DIY Cooler: Procon fitting

[Rambozo]

I'm looking into a DIY TIG cooler, and want to see if I can connect a Procon pump to a motor I have. Is there a specific name for the "round shaft with a flat surface" on this pump? I want to see if McMaster or a similar outlet has a fitting for it.

What you need is a shaft coupler. There are two ways to go, one is to use a solid coupler, and then the pump basically hangs on the motor. Then you use a small reaction arm to keep the pump from spinning. This is done on motors with good quality end bearings. The other way is to mount the motor and pump solidly, and use a flexible coupler between them. These are made by Lovejoy and others and deal with small amounts of misalignment. What you can't do is have a solid coupler and solid mountings. It will damage both pump and motor.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-shaft-couplings/

I guess I forgot about belt drives, Rod.

[DaveO]

What you can't do is have a solid coupler and solid mountings. It will damage both pump and motor.

Thanks for _that_ heads-up, I'd already started walking down that road. Time to reconsider! The motor I have is set up for belt drive; maybe I'll give that a thought. The thinking through and designing and problem-solving is fun, but hard to pass up a pre-built setup like the one Rod posted.

[cbmkr]

Here is another procon type pump, these are used for coffee machines, You can use a love joy type coupling , a chain coupling , or a flat belt flex coupling to hook to a motor.
These are new http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...e=STRK:MESE:IT

[Rambozo]

Here is a version of the close coupled type used on many coolers. They are all over ebay, if you look around, I'm sure you'll find something that you want at a price you are happy with.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/280944778653

[DaveO]

Here is a version of the close coupled type used on many coolers. They are all over ebay, if you look around

Thanks- by coincidence I'd already found that same auction. It's starting to remind me building a computer from parts... possible, and a fun exercise, but easier and cheaper to find them already assembled.

[zoama]

It's starting to remind me building a computer from parts... possible, and a fun exercise, but easier and cheaper to find them already assembled.

I disagree. Ready built computers usually have a one part selling point like the processor, while the rest of it's parts are low end (motherboard, memory, power supply, hard drive, case). You can have all have all high quality (Faster) parts for about the same money, and a clean operating system without all the garbage/spyware that comes with a pre-installed OS. You also get to put it all in a quiet case that you like.

[DaveO]

I disagree. Ready built computers usually have a one part selling point like the processor, while the rest of it's parts are low end (motherboard, memory, power supply, hard drive, case). You can have all have all high quality (Faster) parts for about the same money, and a clean operating system without all the garbage/spyware that comes with a pre-installed OS. You also get to put it all in a quiet case that you like.

Conceded- the operating system has always been the choke point for me.

[acourtjester]

Here is the guy's video that I copied the motor mod
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-6YxrGU6Ok
Take the motor apart and use a lathe to drill a 1/4" hole in the motor shaft on the other end from the pump. tac weld a 1/4" rod in the shaft for the fan to go on.
I bought a aluminum fan from Graingers.
The procon pump is a positive displacement type and it does not have a problem pulling water up from the tank. Any air is cleared from the circuit after a very short time. If you can get a carbonizer buy it you will get the motor, pump, some fittings, and tank from it. I had to redo the tank as shown in the picture and its SS so thats a plus.

have fun
Tom

[DaveO]

Thanks for the link- he's got a lot of good ideas going there. Not only the fan on the motor, but the heater core (still available for $26) and the way his whole setup sits on the reservoir.

Thank also for the procon info. I'm watching a couple complete pump / motor / tank setups on ebay.