Player Piano Electric Vacuum Motor/Suction Box, DS series

Our suction boxes are designed and built in our Texarkana workshop specifically for player piano applications. These powerful, quiet two-stage motors produce up to 70 inches of water vacuum while operating with minimal vibration and noise.

The suction box measures approximately 7-5/8" square by 11-1/2" tall (including the brass connector) and features a 1-1/4" main vacuum connection plus a 1/2" auxiliary connection for accessories such as automatic rewind systems.

All models include an internal check valve, allowing normal foot-pump operation when desired. The motor is equipped with automatic thermal overload protection and a grounded power cord for safe operation.

Particular attention has been paid to vibration and noise control. The motor is isolated from the cabinet to reduce vibration transmission, and the base of the box is felted as well.

Features:
• Up to 70" water vacuum
• Quiet two-stage motor
• Internal check valve for foot-pump compatibility
• 1-1/4" main vacuum connection
• 1/2" auxiliary accessory connection
• Automatic thermal overload protection
• Grounded power cord
• Vibration-isolated construction
• Genuine F26N felt lining

Designed and built by Ragland Piano Company.

We offer three versions of the DS series, along with a Full Automation Kit that combines the DS2 with automatic rewind and automatic shutoff functions.

Full Automation Kit / DS2 – Dual-Speed Control

Recommended for nearly all player piano installations.

The DS2 provides independent controls for play and rewind vacuum levels, allowing playback suction and rewind speed to be adjusted separately. Unlike many older systems, the two controls are completely independent, so changing one setting has no effect on the other.

In addition to the play and rewind adjustments, the DS2 includes internal minimum and maximum vacuum settings. These allow the usable adjustment range to be tailored to a particular installation and help prevent accidental operation at excessive suction levels.

The maximum setting can also be used to keep the system within a safe operating range should an enthusiastic owner, feral grandchild, or visiting "expert" decide that turning every control fully clockwise is a good idea.

The Full Automation Kit includes the DS2 along with an automatic rewind pneumatic which rewinds the roll at end of play (most rolls since the 1950's have the coding at the end of the roll) and an automatic switch which turns the system off after rewind.

DS1 – Single-Speed Control

The DS1 includes a motor speed controller that maintains the same vacuum level during both play and rewind.

Like the DS2, the DS1 includes internal minimum and maximum vacuum adjustments. These allow the operating range to be tailored to a particular installation and can help prevent accidental operation at excessive suction levels.

This configuration is well suited for applications where a constant vacuum level is desired, such as record lathe chip-removal systems, and certain player piano installations that do not require suction during rewind.

For most player pianos, however, using the same vacuum level for rewind as for normal play will cause the roll to rewind extremely quickly. Excessive rewind speed can place unnecessary stress on the paper roll and spool assemblies and may increase the likelihood of roll damage.

For player piano installations requiring separate vacuum settings for play and rewind, the DS2 is generally the preferred choice.

DS0 – Motor Only

The DS0 is our most basic suction box package and is intended primarily as a replacement for existing systems with a failed vacuum motor but otherwise functional controls and wiring.

This version includes the vacuum motor and power cord only. The motor leads are brought out through the top of the unit and connected with a wire nut, allowing connection to an existing switch, relay, speed control, or other customer-supplied control system.

Important: This motor is capable of producing substantially more vacuum than most player systems require. A motor speed controller is strongly recommended to regulate suction and prevent excessive vacuum from reaching the player stack. Operating the motor without a suitable controller may result in excessive suction and could damage player system components.

We generally recommend the DS0 only when replacing a failed motor in an existing system that already has suitable controls.