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UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: garyfindlay on March 30, 2010, 10:15:22 pm

Title: powerflite porty vac test
Post by: garyfindlay on March 30, 2010, 10:15:22 pm
I had 2 vacs replaced on the porty at xmas, but I don`t think the suction is as good as before when I had chinese vacs in it. when you put your hand over the hose the vac chamber sucks in, but not as good as before, (as recommended by the fitter) I also think it is leaving carpets wetter, but could be the damp weather. ;D Is there any test you can do to check the vacs, or has anyone had similar problems
Title: Re: powerflite porty vac test
Post by: Jim_77 on March 30, 2010, 10:24:51 pm
Interesting thought Gary....My logic says there's two ways of looking at this.  Either:

1) power consumption, electrical current etc, the theoretical science bit basically... or

2) Actual result of air flow and vacuum, measured under working conditions.

Unless you have a science lab or the exact technical specs of each motor, I reckon you're probably never going to find out!

Is it really worth fitting cheap motors to portables?  Fitting decent Lamb motors doesn't really cost the earth and at least you know you've got the best tools for the job at your fingertips, it leaves no doubt you've got optimum performance.

P.S. if there really is a drop in performance, check for air leaks or obstructions.
Title: Re: powerflite porty vac test
Post by: garyfindlay on March 30, 2010, 10:32:42 pm
Jim, I swapped the 2 chinese vacs, that had lasted a year for 2 imperial vacs. They do sound better/beefier, but seam to leave all carpets wetter.
Title: Re: powerflite porty vac test
Post by: Jim_77 on March 30, 2010, 10:35:57 pm
That's no scientific measurement Gary!

A truckmount can "seem" to leave carpets just as wet as a portable... but what's actually happening is it's sucking all the water up to the top of the carpet, from where it will evaporate quicker and produce a much shorter drying time.  Maybe your new vacs are doing the same thing.

If you're in to experimenting, try cleaning a test patch half with 2 vacs running and half with one vac.  They might feel similar "wetness" after cleaning but 3 hours later guess which one will be driest!
Title: Re: powerflite porty vac test
Post by: markpowell on March 31, 2010, 09:06:22 am
Have you checked the seal at the top of the waste tank, your vac hoses and also on the dirty water outlet to make sure you have no air leaks?
Are the vacs the same wattage as the ones you took off?
Mark
Title: Re: powerflite porty vac test
Post by: Ken Wainwright on March 31, 2010, 09:53:53 am
Is it possible that you've replaced, lets say, the older 1400 watt motors for new 1200 watt motors?

Now check your installation. Depending on design, you may have vacs that need a gasket type seal or it could be a simpler hose clamping on a spigot. Are these all "hunky dory?". Are there any splits in the installation hoses?

Safe and happy cleaning :)
The Ken

PS Just re-read Marks post about wattage. I'm just repeating what he said :-[
Title: Re: powerflite porty vac test
Post by: AJB on March 31, 2010, 10:15:04 am
Check the gaskets are seated properly, if not stuck down properly
one can be sucked partly over the vac' motor inlet. Also check the
hose from the vac's to the stack is not twisted and crushed by the
pump or heater. Mine has Imperial motors and they are good.
Don't worry how damp the carpet feels, drying time is what matters.
Also check the exhaust holes underneath and behind the one wheel
are not blocked.
Title: Re: powerflite porty vac test
Post by: swiftclean on March 31, 2010, 07:04:37 pm
hey guys

got one of these perfect heat machines 2nd hand about 3 and half years old

was looking for little advice on self servicing and general good maintence

also anyone ran this direct from the van?, and thoughts on 75ft of hose  ???

most important :o is there a cutoff when the wastetank too full to stop water damaging the vacs ::)

thanks in advance mark :)

Title: Re: powerflite porty vac test
Post by: garyfindlay on March 31, 2010, 08:26:43 pm
I`ll check the wattage. It was a supplier that serviced the machine. I was told the spec of the vacs was the same, as I asked if the chinese vacs spun quicker, thus burning out sooner. I was  told to keep the original vac seals, as they were bigger/better than the new seals.

As for drying times, I thought if the carpet is still wet after wanding it would take longer to dry. Another thing I noticed was that when you split the hose water drips out, same as when you disconnect the wand, and I can`t remember being able to unscrew the waste tank lid with the vaccuum on.

I`ll reservice it over the weekend, hate when service is not up to scratch
Title: Re: powerflite porty vac test
Post by: Darren O on March 31, 2010, 09:29:23 pm
Gary i got 2 replacement vacs fitted in January for my Powerflight imperial ones dont think ive noticed much of a difference but at least these ones are reliable cost me £587incl vat for 2 vacs and 2 new cables.
Title: Re: powerflite porty vac test
Post by: markpowell on March 31, 2010, 09:50:57 pm
Gary i got 2 replacement vacs fitted in January for my Powerflight imperial ones dont think ive noticed much of a difference but at least these ones are reliable cost me £587incl vat for 2 vacs and 2 new cables.



