Air Powered Instructions -

VAK-Matic Instructions

The VAK-MATIC system is designed to turn the VAK PUMP on and off automatically at a predetermined settings. This has the advantage of only using compressed air when required (normally less than 4 minutes/hour after the original evacuation). This, of course, reduces the load on the compressor. Also, the bag can be left unattended without fear of a loss in pressure.

A porous Baseboard (BB) will cause the VAK-MATIC control box to cycle on/off more frequently in the beginning due to the air being released from the material.

1. Connect the compressed filtered air line to the air input (a standard 1/4"NPTF thread) on the right front of the box. Connect the VAK hose to the hose barb on the left front of the box.

2. If your VAK-MATIC does not have a regulator, your connecting air line should be set at 85 - 90psi when the unit is running. With the built in regulator, adjust it to 85 - 90 psi.

3. Press the rocker switch to VAK BAG, block the vacuum hose with your thumb. It should instantly go to 23-25"Hg and shut off. If so go to step 4.

The vacuum level of the VAK SENSOR is factory set at approximately 25"Hg, however, for various reasons (altitude, line pressure, line volume, leaks, etc.) you may not achieve this level. If the VAK PUMP does not shut off, you need to adjust the VAK SENSOR or air regulator.

With your thumb over the hose, turn the rocker switch to VAK Bag and turn the air regulator (black knob on right side) clockwise to increase the pressure up to a maximum of 100 psi. If the unit still does not shut off, with the selector switch set at "VAK BAG," slowly turn the vacuum switch adjustment screw counter clockwise until the pump shuts off. This will be the setting for your conditions. Block and unblock the vacuum hose several times to assure that the setting is correct.

NOTE: Starting additional air tools, while operating the VAK PUMP, could cause a pressure or volume drop, thus decreasing the performance of the pump. This could also be a cause of the pump not reaching 25"Hg.

4. Attach the VAK hose to the bag and with the VAK bag closed, turn on the VAK-MATIC and allow the empty bag to be evacuated. Be sure to cover the vacuum hole in the baseboard with a piece of wood to prevent the bag from sealing the the vacuum hole. An 8' VAK bag should take about 1 to 1.5 minutes (Super Pro VM6) to reach 25"Hg and shut off. With the VM4 (Pro) it should take about 2 mins. They could take longer if your BB is porous and giving off air or moisture as the vacuum level increases. The pump will shut off at 25"Hg (or your setting per section 4). When the vacuum level falls 4-5"Hg below maximum setting, it will cycle back on. If short cycles of 30-60 seconds continue after 10-15 minutes, check for leaks per the section: "What To Do If It Leaks" in the bag instructions.

Continuous short cycling can occur if residual air is trapped in the bag. This can be caused by your set-up inside the bag or if you rolled up the bag to make it shorter or narrower. If this is the case, start the controller on VAK KLAMP and let it run for 1 - 2 minutes longer than it would normally run under VAK BAG. Then put the switch back on VAK BAG. If you have a vinyl bag and only want to use a small portion of it, purchase another end closure to properly close off the unused portion of the bag.

CAUTION: Do not blow out the VAK-MATIC vacuum line with compressed air. You must open the box (Disconnect the electrical connection first.) and disconnect the VAK Sensor vacuum line. Compressed air will damage the VAK Sensor.

Never use the VAK-MATIC for vacuum clamping (vacuum jigs & fixtures with the switch set at VAK Bag. For safety reasons, always run the pump continuously for vacuum clamping.

If the unit does not shut off, it could be the solenoid, the on/off switch, too high of an input air pressure or the VAKuum Sensor.

Solenoid: If the unit is unplugged from the wall (the air hose is still attached) and you can hear air hissing inside the box, the solenoid is still open. Make sure the air pressure is under 100psi or it will not close. More than likely it has dirt in it from the air source. Open the box and locate the solenoid that is a 1 inch round cylinder. On top of the cylinder is a nut. Remove the nut and slide the coil off, keep track of the washers and how they fit. Just below the nut threads, on the shaft, is a 1/4" length of shaft that you can apply pliers to and loosen the shaft. Be careful when you remove the shaft as there are a spring and plunger inside. Clean the insides, it only takes a small speck of dirt to keep the solenoid open. Reassemble the solenoid.

ON/OFF Switch: If the switch lights up but only works on VAK Bag or just VAK Klamp, it could be a loose wire. Unplug the unit from the wall and open the box. Tug on each wire to see if any are loose. Recrimp if any wire comes out of its clip. Also, blow out the switch with an air gun. Blow between the rocker and the black bezel. This may clean out the contacts. If only one side works after blowing out the switch (VAK Bag or VAK Klamp), the switch should be replaced. As a temporary fix you can swap the leads, to get the function you need, to work. Just swap the leads from end to end, leave the two center leads in place.

VAK Sensor: The sensor has an average life of more than one million cycles and rarely fails. Sometimes the sensor does not shut off as it gets to the higher vacuum level or it takes a tap on the sensor for it to shut off. This may not be the sensor malfunction. It could be caused by: not enough air pressure to get it to vacuum level, a small leak in the system that the VAK Pump cannot overcome at the high vacuum level or the sensor is set too high.

Check the air pressure while it's operating, make sure it is 85 to 90 psi. Remove the vacuum hose from the box and cover the barb. Turn the switch on to VAK Bag and if it gets to vacuum level and shuts off, the sensor is OK. The problem is probably a leak in the bag. If it does not shut off, turn the sensor counter clockwise to reduce the shut off point. If it shuts off, the sensor is OK.

Problem: Pump cycles on and off rapidly and the time between cycles does not decrease after the first few minutes.

Solutions: Check to see if sawdust is in the line. The box must be opened (unplug first) and the 1/2" I.D. line which contains a check valve (1/2” long black piece) may have a chip in the check valve. Remove the hose and blow in from the black end, if air flows it is stuck or broken. If OK, replace and be sure the end with a small red plastic piece is facing towards the bag.

Important - To remove the line from the VAKuum sensor you may have to cut it off. Trying to pull it off the sensor may cause the barb to snap.

If you are using a small amount of steel wool as a filter in the VAKuum line (outside the box), it could be blocked with sawdust and chips. This will cause cycling. Remove the steel wool and sawdust and replace the steel wool. Do not pack the steel wool densely.

Check the bag at the VAKuum Connector Assembly. If the VCA is not covered by the workpiece, the bag is being sucked into the opening and blocking the vacuum line before the bag is fully evacuated. Cover the opening with a piece of stock (3“x3”x1/4” round over edges) to eliminate this problem.

If you have an ALL-in-ONE System, check the valve in the back. For veneering, the valve should be off. For clamping with jigs, it should be open.

For regular VM's or if you have a VM10/15FS, you will have check valve inside the box. Open the box and remove the hose with the check valve and check if operating properly as instructions above..