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Post by RKC on Dec 6, 2012 10:32:00 GMT 12
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Post by goldvic on Dec 6, 2012 12:18:46 GMT 12
Thanks
RKC for your answer and photos
woow dam that looks like a very small hole inside like 1/4"
i guess i will defiantly reduce my hole from 15MM to like 8-9mm
will try that first then try to change out the elbows to a 2 "
Thnaks
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Post by goldvic on Dec 9, 2012 7:36:26 GMT 12
HELLPPPPPP Well now I am totally frustrated. I extended the 2" hose diameter right up to the taper. I had a new tapered nozzle made which is from 2" down to 8mm or just over 1/4" and 6" in length. Put it all together and its worst than before. No suction at nozzle and water coming out the nozzle too. I am ready to throw in the towel. Here are my latest diagrams Can anyone shed light on what's going on? Thanks   |
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Post by Dredger89 on Dec 9, 2012 9:53:49 GMT 12
For all the troubles you are having why not just purchase a suction nozzle from Keene, you can then spend the time your waisting getting gold! Over the years i have seen many homebuilt dredges and most of them do not perform anywhere near as well a store built dredge, like Keene & Proline. When building your own dredges you need to at least purchase a proper dredge pump & power jet or suction nozzle. I do not think you are saving any money waisting time on trying to reinvent the wheel!  |
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Post by goldvic on Dec 9, 2012 10:23:21 GMT 12
well thanks for your advice.
but if you read above I live in Colombia SOUTH AMERICA not the USA.
getting these things here is next to impossible
these items are not sold or available here
I see other people on the internet doing home made dredges and they work.
I am a pretty handy guy but this one has me boggled.
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Post by Dredger89 on Dec 9, 2012 12:28:45 GMT 12
Looked at your photos again! One huge problem you have is your suction hose is going up into that box way out of the water, you are asking to much of your system lifting all that way above the water line? What pump are you using? Considering your location it would not be too impossible to get a nozzle sent to you? You just need to arrange it? I have a 2.5" suction nozzle with 1" inlet and would be willing to send it your way if you pay the freight! I think you need to modify your set up so you are not lifting your suction hose way out of the water? You can use a traffic cone to make a cheap jet flair and attach it to your sluice!  PM me if you want the nozzle? |
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Post by goldvic on Dec 9, 2012 12:42:42 GMT 12
Thanks Cobun
I had thought about the height of the high banker.
Its only like 2 feet above the water.
But the videos I see on YouTube, people are sucking greater heights than 24 inches.
Thanks for your offer in 2 months I am travelling to north America and intend to buy a Keene nozzle.
Getting things sent to Colombian ... 99 % of them do not arrive and are stolen or lost.
But in the mean time I did want to try getting some sand out of the river
I think my pump is fine
100 feet pump height and 150 gallons per minute 2" diameter
Maybe I should consider taking the high banker and placing it in front of the sluice box to make it longer instead of higher.
Thanks
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Post by Dredger89 on Dec 9, 2012 13:35:01 GMT 12
I know there are lots of pics and U tube clips with those homebuilt dredges with many issues, the owners are usually pretty proud of their creations?
I have an extensive engineering background on process efficiency and when building a dredge one must aim for a quality design. Its all about getting a proper suction and feeding material without plug ups & breakdowns!
At the end of the day more gravel more gold!
If you visit the USA be sure to visit some gold prospecting stores and have a look at their equipment, many carry products from Proline & Keene. If your dredging is leaning more towards the smaller units with high banker options check what is available in those sizes!
Have a look at the Pumps built by Proline & Keene, they are designed for dredging applications and offer better performance than trash & fire pumps.
Best of luck with it!
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Post by RKC on Dec 10, 2012 8:00:27 GMT 12
G'day, There is a suction nozzle made from aluminium on TradeMe at present. Can't remember ever seeing an aluminium nozzle before in Godzone ... the add says it was made in the USA! It looks a bit knocked around so it must have had some use, without any major wear problems ... yet. An advantage of a suction nozzle made from steel rather than aluminium is that is has a bit more weight to it which counters the buoyancy effect under water, making a steel nozzle a little easier to maneuver under the water. www.trademe.co.nz/business-farming-industry/industrial/other/auction-541949044.htmRegards, Rob (RKC) |
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Post by goldvic on Dec 12, 2012 13:11:27 GMT 12
For anyone interested
and for the pessimists that thought it couldn’t be done
I tinkered with my nozzle a bit more.
I moved the taper back up the pipe by about 5/8 of an inch
I also drilled the 8mm hole 9mm then to 10mm
I am now getting a fairly good suction from the nozzle I tested it in my garage and need to test it in the field to be sure.
I am afraid of drilling the hole any bigger and losing the suction so I will leave it at 100mm.
I will still buy a professional nozzle in north America early next year. But in the mean time I have something I can work with.
Thanks for you ideas and help
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Post by goldvic on Dec 24, 2012 12:25:55 GMT 12
UPDATE
Just got back form the river.
I had continued tinkering with the nozzle and drilled the jet hole to 11mm and i moved the nozzle tip down the pipe by 5/8 "
well guess what
I think this thing is sucking up a bowling ball
now i am having trouble removing the stones stuck on the end of the nozzle
all was going well until the pressure hose blew off the coupling at the nozzle.
guess the coupling wasn't on so tight but I was sure I had tightened the hell out of it
anyway the hose when flying and so did the couple into the river.
so that cut my afternoon short
good news is that in 20 minutes i sucked up a hole 1/2 meter by 1/2 meter deep
which sound like a good volume
that it for now will continue updating as I tinker with this thing
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Post by powderburns on Dec 24, 2012 18:07:36 GMT 12
Rocks tend to jam at the turbulence just past the jet. My current solution to clear these jam ups is ramming it with a little crowbar until it moves. This might prove problematic to PVC. Steel and mining are made for each other.
Full marks for perseverance.
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Post by salmonking on May 20, 2016 4:25:00 GMT 12
I have to ask....
In regards to the clogging you are experiencing...
Is your hose smooth on the inside or corrigated like the outside?
Your material will catch in the dips inside and build up causing the blockages you are describing....I learned this the hard way.
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