Mytee Carpet Extractor

M

mohamedmaark

New member
Hey guys more questions!!!:yay Alright so i bought a mytee Lite 8070 carpet extractor and i never thought of this problem that i have with it, it has to do with the amount of electricity this machine requires! So i obviously tried this at home right when it came in and after a little the power went out. So i contacted one of the employees at mytee and they said the extractor requires 17 amps to run, THATS ALOT. So my question is how do you guys deal with this problem especially if you do mobile detailing. Any solutions is appreciated thanks!
 
I would recommend a generator of at lest 3000 watts. I have a 3500 and I can run any combination of stuff that pulls up to about 30 amps. If you don't have a generator then you are going to have to make sure that whatever outlet that you are using is supported by at least a 20 amp breaker. Some of the older houses used some 15 amp breakers and this won't cut it for that machine. Hope this helps.
 
Wow i would never think i would need to also buy a generator just to run this thing, i hope other people read this thread so they know ahead of time...
 
Even worse a 3000wat generator would cost around 400$ ....:wall Wouldnt it be cheaper to just replace the 15 amp circuit breaker with a 30 amp circuit breaker? Anybody on these forums a electrician lol!
 
mohamedmaark said:
Even worse a 3000wat generator would cost around 400$ ....:wall Wouldnt it be cheaper to just replace the 15 amp circuit breaker with a 30 amp circuit breaker? Anybody on these forums a electrician lol!
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You should have read that this machine requires a minimum 20Amp electrical circuit..

You cannot just replace the circuit breaker with a bigger one without also replacing the Wiring with bigger wire.

For example, the most common home electrical plug in older homes is a 15Amp circuit, probably using 14Awg wiring, which is ok for 15Amp loads.

If you want to upgrade this circuit to 20Amps, you need to also change the wiring to that Breaker to 12Awg wire which is heavier, and can handle the extra heat better that your machine is going to require of the electrical plug and wiring..

And, if you want to upgrade to a 30Amp breaker, the wire needs to be 10Awg and it probably requires an extra green wire and a ground rod of a certain diameter, something like 8 feet deep into the ground... I dont know how this is accomplished in a mobile situation.. Are you sure you want 30Amps?

If you dont do this, you run the risk of heating up the wiring and the receptacle you plugged into to the point of melting something and causing a fire... And if you have wired something NOT to the NEC code, you will NOT get Insurance to pay for the fire damages...

This is why the circuit breaker on a normal 15Amp circuit shuts off, when used for something that requires more than 15Amps.. Its trying to save you from melting and burning something up...
Dan F
 
To add to the post above for an example... My house shortly after we moved in, the power in my family room went out. Circuit breaker didn't pop (uh oh!) The circuit also went out to the garage where the roofers who were replacing our roof at the time had a circular saw plugged in. When they started the saw the power went out. After figuring out how the circuit was wired, starting at the end closest to the circuit breaker and inspecting each outlet/switch along the way, I found that one of the wall switches that the circuit ran thru had burned up (scorch marks, crispy wiring). The switch was rated for a 15A circuit, but the circuit breaker was a 20A breaker. Lucky for me the small fire was contained and extinguished itself within the electrical box (as its designed to do) with no more damage but to the switch itself. After inspecting a few of the other plugs, I replaced the switch with a new one, and because my outlets are all also rated for 15A, I replaced the circuit breaker with a 15A one. So NEVER just replace a breaker with a higher rated one unless you know EXACTLY what you are doing. Your circuit breaker is designed to be the weak point in the electrical circuit, when the circuit is overloaded, the breaker pops off to prevent damage to the wiring/outlets/switches etc. If your breaker is rated higher than everything else... guess what? whatever is the weak point in the circuit is whats gonna fail and possibly cause a fire
 
Perfect Example, Shane !

Thanks for sharing this real-life experience here..

I have seen in the past, where the screw was not tight enough on a wall electrical outlet wire, and the space between the wire and the screw got bigger as the electricity vibrated through there a zillion times a hour, and eventually, the gap between the wire and the screw was big enough for the electricity to Arc over to the screw and that spark, which is really hot, caused the electrical outlet to start to smolder..

Lucky, the people caught it and found it in time, because even the Fire Dept who came out, (because they smelled it smoldering) did not find it behind the electrical outlet wall plate - but it was there, and left alone very much longer, it would - not could - it would- have started a fire in that wall space..

You have to either learn how to do this safely within code or hire someone to do it for you that actually understands the NEC code and is licensed and uses it..
Dan F
 
Stokdgs said:
Perfect Example, Shane !

Thanks for sharing this real-life experience here..

