vacfan1982
Well-known member
My question are central vacs more powerful than a portable vac? Do they pick up more dirt?
Central vac vs Portable vac.
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power of a central vac
In general, yes, a central vacuum is more powerful than a portable vacuum. Since a central vacuum unit is not designed to be moved around, larger motors are used, thus increasing the airflow and water lift. Also, since a central vacuum is used through piping, you need a stronger motor to overcome the resistance in the pipes. If you want the best of both worlds, you can use a central vacuum unit without pipes. Some units have a utility valve built in and for those that don't, you can simply attach a utility valve to the intake, then connect the central vacuum hose to it, the cleaning power with this set up is awesome, you get the convenience of just moving the hose around and since there are no pipes, you get the full power of the machine.
Mike
In general, yes, a central vacuum is more powerful than a portable vacuum. Since a central vacuum unit is not designed to be moved around, larger motors are used, thus increasing the airflow and water lift. Also, since a central vacuum is used through piping, you need a stronger motor to overcome the resistance in the pipes. If you want the best of both worlds, you can use a central vacuum unit without pipes. Some units have a utility valve built in and for those that don't, you can simply attach a utility valve to the intake, then connect the central vacuum hose to it, the cleaning power with this set up is awesome, you get the convenience of just moving the hose around and since there are no pipes, you get the full power of the machine.
Mike
crazykirbydude
Well-known member
I would not use a central vac right next to me. My grandmother has an Aerus Electrolux SuperLux and it is deafening!
vacfan1982
Well-known member
I fitted my central vac in a cupboard in my home. I just have 3 ft of pipe going to each of two valves. I find it very powerful.
But some say it loses so much airflow through the piping and hose that theres less power at the end of the hose than a portable vac. I haven't noticed this.
But some say it loses so much airflow through the piping and hose that theres less power at the end of the hose than a portable vac. I haven't noticed this.
vacfan1982
Well-known member
The MD silentmasters are quiet I find 
blackheart
Well-known member
Eh
Unless you have a very powerful Unit I disagree. I've had multiple Central units and usually find their airflow to be weaker than a strong portable.
The Units in Question are
An unknown Broan, Motor specs (115334) CFM @ 2-In. Orifice 102.7; Vacuum (H2O Sealed) 110.0. It was a filtered cyclonic unit the maximum baird reading at the end of a 1 3/8 Hanmi Hose was about 3.5
Broan CV40B, It used two motors in series 1 5.7 peripheral bypass followed by a 5.7 tangential bypass. Max reading on the same Hanmi Hose 5.5
Drainvac Viper It used a 2 stage flow through motor it's the most powerful unit i've owned. 144 CFM, 151 Waterlift 7.5 on the baird meter with the Hanmi
Fast forward a few years: I now have a 30' Plastiflex 13/8 hose
Beam 2100A 3 stage 5.7 tangential bypass motor CFM 95 Water lift 136" Baird 3.5
MD Silentmaster S4 3 stage 5.7 peripheral bypass CFM 101 Waterlift 139" it ran somewhere around a 4.5 on the Baird meter.
I have Seen a Beam SC375 also pull a 7.5 but this may be due to the worn out baird meter we have. It's motor specs are 124 for both CFM and lift.
So assuming the shop's Baird meter was off the most powerful unit I've gauged was the Drainvac Viper scoring 7.5.
There are a few portables capable of matching this. I've kinda been disappointed with centrals really.
Unless you have a very powerful Unit I disagree. I've had multiple Central units and usually find their airflow to be weaker than a strong portable.
The Units in Question are
An unknown Broan, Motor specs (115334) CFM @ 2-In. Orifice 102.7; Vacuum (H2O Sealed) 110.0. It was a filtered cyclonic unit the maximum baird reading at the end of a 1 3/8 Hanmi Hose was about 3.5
Broan CV40B, It used two motors in series 1 5.7 peripheral bypass followed by a 5.7 tangential bypass. Max reading on the same Hanmi Hose 5.5
Drainvac Viper It used a 2 stage flow through motor it's the most powerful unit i've owned. 144 CFM, 151 Waterlift 7.5 on the baird meter with the Hanmi
Fast forward a few years: I now have a 30' Plastiflex 13/8 hose
Beam 2100A 3 stage 5.7 tangential bypass motor CFM 95 Water lift 136" Baird 3.5
MD Silentmaster S4 3 stage 5.7 peripheral bypass CFM 101 Waterlift 139" it ran somewhere around a 4.5 on the Baird meter.
I have Seen a Beam SC375 also pull a 7.5 but this may be due to the worn out baird meter we have. It's motor specs are 124 for both CFM and lift.
So assuming the shop's Baird meter was off the most powerful unit I've gauged was the Drainvac Viper scoring 7.5.
