Thread Number: 33379
/ Tag: 80s/90s Vacuum Cleaners
Kirby Heritage II Legend Airflow Losses |
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Post# 364045   12/22/2016 at 15:14 (2,653 days old) by wyaple (Pickerington, OH)   |   | |
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The first measurement was easy to get, the last one (CFM at the nozzle) required me to build an airflow box. I think this pic should easily illustrate where and by how much CFM is lost in this machine. I think this is excellent performance from a 29 year old cleaner, admittedly with a new fan installed.
From the base of the machine to the nozzle, there is a loss of 161-121 = 40 CFM. This represents about a 25% loss from the direct air motor. Of course as the bag fills, the airflow will drop as well. Last note: the rug plate opening is largest I've measured (a little over 36 square inches) and the CFM density is well above average, about 3.3 CFM/Sq. In. If you ever wondered if this old beast was still capable of deep cleaning, it certainly is. This is the exact machine that started my vac collection and interest in measuring all aspects of these "labor savers". Bill
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Post# 364048 , Reply# 1   12/22/2016 at 16:06 (2,653 days old) by suckolux (Yuba City, CA)   |   | |
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Post# 364049 , Reply# 2   12/22/2016 at 16:08 (2,653 days old) by human (Pines of Carolina)   |   | |
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Post# 364091 , Reply# 4   12/23/2016 at 10:56 (2,652 days old) by wyaple (Pickerington, OH)   |   | |
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Post# 364139 , Reply# 6   12/24/2016 at 15:47 (2,651 days old) by wyaple (Pickerington, OH)   |   | |
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Those measurements were taken with the Heritage running at the LOWER speed. At the machine body on HIGH speed (nozzle removed, no hose attached), I get 194 CFM without a bag and a few CFM lower than that with a clean HEPA bag. The airflow of Kirbys is simply insane!
No hoses were used to protect the innocent...(ha!) BTW, when you attach a hose, the motor speed certainly goes up; however, since the airflow opening drops about in half, the actual airflow out of the end of the hose is much less than what you might think. About 107 CFM at the hose end (stretched out of course). Bill |