Home central vacuum system

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

Trainer,

A must have says the wife, things to consider:

1. The new units have the hose connected to the outlet so you do not have to drag and store the hose. I have no idea how much it costs but that maybe something to investigate.

2. My old hose wore out so I got a new one which is now 30' long from 25', makes getting into those far places easier.

3. I had both a bag and no bag units, I think the bag unit is much better, all in one container and you do not get a nose full of dust when you empty the bag like the no bag unit.

4. Do NOT glue the pipes together when u install, a lot easier to take apart when you get a clog.

5. Get a unit that has a electric power brush not of the vacuum powered type, I think they work better. Only you have to wire an AC outlet near the vacuum inlet, I think the new ones have both in one unit.

6. Get a dust pan inlet for the kitchen, when you sweep the floor, you just open the inlet up , it turns on the vacuum and you get it all and no dust pan to fuss with.

Enjoy!

 

[Travelover]

A couple more things:

There are two flavors of connectors . One makes the both 110v and hose connection and the other makes you plug in a separate electric cord. If you go with the cord option, you need to make sure an outlet is close (18")

When you plumb it, make sure your branches go off the side or top of the main pipe. Otherwise you create a trap and the dirt falls into the down pipes. This is a nasty surprise for someone opening up an inlet in the basement.

I agree to go with the electric power brush head vs vacuum operated - more power. I've never heard of not gluing the pipes together, seems like it would leak, but haven't tried it.

 

[texbaylea]

In my installation I taped a few crucial joints to allow disassembly in case of plugs. Primarily at elbows. However I have never suffered a plug in years of use.

Vernon

 

[SnowRidge]

I guess I'll take the opposite view. I had one in a new house I bought almost 30 years ago. It sucked.....but not too well. I haven't had one since, nor have I wanted one.

We use one of these. Ours was made in the US, and it is by far the best vacuum cleaner we have ever found. It wasn't cheap, however.

The company also makes central vacuums.

 

[kennyd]

Kenny,
Since yours is in the basement, how is the noise?
Do you have the unit positioned in the middle or at an end?

My unit is under the steps, in the middle of the basement. I created a "closet" that houses all the low voltage wiring (CAT5 for the network, Wireless Router, Cable Modem, CATV, Satellite, HD Antenna, FM Antenna Alarm, Telephone, and Window Candles) and CV system. The noise is not bad at all, much less than a regular vacuum. The key to the "quiet" is to vent the exhaust outside since that's where most of the noise comes from.

 

[Travelover]

........... The key to the "quiet" is to vent the exhaust outside since that's where most of the noise comes from.

This is true. I worked in the noise and vibration reduction business so I measured the output noise primary frequencies and tuned a straight through pipe with three 1/4 wave side branch resonators, finished with a small chamber lined with 1" thick absorptive material to catch the really high frequencies. It really knocks off the din with no restriction.

Neighbors think I'm nuts when they see this exhaust!