Need help deciding which power unit to purchase. Have an 10,000 sqft home with all hardwood floors and my valet power unit died. Was offered a Riccar RCU-H11 or a Vacuflo DB9000. Which is a better company and machine? Would like to also install a vroom but i presume i can install it with any power unit. Thanks Elliot Z
New central Vac Riccar vs Vacuflo
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luxflairguy
Well-known member
That's a tough one! Both are excellent machines. The Riccar is a Canadian made unit from a company I respect much. (I'm a retired central installer). Vacuflo
has been around a long time also and is out of Ohio. Specs are equal, but the bagged units from Vacuflo are fairly new. For my $$, I'd go with the Riccar. I think they are a little more substantial in the build quality and in my experiences with the builder, know they want to work with you to fix any issues.
Greg
has been around a long time also and is out of Ohio. Specs are equal, but the bagged units from Vacuflo are fairly new. For my $$, I'd go with the Riccar. I think they are a little more substantial in the build quality and in my experiences with the builder, know they want to work with you to fix any issues.
Greg
dysonman1
Well-known member
We hooked two of the simplicity power units together at the vacuum cleaner museum. Talk about the suction.
Greg,
Thanks, the salesperson for the vacuflo was saying that the lined up the motors one after another so you get more suction? The riccar specs shows 1160 airwats vs the Vacuflo at 906
The RCU-H11 model has the following features:
Cleans up to 20,000 square feet
Double 2-stage motors
240 Volts
5 Gallon bag capacity, 5.3 gallon canister capacity
SilentRun™ technology
Smart Board diagnostics panel
2 Mufflers
2 Carbon dust filters
Diameter: 14 inches
Height: 40 inches
2 x 124 CFM
134 inches IOW
1,160 Air watts
Limited lifetime warranty
A. .. VacuFlo DD DB 9000 Power Unit Disposable Bag for Extra Large Homes
& Large Hide a Hose applications. Sealed Suction 208", CFM Max 122,
Max Air Watts 903, Volts 240, Max/Avg Amps 13.8/13.0. Bag Capacity 6
gallons, dBa 70, Exterior Exhaust - OPTIONAL - Metal Exhaust Line is
required.
Are airwatts the deciding factor for hard wood floors?
Thanks, the salesperson for the vacuflo was saying that the lined up the motors one after another so you get more suction? The riccar specs shows 1160 airwats vs the Vacuflo at 906
The RCU-H11 model has the following features:
Cleans up to 20,000 square feet
Double 2-stage motors
240 Volts
5 Gallon bag capacity, 5.3 gallon canister capacity
SilentRun™ technology
Smart Board diagnostics panel
2 Mufflers
2 Carbon dust filters
Diameter: 14 inches
Height: 40 inches
2 x 124 CFM
134 inches IOW
1,160 Air watts
Limited lifetime warranty
A. .. VacuFlo DD DB 9000 Power Unit Disposable Bag for Extra Large Homes
& Large Hide a Hose applications. Sealed Suction 208", CFM Max 122,
Max Air Watts 903, Volts 240, Max/Avg Amps 13.8/13.0. Bag Capacity 6
gallons, dBa 70, Exterior Exhaust - OPTIONAL - Metal Exhaust Line is
required.
Are airwatts the deciding factor for hard wood floors?
I would suggest
I would suggest the Riccar, that unit does require a 220 volt outlet. I think Vacuflo units are overpriced for what you get, I'm actually thinking of getting a Riccar unit for my collection, those units are made by Cyclovac in Canada. Do you want a unit that is bagged or bagless? The Riccar units are hybrid, I would suggest getting a unit that uses bags, much cleaner when it comes to dirt disposal.
Mike
I would suggest the Riccar, that unit does require a 220 volt outlet. I think Vacuflo units are overpriced for what you get, I'm actually thinking of getting a Riccar unit for my collection, those units are made by Cyclovac in Canada. Do you want a unit that is bagged or bagless? The Riccar units are hybrid, I would suggest getting a unit that uses bags, much cleaner when it comes to dirt disposal.
