Reply To: Ex Air ministry Alcon Pumps

[sidevalve5]

An update the Alcon 1½” pump. Went to an auction on Wednesday, there were two pumps there in one lot. One attached to a JAP 2a, the other to a 3 phase electric motor. The latter had an embossed ali label on it stating the pump had a head of 66’, so around 20m. This compares very poorly to even the cheapest Chinese modern equivalents if it is to be used for an irrigation system with even a medium pressure requirement. Am assuming the pump had a market for lower pressure irrigation systems and simple water transfer use with the smaller horsepower engines that were available.

The auctioneer had to drop the bid to £10 to get going, still no hands up until muggings put his up and won it. It’s worth it in scrap alone because of the heavy electric motor. But the JAP pump set is very tidy, as is the electric set up. The JAP set is painted lime green and was wondering if anyone has seen this colour before. Am not sure if it’s factory applied paint by Alcon, or someone has done it when it had a reconditioning. Both the Villiers engine pump and the electric one has the usual dark green paint that I have seen on other Alcon pumps. Whatever, it looks very clean, but without any compression. A stuck valve is suspected. Will have a play when I have some spare time and see if I can get it going.