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MMD > Archives > November 2009 > 2009.11.13 > 09Prev  Next


Suction Boxes for Modern Aeolian Players
By Robbie Jacob

Hi,  The assembly on top of the box is supposed to control speed of

the motor when playing, and supposed to reduce the speed on rewind.

On the one I have, and on others I have encountered, this valve system

does not work!  I suspect that the premature burnout of these motors

is a result of this setup.



I would suggest disabling this device, by removing the attachment arm

from the main vacuum chest that opens and closes this thing and place

the control rod totally "in" or "out" ( which ever way opens the

valves) to make the unit work at full opening and installing one of

the motor speed controls that used to be available at Player Piano Co.

to the suction box wiring to control the speeds on rewind and play.

There are several folks that have made and marketed the same speed

control and may be available from them also.



That will reduce the speed of the motor, rather than just controlling

airflow and the strain on the motor is less.



That's my 5 cents worth, and hope it works for you.  If you discover

a better way from someone else, please let me know.  My advice here is

based on my personal encounter with this problem and was just an idea

that worked for me and there are those who may have solved the problem

a better way.



Robbie Jacob

Newport News, Virginia

erjacobjr@verizon.net.geentroep [delete ".geentroep" to reply]




(Message sent Fri 13 Nov 2009, 18:54:51 GMT, from time zone GMT-0800.)

Key Words in Subject:  Aeolian, Boxes, Modern, Players, Suction

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