12V Car Vac for the layout

[LarryN]

Hello,

If you have a standard battery charger in your garage, you can use that to run the vacuum. Even the smallest one will pack enough amps to run the vac, and it is designed to run warm for extended periods of time.

Larry N

[MK]

Joking aside, the motor will definitely pull more than 1A.  The Atlas/Tomix vacuum car pulls close to that.

Most of these car vacuums (and most portable vacuums that are not using brushless motors) are typically powered by 540 size (or similar) brushed motors.  These things are not efficient and often pull 2-3 amps just free running with no load.   Their 10A rating is a bit on the conservative side and it wouldn't surprise me if you put an ammeter on it you'll get a reading of 6-8 amps.

We used to use brushed 380 and 400 sized motors for radio control airplanes before the advent of brushless motors and lipos.  We typically use 20A speed controllers but the motors were spinning bigger props than the impeller of these vacuums.

[Cajonpassfan]

...
I'm surprised it runs at 1 amp but maybe slowly... connect it to your car and see if it's not a lot faster.

It might well be enough vacuum with a 1 amp supply... just feel your wall wart after running it a while and see if it's getting hot.

Greg

It's a small, lightweight tool, which is one of the reasons I like it. I did use it to vacuum the car, and while it is faster, maybe by a factor of 50%, not by that much. The motor has to be relatively small, I seriously doubt that it's designed to draw anywhere near 10amps at full power.

And sorry, can't use rail power, I'm all DCC here, have been since 1999 when I was bitten by the sound bug...

Oh, just saw that...the battery charger is an interesting idea...
Thanks for the feedback guys!
Otto

[SandyEggoJake]

Wait... this ain't a bad idea.

...attach a few of these through the fascia at intervals and to the bus ...

[basementcalling]

Can't you put a decoder in it and reduce the RPM?   

would you adjust the back EMF or the speed tables?

[Greg Elmassian]

just wire in a full wave bridge and you can run it from the rails.... as long as you are not much over 13 volts. $1.50 and a couple of alligator clips for the rails.

Greg

[learmoia]

Hello,

If you have a standard battery charger in your garage, you can use that to run the vacuum. Even the smallest one will pack enough amps to run the vac, and it is designed to run warm for extended periods of time.

Larry N

Not sure if I'm allowed to post ebay links.. but there is this thing..

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sunforce-AC-DC-Power-Electrical-Converter-Wall-Outlet-To-Auto-Car-Truck-12V-New-/361075286200
(it can handle 5.8 amps.. but may have reduced voltage at that point..)

The more common ones I've seen only handle 300ma

~Ian

[peteski]

Earlier in this thread I posted a link to a surplus 12V 5A supply for less than $20.   

[Lemosteam]

Earlier in this thread I posted a link to a surplus 12V 5A supply for less than $20.   

Aye, but the one that Ian posted has a cigarette lighter socket so the vacuum can plug right in.

[Greg Elmassian]

I'm still a fan of clipping to the rails, then no issues of multiple sockets or long cords, hook on anywhere.. easy..

2 clip leads >> full wave bridge >> 12v socket... could have built it twice in the time it took to read this thread... no mods to the vacuum, and clearly if the thing runs on 1 amp, it will work on your dcc system, which must be putting out over 1 amp... and since you are in N or Z (by the forum) you should not have more than about 13v DCC on the rails... car vacs are made to handle about 13.6 volts at least.

Easy..

Greg

[peteski]

Aye, but the one that Ian posted has a cigarette lighter socket so the vacuum can plug right in.

I guess if someone wants to retain the original plug to use for as-intended purpose. And the shipping is "free" too. Good find!