Mike
panasonicvac
Well-known member
I agree with Greg, these are both excellent units. I would also go with the Riccar mainly from what Greg explained.
Mike, The Hybrids can be used as both bagged or bagless (It's optional). These come with a converter to where you can use bags with it.
Mike, The Hybrids can be used as both bagged or bagless (It's optional). These come with a converter to where you can use bags with it.
luxflairguy
Well-known member
Thanks! Another big reason is that the Riccar motors are in parallel. That means they are working side by side and exhausting separately. The VF motors are in series meaning that the first motor is working hard to do its thing, while the upper motor is trying to do its thing PLUS having to deal with the exhaust of the first motor. That makes the exhaust run hot and that's why VF says to use metal piping for the exhaust to help spread out the heat. Motors in series tend to burn out faster,too. The new bagged units now that we have the poly hepa bags are the way to go!
But! I'd be interested as to why your Valet unit died. Was it undersized for your home? They are also from a reputable company.
Greg
But! I'd be interested as to why your Valet unit died. Was it undersized for your home? They are also from a reputable company.
Greg
Thanks Greg, not really sure what the issue was, took it to different shops one claimed he fixed it and the suction seemed fine by the machine but when connected into the house it wasn't really pulling much. Took it to another shop who quoted about 450 to fix at that point With a 10yr old machine it probably made sense to get a stronger machine instead of throwing more $ at it.
luxflairguy
Well-known member
Before you do anything try this! If your Valet has has an on-off switch on the unit, without plugging in hose, turn machine on and see if the machine winds up to almost a piercing scream. If it doesn't there's a problem. turn the machine back on and walk through your house listening for a hissing sound near the inlets. If you hear air escaping near an inlet you've got a repair waiting. Also with the machine running, go through the house from FARTHEST inlet first and open the inlet and check the suction. If from the furthest away to the closest inlet the amount of suction you feel/hear increases, that means you have a clog somewhere in the system. That does require a service call. What most installers will do is bring in a portable central unit and will plug the units hose into that farthest inlet and suck out the clog. I just had to pull 2 Happy Meal cars out of a system. Usually, the installers will go through all your inlets. There could be clog, a pipe end might have a burr on it, catching dog hair and lint as it goes by or such.
You could also DIY it, too by using Damp, rung out paper towels and with a helper, again starting at the furthest inlet, insert a towel into the hose with the system running and see if it makes it all the way back to the unit. Do this one valve at a time.
Hope this helps!
Any other questions, here's my email: [email protected]
Greg
You could also DIY it, too by using Damp, rung out paper towels and with a helper, again starting at the furthest inlet, insert a towel into the hose with the system running and see if it makes it all the way back to the unit. Do this one valve at a time.
Hope this helps!
Any other questions, here's my email: [email protected]
Greg
luxflairguy
Well-known member
One more question: What model is your Valet? G
valet and two motor systems
I agree with Greg, do some diagnosis before spending the money on a whole new unit. First, leave the pipes out of the picture, plug in the unit, and use the power switch, or touch a screwdriver to the wire contacts, it's low voltage, should not cause a problem. When the motor turns on, check the intake and the exhaust on the unit. Do you have good suction on the intake and lots of air flowing out of the exhaust with a decent amount of force? If so, the unit is fine and the issue does involve the pipes. If the unit does not have good suction and airflow by itself, it could be a seal some place or the motor, does the motor still sound ok?
