Vacuum Pump & Fluid Guide

Vacuum Pump & Fluid Guide

The Vacuum Pump is one of Scrap Mechanic's most useful automation tools. It moves fluids — water, gasoline, and even harvested crops — through pipes to where you need them. This guide covers pump principles, pipe connections, automated irrigation, refueling systems, and troubleshooting.

Vacuum Pump Principles

The Vacuum Pump creates suction that draws fluids and items into its intake and pushes them out through connected pipes. It's the foundation of automation in Scrap Mechanic.

• Intake — The side that draws in fluid/items (place in or near the source)
• Output — The side that expels fluid/items (connect to pipes leading to destination)
• Power — Requires an engine or motor to operate (connect via Connection Tool)
• Flow rate — Determined by pump size and engine power
• Direction — Flow is one-way; use multiple pumps for bidirectional systems

Pipe Connection Rules

Vacuum Pipes connect components in a fluid system. Follow these rules:

1. Pump → Pipe → Destination — Always start from the pump output
2. Straight runs — Pipes connect in straight lines; use elbows for turns
3. No leaks — Ensure every pipe segment is properly connected; gaps cause fluid loss
4. Filters — Use filter pipes to separate different fluid types or item categories
5. Valves — Add valves to control flow to specific branches
6. Storage — Connect pipes to tanks, containers, or directly to machines

Fluid Types

Automated Irrigation Setup

Automated watering is the most common use for Vacuum Pumps. It keeps your crops watered without manual effort.

Components Needed

• Vacuum Pump (1+)
• Vacuum Pipes (enough to reach from water source to farm)
• Water source (lake, river, or water tank)
• Engine or motor (to power the pump)
• Optional: Sensor + Controller (for automated on/off based on soil moisture)
• Optional: Water tank (for storage if far from natural water)

Setup Steps

1. Place the Vacuum Pump at the edge of the water source (intake in the water)
2. Connect the pump output to Vacuum Pipes leading to your farm
3. Run pipes along your crop rows, with outlets above or beside each row
4. Connect an engine to the pump using the Connection Tool
5. For automation: connect a soil moisture sensor to a controller, then to the pump engine
6. Test by activating the pump — water should flow through pipes and onto crops
7. Adjust pipe outlets for even coverage across all crop rows

Irrigation Tips

• Elevated pipes — Run pipes above crops for better water distribution
• Multiple pumps — For large farms, use multiple pumps to maintain pressure
• Rain collectors — Supplement natural water sources with rain collection tanks
• Timer-based — Use a controller timer to water crops at set intervals (saves power)
• Filter pipes — If using the same pipe system for multiple fluids, use filters to separate

Automated Refueling Design

Never run out of fuel again with an automated refueling station. This system pumps gasoline from a storage tank directly into your vehicle's fuel tank.

Components Needed

• Large gasoline storage tank
• Vacuum Pump
• Vacuum Pipes
• Fuel nozzle / connector (for vehicle attachment)
• Engine (to power the pump)
• Optional: Sensor (detects when vehicle is in position)

Setup Steps

1. Build a fuel storage area with a large gasoline tank
2. Place a Vacuum Pump near the tank, intake connected to the tank
3. Run pipes from pump output to a refueling nozzle at your vehicle parking spot
4. Connect engine to pump
5. For full automation: place a sensor that detects when a vehicle is parked, connect to controller → pump
6. Park your vehicle, connect the nozzle to the fuel tank, and activate the pump

Refueling Station Tips

• Mark the spot — Use signs or colored blocks to indicate where to park
• Multiple nozzles — For multiple vehicles, add a manifold with several nozzles
• Overflow protection — Use a sensor to stop pumping when the vehicle tank is full
• Fire safety — Keep gasoline storage away from open flames and heat sources

Other Automation Uses

Automated Crop Harvesting & Transport

• Use Vacuum Pumps to collect harvested crops from the field
• Pipe crops directly to a Packing Station or storage container
• Combine with automated farming for a fully self-sustaining food production system

Automated Refining

• Pipe raw ore from mining storage to a Refinebot
• Pipe refined materials from Refinebot output to storage
• Use filter pipes to sort different material types into separate containers

Fire Suppression System

• Run water pipes throughout your base with sprinkler outlets
• Connect to a fire detection sensor (heat or flame sensor)
• When fire is detected, the system automatically activates and extinguishes flames
• Essential for bases with wooden structures or near desert tornado zones

Troubleshooting

Vacuum Pump Tips & Tricks

1. Plan pipe routes before building — Map out where fluids need to go, then build the shortest path
2. Use manifolds — Split one pump output to multiple destinations with a pipe manifold
3. Label pipes — Use colored blocks or signs to indicate which fluid each pipe carries
4. Keep pumps accessible — Place pumps where you can reach them for maintenance and repairs
5. Use valves for control — Add manual or automated valves to shut off flow to specific sections
6. Build redundancy — For critical systems (like fire suppression), have a backup pump
7. Experiment — Vacuum Pipes can move more than just fluids; try automating item transport too

Related Guides

• Farming & Crop Guide — Integrate automated irrigation with your farm
• Gas Container & Fuel Guide — Fuel storage and refueling systems
• Controller & Logic Circuits — Advanced pump automation with sensors
• Base Building Guide — Integrate fluid systems into your base design