Thread Number: 38115  /  Tag: Brand New Vacuum Cleaners
I have Rainbow Rep coming to my house
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Post# 406059   2/27/2019 at 20:38 (1,856 days old) by tomdawg (Des Moines )        

Just curious to hear if any of you guys like rainbow vacuums.. I currently have a miele and love it. is there anything I should look for?


Post# 406070 , Reply# 1   2/27/2019 at 21:51 (1,856 days old) by MadMan (Chicago, IL, USA)        

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No idea. Welcome to the forums though! :D

Post# 406072 , Reply# 2   2/27/2019 at 21:57 (1,856 days old) by compactc9guy (Bathurst NB)        

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Yes you have to clean and empty the water bassin after each use that is a thing you must do every time and dry it well .

Post# 406076 , Reply# 3   2/27/2019 at 22:53 (1,856 days old) by vexorgtr (Sheffield, Ohio)        

I've had a few of them second hand, and like them very much. They were my favorite up until becoming a Central Vac owner. The retail price always kept me away, but scooping up a refurbished one, or something from an estate can be a great find.

One of the biggest things that I didn't like about vacuuming is the smell of a dust bin. Rainbows don't suffer this fate. You can put oil fragrance, or I'd put cheap cologne in mine when using it.

The "pot of mud" when you're done is best dumped outside, as hairballs can block drains, and or be a problem if you have a septic system. Some users "flush" the contents when they are done, but with low-flow systems, I'm not sure that's the best anymore.

A water vacuum is a great idea, but you trade a bag of dirt, or a dry plastic bin of dirt for a WET plastic bin of dirt. As an owner, if you are willing to fill the bin to the proper level before using, and dump and dry it promptly when finished (leaving the motor/bin apart to dry)... You'll have a nice long life vacuum.


Post# 406078 , Reply# 4   2/27/2019 at 23:35 (1,856 days old) by fairfaxclass (Tillamook, Oregon)        

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I sold them for a period.  Very Solid machines!  I recommend getting the extra large water basin and filling it just a tiny tad above the fill line.  Do that, and the back-up hepa filter will stay clean for a long time.


Post# 406079 , Reply# 5   2/28/2019 at 02:04 (1,855 days old) by mark40511 (Lexington, KY)        
Well be careful

mark40511's profile picture
because they will start high.......VERY HIGH. perhaps keep declining as much as possible until they come down.....But I wouldn't be surprised if they try to start at $3000 dollars. I'm not sure how LOW they are willing to go...but it's definitely going be still be over $1500 because of the chain of people that have to get paid. But they are awesome vacuums and work great.

I've had one since 2006 brand new. Used the hell out of it but taken care of it still looks/smells new.

If you end up not wanting to pay the outrageous Rainbow price you might trying looking at the Quantum vacuum or Sirena - both water filtration similar to Rainbows - but not quite the quality of a rainbow - still decent though.


Post# 406086 , Reply# 6   2/28/2019 at 08:41 (1,855 days old) by marigold (MN)        

I have a Rainbow which I purchased new 2 yrs ago. As already mentioned they are not cheap but well built. I have had zero problems with mine but I faithfully maintain mine. They do require work and maintenance, you can't just whip it out of the closet, plug it in and vacuum and when done, unplug and put it back in the closet. You have to fill the bin with water and then while vacuuming continue to empty and refill the water bin. When done, I clean the water bin and clean the rotator cup. You cannot store it with water sitting in the bin, has to be dry. To empty the dirty water bin I use a strainer and empty it in the sink. Some people say they empty it outside but where I live we get tons of snow and below freezing temps, not going outside! It cleans well but we have another vacuum for quick pick-ups. I also find when cleaning it to be heavy when going up/down stairs. I would recommend when they are demonstrating, you, not them, vacuum the whole room and try changing out the water and then you can decide if having to change the water bin and the maneuverability of the unit would be something you wouldn't mind or find to be more of annoyance after time.

Post# 406087 , Reply# 7   2/28/2019 at 09:46 (1,855 days old) by Johnsmith96 (East Coast)        
@tomdawg

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If you have the money to spend, and it's not savings, I'd say go for it. The reason o say this (and it's none of my business what your financial situation is) because I too wanted a brand new rainbow a few years ago. I'm young, and I was going to use some of my tax return to buy a rainbow. I figured it wasn't a bad idea, because it wasn't money I had saved for a long time, not was it needed to pay bills. I struck a deal with a salesman from the state above me, who lived in the upper portion of THAT state (long drive) and technically he was not in my "area" to be selling it to me. I'm not sure if you know this, but rainbow dealers all have signed agreements apparently, saying they won't sell out of their defined areas. He was lol. But many do this believe it or not. I talked to him and we agreed on 1300$ because I flat our said that I wanted one, no demo needed, and he was going to meet me and sell it out of his trunk. No one needed to be paid, none of the usual expenses. I also would be able to buy accessories within the first year of ownership for 50% off I think. However, I looked around and found a basically new rainbow e2 black for 400$. I did have to drive almost 2 hours to get it, but now having it, I'm glad I didn't spend a fortune on it.

