two motor central vacuum possibility and identifying a couple power nozzles

[n0oxy]

So, I was thinking of maybe adding a couple of two motor central vacuum units to my collection, I don't use piping, I just attach a utility valve to the unit and use them as very powerful canisters. Does anyone have a unit with two motors, and if so, do you notice a big difference in performance? I don't have a 220 volt outlet, wish I did, then I could get the super duper two motor units, so I'm limited to the two motor 120 volt models. With a two motor system, the motors can be installed in series or parallel. When in series, the suction is increased, when in parallel, the airflow is increased. The majority of two motor units seem to have the motors installed in parallel, probably to avoid having the heated exhaust air from the first motor going in to the second motor. However, with two motors in parallel, the airflow will still be restricted by the hose and attachments. So, for anyone who has used a two motor system, do you notice a big increase in performance? I've read a few articles and they seem to think that two motors in many cases is not as good as one large motor.
I'm wondering if anyone can identify these power nozzles, I'm thinking they are just rebranded nozzles from other companies, this first one is called the deluxe comet.
http://www.thinkvacuums.com/central...s/deluxe-comet-electric-powerhead-silver.html
Then there's the premium galaxie power head
http://www.thinkvacuums.com/central...rheads/premium-galaxy-electric-powerhead.html

 

[tolivac]

I have a NuTone CV450 this machine has two 6A motors-connected in series-suction path one motor pulls thru the other.They are full bypass motors.The machine requires 12-14A at 120V.220 V machines are inconvenient for me as well-only 220V outlets I have are for the range,oven,and dryer.Not practical to use for a vacuum.As far as the performance goes-my single motor MD units will beat the Nutone-and quieter.The Nutone sounds like a twin engine jet firing up!

 

[dysonman1]

I have the dual motor, commercial Vacuflo. I call it a Spencer, because it works just like a Spencer. I have a sixty foot Hide-A-Hose to use with it, and the Volt cordless power nozzle. I also have three ElectraValves to use with the electric hose and Riccar Premium Power Nozzle. I used to have a single motor SilentMaster S-5, but had Owen Perkins pull it out after several months - replaced by the Vacuflo. The air flow on the Vacuflo is outstanding. I couldn't deal with the clogging of the SilentMater's disposable bag.

The two power nozzles are Chinese. One is a knock off (kind of) of the Eureka Express power head. It WAS used on the silver Fuller Brush canister, and IS used on the Turbotronic Metropolitan. It's just OK. The second nozzle is much better, also Chinese, but has some cool features and a FAR better brush roller.

 

[panasonicvac]

My next door Neighbors owns a two motor Vacumaid S-3200 split unit central vacuum for their 8,000 square foot home. It's 120 volts, however it uses a different plug and cord. The cord uses three 10 gauge conductor wires (Green, Black, and White), and this also has a big electrical service panel connected to it. This is overall the best central vacuum I have ever used. I've used both very powerful Vacuflo and Silentmaster single motor units, I will say there is a HUGE difference in performance (You can have 2 or maybe 3 people using this at once) but I wouldn't say it's quieter than just single motor units. Haven't tried a two motor Vacuflo, Silentmaster, or the current version of this Vacumaid but I would be interested to see if it's any better than this.

 

[tolivac]

I have NEVER had any clogging problems with the Hyperflow bag in my Silentmaster-even with very fine dust and even fine sander dust.I so remember the HORRIBLE bagless NuTone unit my Mom used to have.Despised dumping that thing.and to top it off that pleated filter-kinda like in a Shop Vac that had to be cleaned after each dumping.Dumping several gallons of dust and dirt VERY unpleasant!With the bagged machines I have-just take the bag out of the machine-put in the trash-put in a new bag--you are done!You can even do it with your Sunday best on.After dumping that machine my Mom used to have-had to take a shower after the dump session.NEVER again!!!!!The BAGGED NuTones are MUCH better!!!
In the picture of the two central units--the upper one has a SERIOUS leaking problem.This installation REALLY needs to be done over.The upper machine is just too high for servicing.The upper one should be mounted at the same height as the lower machine.And the mess on the wall behind the upper unit.The installer needs to be chastised for doing such a poor installation.And --the upper machine--the dust leaking out could possibly be getting into the motot-the motor isn't going to last long!