I think the vacuflo units that use bags are called maxum. I had thought about getting a maxum 7 which is the most powerful 120 volt unit you can get in that series, but the specs are not that good for the price, you can get units that are more powerful, motor does have a nice sound though. The two motor set up is interesting. If you have two motors in series, the suction, or water lift increases, but yes, this can cause premature motor failure, particularly failure of the second motor because the second motor is sucking in the heated air from the first motor. On the other hand, two motors in parallel increase the airflow, the issue here is that you're still only going to move as much air as what can fit through the hose and pipes, so it's hard to say whether there is any benefit to this set up. For a large building, it might make more sense to install two separate units in different parts of the building and have two separate installations. I have read a few debates about what is more important, airflow or suction, but the simple answer is, to clean well, you need a decent amount of both.
I think the Valet units are made by Lindsay Manufacturing, they also make the vacumaid and imperium brands. I have two vacumaid units, they are made very well and should last a long time.
Mike
I agree with Greg, do some diagnosis before spending the money on a whole new unit. First, leave the pipes out of the picture, plug in the unit, and use the power switch, or touch a screwdriver to the wire contacts, it's low voltage, should not cause a problem. When the motor turns on, check the intake and the exhaust on the unit. Do you have good suction on the intake and lots of air flowing out of the exhaust with a decent amount of force? If so, the unit is fine and the issue does involve the pipes. If the unit does not have good suction and airflow by itself, it could be a seal some place or the motor, does the motor still sound ok?
I think the vacuflo units that use bags are called maxum. I had thought about getting a maxum 7 which is the most powerful 120 volt unit you can get in that series, but the specs are not that good for the price, you can get units that are more powerful, motor does have a nice sound though. The two motor set up is interesting. If you have two motors in series, the suction, or water lift increases, but yes, this can cause premature motor failure, particularly failure of the second motor because the second motor is sucking in the heated air from the first motor. On the other hand, two motors in parallel increase the airflow, the issue here is that you're still only going to move as much air as what can fit through the hose and pipes, so it's hard to say whether there is any benefit to this set up. For a large building, it might make more sense to install two separate units in different parts of the building and have two separate installations. I have read a few debates about what is more important, airflow or suction, but the simple answer is, to clean well, you need a decent amount of both.
I think the Valet units are made by Lindsay Manufacturing, they also make the vacumaid and imperium brands. I have two vacumaid units, they are made very well and should last a long time.
Mike
imperium vacs
The imperium central vacuum units are basically the same as the Vacumaid units, but a bit cheaper and I think a different color, other than that they are the same.
Mike
The imperium central vacuum units are basically the same as the Vacumaid units, but a bit cheaper and I think a different color, other than that they are the same.
Mike
ultralux88
Well-known member
I got a Riccar RPU-C10, our house was built the same year Riccar and Simplicity started selling Cyclovac built units. The only regret I have is that I went with the bagless over the bagged unit, as the filter is messy, but it still is a HEPA filter and it does filter all, there is still absolutely no dust past it, 12 years after installing it. I still have the original tool set too (obviously) and I love the RIccar power head.
ultralux88
Well-known member
I should also add that I also feel Vacuflo makes an excellent unit too, their advantage is that there isn't a messy filter to mess with, though you do have to stick a brush up in there and knock the crap off the screen, less effort and mess than cleaning the filter. You won't get a bad machine either way in my opinion, so just look at both and see which you like more. My preference in central vacs, in no order of preference Cyclovac, MC, and Vacuflo. This also applies to units made by these guys for other brands, like my Riccar.
panasonicvac
Well-known member
Ultralux88
Wow, you have a really nice system (I'm actually kinda jealous LOL). I've always liked the looks of these older units the best, especially with the decal logo on top. One of these days I would like to find the Simplicity version of this (Bagged or Bagless) and I wouldn't mind putting that one in my own home if I change my mind on the Silentmaster that I'm planning on getting.
Wow, you have a really nice system (I'm actually kinda jealous LOL). I've always liked the looks of these older units the best, especially with the decal logo on top. One of these days I would like to find the Simplicity version of this (Bagged or Bagless) and I wouldn't mind putting that one in my own home if I change my mind on the Silentmaster that I'm planning on getting.
