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Re: Operating Pfeiffer TC100 Controller

Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2018 10:09 pm
by Andrew Seltzman
McMaster is a US company, they ship fast and have a good selection of products.

What are you using for your vacuum pump, do you know the lowest pressure with the turbo off?
How are you connecting the Yellowjacket to the turbo?

Re: Operating Pfeiffer TC100 Controller

Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2018 10:48 pm
by Jackson Oswalt
I've used McMaster-Carr many times. They are top-notch suppliers for almost everything. I will send pictures as requested within the next day. The lowest pressure with the turbo turned off is 50 microns due to the leaks. The Yellowjacket is connected to my system with Npt threads, which is connected to the turbo. When the gauge is placed at the head of the turbo the gauge jumps up to atmospheric once the turbo is turned on. Once the turbo is switched off the gauge drops back down.

Re: Operating Pfeiffer TC100 Controller

Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2018 11:12 pm
by Andrew Seltzman
50 microns might just be the maximum vacuum of the backing pump. It's more then sufficient to pack a turbo pump. Jumping to atmospheric when the turbo is switched on is very unusual, I suspect a problem with the gauge.

I would recommend an MKS 901P vacuum gauge instead
https://www.ebay.com/itm/MKS-901P-901P- ... Sw1gRaeOIg

Re: Operating Pfeiffer TC100 Controller

Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2018 1:19 am
by Jerry Biehler
You may need a better gauge, what are you using?

Re: Operating Pfeiffer TC100 Controller

Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2018 4:51 pm
by Jackson Oswalt
I agree, I definitely need a proper gauge, not an HVAC gauge. How do I find the pin out for this gauge? Is there a proper controller? How do I read the pressure off it?

Thanks!

Re: Operating Pfeiffer TC100 Controller

Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2018 5:46 pm
by Tom McCarthy
The 901P is well worn and has been used by a couple of guys:

http://fusor.net/board/viewtopic.php?f= ... 01p#p78358

http://fusor.net/board/viewtopic.php?f= ... 01p#p78768

You'll find more on it if you use the forum search

Google is generous too:

http://www.idealvac.com/files/manuals/901manual.pdf

Re: Operating Pfeiffer TC100 Controller

Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2018 9:46 pm
by Jerry Biehler
Ahh, I have had some thermoucouple gauges act weird when they get below their lower limit. These HVAC gauges were never intended to see anything that a Turbo pump runs at.

You can get away with one of the 901P's but if you really want to see what the turbo can do you need an ion gauge. I have gotten several PKR-250 and 251 wide range gauges over the years off ebay. I dont think I have ever payed more than about $100 for one, Varian and other also make versions. Though you just cant go wrong with a standard hot ion gauge. I have a couple analog controllers lying around that I dont need any more...