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Question: I've been doing some reading on the Steam Brite forums. Currently I run a floor care business, mainly doing VCT flooring, maintaining , stripping and waxing. I want to get into more carpet cleaning as I frequently receive questions about doing that kind of work. I eventually want to get a truck mount system. However, due to the economy and other factors, I feel it would be better to invest a smaller amount into a portable cleaner. If the opportunities present themselves in the future to expand, then I would look more into the truck mounted units.
My main question is....What kind of potable machine will serve me the best? I plan on doing commercial (small offices, waiting rooms) and residential. (I plan on targeting the homes at $250,000 and under since most of those over this amount want a truck mount) The numbers are impressive on the Eclipse....249" lift, 500 psi 3 vac motors and heater. I've rea some of your posts saying it's hard to work on. I'm curious as to wht this is since everything seems very accessible. I know numbers can be deceiving too. Would you reccomend any other machines and what comparisons there are? David
Answer: Several points mentioned on the forums because they need to be said.
The Eclipse / Whisper that we sell does have triple 2 stage vacuum motors but does not generate 249" of lift (not even at sea level). No only have we put a vacuum gauge on the machine but do the math. One vac motor does 90" and two does 155" (not another 90" because this would be 180) The second vacmotor only performs at 65" more inches which is 72% of the vacuum motor in front of it. .72 x 65" = 47" for the third vacuum motor. Add them up 90 + 65 + 47 = 202" total at less than 100 cfm (less than 20200 vacuum units). You also need to realize that series mounted vacuum motors reduces CFM air flow through the vacuum system, so I doubt that it really would even be 100 cfm. This is the performance we also get when testing the unit. The posting on the forum is before the manufacture redesigned the unit to make it easier to work on in late 2007.
I do not feel you have provided me enough information to help you narrow down your search of a portable. Please read the article on narrowing down your search and get back to me with the answers to the questions listed on that article. Are you looking more suction, more psi, auto fill and auto dump (if you want auto dump how many gpm do you want it to pump out -just enough for cleaning or do you want to do flood restoration too), how many power cords are you willing to plug in, what is you max weight limit you are willing to lift, are you planing on using a ramp or team lift, are you going to climb a lot of stairs, how much vacuum hose do you want to be able to run, do you want to leave the machine in the van while cleaning, do you want heat (heat exchanger or electric or both), are you going to want to clean tile and grout or air ducts too, how much pressure do you want, do you have a $$ budget for this project??
Donald
My main question is....What kind of potable machine will serve me the best? I plan on doing commercial (small offices, waiting rooms) and residential. (I plan on targeting the homes at $250,000 and under since most of those over this amount want a truck mount) The numbers are impressive on the Eclipse....249" lift, 500 psi 3 vac motors and heater. I've rea some of your posts saying it's hard to work on. I'm curious as to wht this is since everything seems very accessible. I know numbers can be deceiving too. Would you reccomend any other machines and what comparisons there are? David
Answer: Several points mentioned on the forums because they need to be said.
The Eclipse / Whisper that we sell does have triple 2 stage vacuum motors but does not generate 249" of lift (not even at sea level). No only have we put a vacuum gauge on the machine but do the math. One vac motor does 90" and two does 155" (not another 90" because this would be 180) The second vacmotor only performs at 65" more inches which is 72% of the vacuum motor in front of it. .72 x 65" = 47" for the third vacuum motor. Add them up 90 + 65 + 47 = 202" total at less than 100 cfm (less than 20200 vacuum units). You also need to realize that series mounted vacuum motors reduces CFM air flow through the vacuum system, so I doubt that it really would even be 100 cfm. This is the performance we also get when testing the unit. The posting on the forum is before the manufacture redesigned the unit to make it easier to work on in late 2007.
I do not feel you have provided me enough information to help you narrow down your search of a portable. Please read the article on narrowing down your search and get back to me with the answers to the questions listed on that article. Are you looking more suction, more psi, auto fill and auto dump (if you want auto dump how many gpm do you want it to pump out -just enough for cleaning or do you want to do flood restoration too), how many power cords are you willing to plug in, what is you max weight limit you are willing to lift, are you planing on using a ramp or team lift, are you going to climb a lot of stairs, how much vacuum hose do you want to be able to run, do you want to leave the machine in the van while cleaning, do you want heat (heat exchanger or electric or both), are you going to want to clean tile and grout or air ducts too, how much pressure do you want, do you have a $$ budget for this project??
Donald
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