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I found an easy way to make an electric pump without drills or glue. First thing you need is an air pump from Rena Air. You can find this at some pet stores or fish stores. The Rena 200 will give about 3 to 4 Hg's of vacuum, the Rena will give about 6 to 7 Hg's of vacuum. First thing you do is remove the back plate by removing to phillips screws. with the electric cord pointing away from you the diaphram assembly is on the left side of the housing. Insert a small flat blade screwdriver in one of the slots in the top of the diaphram plate and lift up. attached to the diaphram is a swing arm, there is a little knob on the swivel plate for the arm, use this to pry up the arm and remove diaphram and arm together. Rotate the plate 180 degrees to reinsert back in the housing. Before inserting you will need to add a notch so the plate will slide over a raised ledge in the housing. you will need to do this so the diaphram will slide all the way in. re-install the back plate and you are done. No other tools needed and not bad for about 40 dollars.

Where is the best place to buy one of these pumps I haven't found them yet. Does walmart carry them?

You can buy them online or in my case, my local Petsmart carries them.

I found mine a Petsmart. I think thry have an online store. Also to balance the pressure I picked up a gang valve with 2 ports in it. I left on open all the way and attached the hose from the pump and my cylinder to it. I then use the non attached side as a pressure release valve. Don't by the plastic version it has a lot of air leaks and is worthless. But the metal version it works great.

Has any one tried this yet. It works great for me.

I Purchased the Rena Air 400, it's a double pump, i used the supplied T connected to connect both sides to my Cylinder hose, Silent and pumps pretty strong too. Great so far!

Hey, jimbob and Bizzy
How about more info, possible pics, etc. on exactly how you made these pumps work. How much vaccuum, etc. if either one of you have a gauge in the line.
I'm sure I am not the only one interested in a cheaper version of an electric pump.
Thanks in advance, any info would be appreciated.

Woody

Sorry don't have a camera. If you follow my steps you should not have any problems. It took me about 6 0r 7 minutes to do the modification. It actualy was to easy. As i stated the 200 has about 3 - 4 hg of vacuum abd the 300 has about 6 -7 hg of vaccum. I put my Myti-vac in line to check the pressure. I know the guages are not accurate but real close.

thanks Jimbob got the Rena 300 today the change over was eazy, the notch was a little tricky but it works great .had and old mityvac put the gage with quickreleace on the line and it works real good !! you where right about the Rena 300 it gives about 6 to 7 Hg's of vacuum and thats all you need!! With the quick releace you can rase and lower as much as you wont and as fast as you wont and it feels great!!! thanks again for the tip and know how ho and i got a few pics

i made an electric pump also with the rena air 300. very easy to do in like 10 mins. can't wait to use it.

Any one else tried this? Easy and inexpensive.

.

All you have to do to let the diaphram assembly fit all the way down is to cut a knotch in the plate. If you look inside the casing you will see a ridge. you have to put a knotch in the diphram plate so it will go all the way down. Probably easier than switching the valves but whatever works. Still a lot cheaper than what you can find on line.

Just bought rena 400 from ebay...5 mins after delivery it's sucking perfectly. This is one of the best pumping buys I have ever done.

Hey jimbob101, this is a *GREAT* discovery, very simple and so cost effective!!! I really love the D.I.Y stuff hidden away on this forum. Thanks for sharing this. A pity no pix though.

B.T.W. for any nay sayers who may dispute the value of this D.I.Y tip, go have a look at this pump sold commercially for $199.95 USD. No doubt that it *IS* a modified aquarium pump: http://www.maximum-xe.com/pump.html?products_id=487