T/A custom pump nitrogen tank
Melo 03-27-2014
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How's it going everyone just had a quick question and see who can help me out..I just nought a 2001 T/A custom pump 650HP i just got into the business..I don't have much experience on running the machine itself but I get around and I'm getting used too it. I'm having problems with the nitrogen tank. Every time before I start pumping concrete I put the amount of nitrogen I need in the tank next to the hopper which makes it smooth to pump without the pulling..as soon as I push the button on my control to stop the pump I notice that all the nitrogen in the second tank flows out and the gauge goes back to zero and I have to constantly put more nitrogen in the second tank before I start pumping again. Is this normal or am I doing something wrong? Please help I really need to understand how this works I am a lone pumper I don't have a helper with me so I constantly have to go to the machine to put more nitrogen in the tank when Im gonna start pumping again. Thank you for your time 


36m 03-28-2014
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Seal out in surge chamber 30 min fix max!!


52m 03-29-2014
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Looking at your pics I see something that may be a problem. The regulater on the main nitrogen tank. Big no no unless you have a check valve or quarter turn valve to isolate the regulater from the surge chamber.

What happens:

You set the pressure on the surge chamber to lets say 100psi, then you start pumping, which creates back pressure and the surge chamber begind to work (building pressure over 100psi). As the pressure rises over the preset 100psi, the regulater says, hey, i better bleed off this excess pressure through my exhuast ports. After you pump a while, one of two things will happen.

1. If tank valve was left open, you better be buying stock in your local welding supply company, cause your gonna be going through those tanks left and right.

2. If tank valve was turned off, you will see a much lower pressure in your surge chamber than what you preset it to.

I learned the hard way.


Melo 03-30-2014
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Seal out in surge chamber? What do you mean? 


Doug 03-31-2014
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A nitrogen backed surge chamber is a very dangerous animal. Is their someone near you that can help you understand it before you work on it? And use it?


Melo 03-31-2014
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No I don't have anyone that can help me out on this.. I don't even know were to buy parts for the machine except over at T/A pumps but that's all the way in Buena park I stay in monterey park right by east LA...


Doug 03-31-2014
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I would get yourself down to T/A today and figure out how that thing works before you hurt someone. You're only 30 minutes away.


biged 03-31-2014
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I owned and Olin Ball valve for 7 years it looks to me that you got the wrong gauge my pump had one sight glass you open up the release valve and set it at 50 lbs then tighten the valve shut do not leave it open, what a bad place to put a surge chamber, never hit the surge chamber with a hammer, almost sure you got the wrong gauge.


biged 03-31-2014
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Melo, Todd has a sponsor ,over to the right of this screen OLIN Pump pull up their site and look up ball valve pumps look up 585 it will show you a picture of what kind of gauge you need the one you are using will get some hurt they are working on their site and 585 was the one I looked


Pounder 04-01-2014
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t/a that is the stock valve. and rplace the o ring. call tim at t/a he will have it in stock and he will help. great guy


36m 04-01-2014
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I'm with Doug ! Get down to T/A ASAP.... Nitrogen very dangerous for inexperienced operator and a experienced one also, used to run a Mimi-ram for few yrs then Olin 5-60,545 for 10 more and they run smooth but when there is a plug or harsh mix look out any type of compressed air in the system is "extremely " dangerous!! Get all the info you can. Good luck be safe!


Melo 04-01-2014
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Just got back from T/A pumps and got it fixed..turns out it was the o-ring inside the surge chamber thanks everyone for your help. T/A pump has great service and Tim is awesome and he's whole crew there. again thank you everyone you guys saved my ass haha 


biged 04-01-2014
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That gauge you have on there is not rated for the pressure the surge chamber pushes on each stroke, and for you guys info air does get trapped in and Olin pump there two types of plugs and they both act different most of the hose plugs happen on prime its best to prime out on a 5 inch slump then go to what they want, the second plug is in the manifold either it dry packed in the elbow or its to wet on the prime, why don't you call Dave at Olin pumps are ball valves with a surge chamber work the same way, one of these days that gauge will explode.