It has its ups and downs. People sell these everyday because they are too much of a hassle for some people. That's why they say to only buy one if you have a larger house or lots of carpet. Of course you can regardless, but you may be reluctant to continue to use it after so long because it's such a pain to take set up and take down. Most people, even collectors do not take care of the rainbow properly. You do not store the basin attached to the motor unit, no matter what. You also should not store the hose attached to the unit, and really shouldn't store the hose attached to the wand because of the material it's made out. I OWNED A QUANTUM, and most people who do, bought one because they didn't want to spend for a rainbow. I advise against this. If someone has owned both, LIKE ME, they should be telling you that the rainbow is better made. It is less messy as well, and parts are more readily available. Rainbows have been known to last 20-30 years and still repairable to get it back to like new. I do not see quantum being around that long or becoming a household name, though it could happen! However, the price for a quantum should reflect a lot about the unit, and I highly doubt it would be repairable after the warranty is up.

With that being said, the rainbow is decent at cleaning. I only pull it out to freshen the air, and to really so a major cleaning top to bottom. Not because it's a great deep cleaner, but because once it's set up, you feel compelled to do more with it and make the set up worth my while lol. Also the hose has a nice length and i don't have to move it all around to clean above the floor.


Post# 406088 , Reply# 8   2/28/2019 at 11:03 (1,855 days old) by robsmith1977 (Shippensburg, Pennsylvania)        

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I have owned many Rainbows in my lifetime. Some I bought for 100 bucks and cleaned them up and made necessary repairs and once I bought an E2 Gold model for $1000.00 and although it cleaned really well, it was loud! I agree that you should always use the 4 quart water basin with any Rainbow vac. It filters dust and dirt better all around. You don't have to pay big money to get a nice Rainbow vacuum to use. They do require cleaning the separator after every use... I would usually throw mine in the dishwasher!! Easy cleanup! When you are done vacuuming - always empty the dirty water out, rinse out your water basin really really well and leave it sitting off to the side... never store the motor on top of the water basin. Doing all of this every time you use it, it will last 15 years or more. The model D3C has good cleaning power AND it runs very quietly. Just suggesting that, but they are getting harder to come by in nice shape on eBay.

Post# 406090 , Reply# 9   2/28/2019 at 12:20 (1,855 days old) by kirbylux77 (London, Ontario, Canada)        

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Well, if you are thinking about buying a Rainbow, one important aspect I would be thinking of is how much will you actually use it? Yes, the Rainbow & other water filtration vacuums do a great job of cleaning, & ultimately the water filtration is the best way to dispose of dirt if you want to use a bagless vacuum. The problem with them lies in the fact that it requires extra effort to set up & clean afterwards. It's not just as simple as press a button & the dirt falls out, & you clean a filter once a month, like a Dyson requires. And they are not as convenient to take out & clean up quickly when company calls & says they will be coming to your home soon & you have a messy house that needs cleaning.

For that reason, make sure you keep a spare vacuum that you can use for quick cleaning jobs & for maintenance cleaning. And definitely DO NOT trade in your Miele to lower the price of the Rainbow! Chances are you can sell your Miele locally or on Ebay & get substantially more money than the credit they will take off the vacuum's selling price. And chances are, the dealer will recoup their money they took off the vacuum by selling yours anyways, so keep that money in YOUR pocket, not theirs.

Make sure when the dealer is in your home & showing you how the vacuum & optional attachments & uses it has, think carefully about whether you will REALLY use those attachments. For instance, how many people would actually use the carpet extractor attachment & extraction clean their carpet at home? And make sure the dealer knows you do have other options, & they aren't the only company that makes & sells a water filtration vacuum. There are other competing brands, like Sirena & Quantum, that make a water filtration vacuum that cleans just as well. As Mark said above, keep turning them down until you make it clear to them that either they have the lowest price or no sale!

If you are thinking of buying another brand of water filtration vacuum to save some money & you don't need all the extra functionality a Rainbow offers, here's some tips:
1. Make sure any water filtration vacuum you buy has a HEPA Filter on the exhaust, & don't buy if it doesn't have that feature. The water filtration vacuums may be the cleanest way to own a bagless vacuum, but unfortunately their filtration claims aren't exactly true. Any dirt that cannot be wetted by the action of the water....flour, baking soda, carpet deodorizers, fireplace ashes, any fine powder dirt, etc....will bounce off the water, go right thru the separator, into the motor & be exhausted back into the room air you are cleaning. That's the whole point of the HEPA Filter on the exhaust, to trap the fine particulates the water filtration cannot trap.

2. Make sure the brand you buy has parts support & availability from a local vacuum shop. This can be a HUGE issue, especially with water filtration vacuums, as there are many unknown or unheard of brands that are so new that the shop's distributor they buy their parts from doesn't stock parts for that brand. Also beware that many vac shops won't repair Rainbow or other water filtration vacuums, because they don't believe that such a vacuum is a good idea or design, they believe it's dangerous & they refuse to repair it. So make sure you have a local shop that is also willing to cooperate & work on them. I'm sure the last thing you want to have happen is to buy a vacuum & then every time it breaks spend hours in a car taking it to be repaired & then to pick it up again.

