Motor 310 Foam Pump with Built-in Foamer & Mounting Ears - 3.7V DC

Specifications

• Motor Type: Brushed DC 310

• Operating Voltage: 3.0V - 6.0V DC

• Nominal Voltage: 3.7V (Li-Ion Compatible)

• Current Draw: ~430mA - 460mA

• Foam Output: ~30 - 100 ml/min

• Mounting: 2x Integrated Screw Tabs ("Ears")

• Inlet/Outlet:

  • Liquid Inlet: Fits 3mm/4mm ID Tubing.

  • Foam Outlet: Standard ~5mm foaming nozzle.

• Noise Level: < 65dB

Key Applications & Projects

• DIY Auto-Soap Dispenser: Combine with an IR Proximity Sensor and an Arduino/Attiny for a fully touchless wash station.

• Dispenser Repair: Direct replacement for failed pumps in Xiaomi, Dettol, or generic automatic foam dispensers.

• Robotics: Special effects dispenser for props requiring "frothing" or bubbling liquids.

Virtual Technician & Wiring

• ⚠️ The Soap Ratio: This pump requires Foaming Soap (thin consistency). If using regular thick liquid soap/gel, you MUST dilute it with water (typically 1 part soap to 3-4 parts water). Pure thick soap will clog the internal mesh and stall the motor.

• Port Identification:

  • Vertical Nozzle: Liquid Inlet (Connect to tank).

  • Horizontal Nozzle: Foam Outlet (Dispenses foam).

  • Small Side Hole: Air Intake (Do not block this!).

• Mounting: Use M2.5 or M3 screws with washers to secure the ears to your chassis.

Accessories & Parts

What's Included:

• 1 x Motor 310 Foam Pump with Built-in Foamer (with Ears)

Compatible Upgrades:

• Tubing: 3mm ID Silicone Tubing (For liquid intake).

• Sensor: IR Obstacle Avoidance Sensor (For touchless activation).

• Power: 18650 Li-Ion Battery Holder.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can I use regular liquid hand wash directly? No. Thick liquid soap will clog the fine mesh inside the foaming head. You MUST dilute regular soap with water (Ratio: 1 part soap to 3 or 4 parts water) to create a thin mixture that can be aerated.

2. Does this pump create foam on its own? Yes. The pump head has a specialized dual-intake system that draws in liquid and air simultaneously, mixing them through a mesh to dispense rich foam instantly. You do not need a separate air pump.

3. Can I use alcohol-based hand sanitizer? Yes, but with caution. The pump works with liquid alcohol sanitizers (diluted). However, pure alcohol (>70%) can dry out the internal rubber seals over time. We recommend formulations with some glycerin to lubricate the pump mechanism. Note: Alcohol doesn't "foam" as thickly as soap unless it has specific surfactants.

4. What does "with ears" mean? "Ears" refer to the two molded plastic tabs extending from the pump head. These tabs have pre-drilled holes, allowing you to screw the pump directly to a chassis or enclosure, which is much more secure than using glue or zip ties.

5. Is this pump waterproof? No. The metal 310 motor casing is exposed and not waterproof. If liquid spills onto the motor, it can short circuit or rust. Always mount the pump above your liquid tank to prevent gravity leaks.

6. What is the operating voltage? The pump is optimized for 3.7V DC (nominal voltage of a Li-Ion cell). It operates safely between 3.0V and 5.0V.

7. Can I run it on 9V or 12V? No. Voltages above 6V will spin the motor too fast, causing the internal mesh to tear or the motor brushes to burn out within seconds.

8. How much current does it draw? Under load (pumping foam), it draws approximately 400mA to 500mA. Ensure your power supply or battery can handle this current.

9. What is the flow rate? It dispenses approximately 30ml to 100ml per minute of foam, depending on the voltage and soap viscosity. A typical hand-wash dose takes about 0.5 to 1 second of runtime.

10. What size tubing do I need? The liquid inlet nozzle typically fits 3mm Inner Diameter (ID) silicone tubing. The foam outlet is wider (approx 5-6mm) and usually dispenses directly into the hand, or into a short, wide tube.

11. How loud is the pump? It produces a buzzing sound, approximately <65dB. It is audible but typical for bathroom appliances.

12. What is the expected lifespan? As a consumer-grade component, the expected life is around 300 to 500 hours of cumulative runtime. Since it only runs for seconds at a time, this translates to years of typical household use.

13. Which nozzle is which? * Vertical/Bottom Nozzle: Liquid Inlet (connects to your tank). * Horizontal/Side Nozzle: Foam Outlet (where foam comes out). * Small Hole on Body: Air Intake. Do not block this hole or the pump will stall/create a vacuum lock.

14. Why is the motor running but no foam comes out? * Priming: The tube might be empty. Run the pump for a few seconds to lift the liquid. * Clog: The soap mixture might be too thick. Add more water to your tank. * Air Leak: Check if the inlet tube fits tightly. If it sucks air instead of liquid, it won't prime.

15. Can I control the amount of foam dispensed? Yes. If you use a microcontroller (like Arduino), you can use a MOSFET to switch the motor on for a specific duration (e.g., 800ms for a small dollop, 1500ms for a large handful).

16. How do I clean the pump? If the pump starts sputtering or the foam becomes watery, the mesh might be clogged with dried soap. Flush the system by pumping warm water through it for 10-20 seconds. Doing this once a month maintains performance.

17. Can I reverse the polarity to suck liquid back? No. These pumps use internal check valves to manage the air/liquid mix. Reversing the motor polarity will generally not reverse the flow and may damage the internal diaphragm.

18. Can I use this for food (e.g., foaming milk/coffee)? No. The materials used (lubricants, plastics, rubber seals) are not food-grade. Do not use this for edible products.

19. What is the mounting hole distance? The distance between the two "ear" holes is typically around 30mm - 32mm, but we recommend measuring your specific unit before drilling, as molds can vary slightly.

20. Does it need a check valve? The pump is reasonably self-priming, but if your soap tank is far below the pump (>10cm), the liquid may drain back down between uses. Adding a one-way check valve on the inlet tube keeps the liquid primed for instant dispensing.