Fired Up: Motor Protection Valve Scam

Lets start with the simple truth; central vacuum motors do fail for various reasons, but they do not overheat and "burnout" from a clog in the system. All modern central vacuum power units already include a manufacturers built-in overheat protection system, some units even have more than one . Auxiliary "motor protection" or "suction relief" valves sold by some online dealers are unnecessary, and will likely cause more harm than help. These products are a cheap attempt of some dealers trying to make a few extra bucks.

 Vacdepot does not sell these products, and obviously does not recommend them for any central vacuum installation. We also question the professionalism of those dealers preying on consumers with bogas statistics and images of house fires to sell a useless and arguably harmful product to an uninformed homeowner.

The "motor protection" or "suction relief" valve is largely an internet product that gives our industry a bad name. Ask most professional CVS installers for a "motor protection" valve and you will receive a puzzled look. Your new central vacuum is already protected from overheating, usually with a thermal breaker either built into the motor or the control board.

These devices cut the power should your system overheat, not when it is starting to clog as a 'motor protection' valve will do. The thermal breaker is much more effective and many times more reliable. Thermal protection requires no adjustment or settings and self resets once the motor compartments temperature falls to a safe level.

Using a "suction relief" valve does just that, relieves your system of it's suction when it is not necessary and may be harmful. These products can actually cause the very problem they claim to help. If you suck up an object while your cleaning and it should become lodged in the tube system while traveling to the vacuums collection bin your "suction relief valve" will open the vent and the object will stop. Instead of applying more suction, which is what happens naturally in central vacuum systems, the "suction relief valve" switches the suction to an open vent and the object has now become a clog.

These devices are at best a nuisance which provide no value or protection and need constant tinkering. Many folks end up adjusting the valve so it never opens, or removing it from the system completely. It should also be noted that Hide-A-Hose systems can not tolerate a "motor protection" valve as they require full suction from your vacuum system to operate correctly.

Vacdepot is a company in the business of selling vacuum equipment and accessories and we are not against selling any product that is a value in performance, function or design for our customer. We do not sell products simply because they are available and people will buy them. Our offerings must have real value for the intended user to pass our smell test, and there are some real stinkers that we will never sell.

 

That some would resort to using terrorizing images of unreal threats to your family or property to squeeze an extra twenty bucks from a customer really stinks and further shows the product has no real value. Save your money on "motor protection" or "suction relief" valves, and reconsider your choice of dealer if they recommend such a product.

 

 In the next Fired Up: we will be discussing the Tornado Power central vacuum "maintenance cloths". In a word; Pee-Yew!

Hope This Helps!
Mark
[Vacdepot product specialist & dog dad]

Puppy Pillows Part Deux

In the original blog Puppy Pillows by Tammy, she discussed vacuum tools that are designed for cleaning areas above the floor including the often hard to clean pet bed. Many tools exist to help clean areas that are too small or too awkward to vacuum with a full sized powered brush. The sofa, mattress, car interiors, stair steps and risers, and of course upholstered pet beds be they soft and fluffy or firm and supportive. Who doesn’t want to pick up the carpet power brush and try running it over the sofa to remove pet hair and lint? Unfortunately the powerbrush is just to big and bulky to clean these small spaces effectively or in some cases it may do more harm than good - particularly on softer fabrics.

For years our favourite tool for cleaning these special spots has been the Wessel-Werk PT160 turbo hand brush. This unique tool gives you the power
of a spinning brush roller in the palm of your hand to help brush and sweep clingy debris into the vacuums air stream. It does this work by pulling the incoming airflow over a small turbine (impeller type fan) that drives the spinning brush roller with a cogged belt. You can use the PT160 turbo brush on any vacuum with the standard 1.25” tool connection. Turbo hand nozzles are great, and clean much more quickly and thoroughly than a standard static upholstery nozzle.

Turbo hand tools have one drawback that is inherent to the design of these small nozzles. For good cleaning operation the turbo hand tool requires a very good vacuum system that provides very high airflow through the nozzle. Once the nozzle is placed against the surface to clean you are also blocking the airflow that spins the brush. Another issue is the orifice of the nozzle is small in order to increase the velocity of the airflow so large objects or clumps of hair may clog the opening and degrade the performance.

Always progressing vacuum nozzle performance, Wessel-Werk has developed a new hand nozzle: the MEB160 Mini Electric Brush. In this compact above floor nozzle the turbine has been replaced with a powerful electric motor. The MEB 160 can be used with most every central vacuum system and many other vacuum types with a powered hose.

Without demanding airflow requirements or small intake orifice the MEB160 does not slow down with lack of airflow. The brush drive motor is incredibly powerful and the brush spins fast on every type of surface, thick or thin, as the hand nozzle maneuvers in tight spots to beat and sweep the surface clean.

