911 filtration issue.

[Slammich]

1st batch went fine. Brewed and filtered. Second batch won't flow into media jar. Tried 3 zapcaps. No flow. Vac gauge is showing pump is trying. So it's not the pump. Gear is test prop at 100mg/ml. Just saw a trip from filter with pump off...but don't want to wait for 250ml to gravity drip. Tried eliminating gauge and valve with a straight hose from pump to filter. No dice. I don't know what to do. I have this one and then 6 other compounds I wanted to do today. Wyd.

Ideas?

 

[Slammich]

Currently I'm going to trying warming the solution again to see if that helps...plus another filter. Maybe this is a test prop issue? Too large to pass thru 22 micron filter? Really don't want to dump this batch.

 

[Trainerdave]

Are you using glass or plastic filtration unit? Is it like Nalgene bottle top type? Warming definitely will help and try not filter more than 100ml at time and I change filter around every 100ml but I use glass flask funnel with pump. If filter less just keep rest warm while waiting. And if went through first brew cant be prop or carrier oil. I had terrible time with bottle tops tend to crack somewhere from pressure and then nothing. Not sure if helps but hope you get it through!

 

[master.on]

1st batch went fine. Brewed and filtered. Second batch won't flow into media jar. Tried 3 zapcaps. No flow. Vac gauge is showing pump is trying. So it's not the pump. Gear is test prop at 100mg/ml. Just saw a trip from filter with pump off...but don't want to wait for 250ml to gravity drip. Tried eliminating gauge and valve with a straight hose from pump to filter. No dice. I don't know what to do. I have this one and then 6 other compounds I wanted to do today. Wyd.

Ideas?

Currently I'm going to trying warming the solution again to see if that helps...plus another filter. Maybe this is a test prop issue? Too large to pass thru 22 micron filter? Really don't want to dump this batch.

Were all 3 Zapcaps totally new?
I find it hard to believe that all 3 filters were defective, clogged from the factory.

As a test try to run some Ethyl alcohol trough them (to drip in a different vessel, not in the oils)
it should filter pretty fast.
Discard the first few oil ml filtered after the alcohol.

IMO not much, if any oil should drip without vacuum with a 0.22
How fast is that vacuumless drip?

It all sounds like a leak

 

[Trainerdave]

I’d have to agree with master, crack or leak somewhere. I didn’t lose any oil but went through 3 Nalgene never again, couldn’t even tell was cracking just stopped dripping.

 

[Slammich]

Checked for leaks. Vac at hose to filter is strong. Added some BB. Warming again. All zapcaps are new. Got 12 in a box. 8 left.

 

[Slammich]

No vac drip was super slow. Like a drip every 5 mins.

 

[Slammich]

Nothing. No dice. 4th new filter. Tried going with vac valve closed and creeping it open. Got all the way open and not one drip. Might just order syringe filters. Fml. 250ml thru a syringe. I'm about to say fuck brewing. At least I got some npp out of this bullshit.

 

[Slammich]

Fixed it. Inlet port at filter. Just wiggled it. Fuck.

 

[master.on]

1 Did you PRE wet your filters?
i.e. pour some oil BEFORE attaching the vacuum hose or turning the vacuum pump on?

2 Make sure vacuum is only 4-5 psi, not any higher.

Fixed it. Inlet port at filter. Just wiggled it. Fuck.

That's why I advice to add an extra vacuum gauge JUST BEFORE the filter inlet.
The pump gauge can read vacuum, but upstream leaks can reduce usable vacuum.
It just needs a metal tube Tee, hose clamps, cutting/plugging/camping some hoses, and the gauge.

 

[Slammich]

Whatever the issue is, it is reoccurring. Makes it a bitch. I need a better vac valve as well. It's happening again and I can't seem to remedy it. Surely I will wiggle the right thing sometime.

 

[Slammich]

Can you explain why too much vac is a problem? So long as I am not tearing a filter?

 

[Slammich]

Tried the pre wet...ive been putting the oil in first as it was but this time did a little then all. No luck. My best guess is excess vac is causing the issue but i can't figure out why. Guess I will stop and pursue a different filtration method later. Glass flask and funnel maybe...my lab at work uses that method. Maybe I will Amazon a better valve. Have another gauge on the way already.

@master.on could you pm me a pic of your filtration method?

 

[Slammich]

Ok, done for tonight until I get the filter issue squared away. I managed to get 10 vials of NPP, 25 vials of test prop, 10 of test E, and 4 of EQ done.

Still have sust, tren a, tren e, and mast e to do.

Frustrations aside it was a great learning experience. My crimping tool makes crimps look like shit, filter system obviously needs work, and next time I will certainly look into doing blends.

Thanks to all those who have offered tips, recipes, equipment advice, etc.

