DC6000 upgrade puzzlement

[hfmann]

Hi all,

I started putting my upgrade together and ran into this unknown element. There is a machine screw on the outside of the inlet

Machine screw on inlet

screw on outside of inlet.jpg (122.05 KiB) Viewed 1213 times

. It protrudes into the inlet and doesn't connect anything

Screw protruding into inlet.

screw protrudes into inlet.jpg (93.89 KiB) Viewed 1213 times

. I can't figure out the reason it's there. Nothing in the instructions or exploded parts diagram gives me a clue. Is it supposed to be a stop for the union connector?

Screw with union connector

screw on outside of inlet with union connector.jpg (242.94 KiB) Viewed 1213 times

If I push the union connector over it, won't that create an air leak around the connector?

I'm stuck until I know how to treat this.

thanks,
hal

[HopefulSSer]

My guess would be a connection for a ground wire to dissipate static electricity? (He said, basing it on nearly nothing at all.....)

[dusty]

Still another undocumented change.

I would take that screw out and proceed without it.

[hfmann]

Thanks HopefulSSer and Dusty,

I think Hopefuls' got it. There is a label inside the connector that says "Caution: This item should be grounded to dissipate static electric charges." [attachment=0]20240729_084009.jpg[/attachment

Now the question becomes - How to do that?

And if fitting the connector and new motor into the main housing causes the union to slide over the screw, how to seal the likely air leak?

thanks,

hal

[HopefulSSer]

Seems like the position of the screw was not completely thought out. If it were me I'd probably drill another hole that doesn't interfere with the connector and connect a ground wire there.

[dusty]

Static charge must have been an after thought. I did not receive a safety label like that and I do not have a grounding wire. Should I? My DC3000 has been in service for years (many) without incident.

[HopefulSSer]

In principle, with the right combination of dust and static, you could get the equivalent of a grain silo explosion. In practice I would that even if the probability is non-zero, it must be exceedingly small -- especially in a home shop. There might be enough static buildup however to damage electronics if you happen to have some incorporated into your setup.

Probably, that screw was added as a CYA measure. I speak with absolutely zero authority!

[hfmann]

Same here Dusty. No issues with my DC3000 over the years.

Hopeful - you probably got that CYA measure right.

Would the higher HP on the 6000 have more potential.

So HOW do I connect a grounding wire? attach the other end where? What gauge?

hal

[HopefulSSer]

You'd connect the other end to the pipe or hose some way. Lots of discussion (much of it not definitive) online, but what I'm finding most commonly is either wrapping or otherwise affixing a length of bare wire to it, or by running a strip of foil tape along it (obviously not so effective on flexible hose)

[JPG]

I would do as Dusty suggested(remove it).

As for the 'documentation change', that is the fault of the Taiwanese supplier, not SS.

As I see it, that screw and label is not relevant to the SS implementation.

As for what to attach to the screw, the static drain wire(or whatever) that prevents static buildup in the non-conductive hose/duct.

The SS DC does not need it for the inlet coupling(IMO).

An assumption by the supplier is the housing will be grounded.