CT losing suction?

[butzla]

I have a CT33 and it's always worked great.  Or at least I thought so.  But today I added a brand new CT22 to the arsenal.  The difference between the 2 was noticeably stronger suction on the new CT22.  I opened the hood on the 33 and the filters were a little dirty but not too bad, I took them out and vacked them anyway with the 22.  The bag isn't full on the 33,  but it's maybe 3/4 full.  Could that be the problem?  Anyone have any thoughts on how I can restore the power to my beloved work horse?    ???

 

[Bill in seattle]

Yes, the suction can drop noticeably when the bag approaches capacity. It will still suck adequately but changing bags will spruce it up. More filter bag area for more air flow, when empty less area - less air when full. Lots of time it will fill the bag and then the hose as well.
Good on cleaning out the filters once in awhile. I'd change them out every couple years with moderate use or quicker with heavy use. They do loose some efficiency with age, like all of us.

 

[Bob Marino]

You shouldn't lose much suction at all if the filter bag is only half full and your HEPA filters are clean. Perhaps some small obstruction in the 33's hose? Try swapping hoses or even filters and see if the results change.

Bob

 

[nickao]

I have a CT33 and it's always worked great.   Or at least I thought so.  But today I added a brand new CT22 to the arsenal.  The difference between the 2 was noticeably stronger suction on the new CT22.  I opened the hood on the 33 and the filters were a little dirty but not too bad, I took them out and vacked them anyway with the 22.  The bag isn't full on the 33,  but it's maybe 3/4 full.  Could that be the problem?  Anyone have any thoughts on how I can restore the power to my beloved work horse?    ???

3/4 full definitely can cause loss of suction, I know from experience and it used to drive me nuts wasting the bags. After about 6-9 months I found I could pack the bags virtually full like a brick.

I believe there is a long "break in" period on some of these units, at least the three I have did. Also it does depend on what dust is in those filters they can look clean and not be.

Try switching the filters and bags. Then test. The two units should be indistinguishable in their suction.

If both units have new bags and new filters and they are not the same something is up.

 

[John Stevens]

I'd also suggest swapping the hoses to test whether one might be developing cracks that aren't easily seen.  I've noticed over the past year that my CT11 has really lost suction.  It's about five years old & with original hose, and I'm hoping that it's only the hose.  Not sure how to check that without buying a new hose, although I've checked everything else, even the gasket.

By the way, in case you want to check the gasket, grab a stick of incense--you were wondering why you didn't throw it out since the '80s or '60s, right? While the vac is running, light the stick and hold it close to the joint where the gasket seals the two parts of the vac body.  Get the smoke plume right up next to the joint, and if there's a leak in the gasket, the smoke will be drawn right in.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

John

 

[butzla]

Some good ideas there.  I never thought of bag as also a filter screen. "Der!" (as my 14 yr old daughter would say).  I did try swapping hoses.  My 33 has the boom arm with the longer hose, so I wheeled up the 22 next to it and switched hoses and that's where I could tell the difference.  I had a small crevice tool from my dust buster thingie hooked up to it and the 22 made it whistle loudly. 
I'll try switching filters tonite, they are the same size afterall.  I'll keep the incense in mind too.  I'm thinking it is the bag now.  Thanks.

 

[Bob Marino]

 
          The bag isn't full on the 33,  but it's maybe 3/4 full.  Could that be the problem? 

Oooooops, didn't see the 3/4 full.  Bill and Nick are correct; a bag 3/4 full will have an effect on suction.

Bob

 

[BarryL]

Temporarily put the 3/4 full bag on the new CT22....do you lose suction?  Swap the hoses...maybe filters...

 

[bonesbr549]

Yes the bag 3/4 full will impact.  It's the same for dust collectors the more the bag fills up the power goes down.  I tend to dump my bag on my 2hp DC at half full (it's clear plastic and easy to see).  It should be the same principle for the CT33

 

[butzla]

This might be good reason to get one of those Dust Deputy cyclones.