info about TPH-050

[Roberto Ferrari]

I have the following questions about the Pfeiffer TPH-050 turbomolecular pump:
-where to get the lubricating oil, or a replacement one.
-the resistances of the motor windings.
-the motor windings pin-out.
Thanks in advance.
Roberto

[Bob Reite]

For the lube oil, try turbovacuum.com, idealvac.com or provac.com. There may be other vendors that I have missed.

[Richard Hull]

Duniway stockroom.com.

Richard Hull

[Ameen Aydan]

Hi,

I got a bunch of the oil that is specifically for this pump. Send me a PM and we can discuss pricing.

Thanks
AA

[Roberto Ferrari]

Hi Ameen

Thanks a lot, I already got a stock.
Roberto

[Mark Sato]

I'd like to add to this post in case anyone in the future is looking for oil for TPH / TPU series pumps. I spent nearly a whole day searching for something suitable without paying an arm and a leg. The manual specifies T12 oil which I've had zero luck finding any mention of other than in a post on this very forum. However, I did find idealvac listing a substitution here: https://www.idealspectroscopy.com/Cambr ... pp/P103607. Needless to say, I had no appetite to spend nearly $250, so I started my long, convoluted search. The mfg of that oil lists it as being a substitute for HE-500 and TL-011. Well, those aren't cheap either. Looking through various substitution charts, I ultimately boiled it down to being an ISO viscosity grade 32 oil, which opened up options outside of the usual channels. I eventually found and settled on Ravenol ISO VG 32 (P/N 1330704), which under applications states "RAVENOL Vakuumpumpenoel ISO VG 32 is suitable for the lubrication of vacuum pumps (rotary vane pumps, diffusion pumps, turbo pumps), where mineral oils are required, as well as for mist lubrication and crankcase.", which can be found under $20/liter shipped in the US. That's MUCH more palatable to my wallet. That said, as of this writing, I have not yet tested it, but I have high confidence that it's a suitable oil for all those pumps listed in the idealvac link posted above. Prior to finding that, I had almost decided to go with Leybonol LVO 120 which I believe would also have been suitable, but slightly more expensive. Beware: these oils are only suitable for pumping air and non-reactive gases! If you'll be pumping nastier stuff, you'll need to find something else (read: more expensive).

[Rich Feldman]

Please let us know your results from using non-super vacuum pump oil to lubricate a turbopump.

Familiar parameters are viscosity at various temperatures, vapor pressure, and chemical compatibilities.
But can oil be progressively degraded by fluid shearing, which might happen at uncommonly high rates in turbo bearings? That might be just a FUD thing, in my non-expert mind.

Mark Sato's quest reminds me of a quotation from the late Jobst Brandt, a prolific writer on bicycle technology subjects. In response to a query about chain lube, with dozens of branded products on bike store shelves, Jobst summed it up simply: "Oil is an excellent lubricant."

[Mark Sato]

With a sample size of one, and even that consisting of a used turbopump from the 80s with an unknown history, it would be difficult to draw a worthwhile conclusion from the results. However, the oil I mentioned isn't just some random one. Ravenol is a reputable German oil manufacturer and the product I listed is specified to be used for vacuum pumps, including turbo and diffusion types. It appears to me that pump oil can be reasonably priced unless you need non-petroleum types.