3. Consider buying a extended warranty if it's reasonably priced. You are making a substantial investment in cleaning equipment for your home, & since there's moisture, a motor & likely computer boards involved, it's not unheard of to have a vacuum break down unexpectedly, even if it's maintained well. Just make sure you know the EXACT terms & conditions of the warranty & what it covers, & more importantly that there's a way of getting the warranty honored if something does break & that it's convenient to use the warranty.

Good luck with your purchase & enjoy it.

Rob



Post# 406091 , Reply# 10   2/28/2019 at 13:13 (1,855 days old) by mark40511 (Lexington, KY)        
Wait?

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How does the 4-quart basin filter better?

Post# 406094 , Reply# 11   2/28/2019 at 14:54 (1,855 days old) by electroluxxxx (……)        
tomdawg

If the dealer cannot get you a good deal, I can with free shipping.
The rainbow comes with an 8 year warranty on the rainbow itself (rexair standards) and 4 years on accessories and attachments (ie) power nozzle, hose, wands etc... (sometimes we go over the 4 years within reason, defects, abnormal excessive wear, etc. ). If you have any questions ragarding that I would be more than happy to answer them TRUTHFULLY! Also Rexair nor Distributors do not offer extended warranties. I have sold some rainbows to members on vacuumland both current and no longer, and they are happy with their purchase and level of customer service. I also do not require trade ins, leads etc, for out of state customers.


As far as turning a dealer down until you get the lowest possible price goes... if the dealer catches on to that they will walk away saying " thank you for your time". I have had many do that and when it comes down to it Dealers make a commission on the sale, anywhere between 300-600 a sale depending on the rank position and the person above them will make 100-200 on a sale depending on how much it is sold for. If the sale is at the bare minimum the dealer will make 100 on a sale and the person above them will make 100 on the sale and by that time there isn't really much left in the deal to cover other expenses. travel, food,equipment (depending on rank) etc... Dealers Depending on the rank have to pay for the equipment that they supply their dealers with as well as Demo kits and materials for doing demos. Dealers do not get paid hourly, they also do not get paid just for " doing a demo" so when it comes down to it and it is their only job, at the end of the day they need to make something too to keep food on the table and bills paid. Being in sales can be either very rewarding or have Severe consequences.
I have been in the sales position before when that was my only source of income so I know what people go through. If people are pushy then my advice is don't do business. I am not pushy when it comes to a sale, if someone wants it, I sell it, if someone doesn't want it, I don't push it.

When it comes to a trade in:
As part of the requirements trade something in to help the dealer, weather it be a broom, mop, crappy vacuum that you have sitting in the garage, whatever. honestly I wouldn't trade in a Miele. Distributors are different when it comes to their trade ins. Some toss them in the landfill others donate them to charity, some will sell them to vac shops or even scrap guys. If they get other water vacs or kirbys in on trade and the Distributor is "friendly" with the other distributor they will work a trade with that person depending on his " trade in pile". The machines that are traded in by a dealer become the property of the Distributor and a dealer cannot sell it without the permission of the distributor. So in reality the dealer does not make anything extra and a lot of the times neither does the distributor.

A lot of people really do not know how the business really works so hopefully this gives a little insight from someone who works behind the scenes, in the office and on the road. It definitely is not an easy business to be in as a lot of people make it out to be a "Get rich quick" thing. Its not, it takes a lot of hard work and dedication to get to where a lot people are in rainbow.


Post# 406095 , Reply# 12   2/28/2019 at 14:57 (1,855 days old) by electroluxxxx (……)        
Mark

A 4 qt basin doesn't filter any better than a 2 qt basin. It just holds more crap. I have vacuumed to the point of where the water is almost at a stand still and my filters and Separator are still clean.

Post# 406105 , Reply# 13   2/28/2019 at 18:33 (1,855 days old) by tomdawg (Des Moines )        
brings me to the next question..

I am building a house this year. looking into central vacs. I like the idea of taking all the dirt and sending it the garage. But i don't know how that will compare to Rainbow- since they just called this week. My new house will have hardwood floors through out the main level and carpet downstairs.

electroluxxxx- (mike) i will keep you in mind! I've heard they cost 4k!


Post# 406107 , Reply# 14   2/28/2019 at 18:41 (1,855 days old) by rugsucker (Elizabethton TN)        
"building a house"

I think most here will tell you to plumb and wire while under construction(the easiest,cheapest time) and then decide if you want the system now or in the future.

Post# 406111 , Reply# 15   2/28/2019 at 20:43 (1,855 days old) by electroluxxxx (……)        

I’m some states yes. My distributor is at 3100 retail, with trade in, leads and program $2600... I usually do better for the fellow collectors on this site.

I’ll second what jimmy (rugsucker) said!


Post# 406112 , Reply# 16   2/28/2019 at 20:47 (1,855 days old) by Oreck_XL (Brooklyn, New York 11211)        
To Tomdawg:

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If you're contemplating central vac, you may want to look into a DrainVac. They make a unit called the Automatik which collects the dirt in a bin and every 20 minutes cycles it through and washes it down the drain. Of course a plumber would have to get involved as well but it seems like the central vac equivalent of a Rainbow.

