So, this is my eightth central vacuum unit. For those who may not have read any of my other posts, I love to attach a hose directly to a Central vacuum unit and use it as a powerful canister vacuum. When using these vacuums directly without pipes, the power is awesome. The Atomik is a bit unique, you can connect it to piping like other central vacuum units, or use it as a portable unit. Actually, in theory, any central vacuum unit can be portable, you can either use the utility valve if it's built in or attach a utility valve to the in-take and then connect the hose. However, carrying most central vacuum units is not the easiest, most of them are fairly large and do not have a handle. I've heard that using a cart to carry a central vacuum unit works well. The Atomik has some features that make using it as a portable unit much easier.
Since the Drainvac Atomik can be a portable unit, it comes with several accessories that are not included with most central vacuum units. It includes a 30 foot hose, a floor brush, dusting brush and crevvis tool. The hose is rather thin, it's 1-1/4 diameter rather than many other central vacuum hoses that are 1-3/8 in size. For the best performance, I would suggest purchasing a hose with the larger diameter if you don't already have one. In my case, I already have two other central vacuum hoses, a Plastiflex dual voltage hose, and an industrial hose that is 1.5 diameter, this hose is a bit heavy, but the airflow is awesome. The floor brush is rather small, I actually thought it was an appoulstry brush at first, I probably will never use it since I have many other floor brushes already, I think this brush has around a ten inch cleaning width.
It also includes some accessories that you would use if you want to install it as a typical central vacuum. It includes a few feet of central vacuum pipe, a couple of elbows, some low volt wire and screws for mounting it on the wall. There is also a spare bag, a spare utility valve and an optional filter that you can attach to the exhaust.
Ok, now on to the unit itself. The first thing you notice, especially if you're familiar with other central vacuum units is that the Atomik is small compared to other central vacuum units. It's 7 inches in diameter and 14 inches tall according to the specifications, and I would say that this is accurate. The unit is made of metal rather than plastic and it weighs about 11 pounds. It's the first Central vacuum unit I've seen that actually has a carrying handle on the top. There are two latches that hold the lid in place. On the lower part of the unit is a power switch, the wire terminals, the in-take and the exhaust ports. When I took my unit out of the box, it was ready to use as a portable unit, a utility valve was already clamped to the in-take. If you want to use the Atomik with pipes, simply unscrew the clamp, remove the utility valve and attach your pipe. The low voltage connection requires you to use screw terminals, or attach a terminal to the end of the wires. I know some other central vacuums use this approach as well, but I think it's much easier to use spring terminals, similar to attaching wires for speakers.
As far as power and performance, for its size, it's quite powerful. It has 125 inches of lift and 140 CFM and uses a Domel 2 stage motor. Sound level is 64 DB, if you're standing next to it, it's a bit loud, but the whole idea of a central vacuum is having the ability to clean away from the unit, so sound level is not as much of a concern as it is with canister and upright vacuums. To get to the bag, unlatch the two latches and remove the lid. Since the Atomik is a small unit, the bag is smaller than other central vacuum bags. Most central vacuums can hold between 4 and 9 gallons of dust before they must be emptied. The Atomik bag holds around 1.5 liters, it's about the size of most bags that are used in portable vacuums. As far as cleaning ability, it cleans very well, it's not the most powerful central vacuum unit, but I don't think that's what Drainvac had in mind when they designed it. I think they wanted to create a central vacuum unit that could be transported very easily and also allow you to install it in places where there is not a lot of space.
So, in conclusion, would I recommend the Atomik for a central vacuum? For a certain group of users, yes. The unit is definitely well made and works as advertised. I think it will work best for those who have large buildings to clean, and would perhaps prefer to use a central vacuum unit rather than other types of vacuums. If you are currently carrying a central vacuum on a cart to do your cleaning, definitely consider this unit, it will eliminate the need for the cart. You can also connect it to in house piping, but I would say if you are looking for a central vacuum unit to install, you may want to get a unit that will hold more dust before needing to be emptied, since the bags are smaller on the Atomik, if you install it with house piping, you will need to change the bag more often than with other central vacuums. It is a good unit though and if you are willing to deal with changing the bags more often because of the smaller size, the Atomik is a great central vacuum unit that offers the extra benefit of allowing you to carry it easily without using a cart. If you want to get more information or purchase one of these, I will include the link.
