thunderhexed
Well-known member
how do they work? do they really serve their purpose? I see them mainly on the newer hoovers.
Dirt Sensor lights
- Thread starter thunderhexed
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I beleive the dirt sensor indicators work by means of an infrared LED and photosensor in the dirt path.As dirt is picked up-the dirt blocks the light from the LED to the photosensor-and the light comes on.when the dust is no longer going by the sensor-the light goes out.I used to have a Panasonic upright-Tri Force-think it was that had the indicator.now I have two Riccar vacuums that have the feature.one is my 1800 canister-has the indicator on the powernozzle.the other is my Riccar white Pearl Radiance that has dirt sensor.it lights two amber LEDS on front of the floor nozzle when the sensor indicates dirt still being picked up.
williamr1248
Well-known member
dirt sensor lights
I have the lights on a Hoover Windtunnel and Hoover Convertible. I like the lights (just because I like lights) but I think they are more of a marketing tools than really useful.
Example: I have a 12X16 test carpet in my basement. I had been using my old and new Hoovers on the test carpet. The lights were no longer coming on but when I used a straight suction Electrolux with test cloth after test cloth I was getting sand and grit. Now this is a straight suction used after many many times being cleaned by my Hoovers. To me that proves that NO vac gets all the dirt. Some vacuums may pick up faster. The lights are marketed to us in such a way that when the light turns green the rug is clean and that's just not true. I still enjoy seeing the lights!
I have the lights on a Hoover Windtunnel and Hoover Convertible. I like the lights (just because I like lights) but I think they are more of a marketing tools than really useful.
Example: I have a 12X16 test carpet in my basement. I had been using my old and new Hoovers on the test carpet. The lights were no longer coming on but when I used a straight suction Electrolux with test cloth after test cloth I was getting sand and grit. Now this is a straight suction used after many many times being cleaned by my Hoovers. To me that proves that NO vac gets all the dirt. Some vacuums may pick up faster. The lights are marketed to us in such a way that when the light turns green the rug is clean and that's just not true. I still enjoy seeing the lights!
The dirt sensor lights on vacuums are fun-but indeed not gospel.It just simply means the vacuum with the dirt indicator is no longer picking up dirt from that area on the floor or whatever-I go over it again a little later and the sensor lights up again.then I can put the dirtmeter on any of my Kirbys and it shows ACTUAL dirt still in that area of the carpet.Notice that Kirby,Meile,Sebo,Rainbow,FQ,Aroes Lux and other high end DTD and dealer vacs don't have the indicators.the only real expensive vacuum that has it is those two Riccars.
turbomaster1984
Well-known member
On the UK's Hoover Turbopower 2/3 range that had the Autosense power control to control suction and motor speed when moving over dirty areas was controlled by a little microphone in the dirt bag support collar.
The more dirt went thru the collar the more the microphone would pick up a certain sound level and icrease the power accordingly.
Here is a video of my 1995 Hovver Turbopower 2 in action with the dirt sensors working.
you hear the power increase after the dirt initially goes up it and then the decrease.
At the end I demo the manual power increases for which there is a button.
Rob
The more dirt went thru the collar the more the microphone would pick up a certain sound level and icrease the power accordingly.
Here is a video of my 1995 Hovver Turbopower 2 in action with the dirt sensors working.
you hear the power increase after the dirt initially goes up it and then the decrease.
At the end I demo the manual power increases for which there is a button.
Rob
rolls_rapide
Well-known member
Dirt Sensors
There are indeed two different types of sensor:
1. The light-barrier / infra red photocell type, as used by Panasonic, etc.
2. The acoustic version, that was fitted to Hoover UK clean-air uprights such as 'Turbopower 2/3. I believe that it is also fitted to I-robot's 'Roomba' autonomous cleaners.
I had a Philips cylinder cleaner from 1995, and it came with the optional sensor (type 1, above). It was powered by a small 9volt battery, and was permanently attached to a short length of Philips' steel tubing. This meant that it could be fitted to any hose, tool and tube combination. Was quite good in use, but time consuming!
I note that a certain modern Miele cleaner has a sensor permanently built into the floor-head. Not much use for cleaning mattresses, or cushions.
There are indeed two different types of sensor:
1. The light-barrier / infra red photocell type, as used by Panasonic, etc.
2. The acoustic version, that was fitted to Hoover UK clean-air uprights such as 'Turbopower 2/3. I believe that it is also fitted to I-robot's 'Roomba' autonomous cleaners.
I had a Philips cylinder cleaner from 1995, and it came with the optional sensor (type 1, above). It was powered by a small 9volt battery, and was permanently attached to a short length of Philips' steel tubing. This meant that it could be fitted to any hose, tool and tube combination. Was quite good in use, but time consuming!
I note that a certain modern Miele cleaner has a sensor permanently built into the floor-head. Not much use for cleaning mattresses, or cushions.
Pardon my demeanor on this, but, I'll say it:
They're fun. But, BUT, for years we ran cleaners,, with lights... headlights. IF ye have a good cleaner, HOOVER and "others", see? I'm not that terrible..lol you KNOW when the carpets are clean.And, yes, I'm biased, BUT, when the HOOVERS are turned off in this old house, those carpets glisten.
They're fun. But, BUT, for years we ran cleaners,, with lights... headlights. IF ye have a good cleaner, HOOVER and "others", see? I'm not that terrible..lol you KNOW when the carpets are clean.And, yes, I'm biased, BUT, when the HOOVERS are turned off in this old house, those carpets glisten.
and,the more gadgets,
the more things to break.
the more things to break.