Post# 406118 , Reply# 17   2/28/2019 at 22:08 (1,855 days old) by fairfaxclass (Tillamook, Oregon)        

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Don't forget Ocean Blue!  130 CFM so they say!  And 60 inches of water lift.

 

oceanbluevacuums.com/...

 

It's like a supped up D4 by appearance.



CLICK HERE TO GO TO fairfaxclass's LINK

Post# 406123 , Reply# 18   3/1/2019 at 01:02 (1,855 days old) by Rivstg1 (colorado springs)        
Tomdawg

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I bought my rainbow new in fall of 2012, it has performed remarkably. I would recommend one to yOur collection W/o a doubt. I clean the separator very other time I use it, always store the wet water basin after in done separately from the motor unit, and enjoy NOT buying. Bags/smelling old vac dirt smells, and never losing airflow as no filter is getting clogged w/use. It does take more work to use/set up/put away than bagged vac. I do not... Think its a big deal at all....to empty the dirty water basin after vacuuming , rinsing it out (never more than 20 seconds) knowing I don't have to send any $ on bags and only every 4-5 years change out the heoa filter...IF I am not using it too long in a given cleaning w/o changing the water. I agree that it takes more time to use, isn't as powerful at deep cleaning as some, & are stupidly expensive bought new. Get one though, you'll be amazed at what you see after vacuuming & your home will smell great, andyour vac will never smell like other vacs after using them for a while.

Post# 406129 , Reply# 19   3/1/2019 at 08:56 (1,854 days old) by crazykirbydude (Lexington, KY)        

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Rainbows are just too clunky for me. It's like pulling a Shop-Vac around the house. I also don't like the fact that I have to fill it with water every time I want to use it and empty the nasty dirty water with hair clumps after I'm done. You can't flush it, because it will clog your pipes. You can't dump it in the yard because you'll soon have hair clumps all over your yard. You cant dump it in the trash either, because in no time, you'll have a stinky, moldy, mosquito-infested garbage can. Also, I hate mold, and the risk of rust and mold buildup is much greater with a Rainbow. My aunt has the SE model, and it didn't blow my skirt up. The electric hose was especially annoying, because you had to hold down a trigger to turn on the PN. Also, I saw a near new E2 Black come into the Aerus dealer where I help out, and the carbon brushes were all jacked up in it! It's just too much hassle for me to deal with a Rainbow when I can just toss a bag and be done with it.

Post# 406133 , Reply# 20   3/1/2019 at 09:25 (1,854 days old) by Kirbysthebest (Midwest)        
Empty the Rainbow

In the compost bin.  It's dirt, it's water, problems solved.

 

 


Post# 406135 , Reply# 21   3/1/2019 at 09:45 (1,854 days old) by n0oxy (Saint Louis Missouri, United States)        
water vacs

If you want a water vacuum at a cheaper price I would suggest looking at the Sirena or the Quantum. They work just as well as the Rainbow and are much cheaper, don't get me wrong, Rainbows are good machines, I have one that I bought new but the Sirena and Quantum work just as well and in some ways are better because they get the dirt in to the water better. Then of course there is the Hyla, Vivenso, Ritello and Roboclean as well and these are also higher priced.
Mike


Post# 406137 , Reply# 22   3/1/2019 at 11:02 (1,854 days old) by crazykirbydude (Lexington, KY)        

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Well, I don't have a compost bin, and vacuum dirt doesn't biodegrade. I used to empty my bagless machines outside in the backyard, and I noticed that the hair clumps stayed for up to six months.

Post# 406139 , Reply# 23   3/1/2019 at 11:53 (1,854 days old) by Electroluxxxx (……)        
Adin

Must not have been an e2 black then because they do not use brushes. Seems like you have something against machines that aren't Aerus/Electrolux or Kirby.

Post# 406143 , Reply# 24   3/1/2019 at 13:03 (1,854 days old) by kirbylux77 (London, Ontario, Canada)        
Nicholas

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I would avoid Ocean Blue, that would not be a good choice. 60" waterlift isn't good for a canister vacuum, you would find motors that produce that strong of suction in upright vacuums, not a powerteam canister. Most canisters, regardless of whether it has a powerhead or what kind of dirt capture method they use, have a range of 85" waterlift for low end, entry level units, to 100" waterlift & even more for high end, TOL units. So to see 60" waterlift on a powerteam canister is really rather low.

I can also tell by looking at the pictures on their website that it is being run by Great Vacs. The pictures that Great Vacs use on their website to market the Ocean Blue are identical. My ex had a bad experience with them buying a refurbished Dyson DC07, & I have heard too many stories of other dissatisfied customers to recommend to others be dealing with them. You might also be interested to know that Ocean Blue themselves at one point appeared to have gone out of business - their products disappeared entirely - so in my mind this company still might be on shaky ground. Not good if you're making a investment in home cleaning equipment, if it breaks down & needs repairs later you may be out of luck for obtaining parts.


Post# 406145 , Reply# 25   3/1/2019 at 13:10 (1,854 days old) by Kirbysthebest (Midwest)        
Compost,

Yes, but.  Vacuum dirt is  DIRT.  If you don't garden, use it for house plants. 

