Thread Number: 39921
/ Tag: Recent Vacuum Cleaners from past 20 years
Is it better for a vacuum to run on slower or faster speed? |
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Post# 423769   4/19/2020 at 16:43 (1,439 days old) by fan-of-fans (USA)   |   | |
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I have a Kenmore Progressive canister that's variable speed. Usually I keep it on the lowest setting for doing dusting or hard floor vacuuming, because it seems to pick up just fine on that speed.
I usually use the higher speed for when I use the power nozzle on carpets or sometimes in the car. My thinking is it's probably better on the bearings since it's running slower, especially with these newer single stage motors, that I hear run higher RPMs than the older Ametek 2 stages. On the other hand, I'm wondering if maybe the motor is actually running hotter due to less air flowing. I sort of do the same thing with my Kenmore Progressive upright too which has a 3 speed motor, although sometimes I use it on Inteli-clean which auto-shifts the speeds depending on the amount of dirt being sensed. |
Post# 423794 , Reply# 1   4/19/2020 at 21:46 (1,439 days old) by vaclab (Pickerington, Ohio)   |   | |
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Think of continuously variable speed canisters (or uprights). Some users run them on low speed for hours with no issues year after year.
Generally speaking, a properly working electric motor generates less heat at less RPM so it should even last longer running at lower speeds. Want some measured proof? See the myth busted below. Bill The Kirby Diamond Edition Overheating Myth |
Post# 423800 , Reply# 2   4/20/2020 at 00:16 (1,439 days old) by vacuumdevil (Vacuum Hell )   |   | |
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@fan-of-fan
Man you're not the first person to ask this question. this really opens up quite the can of worms for debate. My understanding as you are correct on it putting lost where on the bearings of the motor. You are putting off more where the speed control mechanism. Which varies greatly depending on the vacuum. Sometimes that extra heat from stepping down the electricity goes into the motor coil. Some machinees use circuitry to accomplish this. Depending on the build quality this can affect it those components. I'm sure if the machine is built to high standards it doesn't cause any harm one way or the other. The question is which machines are built to those higher standards? I will say using a dusting brush when on a lower power setting usually keeps the bristles from getting deformed. I would also say for floor pick up I'm really satisfied with a portable machines power and always want more power. Personal preference. |
Post# 423818 , Reply# 3   4/20/2020 at 10:25 (1,438 days old) by Jayelux (Dallas, TX)   |   | |
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Roseanne Barr once rhetorically asked why a vacuum would have a low speed option--"for the days when you want to do a shitty job?" |
Post# 423820 , Reply# 4   4/20/2020 at 10:35 (1,438 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)   |   | |
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"Roseanne Barr" would be an expert. I also doubt she vacuums.
Hoover cleaners (some) have a "power surge". The Convertibles also "shift" to more power for other jobs. Some people have re-wired them to stay on "high". Others insert an object (wood, etc) to them on "high". I don't think that's necessary These cleaners, well the good, vintage ones, were designed to perform their jobs. Just like attachment strength, how much power do you NEED? |
Post# 423822 , Reply# 5   4/20/2020 at 11:12 (1,438 days old) by dysonman1 (the county)   |   | |
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The Hoover Company put out a wonderful brochure in the early 1920's entitled "How to choose an electric cleaner". One of the selling points of the Hoover was that the motor ran slower than other cleaners. They pointed out that the wear to a motor is proportionate to the cube of its speed and that the faster running motors actually wear out 8 times as fast as the slower Hoover motor. They were referring to the Royal, Eureka, and other straight suction cleaners with their fast running motors that were not driving a brush roll. The Hoover Company was certainly correct in that their motors almost never wore out. Today, motors are made in China even for Hoover and all wear out at about 150 hours, except of course for motors like Rainbow or Kirby or Miele use.
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Post# 423823 , Reply# 6   4/20/2020 at 11:41 (1,438 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)   |   | |
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Post# 423887 , Reply# 9   4/21/2020 at 15:49 (1,437 days old) by vacuumdevil (Vacuum Hell )   |   | |
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Post# 423944 , Reply# 10   4/22/2020 at 00:30 (1,437 days old) by Lesinutah (Utah)   |   | |
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I have a 1973 or 76 300 or 400 amp royal.
It rotates slower obviously since it has less power. You adjust the height adjustment it picks up as good as any vacuum. If you turned on a small 4 inch box fan it's quieter. It rivals my electrostatic push vacuum noise wise. I did have a 1030z and have a 4000 10 amp and 10.5 motors respectively. They aroud but suck up too much. You get a stuffed animal near it gone in the blender. The electrolux oxygen 3 and riccar with suction increase and decrease feature are quiet. High and low doesn't matter they suck. Straight suction do too. Les |