Convertible Power Top Pump?

[Iplayfarmer]

I've got my eye on a hydraulic pump from a power top from a convertible car.

What kind of pressure and flow do these units usually produce? Anyone Know?

 

[sandman2234]

Probably enough to power a convertable top for your tractor, but other than that, what do you have in mind for it? I wouldn't guess the pressure, but the volume is probably pretty low.

David from jax

 

[Wayne County Hose]

It's not worth bothering with. Low flow, low pressure, low capacity. Might be good for a dump cart on a lawnmower wagon, if that.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

...what do you have in mind for it? I wouldn't guess the pressure, but the volume is probably pretty low.

David from jax

I was thinking of using it to power a light weight dump. I've got a power pack for the garden cart I'm building, but this convertible top one is real compact and has electric controls allowing me to build a remote control for it. I wouldn't need a lot of flow, but I'd need some pressure... ~1500 -1700 psi.

I can't find any specs for pressure or flow anywhere for these pumps. Just year, make, and model for the car they came out of.

 

[Wayne County Hose]

Wow, that might be a neat little project. If you would like to mail it to me, I could do a max pressure check for you. Or, you could get a gauge and plumb it from the inlet to the outlet with a high pressure valve after the gauge. Turn it on, slowly close the valve (but not all the way) until you get your pressure relief kicks out.

Also, check the pressure rating on the line they use. That could tell you something. If they use tube rated for 500 p.s.i., you know it won't work. If I remember correctly, my Camaro convertible had clear plastic tubing, not much pressure there. I think this is worth checking. Inexpensive and easy, just like a good woman.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Well, I went ahead and bought the pump. $40 dollars will either buy me a good useable 12V hydraulic pump, or it will just buy me an education about these convertible top pumps.

I figure it's worth the risk.

Knowing me, if I don't use it for what I have in mind, I'll just use it for something else later.

 

[sandman2234]

You can always sell it to someone wanting a power top on whatever kind of car you took it off, to recoup your money.
David from jax

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I got the pump yesterday in the mail...Finally.

I was hoping there would be some markings on it as to the horsepower, specs, etc. but there's just a brand name and serial number. I may have to get me a hydraulic pressure guage. I could use it for a number of things anyway.

The issue I have now is that the pump has two wires. Red to + and Black to - turns the motor one way. Red to - Black to + turns it another. I'm having a hard time getting my head around a switch that will easily do this.

Any reversible motor I've played with has had three wires. One is a ground and then power to the other two will turn the motor opposite directions respectively.

 

[Wayne County Hose]

How about going to a junkyard and getting the switch and relay from a convertible. You will need a relay anyway, might as well get the one made for it.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

How about going to a junkyard and getting the switch and relay from a convertible. You will need a relay anyway, might as well get the one made for it.

I don't know if I will need a relay. The wires going to the pump look to be either 14 or 16 guage. I'll probably just run power directly to the switch and then back to the pump.

I talked to our in-house electrician at work and he taught me how to cross jumper the connections to a Double Pole Double Throw momentary rocker switch to make it work. I think I've even got some 4 conductor wire that I saved when we scrapped an old treadmill for the DC motor (generator) that was in it.