by Indigo Blue Fish » 2006-05-12 16:35
I once remember hearing a rather clever method of silencing.
I'll relate, with a few tips of my own thrown in.
Get a bog standard pump to your requirements. Doesn't matter if it'll rattle the house down.
Get a rather large pickle jar. With lid.
One chunky bit of wide bore syphon tube - a few inches in length will do. And of course your airline.
Cut two holes in the lid - one a bit bigger than syphon, one a bit bigger than the airline.
Slide both pipes in so there is some inside the lid, and some out. The syphon one wants to be two inches in, two out. The airline one about two inches in, rest out.
Silicone around the pipes onto the lid - inside and out. This will affix and close gaps, adding strength.
Pop the pump onto the inside-lid airline. It should hold. Take plug off, thread wire through syphon. The syphon will allow the wire in, as well as air to flow through.
Pop the pump lid on the jar to check fit.
The gap UNDER the pump IN the jar, pop some cotton wool. (Support and silence)
Put an elastic band round the seam of the lid (helps reduce vibration) and a seam of silicone around the base of the jar. (To provide a cushion for it to stand on).
Link up with checkvalves - et voila - a silent pump!