There are a few reasons for installing this suction pump. (1) Short of complete rebuilding of the player action, it may be expedient to defer this eventuality. (2) It may be easy to foot-pump, but there are times when you may want to be away from the piano for a moment. (3) Children or the elderly sometimes have difficulty foot-pumping, whereas you don't.

Whatever the reason, the installation of this kit need not destroy the original operation or prevent it from being returned to its original state. There is an internal check valve built into the suction box, which is like a one-way valve. The vacuum motor can draw air from the player action, but the connection of the suction box does not allow passage through it when the foot-pumps are operated.

The vacuum motor used is somewhat similar to the type that would be found in a vacuum-cleaner. Since the vacuum necessary to operate a player piano is usually far less than needed to sweep the floor, an electronic resistance control is used, so that only the actual suction level needed will be produced. Two levels of vacuum are an important feature of the control unit used on this suction box. During re-roll the demand for vacuum is only about one-third as great. The pneumatic motor and controlling governor were not originally designed to regulate an excessive amount of vacuum, which would be the case with little being consumed, but still pumping at the same rate. With foot pumping, the pumping strokes are at a slower pace. However, the electric motor needs to be told to slow down, and this is why there are two speed circuits, with the selector switch (Fig. 2) which automatically switches from the ‘Play’ speed to the ‘Rewind’ speed when the Play/Rewind lever is moved to the Rewind position. This is accomplished by simply tying the string to the moveable part of the Play/Re-roll linkage. The selector switch selects the Rewind speed, which has been set up through the potentiometer on the controller (the post without the knob).

The main thing for you, the installer of this kit, to figure out is: where to drill a one Inch hole in the lower pump assembly to properly add the flanged fitting to connect the 1-1/4" hose from the suction box. There were two basic types of construction (shown in Fig. 4 and 5)

Ignore the two original foot-pump bellows. These have internal check valves that disconnect each from the vacuum system. The reduced vacuum cavity is connected to the trunk channel and the reservoirs. Only one reservoir is needed, but most pump assemblies have two. If only one, it is usually across the top of the two foot pumps (as in Fig. 5). In this case it also serves as a connecting channel. You would want to drill the one inch hole into the stationary part of the reservoir. This is easily done without removing the pump assembly from the bottom of the piano if construction is as in Fig. 4. Usually the reservoir in Fig. 5 has the moveable leaf facing forward, and it is necessary to completely remove the assembly from the piano in order to drill the entry hole and affix the flanged fitting from the back side at a convenient location.

If the bellows assembly is built like Fig. 4, but so large that there is not room for the box, remove the right reservoir. Remove screws and break the glued stationary board of the reservoir from the trunk channel, and patch the hole that is left. Drill a new one inch hole adjacent to this to mount the flanged hose fitting so it is pointed down, directly over where the suction box will be.

Normally the pedal rods go along the floor of the piano on the left side. To overcome this, saw several scrap blocks of wood to prop up the bottom of the suction box to clear these. A small bottle of linoleum paste and a stick to smear it with is enclosed in this kit; this is for sticking the padding on the bottom of the suction box to what ever will support it in position in the piano.

If you plan to run the electric cord out of the back of the piano, refer to the picture next to Fig. 6. This is a dead zone on the soundboard, and cutting a hole here will have no effect on the sound of the piano. Also, two extra wire nuts are included in the kit so you can cut the electric cord near the pump box and run just the wire through the soundboard. In this case, only a small 3/8" hole is required. This avoids making a larger hole for the plug.

Installing the Selector Switch.
The Play/Rewind lever moves rods and mechanical linkage that do three things:

1. Shifts the transmission from the take-up spool to the music roll.

2. Operates the cut-off valve to the pneumatic stack.

3. Operates the valve that by-passes the Tempo Control and Air Motor Governor.

The Selector Switch (See Fig. 2) can be installed at any point on this linkage where a string can be attached between it and the Selector Switch lever. Note that the switch lever must be pulled to the left when the Play/Rewind lever is in the Play position, and released when it is in the Rewind position. (Under the key bed or by the transmission usually works best.) The switch is spring-loaded to the Rewind position. So, when the tension on the string is released, the switch returns to the Rewind position automatically. Although there is about a foot of string attached to the lever, it is recommended that you only use what’s needed and discard the rest.

A convenient location for this switch is by the air motor at the right of the transmission. With the transmission in the Play position, tie the string to the bottom of the shift lever (in most cases) so that it pulls the Selector Switch lever fully from its at rest position.

The electric cord to this switch is long enough to reach from the lower part of the piano to this location, around the right end of the pneumatic stack. Extra wire can be coiled up and stowed. A connecting plug is provided so the switch can remain in position when the upper action is removed for servicing or tuning.

Mounting the controller (shown in Fig. 1) Fig. 6. shows complete installing of the wiring. The dual-speed electronic controller is mounted on the bottom of the key bed and to the side, so that it will be out of the way for foot pumping. The on-off switch and playing power knob can easily be operated even though it is out of sight. The power cord to the wall receptacle is brought out the back of the piano, behind the suction box by drilling a hole through the soundboard. This will have no effect on the sound of the piano.

