Using Deep Cleaner as a Water Filtration vac?

[bagintheback]

Well, like I said in my Rubbermaid deep cleaner thread, I have received one for Christmas. For those you have not read it, the Rubbermaid is a Bissell Big Green under the Rubbermaid name. I received one with a defective pump, so I am waiting for the replacement to arrive.

While I did have for a few days, I had an idea. I am wondering if I filled the return tank with tap water, could I use the machine for dry pick up, like a Rainbow? I can't think of anything that could stop me from using it that way. It has a pre-motor motor filter, and gallons of water sits in the tank anyway. I wouldn't be picking up anything fine, just light soil and pet hair.

What do you think? Until then I will be waiting for my first commercial portable extractor.

 

[kirbysthebest]

You could but. . .

The Big Green was designed for dry pick up, but it had a filter over the cage. The reason a water filter wouldn't work too well is because the inlet is above water level. There is nothing to force the dust under the water level, and hence you would have a clogged motor filter toot-sweet.

 

[director12]

Um, there are other Big Greens, such as the Powerbrush from 1994, as well as the consumer model from 1992/1993.

 

[kirbysthebest]

Precisely my point

My Big Green bought in 1992 was designed to be a wet/dry/deep cleaner. However, Not as a water filtration machine. In order to work properly as a water filter machine it would need an extension on the inlet that would take the dirty air below water level. Rainbow succeeds with this by using the seperator and forcing the incoming air under water before exhausting it. As I said previously the dirty air would skip dropping into the water and go directly to the motor filter.

Now BG did have a bag cover that covered the cage, but this was for dry pick up.
They are excellent machines by the way. Mine still runs perfectly, I had to replace the pump a few years ago, but still going strong.

 

[director12]

There is the Powersteamer and Powerlifter canisters.

 

[kirbysthebest]

But they would not make a water filtration machine for the above mentioned difficulty.
The air and dirt would take the path of least resistance unless forced under the water. Hence it would clog the motor filter quickly and be more probs. What would have to be done is extend the air inlet so that it goes below the water level, but even then the dirt would have to have something to force it to get wet.