You can now upgrade your current Excel 3™ or Excel 5™ vacuum press kit to the Project: EVS-2™ auto-cycling system with this kit. Your existing Excel kit will have to be disassembled and some of those parts will not be used. This upgrade kit includes the parts you'll need in addition to the parts from the Excel 3/5 kit to build the Project: EVS-2 system.

Please note that your existing Excel 3/5 vacuum press must be completely disassembled before you begin building the Project: EVS-2 kit.

A True Auto-Cycling Vacuum Press
The Project: EVS-2 is my latest and most advanced DIY auto-cycling vacuum press kit. Once adequate vacuum is achieved, the Project: EVS-2 system makes no noise and uses no electricity. The system only powers up when the vacuum level has dropped and, in most cases, the "on" time is less than a minute.

How It Works
A vacuum controller continuously measures the level of vacuum in the system. When additional vacuum is needed, the controller sends power to the vacuum pump and the solenoid valve. Once the set vacuum is achieved, the whole system cycles off.

A check valve then holds the vacuum in the reservoirs and the solenoid valve releases back-vacuum at the pump. This allows the pump to easily restart when additional vacuum is needed. The small sub-reservoir provides "free air" to the pump which allows it to spin up toward full RPM without back-pressure stress. This reduces the wear on the pump's internal pneumatic components and motor windings.

No Additional Parts Needed
With this upgrade kit, there are no additional parts needed to build the EVS-2 system other than those which will come from your existing Excel 3/5. This includes the plywood carrier assembly made from finish-grade birch plywood as well as the PVC parts for the vacuum reservoirs. Take a look at the 88-piece parts list below. PVC cement is not included, but it's readily available at most hardware stores.

Kit Instructions: Click here (free PDF download)
Vacuum Press FAQ: Click here

Kit Contents

Project: EVS-2™ Features

• There is no need to cut the pump's power cord!
• The carrier parts made from A-grade, 13-ply birch.
• The kit is fully adjustable from 10.5" to 25.5" Hg (735 to 1,785 lbs per square foot).
• A vacuum valve allows pre-charging the system with vacuum before attaching the bag.
• Auto-cycling is energy efficient! The system only runs when vacuum is needed.
• The included quick-disconnects allow easy removal of the vacuum tube for storage.
• Comprehensive assembly instructions are clearly written so nearly anyone can build it.
• Very quiet during the "on" cycle at just 55 dB. Completely silent during the "off" cycle.

Continuous Run Add-On Kit
If the Project: EVS-2™ system is used for projects where there is a possibility that the system will cycle on very often, then it may be best to order and install the optional "continuous-run" add-on. The user can easily switch between auto-cycling or continuous-run modes with this add-on kit. This option includes a few extra parts and replaces the standard vacuum controller cover plate with one that has been modified to accept the continuous-run mode switch.

WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals, including lead, which are known to the state of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.