The MEB160’s brush opening features an articulating shoe and the bottom of the nozzle adjust for the angle at which you clean. The hose connection swivels 180 degrees to allow the MEB160 to turn or lay flat when needed. Using a non-slip fiberglass reinforced cogged belt and matching gear wheels on the motor's drive shaft and brush roller the nominal brush speed of the MEB160 is regulated at 5,000 RPM, equivalent to it's full size carpet nozzle cousins.

The MEB160's brush roller is filled with medium density polypropelene bristles that are designed to take the high speed usage of an electric brush. The medium density fill is softer than most powered carpet cleaning nozzles which allows it to be safely used on upholstery of all types, including micro fabrics and natural textiles, without the fear of damage or fuzzing that stiff bristle brushing may cause.

The MEB160 brush roller can easily lift pet hair from stairs, sofas and yes, the pet bed - even those with hard to clean lambs-wool type fabric. The MEB160 was brought to market early this year and since we have been using ours I almost enjoy the above-the-floor cleaning I would sometimes skip. Inside the house we have replaced the turbo hand brush with the MEB160. But the turbo nozzle is not gone for good, it simply moved to the garage where we do not have an electric hose and it still does a great job when vacuuming the car.

The MEB160 Mini Electric Brush is available stand alone or with optional quick release mini wand. The MEB160 is also included in the new Aspria CVA360U central vacuum attachment kit with the new EBK360 powered carpet brush.

Hope This Helps!
Mark
[Vacdepot product specialist & dog dad]

Turbocat Zoom. A Second Look

The Turbocat turbine powered carpet brush quickly became the industry standard for turbo nozzles when it was brought to market decades ago by HP Vacuflo. The name "Turbo Cat" has even become the generic term that many of us use to reference any turbine powered carpet brush. And like any great idea in floorcare, the Turbocat has its very own low quality knock-off replacement made in China. If you buying a Turbocat and are not sure the company you're purchasing from is an HP authorized dealer, be sure to ask. Get the TurboCat, not a junky CopyCat.

The Turbocat is an amazing vacuum tool. If your system needs a powered carpet brush to vacuum area rugs and carpeting and you do not or can not use an electric nozzle system the Turbocat can fill the need. For those of us with pets the Turbo powered brush is first on the list of must-have carpet cleaning tools. We believe that every pet owner should have a turbo or electric hand brush for cleaning above-floor (sofas, stairs, car interiors, etc..). And for a growing number of us the Turbocat powered carpet brush for cleaning textile floors with our straight suction vacuum system.

In our home the floors are all tile or wood. For cleaning our two large area rugs and four entrance mats an electric powerbrush was not needed, even with the high traffic of 10 dogs constantly coming and going. We have used our trusty Turbocat for years, and it never disappointed. Like all powered carpet nozzles vacuuming this much hair the Turbocat required the regular maintenance: removing the hair from the brush roller with scissors and replacing the belt and brush roller when worn.

When the new Turbocat Zoom was introduced in 2006 we were among the first Vacuflo dealers to offer them. Quieter and More Powerful were the selling points. It is a great looking new brush, a departure from the original Turbocat in style but the underpinnings were easily identifiable as Turbocat. Testing the Zoom at a trade show in Las Vegas years ago the nozzle seemed very similar. Demonstrating the nozzle in our retail store and at many home and garden shows in the area all gave me the same impression: an 'updated' looking version of the old Turbocat.

It was not until a few weeks ago when we finally replaced our trusty old-school TP210 Turbocat. Its time had finally passed and it had served us better than we ever expected. By happenstance more than intention we upgraded to the Turbocat Zoom nozzle (Platinum color, but all are the same design). This is the same Turbocat Zoom we have now been selling for years and I felt comfortable with my understanding of function and performance of the Zoom. Within seconds of powering up the system I knew something was very different. I kept vacuuming and my amazement grew.

By the time I was done vacuuming the first area rug I was as excited as a boy on Christmas morning. I pulled the Turbocat Zoom from the vacuum wand and began examining the nozzle as though I had never seen one before. This nozzle was dramatically quieter than the old turbocat I had just removed from the wand before attaching the Zoom. Not just a little less noise, it was significantly less noise. I noticed as well less bounce in the nozzle. The Zoom nozzle stayed on the floor evenly and did not bounce around when cleaning the stiff fibers of our wool area rug. The performance was great, better than what I had come to expect from a Turbocat.

