OM 4 Way with Eductor Test Results

[Bryan89]

As promised, I competed testing of my OM 4 way with 4 Penductors tonight. I utilized nearly every drum that OM makes for a 4 way. All of the equipment is brand new right out of the box.

Here is a photo of my test loop setup:



My test setup is as follows:
Pump - Blueline 70HD
4 Penductors (3/4") on each 4 way port
OM 4 way w/ Version 1, 2 and 3 drums

Issues:
The biggest problem in utilizing the 4 way (or 8 way for that matter) with eductors is that the back pressure from the eductors appears to force the rotating drum against the housing of the 4 way, preventing it from rotating. The drum will resist rotation and cause the magnetic clutch to disengage and slip. This does not damage any part of the 4 way, but does prevent changing flow ports.

Results:
Version 1: Forget about it, this simply will not work for the reasons detailed above under Issues. I tried modifications to eliminate the backpressure (including drilling holes in the drum, etc.) and could not get it to work.

Version 2: Again, I could not get it to work.

Version 3: This worked like a charm without any effort on my part. In fact, to test it initially, I did not put any lubrication on the brand new drum just to see how the drum would work long term (e.g. after all the lubricant has exited into the tank). This worked so well that it is what I'll be using in my tank. It will fully cutoff two eductors at a time and simulate a tidal wave pattern, depending on how you plumb it.

I hope this helps anyone else who is thinking about eductors and an OM 4 way.

Bryan

PS Ignore the crappy plumbing, I put the whole loop together in about an hour.