Hair will compost, it is just slower than other organic material; but it will break down. 

 

You can also do as others on this site have mentioned in the past.  Keep a strainer by the toilet.  Pour the water through the strainer, dump the solids in the waste can.  Honestly, there isn't any more moisture remaining than coffee grounds.  Spritz it with Lysol if you are afraid of mold.

 

 


Post# 406147 , Reply# 26   3/1/2019 at 13:15 (1,854 days old) by crazykirbydude (Lexington, KY)        

crazykirbydude's profile picture
Why would I go through all of that trouble when I can just toss a bag when it gets full?


Post# 406151 , Reply# 27   3/1/2019 at 14:38 (1,854 days old) by Kirbysthebest (Midwest)        
Never Mind

Every machine will have it's pros and cons. 

I was offering a solution to using this particular type of machine with the objections voiced.

 

 

 

 


Post# 406155 , Reply# 28   3/1/2019 at 15:46 (1,854 days old) by mark40511 (Lexington, KY)        
I've always

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dumped the rainbow water down my toilet. It's always just looked like mop water probably because I've always vacuumed almost every day.

I remember growing up and my grandma had a rainbow. We always dumped that outside because it was just straight up thick.

The past few months though, I've been using a HEPA bagged upright and sucking some activated charcoal granules in the bag and zero smell. So even with bagged vacuums, you can neutralize the odors. But I still would never give up my Rainbow.


Post# 406156 , Reply# 29   3/1/2019 at 16:17 (1,854 days old) by crazykirbydude (Lexington, KY)        

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I don't have anything against other vacuums. I am quite fond of SEBO and Riccar, but Aerus Electrolux and Kirby are my favorites. I was just stating my opinion about Rainbow. It's too much of a hassle for me. If it works for you, then cool. Regarding the Rainbow with the carbon brush issue, it was still pretty new, and a vacuum that expensive shouldn't be having major issues so soon.

Post# 406159 , Reply# 30   3/1/2019 at 16:43 (1,854 days old) by panasonicvac (Northern Utah)        
Regarding central vacs

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There are lots of reasons of why I would take a central vacuum anyday over a Rainbow. Yes all the dirt goes out of the house and into the unit in the garage but they are also simpler to use, quieter, and they are usually more powerful. There are certain models that would have two suction motors instead of one that are over twice as powerful compare to Rainbow, you could even have two users vacuuming with it at once. There are also other cool features that a central vacuum has that the Rainbow doesn't such as the vacpan, the Wally flex, and the Vroom for example. Plus I don't need to maintain the vacuum everytime that I would use use it, I could just empty it like twice a year and call it good. And usually there are units that offer one of the best guarantee's in the industry, Vacuflo for example has a limited lifetime warranty.

Post# 406163 , Reply# 31   3/1/2019 at 17:07 (1,854 days old) by Electroluxxxx (……)        

If the rainbow had carbon brushes it would almost be 20 years old considering the last rainbow to have carbons was 2003. The e series single speed machine was prone to issues hence the 6 year run. Rexair used 2 styles of motor in that machine and to be honest one was definitely better than the other.

Post# 406175 , Reply# 32   3/1/2019 at 20:56 (1,854 days old) by tomdawg (Des Moines )        
I bought one!

I vacuumed my floors 3 different times with my Miele before the rainbow rep came.
The Guy was really nice and respectful
He even Complimented the Miele saying its a high end vacuum.
I vacuumed my living room with the rainbow and i picked up so much sand out of my carpet.. I could not believe it. my carpet even looks and feels like new now!
thanks guys for the tips and talks about the vacuum

Tom


Post# 406180 , Reply# 33   3/1/2019 at 21:36 (1,854 days old) by vexorgtr (Sheffield, Ohio)        
CENTRAL VACUUM stuff.

I'm a Central vac user who sold my Rainbows in the conversion. I have a LOT of opinions on Central vacuums, and I'll share the things I think are most essential.

I prefer motor/power units that are ALL about the power/air watts, and have essentially one function... SUCK. Any power unit with fancy digital control panels, and "luxurious" electronic controls are NOT welcome here.

I insist on having a STANDARD style/size inlet, so I can use whatever kind of hose I want.... and I want a STANDARD style hose so I can fit whatever tools I want on it.

I'd vent it outside and skip the HEPA filtration.

I find the BOTTOM mounted dirt pails annoying. I had a bagged unit, and putting the dirt pail back on was a pain... Now that I switched to a top-loader, it's 100% easier.

I'd rather just throw out a full dirt bag than have to mess with any sort of bagless system.

It's my opinion that the air plumbing should be done much like water plumbing... with the "rolls down hill" mentality in play. This helps prevent clogs, and you aren't fighting against gravity, allowing you to suck up heavier debris. In our computer shop, there's lots of screws and stuff that get sucked up, and I want them to end up in the tank and not fluttering in the hose.

The tools for a CV are amazing, allowing you to clean high and low... and with the standard tool size, you have tons of options.

My favorite power units are the ones from Lindsay Mfg... showing up as brands like VacuMaid, Imperiium, & Valet. They meet all the things I like and don't like.. the power units are simple, powerful, and reliable.

