[chrisdean]

I have a Craftex Grace 5020  http://www.gpcleaners.com/item99.htm ........have used it on 8 jobs so far and it was used condition when bought. Spec is supposed to be dual 3 stage vacs & 100psi pump, recommended max hose length is 15m.

When using it with 5m + 7m hoses there doesn't seem to be a strong amount of suction through the wand, when using just the 5m hose there is a slight improvement but still not as good as using it with the hand tool.

Why is my suction so poor?

My thoughts are -

vacuum motors might be bust or

there a leak in the vacuum hose / system somewhere.


Your thoughts please.

Any help greatly appreciated!

[gwrightson]

Chris,
if your vac motor is working fine over a short run ,I cant see it been a problem with the motor.
I would guess that the connection when you add extra legnth to it may be drawing air in .
my initial thoughts.
what is the suction like at the vac inlet? 

geoff

[chrisdean]

suction in vac inlet at end of hose is weak when using long length of hose but i can't find any leak so maybe its the motors ....how could i check motors........what sort of suction power should i expect from this machine, is there any way to test suction?

[sherco]

Have you got any filters that could be blocked.

[chrisdean]

not sure if there are any filters will have a look at the manual and get back.

[Chris_Thomas]

Have you checked the internal hoses and  connections?
Does either vac motor run hot? could be collapsed hose inside case.

[markpowell]

Is there a seal round the waste tank, if there is check it is sealing properly when the vacs are swithhed on.
Mark

[stuart_clark]

look at the seals in the waste dump valve, if there is a leak you will loose suction

[Shaun_Ashmore]

Take the hose off and put your hand over the vacuum port and does it really pull at your hand?

If it does then you have an obstruction in your vacuum pipes, if not then an obstruction in your pipe to your waste tank
or an air leak from your waste release valve
or the ball float
or the pipe running from your vac motors to your ball float
or vac motors knackered
or you may have 1 vac down
or foam in the tank (unlikely)
or switch for vac motor could be broken

in short work backwards from hoses.

Shaun

[chrisdean]

thx for your comments will take a look at the machine in the morning ....back soon.

[john rees]

Hi Chris,
             With any electric portable I've used there has always been a big difference in suction between using a hand tool and the carpet wand so I suspect if you don't have a blockage,leak or a vac motor down, that's the way it is.

                  All the best
                                    John

[chrisdean]

had a look at the machine today, i have sealed all possible leak zones with silicon sealer ......ie

the pipe running from your vac motors to your ball float
all the cuffs on the end of the hoses

Will let dry for at least 24hrs and then give it another test.

Will get back soon with the verdict.

[john rees]

Hi Chris
         
            Get yourself some gorrilla glue it's much better than silicon, we use it on our truckmount hoses and it seals like nothing else I know of.

                                              all the best
                                                                John

[Ian Gourlay]

Where do you get gorrila glue?

Its it a normal brand?

[john rees]

Hi Ian,
          Have a look on ebay it's usually there, use sparingly though as it expands to about 4 times it's size when it dries! it's easy to trim off though if you go a bit over the top with it! and its waterproof!;D

                                 All the best
                                                   John
  Or here-http://www.sawtech.co.uk/gorilla-glue-1-c.asp

[Joe H]

You can get Gorilla tape as well which is also very strong.
Off Ebay - same suplliers as glue and you will save on postage (or should do)