Hoover TurboPower 5000 Airflow Losses

[wyaple]

The first two measurements were easy to get, the last one (CFM at the nozzle) required me to build an airflow box. I think this pic should easily illustrate where and by how much CFM is lost in this machine.

From the base of the machine to the hose (stretched out straight), there is a loss of 94-74 = 20 CFM. From the hose to the nozzle, there is a loss of 74-42 = 32 CFM. The CFM lost through the pivot arm and housing assembly (in the power nozzle) is very large and tied with my 1997 Rainbow D4C. The Hoover wands and nozzle connection just isn't very tight, generally speaking.

Total airflow losses from the canister base to the power nozzle (held at a 45 degree angle to the floor) is 94-42 = 52 CFM or about 55% of the original airflow. The HEPA bag should minimize losses as the bag fills up though.

Last note: the rug plate opening is very small (about 20 square inches) and the CFM density is well below average, about 2.1 CFM/Sq. In. With a CFM density that low, it would be difficult to get much deep down dirt if it weren't for the very aggressive brush roll.

Bill

 

[durango159]

Seals around the elbow wear out quick on these too. That may be part of the airflow loss. Also brush roll to belt area is plastic on plastic. If Hoover had used felt or rubber as gasket that would help close off the belt area better and seal air inside the brush roll area better too.

Overall I have never had a problem with one of these machines cleaning and always thought they did a great job cleaning. Good seal with rugs.

 

[wyaple]

After Re-Seating The Motor and Replacing Seals...

The machine is up and running better than ever now. Before, the howling it made while running was completely unbearable. Now it's certainly not quiet, but at least I can clean with it.

Overall, I was able to boost the CFM by 10 (base and hose). That raised the CFM at the PN from 42 to 51 (almost 10). This has changed the CFM density score from 2.09 to 2.53, quite an improvement. I can finally feel the PN creating a seal with the carpet.

Rob, I hope you see this post as I know how much you've used machines similar to this one. After blowing $100 into this vacuum, I was not only under water value-wise, but I thought that I would be saddled with a suction unit that had mediocre airflow and howled so loudly I'd never be able to use it without earplugs.

Bill

 

[wyaple]

There Are Two Possible Mounting Positions For This Motor

When I acquired this Hoover from a neighbor that was moving, I thought it just needed parts replaced and the commutator polished. Little did I know that someone (or the factory, but I doubt it) had installed the motor improperly. There are two possible mounting positions it can operate in, but the second picture is the way to go.

The first picture has the motor butted up against the rear chamber divider in the tub. This produced tremendous buzzing, howling and made the machine run too hot, even after strategically installing little 1 inch rubber foam strips seemingly everywhere.

The water lift also rose from 50" to 68" from the base using bags, quite an improvement!

Bill

 

[wyaple]

Sorry, mis-typed on the base CFM figure improvement (pics are correct), it should be:

Base: 20 CFM higher
Hose: 10 CFM higher
PN : 9 CFM higher

It's too bad that the 20 CFM boost at the canister base doesn't translate to an extra 20 CFM at the hose...

Bill