Sorry if this is too much, but once someone said Central Vacuum, it flipped my mental switch.


Post# 406184 , Reply# 34   3/1/2019 at 22:16 (1,854 days old) by mark40511 (Lexington, KY)        
when my house was being built in 2004

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I came SOOOOOO close to putting in a central vacuum....... but this was back when I knew next to nothing about vacuums. I was one of those people that just use them didn't think much about it. I regret not doing it. But with this 12-foot extension hose I can connect to practically ANY vacuum including rainbow.....I kind of feel like I'm using a central vacuum because I can get EVERYWHERE up and down in the house.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO mark40511's LINK


Post# 406195 , Reply# 35   3/1/2019 at 23:28 (1,854 days old) by vexorgtr (Sheffield, Ohio)        
I fell into Central Vacuum Ownership

The home I own was purchased because it's zoned on residential/commercial land, and there was a store built on site. I moved here because of the store. The place happened to have a 1970's era Nutone CV... No parts for it were here. One day I decided to see if I could make it work... The motor ran OK... Being broke from just buying the place, I sold some stuff to buy a hose and tools. Although it had no electric at the inlets, with Turbo tools it was more convenient than anything else I had....

After about 5-6 years, the motor's bearing started whining... so I bought the bigger CV300 Imperium power unit I have today... then I put electric in by the inlets and got power tools. Central vacuum can whup as much butt as Chuck Norris.


Post# 406204 , Reply# 36   3/2/2019 at 09:49 (1,853 days old) by Rivstg1 (colorado springs)        

rivstg1's profile picture
Kirbsythebest: great ideas, I agree completely.

Panasonicvac & vexorgtr: what would it cost( roughly) to install a quality central vac in a 3 story house that's already built( basement/1st level/2nd level)?
I would imagine that the combined pricing of the vac and extensive installation might be a sizable deterrent against a central vac unless one was in the building phase of a home?

Pus. I've never found dumping the dirty water basin a big deal... Sometimes down the toilet ( never a backup clogging in my 20 years with am E series, E2. Black, or D4 SEe.Or, is dump it outside and eventually hand gather the dried fuzz intomthe trash next time I ran across it . no big deal


Post# 406207 , Reply# 37   3/2/2019 at 09:57 (1,853 days old) by n0oxy (Saint Louis Missouri, United States)        
rainbow water and central vacuum

Hope you enjoy your new rainbow. Actually though, no vacuum will remove everything out of a carpet each time, so this does not mean that the Rainbow is cleaning better than your Miele, had you vacuumed again with your Miele you probably would have gotten a similar result.
When I use my water vacs, I also just dump it down the toilet, I live in a second floor apartment and don't really want to carry the machine down two flights of stairs and outside. I've never had a problem.
Central vacuums are awesome. I have 8 central vacuum units around my apartment, I just connect the hose directly to them, no pipes, it's awesome. I actually use those more than anything else since in order to use a canister, I would have to dig the hose out, I have all of my hoses in a tote, much quicker to just pull out the central vacuum hose. I store all of my nonelectric attachments in another tote and have all of my electric power nozzles under my bed. Since all of my central vacuum units are next to an outlet, using an electric nozzle is never a problem, my central vacuum hose has a pigtail cord on it. I'm also not a fan of nonstandard hoses, I want to be able to use any attachment.
Mike


Post# 406219 , Reply# 38   3/2/2019 at 14:48 (1,853 days old) by vexorgtr (Sheffield, Ohio)        

There's some great information on retro-fitting a central vacuum on a few of the vendor's web sites. I have a good amount of practice working in closed walls from wiring computer networks (I'm a technician). For a retro-fit, install you inlets close to electric outlets for the easiest set up. If your basement is NOT finished, then you're in a good way to install the power unit there, and vent it outside.

Usually, everything you need for a CV300 based system would cost under $1500 in parts, unless your home is enormous.


Post# 406252 , Reply# 39   3/3/2019 at 09:30 (1,852 days old) by n0oxy (Saint Louis Missouri, United States)        
cv300

That is a good power unit. It uses a 740 air watt flow through motor, there is a debate whether the flow through motors are as good as bypass motors, supposedly the bypass motors will last much longer. One of my power units uses the same motor, it's the Vacumaid garage vac pro, this one is not designed to be used with pipes, there is just an inlet on the front, connect a central vacuum hose and start cleaning. It's a very powerful motor and not that loud. I do think the bypass motors are louder than the flow throughs.
Mike


Post# 406258 , Reply# 40   3/3/2019 at 15:25 (1,852 days old) by vexorgtr (Sheffield, Ohio)        

Despite Lindsay using the Flow-Thru motor, they warranty them for 10 years. If you're not popping your bags, how is any significant dirt going though your motor anyway? The Lindsay bags (I use HPB1) catch almost all of it. The Lindsay bags are tough too! I had to cut one up to recover a vacuumed item, and it was surprisingly difficult.

