PowerSmith PAC 102 ashes in ash filter due to hole in one!

[Don2222]

Hello
As you know, We upgraded to the new PowerSmith SS PAVC 102 from the old green PAVC 101. See link below
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads...hat-do-you-like-about-it.166796/#post-2236959
So far we are very happy with it, since the secondary filter has easy access to blow out with a compressor. However the course exhaust port filter can only be cleaned by removing the top screws that hold the motor in but does not need cleaning very often.
So the final results are in and it is the best one I have had for the money, it comes with 2 filter bags and quite a few attachments. I still prefer using the orange commercial shop vac hose that I purchased at Home Depot but the black hose that comes with the vac works well too.
The other day after dumping it out, when I used it, I could feel suction but it did not seem right! I was Vacuuming out a chimney liner and ash was collecting on top of the hose and not being sucked in. It seemed odd, because it was working but I still thought something was wrong. Well it got worse and the last time we emptied it, a lot of ash came pouring out a hole at the bottom seem of the outer layer of the two layers! Ah Ha we found it. So the bag lasted quite a while but we probably use this vac 200 times more per season than the average home owner so all and all we are happy with it and it does a real good job.
Also if you buy the exhaust filter that goes on top at Home Depot then you can remove the little flat round filter under the top screws and be all set for easy and fast cleanings.
The foam filter around the motor rarely gets dirty but you may want to check once a year or so.
The wheels did break and fell off but that is not a big deal.
What do you think?

Pic 1 - Ash Vac with heavy orange hose and extra external exhaust filter
Pic 2 - Four screws to access internal exhaust course foam filter
Pic 3 & 4 - internal course exhaust foam filter
Pic 5 - External Exhaust foam filter option
Pic 6 - Motor foam filter
Pic 7&8 - filter bag with hole at seam on outer layer.
Pic 9 - New easy clean re-usable double layer bag filter.

 

[Connecticut Yankee]

I have a different PowerSmith, probably the older model, and like it quite a bit. The idea of two bags instead of just one sounds like a good idea.