning machine. And now I'm pretty much "done" but having problems with the vacuum stuff. It keeps sucking up water into the white pipe and soaks the wood bulkhead the vacuum motor is clamped to. There never seems to be water on the inside of the impeller housing and no water sprayed through the vents. Today I glued two pieces of plastic to the intake of the white pipe and exit of the clear pipe, each with holes drilled in it to restrict the airflow. I had some success and the water stayed in the tank (even when it is sucked up most still stays in the tank, fyi) but I had issues with suction. Two rotations were needed to fully suck up the water, I wanted one. So I drilled few more holes on each piece and tested for wetness after each. Eventually it started sucking up water again. I'm not sure if the arrangement is correct for fluid collection. Tried finding info how RCM manufacturers do their system but found nothing. Any changes to stop this problem? The vacuum motor is plenty powerful but stopping the water being sucked up the white pipe and not handicapping the sucking power is puzzling... Over $200 has been sunk into this thing. Managed to clean ten records during my testing tho.

The white piping you see is about 1 3/8"/3.5cm ID. Plastic container is 9"/23cm tall and 5"/12.7cm wide. Clear pipe is 15/16"/2.5cm ID. The end of the clear pipe sits 1-3/4"/4.5cm from the bottom of the tank. https://www.grainger.com/product/AMETEK-LAMB-Vacuum-Motor-2M429

 

[BDR_23]

Anyone?

 

[JP]

You're dealing with atomized water, so you need to think baffles. The original VPI 16 had a sponge at the bottom of the "tank" directly underneath where the pick up tube entered.

 

[elcoholic]

The white pipe is suction from the vacmotor and the clear pipe is intake from the record pick-up, right? It's hard to tell from the pictures, but it doesn't look like there's much difference in height or separation from the 2. You want the the vacuum suction high and the record pick-up low. I was thinking of using Wiffle golf balls in my RCM tank, but tried some floral foam chunks 1st and they worked very well.

 

[BDR_23]

Yeah I extended the clear tube down the tank so it would be far from the white intake. I even made a barrier so water would be stopped climbing up the walls. Beginning to think my motor is too powerful! Anyone have experience with the Record Doctor V?

 

[BDR_23]

You're dealing with atomized water, so you need to think baffles. The original VPI 16 had a sponge at the bottom of the "tank" directly underneath where the pick up tube entered.

Baffles? I googled it and it shows multiple "pathways" to flow water. I hadn't thought about water atomizing, so essentially I need to stop it from atomizing...I'll look into this. Thank you!

 

[JP]

No, you're not going to stop it from atomizing. You need to put something in its path that it will condense on to minimize the amount that makes it to the vacuum.

Similar to elcoholic's floral foam, I was thinking water filter sheets used in pond or water feature filtration.

 

[tcss]

I did this and it works fine to drop the water without any going to the vacuum. The vacuum I use is very strong, one revolution and the lp is almost completely dry. The plastic container is 7 inches tall. I drain the water with about 1 1/2 inches from the bottom.

 

[BDR_23]

No, you're not going to stop it from atomizing. You need to put something in its path that it will condense on to minimize the amount that makes it to the vacuum.

Similar to elcoholic's floral foam, I was thinking water filter sheets used in pond or water feature filtration.

Right right, I meant to condense it. That would be the best since the makeshift valve can be taken off and the vacuum can be used full power. After cleaning I played a few and noticed some clicks as a result of limiting the sucking power. Between the sponge, filters and tcss's arrangement, this could work. The help is much appreciated.

 

[tcss]

I can't tell how your tank and plumbing is orientated, but if you have the tube from the lp facing the bottom where water sits, that will blow the water all over the tank and into your vacuum end tube. My setup has had a few revisions ( straight, 45 & 90 degree ends ), the first tube arrangement had water in the vacuum.