Helpful Charts Below!

A CLEAN EDUCATION.

Essentially, there are six different motors used in most of the central vacuums today. For the sake of simplicity, this study is limited to the use of 120 volt Lamb bypass motors in both single and dual motor systems. Some manufacturers use slight variations of these motors which may include sound-deadening material, tangential instead of radial exhaust, metal instead of plastic motor housings, but the basic characteristics are quite similar.

All central vacuum manufacturers rate their power units according to statistics received directly from their motor manufacturers (i.e. Ametek/Lamb or GS Electric). However, most of these statistics are given at performance levels which do no exist together in normal vacuum operation. For example, the popular 7.2" 3-stage Lamb motor 116765 (used in many Beam, Hoover, Eureka, Hayden, etc. central vacuums) is said to have a 137" waterlift and 101 CFM (air flow). While these statements are true, they are also somewhat deceptive because the water lift measurement is made while the motor is sealed (0" opening) and has no CFM (airflow), but the CFM measurement is produced at a 2" airflow opening (not at a 0" seal). When this motor is in a central vacuum system, the important measurements will always be found at the smallest air flow opening. How much air flow is actually there? How strong is the vacuum power there? This airflow opening will always be found within the main vacuum attachment (usually the power brush). This is very important because you want the motor statistics to be useful with the main attachment that you will be using.

In Vacuumology One, we will look at three motors that best describe the majority of our units for homes under 6,000 square feet. They are noted by color when referenced in the text and in the charts.

The following is for 110 volt models:

Air Driven:

Electric:

Non-Beater:

Using the opening sizes above, let's look at the motor performance to determine which configurations are best. (The AF2 has stats like the B2 and S2.)

For homes less than 6,000 square feet, a power unit of less than 20 amps is usually specified. This would contain either a Lamb 116765 3-stage, a 117465 2-stage, or two 119413 2-stage motors. Note how all three of these graph lines converge at approximately a 3/4 inch opening. (The grey line shows the performance of a top-of-the-line portable vacuum.)

If the main attachment has an air flow opening smaller than 3/4 inch is used, such as 5/8 inch, the 116765 is best, the 117465 is second, and the two 119413 motors are in third place when it comes to performance in both CFM and waterlift. However, if an opening larger than 3/4 inch is being used (as in any of the electric power brushes), the two 119413 are far superior in their performance than the other two motors. With an 1 1/8 inch opening, the two 119413 motors are producing 110.5 CFM and 42.7 inches of waterlift, the 116765 is producing 89 CFM and 30 inches of waterlift, and the 117465 is producing 87 CFM and 26.8 inches of waterlift.

Translating these figures into Air Watts, please observe the following graph:
(Air Watts is calculated by multiplying each coordinate point (CFM x Waterlift), then dividing the total by 8.5.)(The S2 and the MD AirForce AF2 are similiar)

The electric power brush air opening size of 1 1/8 inch would produce 554 air watts with the two 119413, 302 air watts with the 116765 and 273 air watts with the 117465. That's a 183% and 203% increase, respectively, with the two-motor system!

With the TT27 air driven power brush, which has a 3/4 inch air opening, all three options have basically the same performance. However, the TurbCat with its 5/8 inch opening would operate most efficiently with the single 116765 which is a 5.7 inch diameter, 3-stage motor. This would give you a 27% increase in performance over the two 1169413 and a 17% increase over the single 117465.

In conclusion, the best system we recommend for cleaning a carpeted home of less than 6,000 square feet is our AF2, B2, M32 or S2 with an electric power brush. For homes not requiring superb carpet cleaning with an electric brush, we recommend our air driven TurboCat with our AF4, S4, J or M45.

For homes over 6,000 square feet, click here.

(Other factors that must be taken into consideration are, 1) price, 2) noise level, 3) filtration, 4) motor longevity -- where high RPM motors may not last as long a lower RPM motors. For applications that may have two similar recommended motors, choose the lower RPM motor. See the above chart for RPM. Regarding statistics, consideration must also be made for friction loss in both the tubing and hose before readings can be accurate. Specification sheets are available for each motor.