I stumbled upon an edwards e2m2 vacuum pump for a steal of a deal. I have been using water aspirators and my vacuum sealer pump for the past couple years as vacuum source. This thing is a beast, I was able to filter liquid from boiling rue using medium lab filter paper in about 20 minutes. I don't know to much about vacuum pumps, there's a spot where I think a vacuum gauge can be hooked up between the controller and the hose input. does anyone know if there's a specific gauge that would be best or what my options are? Also any general knowledge of vacuum pumps would be appreciated.

Thats like a Transformers equipment

If there is a srew-thread connection where the arrow points at, you might incorporate there a T connection and srew a manometer in the 3rd hole.

LOL, it's a beast.

Actually on the top of that cylinder there is a screw thread but there are metal prongs surrounding it. Maybe the metal prongs are just there for support and any vacuum gauge will work? I just don't know enough about vacuum pumps. There are part numbers on the cylinder, I'll have to google it.

I lied its not threaded but its definitely some kind of connection

I found out what it is, a thermocouple vacuum gauge tube. I guess I would have to get the controller.

google: pirani gauge

Dang benzyme, is that your pump? Whats the hose hooked up to the outlet for? If you have experience operating pumps i would appricate any advice. I looked up pirani gauge. I think its similar but not the same, i might be missing something? After looking up the part number i found its a thermocouple vacume gauge tube, i just need the display that shows the reading, i think they refer to it as the controller. Still not sure about that part.

they work on the same principle. the pirani gauge is essentially a thermal conductivity vacuum gauge.


my pump has a hose on the outlet to vent vapors outside a window. it's a forepump, to a turbomolecular pump.

This is where you should focus on your needs: do you need vacuum control by the thermocouple-gauge? I guess that black knob is a manual vacuum control set-point already? If so then you don't need extra automatic control of vacuum level. Then you have fair enough with a manometer cheap solution to see what you manually tuned with that black knob.



I suppose any industrial readout hardware of the thermocouple-unit is going to cost more than a manometer which for our purposes is way more than enough. Where to screw? As I said maybe the thermocouple-unit connection has screw thread part to build on to, if not maybe the nipple where the tube goes onto has a screw thread part to build onto?

Hey jees you are correct, the black knob allows control of vacuum. Your also correct about the thermocouple control being expensive and definite over kill. I could remove it and put a manometer in there, but if I can find a used control for a good price I will go that route. When ever I get new equipment I get obsessed for a month or two and tend to go a little overboard with it.

Benzyme, I still need to do my research on the pirani. If you know of any places to get a controller compatible with the thermocouple tube (used would be good) that would be awesome. Also is there off brand pump oil that you know of, I came across inland 19. Do you know what the filter in the gas ballast is made of?

Thanks people you have been awesome

probably stainless steel mesh.

I recently put Murray vacuum pump oil in mine, it doesn't complain.

Hey benzyme thanks for your input. I have one more question. Do you know anything about traps, for removing solvent vapors and other corrosive vapors from acids and bases? Should I be worried about water vapors? I have a visi-trap coming in, is this enough or should I have a series of traps depending on what I'm doing?

nope, that looks perfect.

sweet