12 volt Vacuum cleaner recommendations?

I was going to say don't bother but I see you got to the alternative already.

My experience of 12 volt vacs is that they are pretty feeble. Mine has only ever been used once and was then consigned to the garage. It's been there about 4 years.
 
We invested in a Black and Decker Pivot Dustbuster a few years back. It has been redesigned since and is a bit over your £30 upper limit. We rate it highly though and use it a lot.
 
Last time I researched this, the Waeco Powervac PV100 seemed to be highly regarded, at about £65. I didn't buy one though, and I'm still surviving with a damp sponge or wet kitchen paper!
 
I don't see how they can be much use.

A cigarette lighter socket is typically fused at 10 Amps.

12Volts x 10 Amps = 120 Watts max. That's a pretty feeble vacuum cleaner.
 
parsifal said:
I don't see how they can be much use.

A cigarette lighter socket is typically fused at 10 Amps.

12Volts x 10 Amps = 120 Watts max. That's a pretty feeble vacuum cleaner.
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I agree its not got the power of a 240V domestic unit but we find it very useful. Perhaps you should try one before dismissing it!
 
I find mine really effective and useful! It's a canister style thing purchased from Argos many years ago for about £12. Has a standard size hose and nozzles like a domestic one. Also used to use it to blow up the dinghy until I bought a quieter/better pump from Tesco for £5. My only complaint (about the vac) is that that the canister is unnecessarily large.
 
Like others we tried one of these upmarket 12v ones and didn't rate it at all. Sure, it worked, but if you are used to the 240v suction etc, they don't cut it. We have even tried one of these new Dyson rechargeable ones and again not as good as regular and far cheaper 240v. So we now have a regular DC24 240v unit and only hoover when in a Marina or the Genny is on.
 
We acquired a second hand (free) Black and Decker 12v Dustbuster Flexi Hand Vac:

http://www.blackanddecker.co.uk/homeproducts/productdetails/catno/PD1202N/

I removed the batteries out of it and wired it via a 5m lead to a cigarette plug. It works very well and easily cleans up dust/sand/hair/fluff etc. The lead is just wrapped around the base where the batteries used to go. It is easy to empty and comes with a dual purpose tool. If used when the batteries are charging (shore/engine and therefore 14.5v) it is surprisingly powerful compared to more normal battery operated dustbusters.
 
typhoonNige said:
I agree its not got the power of a 240V domestic unit but we find it very useful. Perhaps you should try one before dismissing it!
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No, I'm not dismissing it. I simply remain to be convinced; which you, and a few others, are kindly trying to do.

Meanwhile, when I need to do some carpentry and make a mess, I head for a marina where I can plug in my 230vac "Dirt Devil".

:)
 
12v vacuum cleaner recommendations

pvb said:
Last time I researched this, the Waeco Powervac PV100 seemed to be highly regarded, at about £65. I didn't buy one though, and I'm still surviving with a damp sponge or wet kitchen paper!
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We have one, and a few days ago after rubbing down some woodwork I used it to clean up the dust. Had not been charged for at least 6 months and worked perfectly. Charge from 12v or 240v.
About 73 euros.

M
 
typhoonNige said:
We invested in a Black and Decker Pivot Dustbuster a few years back. It has been redesigned since and is a bit over your £30 upper limit. We rate it highly though and use it a lot.
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I can also thoroughly recommend these

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004XCFHYU?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00

We have bought two, one for the house and one for the boat. They really do workwell, particularly the latest ones with Li-ion batteries. However, they may not meet your spec as they are more expensive and also require mains charging.

If you do get one, I recommend getting a spare filter at the same time. One to use, one to wash

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dustbuster-..._sim_kh_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0P5710BH79S907B28BTY
 
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typhoonNige said:
We invested in a Black and Decker Pivot Dustbuster a few years back. It has been redesigned since and is a bit over your £30 upper limit. We rate it highly though and use it a lot.
Click to expand...

+1 Not the rechargeable but runs directly off the 12v system. Draws about 6A if IIRC. Maybe not as good as 240v but perfectly adequate for the boat
 
I bought one for small hoovering g jobs around the boat. It was light to use, small to get into awkward areas to be vacuumed. We never had any aspirations of it being any good but did find a one problem, it was useless.
 
They are pretty feeble on the whole, but when they are useful, they are very useful.
Odd jobs like clearing up after drilling holes, nothing else will get into the gaps without using loads of water.
I have a nasty argos thing that looks like a small w&d 'Henry' but I think the 'dustbuster' type may be better....

I covet my friend's 500W miniature wet vac which is ancient but runs off an inverter. It think it came from a science lab years ago....
 
+1 for Black and Decker Dustbuster. Very small and tidy, a powerful enough suck, easy to empty, and best of all has a hose and snout to reach into tight places. Plugs into 12v socket and simply works like it should.
 
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