HOW MUCH................................. :'( :'(
Title: Re: powerflite porty vac test
Post by: Bob Robertson on March 31, 2010, 09:59:53 pm
Gary

Get a triple vac porty mate  ;)

Bob
Title: Re: powerflite porty vac test
Post by: Darren O on April 01, 2010, 08:24:57 am
Mark i was pretty shocked my self Cleaning Systems Uk arent the cheapest.
Title: Re: powerflite porty vac test
Post by: Barry Livingstone on April 01, 2010, 09:05:56 am
Darren I learned that years ago and stopped buying from them.

plus they used to go after a lot of commercial work in Edinburgh and other areas I once worked... :( :(

Then they wanted me to buy chems from them ......Aye rite.....
Title: Re: powerflite porty vac test
Post by: markpowell on April 01, 2010, 12:39:29 pm
Give me £450, i will supply the motors drive up and fit for ya.
Mark
Title: Re: powerflite porty vac test
Post by: Kinver_Clean on April 01, 2010, 03:08:09 pm
A 5.7 three stage Lamb vac should not cost you an awful lot over a ton.

Title: Re: powerflite porty vac test
Post by: garyfindlay on April 01, 2010, 03:45:15 pm
that includes 3 hours labour, I would imagine, that bumps up the price.

Bob,
I`ve never seen a triple vac in action. Another motor to f$ck up.Maybe better with a truckmount. Only way to find out....ffffffffffiiiiiiiiiiiiigggggggghhhhhhhhtttttttttttt.
Title: Re: powerflite porty vac test
Post by: Jim_77 on April 01, 2010, 05:45:45 pm
I think he meant 57 quid, but hit the 8 button at the same time ;)
Title: Re: powerflite porty vac test
Post by: garyfindlay on April 01, 2010, 06:26:20 pm
the vacs were around 150 + the dreaded. Where do you get them cheaper?
Title: Re: powerflite porty vac test
Post by: Carpet Dawg on April 01, 2010, 07:05:56 pm
Darren I learned that years ago and stopped buying from them.

plus they used to go after a lot of commercial work in Edinburgh and other areas I once worked... :( :(

Then they wanted me to buy chems from them ......Aye rite.....

I have stopped using them too. Crap service and ridiculous prices. I even told Matt at cleansmart how much i was charged for particular jobs and the was like "HOW MUCH??"
Title: Re: powerflite porty vac test
Post by: Darren O on April 01, 2010, 08:17:39 pm
Just to set the record straight iam not one of the usual bullpoopers on here it was £587incl vat for 2 imperial vacs and 2 new cables for machine Imperial Vacs are £169+vat each dont no what the labour charge was.
Title: Re: powerflite porty vac test
Post by: markpowell on April 01, 2010, 10:48:18 pm
Who are the usuall bull poopters you are on about??
Nearlly £600 for 2 vac motors fitted is a criminal act, simplez!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mark
Title: Re: powerflite porty vac test
Post by: Darren O on April 02, 2010, 08:41:43 am
The guys that are booked up for weeks average job ticket £200+ charge £250 for a suite and livingroom carpet get 15-20 calls a day the usual stuff dont include you in that Mark.How much do you think it is for 2 replacement cables for the Powerflight i bet you its at least £40-£50, agree £587 is a total rip of but there was a couple of snide replys making out i was telling porkys or maybe i just picked it up wrong anyway what happened about the bin cleaning.
Title: Re: powerflite porty vac test
Post by: Joe H on April 02, 2010, 08:52:14 am
Darren
Think you read too deep into the replies if you think the remarks were aimed at your integrity.
I have had it in the past - dont let it get you down.

Shock at the high price you had to pay is what was being expressed IMO.

Title: Re: powerflite porty vac test
Post by: markpowell on April 02, 2010, 10:29:36 am
No i believe your prices mate, there is a supplier in wakefield charging those sort of prices. He gets away with it because most people dont know any different. There machine goes down and they will pay almost anything to get it back asap, which is understandable especially when the diary is full.
Mark
Title: Re: powerflite porty vac test
Post by: garyfindlay on April 02, 2010, 08:39:20 pm
I broke the male socket of the plug on the powerflite = £35 :o :o :o

Nearly hardwired it myself.
Title: Re: powerflite porty vac test
Post by: james roffey on April 04, 2010, 03:10:10 pm
This was exactly why i posted recently about DIY servicing only had one proper response but it seems a lot of people bitc.... about high prices for servicing :(