I have used the Zoom nozzle hundreds of times before that day, but never in my own home and never seconds after vacuuming with an old turbocat. I realized that everywhere I had used the Zoom before (sales floor & convention centers) had dramatically different acoustics than my home. Having now used a Zoom for the last few weeks in our home I have a new found respect for what the designers and engineers at Vacuflo have done with the new turbine nozzle. The Zoom has been in the market for a few years now, and proven itself as an extremely capable successor for the Turbocat. While no longer "new to market" the rediscovered Zoom is new to me. And when asked for my opinion of the New Turbocat compared to the old Turbocat I will no longer dismiss the Zoom as a "cosmetic make over" of the Turbocat.

The Zoom is an impressive performer, many times quieter and much better performing than the old models. It is a worthy upgrade and one I wish I had made much sooner myself. If you are still using an old style Turbocat that is more than a few years old we recommend you consider a new Zoom Turbo powerbrush when it is time to replace your turbo nozzle. It is an exceptional value in both the quality of design and the increase of performance for you vacuum cleaning dollar.

Hope This Helps!
Mark
[Vacdepot product specialist & dog dad]

VEX Designer Central Vacuum Inlets

Vacdepot now offers as standard for all universal central vacuum installation kits the VEX series designer inlets at no additional charge. Choose from White or Almond (aka Bisque) colors and traditional 3"X5" rectangular R-VEX or 3"X3" square S-VEX European format inlets. We wanted to do our part to move the industry forward to a better class of inlet valve. The most installed universal inlet, and most often the only choice, is the round door design that has been on the market for nearly 40 years. While switch plate and outlet cover design has advanced over the years the central vacuum inlet cover has not. The Plastiflex VEX deco inlet has been on the world wide market for over 5 year and has substantial field testing under it's belt. It not only looks much better but is a better design all around.

The R-VEX and S-VEX inlets work with all universal low-volt hoses on the market and feature keyed hose alignment, low-volt contact pins and a hidden door closure spring. Plastiflex also designed an upgraded universal mounting plate in the VEX design that works with all standard full size inlets and the square S-VEX.

The new VEX mounting plate works for new construction and retro-fit installations with reversible/removable nailing flanges and two or four screw valve mount to accommodate rectangular and square inlets. R-VEX and S-VEX can be mixed within the same installation letting you tailor the look of your system even further. The convex shape and smooth rounded sides and corners allow the VEX deco inlets to melt away into your walls instead of sticking out like a sore thumb. The R-VEX can be used to upgrade any standard universal inlet. The S-VEX requires the use of a VEX style mounting plate. The VEX inlets and mounting plates are available separately or as part of the CVS-I universal central vacuum installation kits with 2 - 9 valves included. Now there is no reason why your central vacuum can not have style with function.

Hope this helps!
Mark
[Vacdepot product specialist & dog dad]

HERDERS: an INTERVENTION

We fear that we might be committing Border Collie abuse. Maybe it is just a mild case of Border Collie misuse. WBP (Wild Bill Palmer) is our 3 legged Border Collie and the only sample of the breed we have had. Only knowing WBP we assume that all border collies are in perpetual puppy mode, or maybe we just have an extra special model.

Bill's instinct to herd animals is overwhelming. If given the opportunity he will herd something until the point of it's and his own exhaustion. We do not have sheep, and the cattle here are our neighbors - not needing to be herded for any reason and we sure do not want WBP to cause any problems with the neighbors livelihood. So nature has done what nature will do and we have a dog with a built in addiction that far exceeds anything we have ever seen on the TV show Intervention. His desire is strong but his herd is lacking.

WBP's most favorite substitute herd is our jack russel, Laura (aka Bitty). With just a glance of your eye and a nod of your head WBP will jump from any position and immediately scour all known areas for the Bitty. If she is sleeping WBP will stand or lie "pointing" at the Bitty and glancing back at you to make sure you know he has found the Bitty. If Bitty is moving he will gently guide her back to you. He is persistent, never quits and always gets his Bitty - though sometimes he may get overly excited and snap or nip at Bitty, but never a serious bite. We all thought this was funny the first 300 times WBP did it, though Bitty was not very thrilled. Bitty has become quite annoyed and when she wakes to find WBP standing over her, tongue out and drooling she immediately attacks him and pins him to the ground. When she walks away from the attack of course WBP jumps up completely unphased and begins the pursuit all over again.

Perhaps in search of a herd that does not try to rip his face off, WBP discovered the toads on the back porch one night. Toad is somewhat unpredictable, jumping any direction to get away from WBP. We leave the porch lights on at night to attract the bugs which always bring the Toad for WBP to play with. Without any direction WBP just follows Toad all around the backyard, nudging one way or another with the occasional snap but never a bite. WBP will chase Toad for hours foregoing food and water. Getting WBP to leave his Toad is nearly impossible without screaming "BILL! GET INSIDE THE HOUSE!"