 

[master.on]

It shouldn't be rocket science
the vacuum gauge is to be added with a Tee fitting

make sure it's leakfree. Use Teflon tape
then just cut hoses, place gauge JUST BEFORE the filter vacuum inlet, and add hose clamps
preferably screwed hose clamps. Don't overtighten either.

Besides valves, you can reduce excess vacuum pressure by briefly turning off the pump.

 

[Slammich]

It shouldn't be rocket science
the vacuum gauge is to be added with a Tee fitting

make sure it's leakfree. Use Teflon tape
then just cut hoses, place gauge JUST BEFORE the filter vacuum inlet, and add hose clamps
preferably screwed hose clamps. Don't overtighten either.

Besides valves, you can reduce excess vacuum pressure by briefly turning off the pump.

Jesus...i seem so stupid.

No man, I get all that. Seriously. That t fitting example is exactly how my gauge is hooked up and how I plan to do the second one when it gets here tomorrow. I was more interested to see what valve you were using and where in the line it was located, and type of hose used as mine tends to try to collapse. Sorry I came off as fucking retarded. My valve is not the right one and is what ideas told not to use but was all I could find. I need a better one but don't know what to search for in that respect. I will set my station up again and send you a pic for you to critique if you're interested. As always I would definately love the feedback.

 

[Slammich]

Also, to clarify, my pump itself has no built in gauge and when switched off I lose all vacuum if my valve is left open, meaning my vac pump does not utilize an integrated one way valve

 

[penche]

Also, to clarify, my pump itself has no built in gauge and when switched off I lose all vacuum if my valve is left open, meaning my vac pump does not utilize an integrated one way valve

I would option to buy a hand held brake pump with a vac gauge for now till you get set up. About $45-50 from auto store.

Edit: Are you adding solvents and raw first with no carrier? Heat it up lightly, let it dissolve then add carrier. Heat up lightly again then filter warm. Should be a breeze bud

 

[Slammich]

I would option to buy a hand held brake pump with a vac gauge for now till you get set up. About $45-50 from auto store.

Edit: Are you adding solvents and raw first with no carrier? Heat it up lightly, let it dissolve then add carrier. Heat up lightly again then filter warm. Should be a breeze bud

I have one. I was a mechanic a lifetime ago. Tried it. Didn't help. Could be broken given its age though.

I do add BB to powder, stir, heat, then oil, then more oil...till done. Turn off heat, let cool a bit, add BA, stir more then filter warm. Seriously think I get no suction from excess vacuum...but that makes no sense to me.

 

[master.on]

Also, to clarify, my pump itself has no built in gauge and when switched off I lose all vacuum if my valve is left open, meaning my vac pump does not utilize an integrated one way valve

I would option to buy a hand held brake pump with a vac gauge for now till you get set up. About $45-50 from auto store.

Edit: Are you adding solvents and raw first with no carrier? Heat it up lightly, let it dissolve then add carrier. Heat up lightly again then filter warm. Should be a breeze bud

I have one. I was a mechanic a lifetime ago. Tried it. Didn't help. Could be broken given its age though.

I do add BB to powder, stir, heat, then oil, then more oil...till done. Turn off heat, let cool a bit, add BA, stir more then filter warm. Seriously think I get no suction from excess vacuum...but that makes no sense to me.

A/C vacuum pumps can easily overwhelm filters, often rupturing the membrane or bottle.

Just as a mere example check this one out
Polysulfone Filter Holders
Pressure: Vacuum (25 in Hg maximum)

Vacuum Pressure Pump
Maximum vacuum 81kPa (24Hg") from atm
http://www.advantecmfs.com/catalog/filt/vacuum.pdf
And this is a pump that suits lab filtration
some A/C pumps can pull 30+ Hg inches

So
1 Adding a hub reduces individual filter vacuum pressure

2 Vacuum canisters reduce vacuum fluctuations (pump pulses), reduce overall vacuum pressure a bit
they reduce evaporated moisture from liquid being filtered from getting in the pump (not much of a problem with oil brews)
and prevent pump oil from being sprayed to the brew.
Canisters are highly desirable: look at how crowded underhood space in modern cars is, yet they always use vacuum canisters.

3 Vacuum check valve
Many pro systems already come with check valves
Check Valve: 316 stainless steel with ethylene propylene O-ring
https://laboratory.pall.com/content...s_for_MicroFunnel_Filter_Funnel_PN_89100B.pdf
Automotive vacuum check valves are cheap and widely available, but I have no idea if they'll work fine.

4 Vacuum regulating valve
Check to see if vacuum relief valves ain't too expensive
the cheapest, simpler valve can be a refrigerant bottletop screw valve

they are cheap, widely available, and quite leakproof.
I've read that besides closing the pump hose, they can be used as to add a TINY intentional air inlet leak, that reduces overall vacuum by leaving the valve very slightly open upstream.