Throttling back a vacuum cleaner.

Vara

Vara

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I'm doing some sanding in the cabin of the boat, and using a standard wet and dry vac to remove dust from sander, however it is too powerfull and very noisy, it would probably do the job at about quarter power, is there any simple...and cheap way to throttle it back, a dimmer switch perhaps.
 
Two of our domestic ones have variable speed. But a word of caution, domestics use the through air to cool the motor, while shop vacs have a separate cooling flow (or at least mine does) So running a domestic at high suction for prolonged periods can over heat the motor, or trip the cutout (Henry).
Earmuffs?
 
Vara said:
I'm doing some sanding in the cabin of the boat, and using a standard wet and dry vac to remove dust from sander, however it is too powerfull and very noisy, it would probably do the job at about quarter power, is there any simple...and cheap way to throttle it back, a dimmer switch perhaps.
Click to expand...

On the basis that we once had a vacuum cleaner with a variable speed control Id say yes it should be possible.


With something like this. Only rated 100W so you'd need something rated higher probably. I used to use this for controlling an old fixed speed drill.

You have to be careful that reducing the air flow did not lead to the motor overheating.

DSCF1317.jpg
 
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Vara said:
I'm doing some sanding in the cabin of the boat, and using a standard wet and dry vac to remove dust from sander, however it is too powerfull and very noisy, it would probably do the job at about quarter power, is there any simple...and cheap way to throttle it back, a dimmer switch perhaps.
Click to expand...

A simple no cost way would be to not insert the hose fully into the machine.

In other words to bleed air in a the drum end. Fit a tin can/plastic pipe between the hose and machine then drill holes into this till you get the pick up you want.
This way you will still maintain the correct air flow to cool the motor.

Wet or dry machines should have a bi-pass motor, so by restricting the air flow ( blocking the hose) is not so important, as the motor has a separate cooling fan with it's own air path.

Hope this helps.
 
I bought a universal extension hose from Coopers of Strortford.

Subsequently I replaced the cleaner with the one detailed in the thread linked to below which was markedly quieter (10dB or so (measured by me)) which I am happy to have running in the cabin whilst working, it has been excellent for vacuuming whilst removing powdered foam headlining.

Sorry using a mobile and dont seem able to embed links. Must relearn the syntax.

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?391130-Dust-Extractors&highlight=
 
Would bleeding-in air do much for the OP’s noise issue?

VicS’s box shows 1000W in the photo, not 100W. This is rated at 2000W:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AC-220-240v-2000W-Voltage-Speed-Controller-Thermostat-Dimmer-10-220-volts-/201107284174?pt=UK_BOI_Industrial_Automation_Control_ET&hash=item2ed2eda0ce is rated at 2000W for about £11 incl p&p (no connection etc.).

But what might be the consequences of running the motor at very considerably less than design voltage? Burnt out brushes has been mentioned – would that be from reduced cooling?
 
Hydrozoan said:
Would bleeding-in air do much for the OP’s noise issue?

VicS’s box shows 1000W in the photo, not 100W. This is rated at 2000W:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AC-220-24...ial_Automation_Control_ET&hash=item2ed2eda0ce is rated at 2000W for about £11 incl p&p (no connection etc.).

But what might be the consequences of running the motor at very considerably less than design voltage? Burnt out brushes has been mentioned – would that be from reduced cooling?
Click to expand...

Now that looks promising. Will splash out and experiment.
 
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