4" dredge upgrades

[panningjack]

I'm making several changes to the 4". Modifications to the sluice like I mentioned in the reverse 3 stage thread. Mods to my jet to keep it from dragging in shallow water and reduce drag in fast water. And adapting my old gold divers pump to attach to a more efficient motor. I'll post with pics of these changes as I'm working on them and get them completed.

 

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[panningjack]

The first upgrade I've completed is my pump. To start I've got a Gold Diver's couple jet. I've been using a 2" in/2" out clear water pump on a 208cc motor moving 9000gph and getting pretty good suction. I got the dredge with a 2"in/1 1/2" out high pressure pump on a old school pull string motor. Not sure how much water this pump moves. Anyone (john) have any ideas? So with me being on a limited budget with a 5 month old boy and a 13 year old girl. I decided to combine the two pumps. I got a 1/4" plate and made a adapter to attach the gold divers pump to the 208cc motor. I had to drill a couple of extra holes and tap the holes that mount the pump to the plate. First I replaced the seal on the old pump. The coupler on the pump is a 1" female with set screws. The motor has a 3/4" keyed shaft. So I bought a 2" long brass coupler and pressed it into the coupler on the pump. Then drilled and tapped new set screw holes. I kept in mind the importance of the shaft alignment through the whole process. I also saved a lot of weight. The old motor weighed 85lbs. and the new motor weighs 45lbs. with the adapter plate. Not sure if I gained any engine power but the fuel economy has to be better. I got a liquid filled gauge to attach to the out side of the pump just like the original gold divers setup. I should be able to dial in the engine speed to achieve max pressure. I won't be attaching a compressor to this setup. Instead I am making a separate hookah unit with a t80 and a 2hp briggs. I plan on using it for more than dredging.

 

[Hoser John]

Lovejoy connectors are required or you'll burn up bearings on both engine and pump. There is a rubber shock absorber that connects both pieces together. You can even connect different size shafts as sizes interchangeable-John

 

[omnicron]

Good deal Jack. Looking good! Let me know of you need anything. I'm going to do some experiments with my 4" real soon and based on the results may have a smoking deal for you on pump/motor.

 

[panningjack]

Lovejoy connectors are required or you'll burn up bearings on both engine and pump. There is a rubber shock absorber that connects both pieces together. You can even connect different size shafts as sizes interchangeable-John

How about instead of the brass insert I use a piece of reinforced rubber hose?

 

[panningjack]

Good deal Jack. Looking good! Let me know of you need anything. I'm going to do some experiments with my 4" real soon and based on the results may have a smoking deal for you on pump/motor.

Thanks omni. I may be interested in that. I'm going to try to get out this weekend and try out this pump mod. If you want to meet up with me shoot me a text

 

[panningjack]

Just about finished with the sluice upgrades. Just have to order some hog moss to put under the the expanded and riffles. I did what I was talking about doing. Cut 12" of the 1/8" plate off. Put 9" of expanded under that. Then added a few bolts to hold the expanded down and hold the punch plate up. I also pinned a 6" piece of vortex mat in at the top. I'll be going out this weekend to see how the changes work and if I got rid of the buildup behind the first riffle. Anyone have experience with the hog moss? Should I order it or just go get some miners moss?

 

[Goodyguy]

Never use bolts as set screws on a spinning shaft, you will throw the shaft out of balance if you do.
Also John is right about using a lovejoy connection.

 

[russau]

and if you do buy a love-joy coupling, buy several extra rubber spiders that go between the couplings and put them into your toolbox for "just incase" times.

 

[panningjack]

Never use bolts as set screws on a spinning shaft, you will throw the shaft out of balance if you do. Also John is right about using a lovejoy connection. <img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=949147"/>

Makes sense. I hadn't thought about balance. Thanks

 

[panningjack]

Went out this weekend to test. I got rid of the bolts and used regular set screws. Still looking around for a lovejoy connection that would work with this set up. I believe I am missing a piece to this old pump though. The impeller is not being held solid to the spring and so the intake on the impeller rubs/grinds against the housing. I'm not sure if there is supposed to be a plastic sleeve holding the impeller back from the housing or maybe a bearing or shim holding it back by the where the shaft enters the housing?





Anyways since it wasn't working I put the clear water pump back on so I could at least try out the sluice mods.
The section I modified worked great however blond sands are still building up under the 1/8" punch plate. My riffles still aren't clearing out correctly either. But I think this is also because the 1/8" plate is killing the flow. So I think I will completely eliminate the 1/8" plate and just keep the 3/8" plate. Maybe add a little more expanded.
The 68" of vortex mat is just too much to deal with during cleanup. So I will be cutting it into 2-3 sections depending on where I can keep it pinned down.
Still not sure if I should do miners moss or hog moss?

 

[omnicron]

Sounds good! I enjoyed the outing but damn that water is cold. It took a whole day for my boys to drop

I think your on the right track. That 1/8th" is killing your flow, Flip that 3/8" over and measure it up. May have to trim it down some. I'm always amazed at how well those infinity jets work!

 

[panningjack]

Got the 1/8" plate cut away from the 3/8. How much space should I have between my 3/8" plate and my mat?

 

[omnicron]

I wouldn't go more then a half inch. You want it big enough that anything that will fall through the 3/8 will wash out but not so high as to take more water velocity away from the uncovered riffles.

 

[panningjack]

Trying to figure out a good starting point for my sluice box configuration. Currently I have 18" of uncovered vortex, followed by 18" of 1/2" expanded, then 32" of 1" Hungarian riffles.




I picked up a aqua rug at bed, bath and beyond while out with the wife this weekend. $20 for 16" x 29". My sluice is 14" wide so I can cut the mat in half and make it cover 32". It's a little stiffer and not as thick as traditional miners moss. I like that it's white too. I'm thinking all the different types of sand should show up well.



So question is where should I put the moss? Under all the riffles? Under just the expanded? Cut it and place it in different areas of the box? So many options I'm just not sure

 

[omnicron]

Is it backed? If so then You don't need your vortex under. I would put it at the head of your box if it was me. You can try it in your first few feet and see how it works.

 

[panningjack]

Is it backed? If so then You don't need your vortex under. I would put it at the head of your box if it was me. You can try it in your first few feet and see how it works.

It's unbacked

 

[winners58]

Went out this weekend to test. I got rid of the bolts and used regular set screws. Still looking around for a lovejoy connection that would work with this set up. I believe I am missing a piece to this old pump though. The impeller is not being held solid to the spring and so the intake on the impeller rubs/grinds against the housing. I'm not sure if there is supposed to be a plastic sleeve holding the impeller back from the housing or maybe a bearing or shim holding it back by the where the shaft enters the housing?

I have the same pump, Look at the pump seal when puting it on the shaft
then the tighten set screws as your shim would have to be driled and taped for the set screws so it cant move on the shaft.
.

 

[Goodyguy]

It's unbacked

Not advisable to put miners moss backed or unbacked over the vortex mat it will kill the point of using vortex in the first place which is to exchange light material for heavies and trap gold.
Anything over the vortex like miners moss carpet etc. will kill the vortex action.

The best thing to put under miners moss is v groove mat as long as the miners moss is unbacked.

GG~

 

[panningjack]

I have the same pump, Look at the pump seal when puting it on the shaft then the tighten set screws as your shim would have to be driled and taped for the set screws so it cant move on the shaft. . <img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=962817"/>

Nice! Any idea how many gpm or gph these pumps put out?