Trying to mains power a B&D dustbuster. Good idea?

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › Trying to mains power a B&D dustbuster. Good idea?

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#749800 23-Jan-2013 20:08

Your scientifically magical way is called in parallel. Both power supplies positive terminals go to the positive terminal in the dust buster. In series the voltage increases, in parallel the current increases.

gzt

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#749806 23-Jan-2013 20:18

Imho a 12V 2A DC adaptor (it gets you 24W) is well worth a go.

More so if it has the correct plug and polarity already ; ).

Just try not to load the vacuum by blocking the intake or forgetting to empty it. You could probably wire in an automotive fuse for a bit of extra safety.

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#749812 23-Jan-2013 20:25

You might like to post some shots of the writing on the adaptor and then some shots of the inside of the vacuum so we can see what circuit is present and any ratings.

richms

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#749943 23-Jan-2013 23:52

In a similar vein, I bought a cheap warrior car vacuum cleaner at mitre10mega for $20. It takes 12v on a lighter plug. Not measured the current but it certainly doesnt suck very well. Was running it on the lighter socket of my jumpstarter which has a self resetting fuse which will cut off with a 65W handheld floodlight, so its below that for power.

Richard rich.ms

Niel

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#750259 24-Jan-2013 15:43

Switch mode supplies have current limiting, it will briefly switch off if overloaded. It also has thermal protection. And the output already has a diode in series, so you can parallel them without thinking twice about it (first thought must be get the polarity the same ;-).

I've seen rechargeable solder tab batteries at RS Components for a surprisingly good price. Worth having a look, and you just want the most mAh rating you can afford. Can use either NiCd or NiMH, the NiCd will probably be lower rating but they will work better if similar rating.

Unfortunately it is probably a case of just throw it away.

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geekIT

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#751092 26-Jan-2013 09:54

Niel, is this the RS product you were referring to?
http://newzealand.rs-online.com/web/p/aa-rechargeable-batteries/4762099/

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Niel

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#751173 26-Jan-2013 14:30

Yes, but I suspect you need larger than AA, maybe C or D?

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geekIT

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#751199 26-Jan-2013 15:23

Yeah, I realize that now - I just disassembled the Dustbuster - there's a pic of the battery pack below.

The motor is a Johnson and it does run from one of my 12v-2a power adapters. But, as you suggested Niel, I think it'll need a little fiddling. Like it runs fairly fast from the 5v line of the adapter but it doesn't run properly from the 12v line - it's slow and jerky.

(All of my adapters have dual power - 12 and 5 volts)

So maybe it needs the diode (?) you mentioned to reduce the voltage to 9.6v.

Perhaps you wouldn't mind elaborating on that?

Cheers :-)

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gzt

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#751209 26-Jan-2013 15:40

Do you have it wired directly to the motor with the battery pack and all other electronics disconnected?

Also check the motor is rotating in the correct direction (sucking), it is DC so will rotate clockwise or anticlockwise depending on polarity.

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#751228 26-Jan-2013 16:31

It is probably triggering the overcurrent shutdown on the 12v power supply. Try a better one and see how it goes.

Richard rich.ms

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#751239 26-Jan-2013 16:54

Slightly off topic (sorry!), one of these days I'd like to make a similar adaptor for my 14.4 volt cordless drill. I need a really grunty ~ 12 volt transformer however.

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gzt

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#751241 26-Jan-2013 17:04

and some heavy duty cable..

richms

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#751244 26-Jan-2013 17:14

Like this..

http://www.instructables.com/id/Convert-a-perfectly-good-cordless-drill-to-a-corde/

There was another one on there i saw that put an open frame power supply in a box, but then the idiot used a normal mains lead to the tool, which is firstly not thick enough, and secondly someone will plug it straight into the wall at some stage and make stuff go bang.

Richard rich.ms

Niel

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#751312 26-Jan-2013 21:34

Sounds like the OP's 2A power adapter is current limiting, in which case it will briefly switch off and back on. Sound like it might be borderline and dropping the voltage might be enough to lower the current required. What you need is 3 power diodes in series. PM me an address and I'll send you a few. Each diode will drop about 0.7V to 1V.

For the OP I can get a 12V 5A power adapter, think it is around $25, and there will be postage. It has a decent length of wire attached and stripped end ideal for soldering into the dust buster. Also I cannot supply all of NZ, only occasionally offer to people with real applications. Sorry, I have to be blunt or else I can get into trouble.

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#751364 27-Jan-2013 00:06

Cheers guys.

gzt - yep, wired directly to the motor (well, just tickling the contact with the wire for a second or so - don't want to blow anything) and motor rotates correctly.

richms: You mean - try another power supply? Can do - I have three or four. This one looked the most robust.

Niel: Thanks, I'll pm you :-)

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