Post# 406261 , Reply# 41   3/3/2019 at 18:20 (1,852 days old) by tomdawg (Des Moines )        
Mesh filters from rainbow rep

I saved the mesh filters rainbow rep and I used it on my miele, I saw that it did just as well. n00xy i took your word for it, crazy! so Im not so compelled that it works better than miele.
The only thing i like about rainbow is the smell, smells so good when your cleaning with it!


Post# 406269 , Reply# 42   3/3/2019 at 23:31 (1,852 days old) by vexorgtr (Sheffield, Ohio)        

As a former Rainbow and Miele owner/user, I agree... the fragrance is nice, but how big of a motor can one put in a canister before it becomes impractical? General logic takes over at some point leading to the conclusion that....

More real power = Bigger badder motor /w/ better tools. You'll eventually hit the weight pinnacle on your canister... as you're dragging a half gallon of water weight or more behind you... The biggest baddest motors are in Central Vacs my friend... and you need not drag them behind you.


Post# 406277 , Reply# 43   3/4/2019 at 07:49 (1,851 days old) by mark40511 (Lexington, KY)        
It does smell good

mark40511's profile picture
I don't care what anyone says - you can't use a vacuum that smells as good as a water filtration vacuum. You can put the scents in other vacuums, but it's NOT the same.

Post# 406278 , Reply# 44   3/4/2019 at 09:23 (1,851 days old) by vexorgtr (Sheffield, Ohio)        
Fragranced vacuuming

The water vac with fragrance is indeed a very nice thing. Nothing annoys me more than a dirty bag smell. That's why I waited til I had a Central vac (vented outside) before selling the Rainbows. With the vacuum exhaust going outside, there's NO bad smells.



Post# 406286 , Reply# 45   3/4/2019 at 15:37 (1,851 days old) by ralph123 (Little Rock, AR)        

Regarding central vacuums and filtering outside, how do you avoid the loss of conditioned air? If your house is extremely tight (i.e. minimal air leakage), does that cause any problems with central vacuums?

Post# 406290 , Reply# 46   3/4/2019 at 16:58 (1,851 days old) by vexorgtr (Sheffield, Ohio)        
Central Vacuum vented outside.

I've not heard any issues about a home being THAT air tight. I actually already own an air exchanger that pumps air out of the basement to control humidity.

I couldn't imagine a central vac motor being able to pull so much air that you'd actually create a vacuum inside the house and change the internal pressure. No home could possibly be that tight, or the residents would eventually die from lack of oxygen from living inside an air tight box.

All I can tell you is that I have lots of power anywhere I plug the hose into, and if I forget and have two hoses plugged in, the leaking hose makes the hose I'm using perform more like a "typical" canister vac... I'd be glad to provide measurements if someone would like to loan me the tools..

For those of you who aren't familiar with it, "Cleaning" the pipes in a central vacuum is accomplished by sending a large wipe though it. (similar to lysol wipes, only bigger) The wipe is moistened, and has a roughed surface. It's designed to "catch" anything that may be in the pipes and take it to the power unit. I've picked up some crazy stuff over the years, and if it makes the first turn (at the inlet) it makes it all the way to the tank....

The only thing you learn to do with a central vac is to start closer to the inlet and work your way out... so you don't step on the hose. The Crush-Proof hoses are great, and surprisingly lightweight... I have one still going strong after 8 years of abuse.



Post# 406436 , Reply# 47   3/8/2019 at 08:46 (1,847 days old) by ralph123 (Little Rock, AR)        

Just making up numbers, let's suppose the central vacuum has 100 cubic feet of air per minute (i.e. 100 cfm). If the central vacuum is venting outside, is it fair to assume that after 15 minutes of vacuuming that 15*100=1500 cubic feet of conditioned air is blown out of the house? The replacement air has to come from somewhere, and most houses have enough leakage for it to flow in from the attic, walls, doors, windows. In the link, a family actually had to open windows while running their central vacuum due to the house being so tight.



CLICK HERE TO GO TO ralph123's LINK


Post# 406440 , Reply# 48   3/8/2019 at 10:04 (1,847 days old) by mark40511 (Lexington, KY)        
I didn't even think about that

mark40511's profile picture
Sort of like those window portable air conditioners with one hose. I learned last summer the one hose models take the air its conditioning and just blows it outside at the same time.....super inefficient.

But can't the same thing be said for a clothes dryer? Isn't it take air from inside the home and venting it outside?


Post# 406445 , Reply# 49   3/8/2019 at 16:18 (1,847 days old) by Miskini (Northville, Michigan )        
Hey tomdawg

miskini's profile picture
How much did you end up paying for the rainbow.

Post# 406487 , Reply# 50   3/9/2019 at 07:51 (1,846 days old) by tomdawg (Des Moines )        
Miskini

I ended up returning it.. the $2500 was just too much. on the other hand, my mother in law has one and doesn't use it anymore, she said i can have it! needs some work though.

Post# 406488 , Reply# 51   3/9/2019 at 09:39 (1,846 days old) by Miskini (Northville, Michigan )        
Wow

miskini's profile picture
$2500 is a lot of cash. Did you try to negotiate the price any. Also, did they give you a hard time returning it.

