Low suction on 10 Amp Power Smith PAVC 102 Ash Vac?

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Don2222

Minister of Fire
Hearth Supporter
Feb 1, 2010
9,192
Salem NH
Hello
To properly analyze the issue I needed to get a baseline on a brand new ash vac and I used the same commercial hose.
Central vacuum installers use a vacuum guage that measures suction power in inches of water lift. A good central vacuum measures 90 on the Guage.
So I took out a new pacv-102 from the box and it measures 60. Very good suction from a small portable unit. In fact my larger shop vac that is not clean measures 60 also.
Now I measured my older PAVC-102 that I cleaned and blew out the bag and secondary filter so it is as clean as possible and measured a minimal 20 on the Guage.
So then I removed the secondary filter that I blew out with the compressor and put the cage back on to prevent the filter bag from being sucked into the motor. Then I measured 60 Ah Ha!
Has anyone seen where you can easily buy these secondary filters?
Looks like there is a number to call for service & support?

Pic 1 - Brand new PAVC-102 measuring 60
Pic 2 - my used cleaner PAVC-102 measures 20 ??
Pic 3 - my used PAV-102 with secondary filter removed
Pic 4&5 - The secondary filter is clogged!
Pic 6 - Service and support number, web site and email.
 

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Last edited:
We put in A new secondary filter and it is back up to 60 now!
Did you check the suction on you ash vac lately?
 

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After doing one cleaning marure it again. I am curious
to see what the results would be.
 
After doing one cleaning measure it again. I am curious
to see what the results would be.
In this case I measured it after a thorough cleaning and still got 20 !
So it was a very dirty secondary filter causing the low suction!
 
Just curious to see how much the filters plug after one use
 
On my standard vacuum i use i can get about 2 cleanings with just a filter in it before its completely plugged. I put a drywall bag in it and i can go most of the season before its starting to slow down but not fully plugged... With a fresh filter this vacuum has tremendous suction with the hose just laying on the floor it sucked in a wrench that was 3 feet away and my cat... The cat was pretty funny watching it trying to run away