There are a few portables capable of matching this. I've kinda been disappointed with centrals really.
vacfan1982
Well-known member
Devin is this with the hose plugged directly into the power unit or with a lot of piping?
vacfan1982
Well-known member
I did a test this morning. My central vac vs my Miele S8 2200w motor.
I put rice particles in my hardfloor. The central vac hose was plugged directly into the power unit.
I put equal amounts of rice in front of both hoses. The hoses and equal distance away from the rice particles and moved both hoses towards the rice to see which pulled the rice in first.
It was a tie both pulled the rice in from the same distance away.
Ok not scientific but it convinced me that my central vac is as powerful as what I consider to be a very powerful portable bagged cleaner.
I put rice particles in my hardfloor. The central vac hose was plugged directly into the power unit.
I put equal amounts of rice in front of both hoses. The hoses and equal distance away from the rice particles and moved both hoses towards the rice to see which pulled the rice in first.
It was a tie both pulled the rice in from the same distance away.
Ok not scientific but it convinced me that my central vac is as powerful as what I consider to be a very powerful portable bagged cleaner.
blackheart
Well-known member
Mark
These figured were taken with the hoses plugged directly into the unit. No piping.
These figured were taken with the hoses plugged directly into the unit. No piping.
vacfan1982
Well-known member
Oh I see. That is quite disappointing then.
I've always thought my central vac was very powerful, I can feel the floorhead sucking down on the carpet but it seems I was wrong.
I've always thought my central vac was very powerful, I can feel the floorhead sucking down on the carpet but it seems I was wrong.
vacfan1982
Well-known member
I learn a lot on vacuumland
I spent £250 on a V8 only to learn that the airflow is shit.
I spend a fortune on a central vac then learn that the airflow is not as good as a portable vac.
I love vacuumland haha
I spent £250 on a V8 only to learn that the airflow is shit.
I spend a fortune on a central vac then learn that the airflow is not as good as a portable vac.
I love vacuumland haha
central vacuum sound and airflow
Some central vacuums are louder than others. I have 8 central vacuum units throughout my apartment, the loudest one by far is my Beam 275, even with a muffler, it's hard to stand next to it, without the muffler it will literally hurt your ears, it's unbareable. I do have a vac that uses the same motor as the Drainvac Viper, the Purvac Barracuda, very nice machine, very quiet and very powerful. The hose lets you go pretty far from the actual unit, so you're not next to it when cleaning.
I'm quite impressed with the power my central vac units have, I use my portable canisters as well, I don't have any uprights, but I really do enjoy cleaning with my central vacs, and my backpacks as well for that matter.
Mike
Some central vacuums are louder than others. I have 8 central vacuum units throughout my apartment, the loudest one by far is my Beam 275, even with a muffler, it's hard to stand next to it, without the muffler it will literally hurt your ears, it's unbareable. I do have a vac that uses the same motor as the Drainvac Viper, the Purvac Barracuda, very nice machine, very quiet and very powerful. The hose lets you go pretty far from the actual unit, so you're not next to it when cleaning.
I'm quite impressed with the power my central vac units have, I use my portable canisters as well, I don't have any uprights, but I really do enjoy cleaning with my central vacs, and my backpacks as well for that matter.
Mike
honestjoe68
Well-known member
@vacfan1982
Hey Mark,
I think you got a great deal on your Dyson V8 and you will continue to love it. Heck, all the science aside.. I am STILL amazed and somewhat grossed out by all the fine powdery dust and dirt and hair my V8 picks up. Also, I have never owned a central vacuum, but if your test with the rice seemed a tie, you probably have a great vacuum in your central system too.
I know you were joking and being funny with you comment, but I don’t think you should regret your vacuum purchases. What works really well for me, might not work as well for you as there are SO many different things to consider.
Just wanted to add my two cents and say I too appreciate all the information learned here at vacuumland.org. But if I took all of it into consideration, I’d have a headache and probably second guess every single vacuum purchase.
Have a great day! Thanks too Mark for your humor in different threads.. I think I sometimes get too passionate and excited about Vacuum talk that I forget it’s just a simple discussion.. so your humor is appreciated.
Thanks to everyone, I appreciate all the facts and videos and statistics.. it’s part of what makes this site so fun and enjoyable.
Hey Mark,
I think you got a great deal on your Dyson V8 and you will continue to love it. Heck, all the science aside.. I am STILL amazed and somewhat grossed out by all the fine powdery dust and dirt and hair my V8 picks up. Also, I have never owned a central vacuum, but if your test with the rice seemed a tie, you probably have a great vacuum in your central system too.
I know you were joking and being funny with you comment, but I don’t think you should regret your vacuum purchases. What works really well for me, might not work as well for you as there are SO many different things to consider.
