Testing new DC Question

[newood2]

Is it OK to assemble a new DC(e.g HFDC), plug it in an outlet and turn it on to test the unit without any hose hooked up to it?
Thought I read here somewhere that if I do that the amperage may increase and overheat the motor.

Howie

[ragswl4]

I tested my HF DC in that very way and no harm was done. Running Great!

Edit: Remember to keep hands and loose clothing away from the opening, its sucking pretty good.

[LarryG]

Sure, you can do that for a brief test of the machine, just to make sure the motor runs and whatnot. And by "brief," I don't mean just flick the switch on and right back off. Let it run for half a minute or so ... if THAT hurts it, you got a lemon.

[LCHIEN]

Some DC motor-impellor combinations may be designed so close to the edge that running the motor with no restriction can lead to burning out the motor.
They were probably designed with running at minimum a filter and some hose as a restriction.

However, this would only be a problem with turning it on and leaving it on.
If you just want to make sure your motor runs it would be just fine to turn in on watch it turn for 15 seconds and then shut it off. I did it with my HF 2HP DC - I wanted to make sure the motor was not DOA before assembling the system.

[Jeffrey Schronce]

Some DC motor-impellor combinations may be designed so close to the edge that running the motor with no restriction can lead to burning out the motor.
They were probably designed with running at minimum a filter and some hose as a restriction.

Wished I had read this about one 3hp motor ago. LOL!

[cgallery]

What would be kinda smart is if someone made a small $30 or $40 gizmo about the size and form factor of an outlet timer. You could dial-in a maximum amperage you wanted your motor or other device to pull. If it exceeded it, it would open and save the motor/amplifier/etc.

You could have an amperage range and a response setting (slow/medium/fast). Oh, and you could make a deluxe version with a small LCD that told you the current and average draws. The deluxe one would cost $59.

I suppose more expensive motors already have thermal overload protection. But by the time they start going thermal enough to trip I wonder if they aren't already suffering some damage. I think if I had one of the larger 3 or 5HP cyclones I would spend $50 to save me from myself opening too many gates or leaving the top off the drop bin.

Oh, and you could have a deluxe deluxe version that would include a remote control. That one would cost $120.

[Slik Geek]

What would be kinda smart is if someone made a small $30 or $40 gizmo about the size and form factor of an outlet timer. You could dial-in a maximum amperage you wanted your motor or other device to pull. If it exceeded it, it would open and save the motor/amplifier/etc.

You could have an amperage range and a response setting (slow/medium/fast). Oh, and you could make a deluxe version with a small LCD that told you the current and average draws. The deluxe one would cost $59.

I suppose more expensive motors already have thermal overload protection. But by the time they start going thermal enough to trip I wonder if they aren't already suffering some damage. I think if I had one of the larger 3 or 5HP cyclones I would spend $50 to save me from myself opening too many gates or leaving the top off the drop bin.

Oh, and you could have a deluxe deluxe version that would include a remote control. That one would cost $120.

Sounds great. Maybe this is what drybij need for a response to his "Electro-Robo-Compu Wood project" post. Except this shouldn't be enclosed in wood - best to have something non-flammable.