 

[n0oxy]

several comments

Tom, your system is quite impressive, I enjoyed looking at that last year at the convention. I'm still debating whether to add a two motor system to my collection. Since I connect the hose directly to my units, no piping, I'm not sure if I would notice any difference, though I can see the use for this system with long pipes. Then again, since I use a central vacuum hose that is 1.5 inch diameter, it might make a difference, I will have to ponder the idea a bit more.
Regarding Beam systems, I have one, it's in the classic series, model 275. It originally came as a bagless unit, and emptying those is awful. Tom, I guess with your system, you have to deal with the same thing. Isn't dumping out that vacuflo unit a big mess? Or perhaps you've found a way to avoid that when emptying the canister, but I know when emptying the beam unit, it was awful. And the claims that those filters automatically clean themselves is a joke, but even with cyclonic units, there is a screen filter that you have to clean. I was able to get an adapter to convert the beam unit to use bags, that is so much better.

 

[panasonicvac]

I think the problem was is that there was no cyclonic cone on this. I bet that was from the previous owners because they never took care of ANYTHING in that house. I took those pictures maybe last year and the last time I was over there, there's no more dust in the pipes and on the walls. I don't know if they either fixed the problem or they just simply wiped it down.

Besides this wasn't the only true cyclonic central vacuum in my Neighborhood that's leaking dust. I know one Neighbor that owns a Astrovac (Same company as Vacumaid) and it's also a split unit model that's leaking dust. And one Neighbor that I know actually owns a single unit Vacumaid (I believe it's a model P-125) that's also leaking dust as well. I don't know about the rest in the Neighborhood that also has a Vacumaid or a Vacuflo.

Here's a picture of that single unit Vacumaid that I took before, unfortunately I didn't took one from the Astrovac.

 

[n0oxy]

units I am considering

So, here are the units I am pondering, first is the drainvac turbo.
http://www.thinkvacuums.com/drainvac-turbo-9-gallon-system.html
And then there's the galaxie GA-200
http://mycentralvacuum.com/product/galaxie-ga-200/
Interestingly, the Galaxie unit has more airflow, but less air watts than the drainvac turbo. Both of these sound quite powerful, I was kind of leaning towards the drainvac turbo, but not sure yet.I'm assuming that even with a two motor system, they still only use one in take? I think I can run these on a regular outlet, although if that's the case, each motor would have to be rather small since many units that only have one motor pull quite a bit of amperage. Does anyone have any thoughts? The specifications don't tell you if these are series or parallel two motor configurations.

 

[tolivac]

I have a Beam/Electrolux bagless machine-came from the MD dealers trade in pile.It was blown from a lightening strike.The machine is like new.Was traded for an MD bagged unit.I don't know how mine could be changed to use bags.It has the weighted drop filter-but you have to vacuum it with another vacuum to get all of the dust out of it.Use this machine sparingly.There is a circuit board in the machine-mine came with a spare board.If you have such a unit unplug it or turn off its breaker during storms.

 

[n0oxy]

converting beam to use bags

You basically remove the intake piece and replace it with the bag adapter. The adapter has a stem that the bag attaches to, you then remove the filter and the bag sits in the bucket. It also includes a cap to replace the built in utility valve, when using the bag, everything needs to go in using the one intake. It's far better than emptying a bagless unit.
Here is a link to the adapter kit, actually this one seems to work with a two hole bag so you could probably keep the built in utility valve.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-ATLIS-2-H...556731?hash=item237c60893b:g:n0QAAOSwo4pYiVrY

 

[vacman1961]

I just installed a VacuFlo 760 2 motor unit in my house last year, prior to that I had a VacuFlo 560 single motor unit. I have to say, the suction is amazing on the 760, both the RugRat and TurboCat scream when you use them. There is a lot of controversy about true cyclonic systems about motors burning out premature, if you maintain the screen and empty the container regularly the motors rarely go bad. I have been using VacuFlo true cyclonics in my houses since 1978. I have never had to replace any motors in any of my VacuFlo units, I feel because I empty the containers every 3 months and vacuum the screen with another vacuum. I prefer an electric power nozzle on the main floor and the second floor of my house, we use the TurboCat in the basement, I like the Aerus/Electrolux set up, it does a great job on my thick carpet in my bedroom and the frizze in the living room.