Re: Central Vac overload

[Art Todesco <actodesco@xxxxxxxxx>]

On 3/30/2010 10:45 AM, George wrote:
> On 3/30/2010 7:23 AM, Robert Green wrote:
>> Some of you might remember my question about building a silencing cabinet
>> for a central vac. Well, it worked, but too well. The problem is now that
>> if something gets stuck in the hose, we can no longer hear the immediate
>> increase in the motor load the way we used to. On occasion, the unit's
>> motor even shuts down from the overload.
>>
>> Does anyone have any ideas how to detect the "laboring" of the motor so I
>> can sound a chime or some other alarm when something clogs the pope -
>> I mean
>> pipe - the Pope has enough problems of his own. (-:
>>
>> I am going to try a test today with my Kill-0-Watt meter to see if
>> there's a
>> substantial increase in current draw. I might be able to use a current
>> sensor to detect the upswing and sound a chime or some other kind of
>> warning. I don't want to shorten the life of the motor by letting the
>> thermal overload shut it down after it has overheated.
>>
>> Thanks in advance
>>
>> --
>> Bobby G.
>>
>> Crossposted to alt.home.repair;comp.home.automation, follow up in AHR,
>> please!
>>
>>
> Guess I am missing something.
>
> If you are using it and suddenly there is no or greatly diminished
> vacuum wouldn't that be a sufficient indicator that there is a problem?
>
If you are using it with a motor
operated beater brush, you really can't
hear the loss of suction over the motor
noise.  I know, both me and my wife have
had it happen in our old house.  What
can alert you is that you have to go
over the same spot several times to pick
up the one little crumb.