Mike
http://https//www.thinkvacuums.com/...omik6-30-portable-system-w-accessory-kit.html
Since the Drainvac Atomik can be a portable unit, it comes with several accessories that are not included with most central vacuum units. It includes a 30 foot hose, a floor brush, dusting brush and crevvis tool. The hose is rather thin, it's 1-1/4 diameter rather than many other central vacuum hoses that are 1-3/8 in size. For the best performance, I would suggest purchasing a hose with the larger diameter if you don't already have one. In my case, I already have two other central vacuum hoses, a Plastiflex dual voltage hose, and an industrial hose that is 1.5 diameter, this hose is a bit heavy, but the airflow is awesome. The floor brush is rather small, I actually thought it was an appoulstry brush at first, I probably will never use it since I have many other floor brushes already, I think this brush has around a ten inch cleaning width.
It also includes some accessories that you would use if you want to install it as a typical central vacuum. It includes a few feet of central vacuum pipe, a couple of elbows, some low volt wire and screws for mounting it on the wall. There is also a spare bag, a spare utility valve and an optional filter that you can attach to the exhaust.
Ok, now on to the unit itself. The first thing you notice, especially if you're familiar with other central vacuum units is that the Atomik is small compared to other central vacuum units. It's 7 inches in diameter and 14 inches tall according to the specifications, and I would say that this is accurate. The unit is made of metal rather than plastic and it weighs about 11 pounds. It's the first Central vacuum unit I've seen that actually has a carrying handle on the top. There are two latches that hold the lid in place. On the lower part of the unit is a power switch, the wire terminals, the in-take and the exhaust ports. When I took my unit out of the box, it was ready to use as a portable unit, a utility valve was already clamped to the in-take. If you want to use the Atomik with pipes, simply unscrew the clamp, remove the utility valve and attach your pipe. The low voltage connection requires you to use screw terminals, or attach a terminal to the end of the wires. I know some other central vacuums use this approach as well, but I think it's much easier to use spring terminals, similar to attaching wires for speakers.
As far as power and performance, for its size, it's quite powerful. It has 125 inches of lift and 140 CFM and uses a Domel 2 stage motor. Sound level is 64 DB, if you're standing next to it, it's a bit loud, but the whole idea of a central vacuum is having the ability to clean away from the unit, so sound level is not as much of a concern as it is with canister and upright vacuums. To get to the bag, unlatch the two latches and remove the lid. Since the Atomik is a small unit, the bag is smaller than other central vacuum bags. Most central vacuums can hold between 4 and 9 gallons of dust before they must be emptied. The Atomik bag holds around 1.5 liters, it's about the size of most bags that are used in portable vacuums. As far as cleaning ability, it cleans very well, it's not the most powerful central vacuum unit, but I don't think that's what Drainvac had in mind when they designed it. I think they wanted to create a central vacuum unit that could be transported very easily and also allow you to install it in places where there is not a lot of space.
So, in conclusion, would I recommend the Atomik for a central vacuum? For a certain group of users, yes. The unit is definitely well made and works as advertised. I think it will work best for those who have large buildings to clean, and would perhaps prefer to use a central vacuum unit rather than other types of vacuums. If you are currently carrying a central vacuum on a cart to do your cleaning, definitely consider this unit, it will eliminate the need for the cart. You can also connect it to in house piping, but I would say if you are looking for a central vacuum unit to install, you may want to get a unit that will hold more dust before needing to be emptied, since the bags are smaller on the Atomik, if you install it with house piping, you will need to change the bag more often than with other central vacuums. It is a good unit though and if you are willing to deal with changing the bags more often because of the smaller size, the Atomik is a great central vacuum unit that offers the extra benefit of allowing you to carry it easily without using a cart. If you want to get more information or purchase one of these, I will include the link.
Mike
http://https//www.thinkvacuums.com/...omik6-30-portable-system-w-accessory-kit.html
