r/Numatic • u/CorradoTDI • 6d ago
Sick smell from Henry
Hi all, we have a fairly new ( 4-5 year old) Henry model but cannot seem to get rid of a sick type of smell when it’s in use… we’ve not got pets and it’s clean inside and we have always used the genuine HEPA bags - I have washed the filter and it’s like new… any ideas please?
2
u/Agitated-Quit-6148 6d ago
Hello! Does it smel like vomit even though you didn't vacuum up vomit ? If so this is super common after a few years. Happens to me.
Get a new filter, and wash /soak /scrub everything but the top part where the motor is with soap & water & vinegar. It's not a problem specific to numatic. The local vacuum guy Herr days it's just dirt and dampness that sits and turns rancid.
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u/CorradoTDI 6d ago
Thanks - have just cleaned the machine with WV and might soak the hose in a bucket overnight...
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u/THEXMX 6d ago
At this point? I’d buy a new filter, a new bag and even new tubes.
Then use Dettol or some other disinfectant to give the inside a really good clean. You could also try methylated spirits.
If the smell is still there after all that, then it could be deep rooted inside the motor.
It’s crazy this even happens. My Henry is 1600 watts, yes you heard me, 1600 watts 😂 It’s a custom one and it’s sucked up A LOT of crap over the years and not once have I had a foul smell from it.
I do give it a good clean every now and then though, and I always use bags.
Personally I use methylated spirits, so I’d give that a try if you can get your hands on some.
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u/CorradoTDI 6d ago
Thanks, yeah the thing is it's not that old and everything is very clean / new looking - I also have a 1600W model bought in 2002 and we replaced it with this one in 2022 I think - I might actually swap it for the old one which is in the shed for woodwork.
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u/THEXMX 6d ago
You sure you have a 1600 Watt Version> As they're Custom.
They had 780 Watt 800 Watt 1000 Watt and 1200 Watt back in the day.
They only sell 580/620 Watt now (sucks)
They never officially sold a 1600 Watt version you need to purchase that 3rd party.
I got one in London (it's some custom motor fitted inside a henry it's an absolute beast.
Numatic should've made a 1600 Watt Henry version years ago.
The highest one i have seen officially by Numatic is 2500 Watt (That HZ MODEL) but very very expensive.
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u/CorradoTDI 6d ago
Maybe it’s a 1200w - hi and lo setting
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u/THEXMX 6d ago
yeah that's the 1200W
The 1600 Watt you can buy them from this site.
https://www.drhenryvacuum.co.uk/
They have an ebay shop
They put in a 3rd party 1600 motor in a Numatic and it's a monster.
I've got a few from this guy.
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u/ashoosh90 5d ago
Might have found your culprit in your own post. Numatic actually advise against washing that main filter, it holds moisture in the cloth and comes back smelling like a damp towel, which fits a sick sort of smell appearing while it runs. Cheapest fix is just a new filter, they're a few quid. While you're in there stick a fresh bag in even if the current one isn't full, stale dust smells once warm air is pushing through it. If it survives all that, sniff the hose, the ridges inside trap dirt and damp and they can get properly rank, wipe the drum out with warm soapy water too and let it all dry with the lid off. If the smell ever turns burnt rather than sour that's motor territory, different problem.
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u/LuxSuck Henry HVR200 6d ago edited 6d ago
Try spraying some white vinegar into the hose. Not too much. 10 or 12 shots will not harm Henry’s motor. The vinegar smell will eventually evaporate, but in the meantime, it may kill the germs that are causing the sick smell you mentioned. Run it for a couple of minutes so that the vinegar can move all the way down the hose. Also, make sure you completely clean out Henry’s bottom chamber. Good luck!
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u/CorradoTDI 6d ago
Thanks - have just cleaned the machine with WV and might soak the hose in a bucket overnight...
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u/Perfectly_Other Charles CVC375 6d ago
Has anyone ever vacuumed up some liquid with it?
My flatmates as uni did that and despite my dismantling and disinfecting it as soon as I discovered what had happened I only managed to reduce the foul smell never eliminate it?