I have seen in the past, where the screw was not tight enough on a wall electrical outlet wire, and the space between the wire and the screw got bigger as the electricity vibrated through there a zillion times a hour, and eventually, the gap between the wire and the screw was big enough for the electricity to Arc over to the screw and that spark, which is really hot, caused the electrical outlet to start to smolder..

Lucky, the people caught it and found it in time, because even the Fire Dept who came out, (because they smelled it smoldering) did not find it behind the electrical outlet wall plate - but it was there, and left alone very much longer, it would - not could - it would- have started a fire in that wall space..

You have to either learn how to do this safely within code or hire someone to do it for you that actually understands the NEC code and is licensed and uses it..
Dan F
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Ok so its not as easy as i think, i would definitely get a professional to do this but how much do you think he would charge?
 
mohamedmaark said:
Ok so its not as easy as i think, i would definitely get a professional to do this but how much do you think he would charge?
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You might as well have the whole house rewired. Price varies greatly. Get estimates. Make sure they are licensed electricians and everything is run through code > :inspector:

Did you consider the Aztec Hot Rod. It only requires 15 amp :idea
 
Trouble said:
You might as well have the whole house rewired. Price varies greatly. Get estimates. Make sure they are licensed electricians and everything is run through code > :inspector:

Did you consider the Aztec Hot Rod. It only requires 15 amp :idea
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Well i already have the mytee lite.... and i guess i will have to get an estimate, wonder how much its going to be..
 
This is just my 2 cents worth. If this were the only electrical issue that I were having - I would put out the money for a generator. If you are doing Mobile detailing you really need a generator anyway. That way you can always be assured that you have ample amperage for whatever tools you are running without having to depend on the unknown at someone elses home or place of business. I don't always need my generator, but it sure is a lifesaver at times.
 
mohamedmaark said:
Well i already have the mytee lite.... and i guess i will have to get an estimate, wonder how much its going to be..
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Depends on what you want done -

Do you want to install a couple of 20Amp circuits in your garage?
Are the walls finished?
Where is the Power Panel ?

It cant be too much, and certainly less than a generator that has 20Amp circuits, but then you cant take the home power set up with you..

I personally dont care for generators - they make too much noise... most people dont like the noise - unless its during a major power failure of the Grid and everyone has one on...

You are going about this the right way if you are considering getting professional help with this...

Think this through - take your time - do it right the first time -
Dan F
 
Stokdgs said:
Depends on what you want done -

Do you want to install a couple of 20Amp circuits in your garage?
Are the walls finished?
Where is the Power Panel ?

It cant be too much, and certainly less than a generator that has 20Amp circuits, but then you cant take the home power set up with you..

I personally dont care for generators - they make too much noise... most people dont like the noise - unless its during a major power failure of the Grid and everyone has one on...

You are going about this the right way if you are considering getting professional help with this...

Think this through - take your time - do it right the first time -
Dan F
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Thanks i will, appreciate your help!
 
If your house is average size, about $2,000 - $2,500. The new wiring will run along your outside wall and you'll have a new box (with room to upgrade)

The other way is to knock-out/replace all your sheetrock (EXPENSIVE)
 
Trouble said:
If your house is average size, about $2,000 - $2,500. The new wiring will run along your outside wall and you'll have a new box (with room to upgrade)

The other way is to knock-out/replace all your sheetrock (EXPENSIVE)
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:wall WOWWW 2000$ + GREATTTT it only gets worse. Like i have 2000$ laying around on the side.
 
mohamedmaark said:
:wall WOWWW 2000$ + GREATTTT it only gets worse. Like i have 2000$ laying around on the side.
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$2,000 would be a good deal too. The box alone is $500. I'm sure if you get estimates you will see MUCH higher. When your house was built they didn't expect all of these electronics

Maybe check Craigslists or the Pawn Shops for a used generator in the meantime

:puterx:
 
Consider checking with your jurisdiction, which may require that you pull a permit to do the electrical work. They will do inspections, which would hopefully identify any shortcomings before the power is restored. You may have room in your current box to add a circuit, but there are codes to be followed as Dan (and others) have mentioned. Self-Help books can be had a places like Lowe's. I recently bought several that contain info that is in-compliance with the most recent code revision. If the box is near where you need an outlet; and, you have room in the box to add a circuit, the work could be done pretty quickly and isn't that complicated. Keep in mind that if you need an extension cord it is also subject to the restrictions Dan mentioned. Be Safe Out There... and, Good Luck!!!

Ben
 
Get an electrician to look at it - you may have room in your breaker box for it. And get at least 3 estimates from licensed guys, not Bubba that "knows how".
 
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