12V Car Vac

GreasyGinzo · 02-09-2011, 07:19 AM

I live in a condo and my unit is on the opposite side from the parking lot so I would need like 300 feet of extension cord to make it out to my car. I have never used one but I can't imagine a 12v vac would have any real suction power due to low amps being availiable. I get OCD with my interior and need to clean it every other day and it would be nice to do it at hoem instead of driving to a car wash and using a coin op vac. What is a good 12v car vac? Is there a such thing as a decent 12v vacumme?

Jaypod · 02-09-2011, 07:38 AM

A buddy of mine was in a similar situation. He bought a small vacuum (I think he bought it from a car detailing website) and used an inverter to power it as it has a normal plug.

I have a Dyson hand vac that I use for quick little jobs. Works well but doesnt last very long so wont be suitable for your purposes.

Envious Eric · 02-09-2011, 10:57 AM

I was going to say get a power inverter and go that route with it. I think a 1500watt should suffice for a normal vacuum, maybe even 1000. You need to read the specs on your vacuum to see the watt rating and then get over that amount for the inverter.

I have tried a smaller vacuum (1 gallon, low power) that plugged into a cigarette lighter outlet and it works just fine, just had to make a couple of passes. I think it was a craftsman

ersin · 02-09-2011, 05:36 PM

I hate inverters. Perhaps this is not rational, but it just seems too "RubeGolberg'ish" to me.

Problem is, I've used a few of the 12V vacuums and I can say that all work marginally at best. If you don't care about the stuff that hides in crevices and don't worry about heavy soil then I guess the 12V vacuums are ok.

My solution? Just wait until I get home. I usually vacuum only on weekends. I suppose my case of OCD is not as bad as others.

Cheers.

Bosna · 02-09-2011, 06:21 PM

I use a 14v Black & Decker portable vac I picked up for about $40 and it works great. Obviously it doesn't have the suction power of a full house unit, but it definitely gets the job done -- and even has an extender piece that pulls out so you can fit it between your seats.

http://www.amazon.com/Black-Decker-1.../dp/B0017SXXIU

09E92M34ME · 02-09-2011, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bosna

I use a 14v Black & Decker portable vac I picked up for about $40 and it works great. Obviously it doesn't have the suction power of a full house unit, but it definitely gets the job done -- and even has an extender piece that pulls out so you can fit it between your seats.

http://www.amazon.com/Black-Decker-1.../dp/B0017SXXIU

I have the same one and it does a decent job just like you said.

GreasyGinzo · 02-10-2011, 07:20 AM

How long does it last off a full charge?

02-09-2011, 07:19 AM	#1
GreasyGinzo Captain 41 Rep 635 Posts Drives: '08 E92 AW 6MT M3(Totaled) Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: North Jersey iTrader: (1)	12V Car Vac I live in a condo and my unit is on the opposite side from the parking lot so I would need like 300 feet of extension cord to make it out to my car. I have never used one but I can't imagine a 12v vac would have any real suction power due to low amps being availiable. I get OCD with my interior and need to clean it every other day and it would be nice to do it at hoem instead of driving to a car wash and using a coin op vac. What is a good 12v car vac? Is there a such thing as a decent 12v vacumme? __________________
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02-09-2011, 07:38 AM	#2
Jaypod Brigadier General 125 Rep 4,971 Posts Drives: Frozen M3, AM V8V, 991 GT3 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto iTrader: (7)	A buddy of mine was in a similar situation. He bought a small vacuum (I think he bought it from a car detailing website) and used an inverter to power it as it has a normal plug. I have a Dyson hand vac that I use for quick little jobs. Works well but doesnt last very long so wont be suitable for your purposes.
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02-09-2011, 10:57 AM	#3
Envious Eric Banned 37 Rep 1,168 Posts Drives: nissan xterra, 335 soon Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: orange county, ca iTrader: (1)	I was going to say get a power inverter and go that route with it. I think a 1500watt should suffice for a normal vacuum, maybe even 1000. You need to read the specs on your vacuum to see the watt rating and then get over that amount for the inverter. I have tried a smaller vacuum (1 gallon, low power) that plugged into a cigarette lighter outlet and it works just fine, just had to make a couple of passes. I think it was a craftsman
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02-09-2011, 05:36 PM	#4
ersin Brigadier General 126 Rep 4,144 Posts Drives: 17 YMB F80 M3 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Maryland iTrader: (1)	I hate inverters. Perhaps this is not rational, but it just seems too "RubeGolberg'ish" to me. Problem is, I've used a few of the 12V vacuums and I can say that all work marginally at best. If you don't care about the stuff that hides in crevices and don't worry about heavy soil then I guess the 12V vacuums are ok. My solution? Just wait until I get home. I usually vacuum only on weekends. I suppose my case of OCD is not as bad as others. Cheers. __________________ 2017 F80 YMB.
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02-09-2011, 06:21 PM	#5
Bosna Picking fights with sharks 5 Rep 133 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 ZCP Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (0)	I use a 14v Black & Decker portable vac I picked up for about $40 and it works great. Obviously it doesn't have the suction power of a full house unit, but it definitely gets the job done -- and even has an extender piece that pulls out so you can fit it between your seats. http://www.amazon.com/Black-Decker-1.../dp/B0017SXXIU
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02-10-2011, 07:20 AM	#7
GreasyGinzo Captain 41 Rep 635 Posts Drives: '08 E92 AW 6MT M3(Totaled) Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: North Jersey iTrader: (1)	How long does it last off a full charge? __________________
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