Just wanted to add my two cents and say I too appreciate all the information learned here at vacuumland.org. But if I took all of it into consideration, I’d have a headache and probably second guess every single vacuum purchase.
Have a great day! Thanks too Mark for your humor in different threads.. I think I sometimes get too passionate and excited about Vacuum talk that I forget it’s just a simple discussion.. so your humor is appreciated.
Thanks to everyone, I appreciate all the facts and videos and statistics.. it’s part of what makes this site so fun and enjoyable.
vacfan1982
Well-known member
I agree with you Patrick.
I think my V8 does a very decent job but apparently my eyes are deceiving me I'm just being taken in by Dyson marketing hype.
I enjoy using my central vac too. I think they have many benefits.
But like you said what works for me might not work for someone else
I think my V8 does a very decent job but apparently my eyes are deceiving me I'm just being taken in by Dyson marketing hype.
I enjoy using my central vac too. I think they have many benefits.
But like you said what works for me might not work for someone else
blackheart
Well-known member
Knowledge
Is both a blessing and a curse. All this testing has kinda killed my interest in vacs. As i begin to learn what works and what doesn't I'm viewing my vacuums quite differently.
Either way I know centrals usually have more lift than a portable but airflow is another story. Granted a strong enough Unit can match them but I think it's safe to say the majority of centrals are not capable of matching a strong portable
Is both a blessing and a curse. All this testing has kinda killed my interest in vacs. As i begin to learn what works and what doesn't I'm viewing my vacuums quite differently.
Either way I know centrals usually have more lift than a portable but airflow is another story. Granted a strong enough Unit can match them but I think it's safe to say the majority of centrals are not capable of matching a strong portable
vacuumdevil
Well-known member
@vacfan1982 generally Central vacs are two to four times more powerful then a portable vacuum even after it goes through the pipe you must understand that the pipes installation needs properly be done but most of the time it is.
@crazykirbydude sounds like the central vac either is undersized or not working properly. A modern Central Vac should easily clean better than even the best portable vacuum.
#CentralVacuumpropaganda
@crazykirbydude sounds like the central vac either is undersized or not working properly. A modern Central Vac should easily clean better than even the best portable vacuum.
#CentralVacuumpropaganda
vacfan1982
Well-known member
I agree with Alex I can feel the floor nozzle sucking down on the carpet. It feels like it is deep cleaning to me.
There are benefits to using a central vac.
It has become my favourite but I still like using my portable vacs too.
There are benefits to using a central vac.
It has become my favourite but I still like using my portable vacs too.
vaclab
Well-known member
Suction Equals Pressure And Airflow Equals Speed
Central vacuums aren't as powerful (airflow wise) as dirty air portables. Not by a long shot. For your inspection: a Lamb Ametek 8.4" double stage vacuum motor.
If we're talking about what can be safely plugged into a 15 Amp, 120V circuit, this 675 peak airwatt monster cannot deliver the CFM of a fan-first machine. Even though it starts out at 142 CFM (2" diameter), airflow plummets to 106 CFM when a typical 1.125" hose is connected. Then subtract at least 20-30 CFM more for connection losses, hose length losses and power nozzle u-joint losses.
What's available at the power nozzle? Typically 76-86 CFM. Oh, it's backed up with maybe 120" of lift, giving that "suck the paint off the walls feel", but high CFM? Nope.
If you want to move the dirt, you have to move the air. Want to lift things? Then get lots of suction (think of a suction cup, no air moves...you hope).
Now if you have something more powerful than 1600 Watts, sure, you could have more airflow, but what happens when you put 140 CFM through a typical 12" nozzle? Answer: you can't push it. That's why Kirby has a 14" nozzle and a tech drive.
Bill
Central vacuums aren't as powerful (airflow wise) as dirty air portables. Not by a long shot. For your inspection: a Lamb Ametek 8.4" double stage vacuum motor.
If we're talking about what can be safely plugged into a 15 Amp, 120V circuit, this 675 peak airwatt monster cannot deliver the CFM of a fan-first machine. Even though it starts out at 142 CFM (2" diameter), airflow plummets to 106 CFM when a typical 1.125" hose is connected. Then subtract at least 20-30 CFM more for connection losses, hose length losses and power nozzle u-joint losses.
What's available at the power nozzle? Typically 76-86 CFM. Oh, it's backed up with maybe 120" of lift, giving that "suck the paint off the walls feel", but high CFM? Nope.
If you want to move the dirt, you have to move the air. Want to lift things? Then get lots of suction (think of a suction cup, no air moves...you hope).
Now if you have something more powerful than 1600 Watts, sure, you could have more airflow, but what happens when you put 140 CFM through a typical 12" nozzle? Answer: you can't push it. That's why Kirby has a 14" nozzle and a tech drive.
Bill
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