Hey everyone as some of you may know my DIY system has been running an Eco 7 plus air unit sence I put it all together.

Well my original one died this last spring after 4 years. Then Ted Lea was kind enough to send me one they were doing some testing with and it did not perform very well for them on their test.

Well he sent it to me to and I used it for a while but it also is now failing even on my system.

I may very well appear that my first pump I got was a GREAT one indeed as it worked quite well for a long time.

Well I have an oppurtunity to purchase a used GAST pump from a guy I know. And I may set it up and see how much better it runs for me. I am getting a lot invested at this point in my pond and I figured if I can upgrade at this point why not? Right?

I just have a few question though as I am new to this type of pump.

1. This pump has a inlet and outlet port so can I assume one is for suction and the other for pressure?

2. I am not sure how much pressure this pump will produce? Should I put a gang valve in place in my line to regulate pressure?

3. How often should I clean / replace the filters on this pump?

4. I am assuming 1/3 hp Gast is enough for my 1 acre pond thats 8 feet deep?

Thanks for ya'lls help!

RC

Ok well then let me answer my own questions then someone please correct me if I am wrong.

1. yes

2. I can assume about 10 psi?

3. I have no idea?

4. It should be considering the pump I was using was smaller than this one.


RC

RC, If its a 1/3 hp model 0523 it is one of the older (and perhaps better) than todays 1/4 HP replacement especially if it has a GE motor.The older GE models seem to be bullet proof. Clean out the felt internal filters every few months and keep an eye on the end cap Orings especially on the exhaust side as it will wear out twice as fast as the intake side.If its a Sweetwater pump made by Gast it may not have internal filters or end caps. If you use the factory intake filter (orange tube style)just use light compressed air or wash it off as the color fades and collects dust etc. Should last a few seasons.10 psi is the rating on it and should have about 4.2 cfm open flow.close off the exhaust and make sure you can maintain 10 psi and if yes the vanes are AOK.Look at the ser number and the first 4 numbers will be the month and year built.Hope this helps.

Hey Ted it says motor made by Emerson on it. Looks to be a 93 MOD. Serial number says 0593. He says it works fine...

It doesn't appear to have the intake filter. just have what looks like a threded nipple with some type of cork on it?? the modle number is. 0523-1010-G582DX

P.M.

Sent

It looks just like this one same type of cork on it? Is that a factory thing? That don't look like a filter? Or is that the out side? You will have to forgive me I am new to these type pumps that's for sure!

Thats a silencer not filter if the pump is being used for vaccum in a clean enviroment they are often used, medical apps etc.They will let large particles pass if used as a filer ( not good)Gast ships them with all vanes as far as I know.

Looks like a sintered bronze muffler, sort of the same thing they used in older carburated auto in-line fuel filters (if they didn't use the pleated fiber ones).

I'd unscrew it and screw in a real filter. IIRC 3/8" or 1/2" pipe is the thread size.

Thanks guys it is 3/8ths I appreciate the info.

RC

+1

RC Intake and exhaust may be 1/4 inch female NPT as Ive not known a 0523 to ever be a 3/8th.

I gave an 0523 to esshup close to a couple years ago because I was A-Gast at the energy this was sucking!

Sorry Scott, but free is free, so to speak

Still in the box!

Maybe try pawn it off on ebay and put the money toward a better rig. Maybe that 1023 as well.

Something to think about here - Gast 2567 with 2HP, dialed back to 1023 (10 CFM, while maintaining max pressure) will only eat about 300 watts.

RV's follow the Affinity Law's quite well, except they are a more Positive Displacement pump so they don't loose output pressure very quick, but will if you drop them too low.

I'll be calling a few more MFG's that make the pumps with the flat line across the chart rather than the curve or some sort of angle.

RC - I don't really know why Gast changed the motors on the 0523, but after messing with the numbers a bit, it appears that the engineers on the 1/3HP version were following motor load rules and bumped it up a bit for efficiency, rather than running it balls to the wall.

so are you telling me this motor sucks electricity real bad??? I should not have got it maybe? I only paid 75 bucks for it. Is that a good deal? Or did I get hosed?

RC

JKB, I think I'll keep it and do like Cecil does - smaller pump in the winter when all the air isn't needed, and the larger one in the summer when it is.

RC keep that pump -a real bargin and runs cheap IMO. It should last 20-30 yrs if you 'rebuild' the vanes a few times. It operates at close to 4-5 hrs per kilowatt of electricity. Check your power company rates for each KW of electricity and it will give you a good idea of power cost.

I never mentioned any of this

Only way to tell for sure is to hook it up and measure the values under operating conditions.

20-30 years is a stretch for a small motor. Leeson Electric (they make electric motors) put's the average lifespan of a motor <1HP at 12.9 years. Could last longer tho, but depends on a few variables.

