Hi everyone, this will be kind of a geeky post. Awhile back I saw an Electrolux ad from December 1956 stating that the new model AE was their most powerful ever, with 20% more power. I wanted to test that claim (and I was always curious about the power of my vintage vacs) so I purchased a water lift gauge to use in tandem with my Kill-A-Watt. I haven't tested my Miele S5280 and my Stihl SE122, but here are the numbers I have as of tonight.
Disclaimer: All were tested with a new bag or filter. The models E, AE, G, L, and Filter Queen were tested using a variac set to 110 volts at the Kill-A-Watt's output while the motor was running, which was a common voltage back in the day. The others were tested at full line voltage at the Kill-A-Watt's output while the motor was running, which tonight was 116.
'lux model E 50" 598 watts
'lux model AE 62" 535 watts (the only one that matches the nameplate rating)
'lux model G 60" 573 watts
'lux model L 58" 544 watts.
'lux 1205 I can't measure suction right now but extrapolating, I expect about 65". 748 watts.
'lux Silverado with early motor 70" 880 watts.
Air-Way 80th Anniversary Edition 72" 920 watts.
Filter Queen 31 with original 2-speed motor 76" 622 watts on high (not typos!)
So, the AE exceeded the claim of 20% more power, and the difference is noticeable at the hose end. I think the model E draws the most power of the early 'lux motors because it has the tall fan stack and moves more air than the AE, G, and L motors. Likewise, I think the FQ draws so little power because of its very thin fans. It has lots of suction, but not a lot of airflow. I had trouble pulling my gauge off the intake.
The Air-Way slightly bests the Silverado in suction, but the Silverado has noticeably more airflow, as observed at the rug side of the same 'lux floor tool on both machines. I can both hear and feel a significant difference.
I think the model G came in 2" lower than the AE because the G has the air bleed through the cord reel that probably saved many G motors from an early death.