If left outside until past bedtime you will find WBP, sleeping next to Toad - both exhausted. Some days we make WBP stay inside so Toad can get some of that food he came to the back porch for. Bill will just stand at the window, drooling and crying as he watches Toad hop around the back porch collecting his dinner.
As if that story was not sad and embarrassing enough, this may get WBP kicked out of the Border Collie breed all together. Our poor abused Border Collie, the Wild Bill Palmer, has taken to herding insects. Yep, Bill was caught herding Katydids one night just to get his fix. It was a sad sight really, one I am sure he is already regretting. His brothers and sister now look down on Bill with some shame and Bitty will no longer play with Bill. We have enrolled him in a 12 step program and we hope to get our Bill back.


Your Only Herding Yourself, Bill!
Mark
[Vacdepot product specialist & dog dad]

Neem, Dogs Agree

Mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide. People, dogs and cows all emit CO2 as they exhale. Living on a ranch where twenty cows are only a hundred yards from the dog play yard results in a large concentration of CO2 in a relatively close space. Add to the scene standing water due to recent flash floods, and we become home to hoards of bloodsuckers.

In an effort to prevent discomfort and disease, I’ve begun washing the pups with Neem. Neem shampoo is organic, hailing from a species of tree found in Asia. Widely used in India for its anti-parasitic abilities, neem has been found to nourish and moisturize skin and hair. Among dog families, there are claims that neem works to repel mites, fleas and a few tick species. Neem oil has been recognized as an effective mosquito repellent, and neem gum is used in diabetic-food preparation. I was surprised to stumble on something that carries so much promise.

So far, so good. The pups are not allergic to the neem shampoo. I’ve noticed no scratching, nor have I seen mosquitoes landing on the dogs. I also have used neem in the shower and, while definitely not a scientifically valid study, have only been bitten once in these last couple weeks. Biting flies don’t seem phased by neem, however.

We’ll proceed with caution in our neem trial. One warning: neem is not for developing/growing humans or pups, nor pregnant females. (Not a concern for our neutered, aging pack.) The smell of neem may be off-putting to some humans. It has a slight meaty scent. The dogs don’t seem to mind.

 Tammy

[Vacdepot operations specialist & Vacpup Mom]

A Month of Cloverberries

The lush fields of green clover are giving way to spring grasses and wildflowers. What remains of the clover is its seeds, thousands of them, shaped like tightly wound spirals. Each of these spirals dons dozens of spokes, ready to cling to anyone who happens by. Beginning around mid-April, our house becomes a repository for the stowaway seeds. Carried in on socks, jeans, shoelaces and especially via dog fur, they land on the rugs and furniture and hold fast. We’ve taken to affectionately calling these seasonal visitors cloverberries, in an attempt to assuage their annoying imposition on everyday life.

Cloverberries tend to drop off clothing readily. Not so when adhered to fluffy dog fur. If caught at the moment of contact, the cloverberry will release its hold with just a gentle tug. But within seconds of lodging itself into a few fur strands, the cloverberry tangles the dog’s coat, often rolling up towards the dog’s body. Extracting the burr requires a steady hand and a patient, willing dog. Our pups understand the consequences of leaving entrapped cloverberries unattended. As cloverberries dry, they sharpen. Lying on an old cloverberry is similar to the sensation of multiple, simultaneous pinpricks. Even with this incentive for quick removal, staying still while someone detaches ten or more cloverberries from your fur can be difficult. We often must carefully trim the enmeshed fur to rid the pup of the hanger-on.

Once free of their host, cloverberries seek out another carrier. Unfortunately, for them too, they often meet a dead end on a rug or carpeting. A good vacuum system with strong suction is mandatory for picking up these pests. Very light and well-suited for rolling, cloverberries can scoot quickly across bare floors propelled by the slightest breeze. In fabric or carpet strands, their spokes cling tight. As with dog fur, speedy removal is important. When a cloverberry dries, its spokes and spiral can break off into pieces, left embedded in the carpet. Pick out a cloverberry manually by hand, then pass your hand over that same spot. You’ll likely feel residual sharp bits. A rotating brushroll, such as in a power nozzle or turbine brush can clean the area better via vacuuming.

Luckily the month of cloverberries does wind down. Spring rains usually decompose the drying seeds, disarming their prickles. Yet, mushy, muddy cloverberries can carry a risk to dogs too. They still cling, become embedded in paw pad fur, wedging themselves between toes, which can lead to abrasion and infection. We’ve found that the dogs will alert us to the few discomforts that Spring may bring. But the dogs and we agree, the joys of a cool spring are worth the maintenance and extra care. Just think of it as more time together. The cloverberries enhance my appreciation for our vacuum too.
 Tammy
[Vacdepot operations specialist & Vacpup Mom]