Why do you need an expensive vacuum controller? Don't you just run the pump continuously?
The J-KEM DVR-200 is basically for preventing bumping during solvent recovery.
"Digital Vacuum Regulator ∙ 120 Vac ∙ Catalog# DVR-200
Availability: In stock.
$1,365.00
Quick Overview
An ideal instrument for laboratory vacuum regulation.
Connect the regulator to any vacuum pump or vacuum source and then to any piece of equipment to regulate pressure in most cases to ± 1 torr.
A pressure ramp feature evacuates equipment at a user defined rate to eliminate bumping due to solvent degassing or over-evacuation.
The vacuum regulator is ideally suited for large volume distillations, rotary evaporators and vacuum chambers.
Recover > 99% of solvent from rotary evaporators
Features:
NO Mercury
100% digital pressure entry and control
Wetted parts are 100% stainless steel and Teflon
Vacuum ramping feature eliminates bumping
USB port and free software for PC control
Resists: All organic solvents Acids Bases Water
Not recommended for small volume distillations or applications which involve a continuous purge with gas, these applications are better performed by J-KEM’s Precision Vacuum Regulator, Model DVR-1000.
Two Styles of Regulators to Choose From
Model DVR-200
Designed for continuous vacuum sources, such as oil-filled vacuum pumps, aspirators, or systems that are “always on”, like in-house vacuum systems. The DVR-200 regulates pressure by opening and closing a valve that separates the vacuum source from the system being evacuated. In most cases, the DVR-200 is the best choice."
https://www.jkem.com/vacuum-and-pressure/standard-regulators/dvr-200-vacuum-regulator
Keep the vacuum line short, simple, clean, and above all, tight.
And spend the big money on the best mantles and controllers.
Can you see when your controller turns on and off? Imagine boiling pasta on a gas range, and trying to regulate the boil by turning the flame quickly from high to low, with pauses.
An advanced distillation controller regulates the power the heater receives, before attempting to regulate the temperature by turning the circuit on and off. If you have a 1,000 watt mantle, and dial in the power for a specific volume in the flask at a specific temperature, let's say 850 watts, this will keep the temperature controller from slamming the flask with 1,000 watt pulses.
Think again of the pasta, with the flame adjusted to produce the perfect boil rate, you then set a control to turn off the gas flame if the temperature goes too high, and back on to the same regulated power level as soon as it drops in temperature.
Try and test the pump only and see if you can get it to 10 micron or less. You may have to clean and possibly recalibrate your vacuum gauge.
You might need to get your pump cleaned and possibly seals replaced. The terpenes will stick the the inner surfaces of the pump and are basically impossible to fully flush out. Your pump should be testing below 10 microns with only the gauge. Use two or more vacuum traps. The big dewar style are great for large solvent volumes but poor at scrubbing the last bits of vapor. Use one or two immersion style traps after to catch any remaining vapor from reaching your pump. You should basically never have to change your oil. Keep adding traps and colder temps until you get there.