It is a good idea after installation to place a cloth strainer over the fitting on the suction box and slip the hose over it to catch any sawdust or shavings that might come through during the first several minutes of running. Air is drawn directly through the motor to cool it, and dirt must not be allowed to enter.

Avoid running the suction box with the Intake completely closed because this robs the motor of the air needed to keep it cool. Under normal usage, enough air passes through the motor to cool it. Even though the exhaust air can get a little hot, the fact that you can feel the moving air shows that air is passing through.

General Information: If you have problems, send an email to johnatuttle@gmail.com, or phone (732) 840-8787, or write Player-Care, 407 19th Ave., Brick, NJ, 08724. You will probably never need replacement parts or repair, but if you do, contact me.

If you need extra 1-1/4" vacuum hose to connect to a top Installation, the stock no. is 551. This sells by the running foot and is available from Player-Care or could be obtained from your local vacuum-cleaner repair shop. In a very few cases, due to the construction of the original lower pump assembly, there is no way to remove part of it to make room for the addition of the suction box in a very practical way. In this infrequent situation, it is suggested that the upper left corner of the piano case (between the lid, above the piano hammers) be cleared. Use a hinge to attach the bottom of the box flush with top of the piano side. In this manner, the suction box may have the hose disconnected and simply swung outside the piano case when the piano is tuned. For this situation, it will require an extra length of hose.

In setting the right amount of vacuum for the Rewind mode, it is suggested that you play out the longest music roll you have. Stop at the end. Turn the potentiometer post (Fig. 1.) without knob, all the way counter-clockwise, Put tempo lever at zero, shift gears to Re-wind. Turn suction box back on and turn this post clockwise until the roll barely starts to move. This will set the minimum speed when it can start re-rolling from a dead stop. Conditions may change. Lower humidity conditions such as found in a heated home during the Winter may open up some new leaks in the player system. Especially one that has not been rebuilt and resealed. During this season the Rewind circuit may have to be reset.

This suction box kit has a lot of reserve power. Up to 70+ inches of water lift vacuum. This can overcome a lot of leaks and still be able to play loud when you want it to. There will be a varying degree of permanent leakage in the system, but once this is overcome, the additional amount of vacuum required to play from very soft to very loud, will probably vary from 20 to 50 inches of vacuum.

Also, many people enjoy their player piano more when they pump the pedals. As mentioned previously, this feature will not be disturbed by the installation of this kit. But, what most people don’t know is that the ‘Play’ control setting can be adjusted in such a manner that it will only compensate for the leakage in your system. To accomplish this, put a roll on and start the electric vacuum pump. Adjust the Play control setting down to a setting such that the music is just barely playing. Then start using the foot pedals. The recommendation is to set the volume of the music as low as possible so that all of the notes still articulate correctly. Then when you pedal, you can add expression to the music by pumping just a little harder at the appropriate moments. It adds a whole new dimension to the music that you’re sure to enjoy.

This set of installation instructions is also shared with the Deluxe Full Automation Suction Box Kit. The same controller is used in both systems. Therefore, there are effectively two ‘On-Off’ switches. ‘One’ on the controller, which should be left in the ‘On’ position all of the time, and ‘Two’ the one on the Automatic 'Off' / Pushbutton 'On' Device. The automatic shut-off device mounts in the spool box and responds to the flipping tab of a roll that is fully rewound, to shut off the suction box. However, the ‘On-Off’ switch on the controller can be used at anytime to turn the vacuum pump ‘Off’, should that become necessary.

The electrification of the player piano should not affect the tempo setting, but now would be a good time to check it out.

The Player-Care 88-note test roll, is now available at Player-Care.com for slightly more than the price of a standard size music roll. The roll has the Tempo Test scaled on it. However, if you do not have one, use a ruler on one of your existing music rolls to mark a starting and ending mark seven feet apart. The graduations on the tempo indicator are 10 for each foot of travel per minute. That is, with tempo set at normal "70", it should take one minute to travel from start to end of the seven foot mark (or half minute for a 3-1/2 ft. increment. Adjustments can be made on the indicator needle by trial and error, accordingly. However, it is much better to make adjustments to the Air Motor Governor (AMG). To access directions for adjusting the AMG, go to the web page at: https://www.player-care.com/test_me.html

The Test Roll also has a Repetition Test, a Capacity Test, and a Scale Uniformity Test. The roll is available at: https://www.player-care.com/testroll.html

After a player is electrified, it usually directs the thinking toward acquiring music rolls that have an LP playing time, such as several tunes on one roll, or large medley rolls. Q-R-S music rolls produces a large variety of these, show tunes and others, and may begin issuing new ones in the not-to-distant future. For a free copy of the Q-R-S Music roll catalog, call QRS at 1-800-247-6557. Player-Care also carries a wide selection of technical literature and rebuilding supplies.