Re: (ET) leaf vacuum

[David C Robie <mycroftxx1 juno com>]

The 'driiveway pickup' vac uses a GE snowblower motor and radial fan. 
Got most of it here.

Dave
Weymouth MA


On Mon, 18 Sep 2006 15:17:11 -0400 "Konstanty, Walter \(GE Indust,
ConsInd\)" <Walter Konstanty ge com> writes:
>   AF12 may be 12" and AF15 is 15" diameter.
> Fan should be cast with perpendicular blades - don't use a squirrel 
> cage type as it will clog and unbalance....also, backward curve 
> blades produce less airflow but more pressure.
> I think the largest ET motor is the snowblower and it's only rated 2 
> or 2.5HP @3,600RPM....not powerful enough for a direct drive fan in 
> my opinion plus the KW to drive it for any length of time is very 
> limited by battery condition.  Unfortunately, the 5HP ICE is better 
> for a fan application and probably required for the AF12.  AF15 may 
> be closer to 7.5HP.
>   Your idea seems reasonable - the next issue is screening the 
> trailer in.....burlap is lousy.  Actual screen may be better.
> Good luck.
> ...Walt
> Erie PA
>  
> -----Original Message-----
> From: elec-trak-bounces cosmos phy tufts edu 
> [mailto:elec-trak-bounces cosmos phy tufts edu]On Behalf Of Joseph 
> Bergrath
> Sent: Monday, September 18, 2006 3:03 PM
> To: elec-trak cosmos phy tufts edu
> Subject: (ET) leaf vacuum
> 
> 
> Hi everyone.
>  This is my first post so I hope I am doing this the right way.
>  I am trying to get into the discussion about vacuuming leaves with 
> our ET machines.
>  I have just purchased my first E14 ElecTrak. So far I like it a 
> lot.
>  I dont think my charger is working properly, not enough voltage, 
> only 36 volts.
>  I believe I read something about a capaciter that goes bad over 
> time.
>  I think I need more help with that before I understand it.
>  Any way I bought a new charger on Ebay ,a Protech 3616, and it is 
> doing a good job.
>  
>  Getting back to the leaf vacuuming. I got a good deal on a rusty 
> trac vac with no motor or mount,
>  But it did come with 2 aluminum blowers. They are both American fan 
> co. one is a AF12 the
>  other one is an AF15.  I have emailed there rep trying to find out 
> what Hp I would need to power them. 
>  They havent answered me yet. I believe that the smaller one would 
> be used with a 5 HP gas motor.
>  My plan is to mount the motor on the rear using the slide in frame 
> mounts and pulling the trailer from that mount.
>  I will have to fabricate a 6" hose adapter for the side discharge 
> chute.
>  I will hang the hose from my snow blower bracket,the one that holds 
> the crank to adjust the chute,
>  to keep it off the ground.
>  
>  What I need help with is the size of motor and if i could run it 
> from my existing batterys, with the 
>  mowers running, or would I need to have an additional power pack? 
> If I need an additional pack 
>  would I be able to get by with 24 Volts or should I stick with 36 
> volts?
>  I have a lot of 70' tall oak and hickory trees on my property and 
> would need quite a bit of capacity
>  to get the job done.
>  
> Thanks in advance for any help you guys can give me. Joe Bergrath