Post# 406501 , Reply# 52   3/9/2019 at 12:50 (1,846 days old) by n0oxy (Saint Louis Missouri, United States)        
flow through motors

I think the issue with flow through motors is that they only receive as much cooling air as can go through the hose, so if you're using a small tool, the motor will not get very much air, this would not be an issue with a bypass motor since they use a separate cooling fan.
There is certainly limitations on how big of a motor can go in to a canister cleaner, a central vacuum will definitely be more powerful, and you can use them without pipes, that's actually a really nice set up, no pipes to install and all of the power they have to offer.
Mike


Post# 406519 , Reply# 53   3/9/2019 at 22:40 (1,846 days old) by tomdawg (Des Moines )        
Miskini

I did try to negotiate but he just kept packing the machine up and started to leave.
When i called him to return the vacuum- he said, thats no problem and he will come by to pick it up.. I did say what would it take to be a recruiter or dealer- but that didn't go so well.. he even offered to refund the full price and do interest free financing.. I told him I don't do financing on purcheses like this

all in all, the guy was very respectful and nice.


Post# 406526 , Reply# 54   3/10/2019 at 01:14 (1,846 days old) by Kirbysthebest (Midwest)        
Calling may not protect you

The three day right to cancel requires a written notice.
Though it sounds like your dealer is ethical, he could say he was never notified that you wanted to cancel, and without written proof you could be stuck with the purchase.


Post# 406546 , Reply# 55   3/10/2019 at 19:30 (1,845 days old) by vexorgtr (Sheffield, Ohio)        
Flow Thru Motor

I've checked the temps on my motor after vacuuming every floor in the whole house... and the curtains and cabinets. The only Off-Time is whilst changing tools. It never got hot. It was actually cooler than the Nutone it replaced which was NOT flow Thru. It's got a 10 year warranty, I'm not scared about the temps. I check the bag frequently, since it's easy with the lift off lid (no latches). I've sucked up so much from the carpets when I first got the electrified nozzles that there's very LITTLE left to pick up... I have vacuumed the whole house 3700sq ft, and havn't produced a gallon of dirt in 3 sessions of vacuuming. The first time I used the Electric Power nozzles, I got 1.5gal in one session....(it was very fine talc-like dust)...

Post# 406548 , Reply# 56   3/10/2019 at 23:27 (1,845 days old) by rivstg1 (colorado springs)        
dumping the water

rivstg1's profile picture

I've had rainbows since 1999.....I've emptied the dirty water basin in the toilet 50% of the time....never had a backup in the pipes from that....so to each their own....but I don't think the threat of 'clogging the pipes up' is valid from my experience....dump all you want...just like you take a dump....all you want....it'll get taken outta the pipes.


Post# 406554 , Reply# 57   3/11/2019 at 09:30 (1,844 days old) by ralph123 (Little Rock, AR)        

Mark said: "But can't the same thing be said for a clothes dryer? Isn't it take air from inside the home and venting it outside?"

Yes it is true. There are heatpump and condenser dryers that are not vented to avoid this problem. They are popular in Europe because they are more energy efficient.

Here are some quotes from the linked article:

"Ventless dryers have actually been around for decades–in Europe. In fact, there they are just called “dryers.” Many countries much prefer ventless dryers; Switzerland has been outlawing our big, vented dryers since 2012. The reason for their European popularity is this: European homes tend to be very small, in very old buildings, and they just cannot accommodate the large, vented ones that we have here."

"Other advantages include:

It’s a lot less expensive to install because you don’t need pipes or find the place to vent. You just need an electrical socket.
Ventless dryers use about 30% less energy than the traditional ones.
Chances of clogging and fire are decreased because you’re not venting out anything.

One disadvantage is that it does take a little longer for the clothes to dry."




CLICK HERE TO GO TO ralph123's LINK


Post# 406568 , Reply# 58   3/11/2019 at 22:38 (1,844 days old) by vexorgtr (Sheffield, Ohio)        
Dumping the Rainbow's Water Bin down the Toilet

This is fine to do.... IF

#1 You don't have "low flow" toilets.
#2 You don't have a septic or aeration plant onsite.

As for the low flow, I've seen lint from a "efficient" washer clog up iron drain pipes since there wasn't enough water to get it out to the street. Filtering it through a nylon is a good solution.

Septic/Aeration systems should only see stuff that biodegrades easily. This would be TP, and body waste. You don't want to introduce too many solids to the system, as they take time to break down. Synthetic carpet fibers are not good bacteria food. We filter our wash machine lint for this reason.


Post# 407061 , Reply# 59   3/22/2019 at 19:50 (1,833 days old) by pr-21 (Middletown, OH)        

pr-21's profile picture

I have a Rainbow SE PE and a Black E2. I empty both of mine in the toilet, BUT first I always

reach in the basin and put out the carpet fuzz. It is usually floating in a clump and then I throw

it in the trash can next to the toilet. I flush the rest and rinse the basin several times into the toilet

as well and then dry the basin and set it on a shelf in the closet. I also take the separator off and clean

it with the brush provided. I dry the flange underneath the separator and put it back on. 5 minute

job. I also use the genuine scents in my water. I have never had a clog in my toilet system using the

Rainbow.

 

PR-21

Bud



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