Never buy a used electric motor

20-30 yr life span for the 0523 is based on 5-8hrs per day Apr- early Nov operation in NW Ohio and pump has good air filtration and is not maxed out at 9-10psi. Motor bearings on GAST 0523s will usually last for 3 vane rebuild events providing the pump is kept dry, not over heated, and well ventilated. Neglect and abuse shortens life span of 0523. I have numerous units operating at 26 to 28 yrs so far since 1986-87.

A good operation and maintenance program, no doubt!

The most common cause of motor failure is the insulation on the windings breaks down. Overheating a motor rapidly advances this.

Hey Bill thanks for the info. I thought the price was decent! I am picking up the pump from a buddy of mine in the next day or 2. I will go through it all for sure as this is my first Gast I would like to kind of use it as a ginnie pig. Do you have any links to some good videos for rebuilding and maintaining them?

Thanks,
RC

If it needs a rebuild just PM me for information. If the pump builds good pressure to above 15-20psi it does not need rebuilding. Get a 30psi air gauge and mount it on the manifold for pressure testing. PM me for ideas. DO NOT completely stop the air outflow and hold it stopped for more than a split second or you will cause pump to break - smash the vanes. Pump can operate under full vacuum but not for full outflow air blockage.

Bill - Would it be of any benefit to install a pressure relief valve?

Recommended Accessories
• Vacuum relief valve AA840A (0523/0823/1023/1423)
• Pressure relief valve AA600
• Vacuum gauge AA640
• Repair kit K478 (0323/0523)
• Repair kit K479 (0823/1023)
• Repair kit K575A (1423)

The Procon rotary vane pump on my TIG Chiller took a dump. It was stored for the last 5 years, and well, it wasn't pumping any water.

I found out the hard way when the cable wrapped around my right arm for the water cooled TIG Torch gave me indication that something was wrong when my flesh started to burn. Hey, that's not supposed to happen Only took a few seconds for the meltdown to occur, so the cables are junk, but the burn on my arm is healing.

Anyway,
I took the pump off the motor and ripped it apart. The vanes were not sliding very well, but they started to free up. The pump worked great before storage.

Not wanting to risk putting everything back together and it not working, I bought a new pump.

Grainger had the right pump, but the pressure setting was at 250 PSI, and the Max for the TIG Welder and Chiller is 60 PSI.

Not wanting to blow everything up with the pressure being set at 250 PSI off the get go, I plumbed in a pressure gauge and backed off the built in Relief Valve. Turned the pump on and set the pressure to 55 PSI. Works like brand new!

After all that,
I'm wondering why the vanes in this pump can operate at 250 PSI all day long, and the Gast vanes will blow up in a second. They are just carbon vanes about 1/8" thick and about an inch or so long.

If you dead head a Gast pump, what kind of pressure will it generate to cause it to blow up? It might be nice to know if an event took place, or maybe just install a Pressure Relief Valve for a bit of peace of mind.

I've never seen the internals of one that's been toasted, but it's gotta be a bit messy.

IMO all compressors for aeration should have a pressure relief valve. Without one you are "spitting in the eye of the devil" and risking compressor damage whenever one has air blockage. The relief valve is cheap and it protects the most expensive part, the compressor, if ever there is an air blockage.

The vanes seem to break on an 0523 when the pressure gets to 30psi or more for several seconds.

Yeah, pretty cheap. Browsing around for a few minutes, 8-20 bucks depending if you want a fixed or adjustable pressure relief .

Maybe go with a fixed pressure so you don't end up in a scenario like this:

I prefer the adjustable relief valves. One can change the full relief pressure setting depending on the depth of your pond. IMO no use having the compressor pop off and 'over work' and cause unnecessary mechanical wear at a higher than necessary pressure in a shallow pond.

Me too, but would do something totally different that won't fit the budget here.

Manually adjustable devices are fine if no one will tamper with them once they are properly set. If it has a knob on it, someone who is not supposed to touch it, will! Whats that "spit in the devil's eye" thing you said!

That's why they put locks on the aerator cabinets.

If it's secured...

Did you recognize the word "tamper" in my statement?

You guys crack me up! :):) I got my 0523 yesterday. It's in good working order best I can tell so far. I am excited to be upgrading to this pump. I have a relief valve and pressure gauge on order and will test pressure on it when I get the gauge I think it's going to be fine.

Bill Cody has been giving me some great info and helping me along the road with this new device. For that I am very greatful and if he is willing to give advice I am sure willing to listen!!!

I belive in recognizing folks who help for no reason but to just help and Bill has done just that. Thanks a ton Bill for all the help!

It may be a bit before I actually set this pump up as it's DANG cold here in Arkansas! But once I get it up and running I will post a few pics. I am excited to have a new toy!!

RC

That's good, RC!

Yeah, Bill is kinda handy to have around.

Yeah for real! Bill asked that I post an update / evaluation of this Gast 0523 versus my Eco 7 pump. I have no problem with doing that. Once I get this pump up and running (which might be a bit yet due to weather) and check it all out I will post some pics and compare the 2 pumps the best I can. I am fairly certain the Gast will be the better pump but none the less I will compare and give out all the pros and cons of both that I can from my real world expierence!


RC