More Central Vacuum Information

Intercom Installation Advice

Brad Prince is not only an expert on central vacuum installation, he also has extensive experience installing intercoms.  Often do-it-yourselfers run into some problems with humming sounds coming from their intercoms.  Here is Brad's suggestion:

On intercom wiring: I suggest that you do not run intercom wire next to your home's 110v wire for lengths more than 6ft.  If so you will pick up hum on that i-com line when communicating with room stations.  If you see you have no other path for the wire, use shielded wire to help block RF noise from entering the line.  Also when making wire runs longer than 300 ft., or running door station wire to a gate in conduit, use 18 gauge wire with a shield even if it is the only wire in that conduit.  For most intercom wiring, depending on the system,our IW-6,IW-3 or Cat5e wire will be fine.  You will want to avoid areas near fluorescent ballasts and dimmers, particularly halogen lighting on dimmers.

We carry a complete line of intercoms on our website at  https://www.centralvacuumstores.com/intercom.htm.
At Central Vacuum Stores, and more... we offer great technical advise for installing intercoms, as well as structured wiring and central vacuum systems.

New Hide a Hose Valve

We all love our Hide-a-Hose retractable hose system,  but now an all new Hide-a-Hose valve is available.  The HS3000 Valve is smaller than the original, easier to install and has improved performance.  There is a new locking mechanism that improves the seal and allows the hose to be used either with or without a hose sock.  This makes it great for garages and also if you have pets.  The Hose retraction is easier with the newly modified retract angle.  There is a new magnetic switch that allows for easy on/off control at the valve.  The Rough-in Kit  includes the rough-in frame, mud cover, pipe fitting and screws.  This can be installed prior to the drywall going up.  Then you have a choice of either an Almond or White Trim Kit which includes a valve assembly and door.  The door simply snaps in place for a clean finished look.

Learn more about Hide-a-Hose

 

 

Central Vacuum Inlet Repair

A recent question posed to me was this:
I have an inlet valve that has lost the small metal piece that holds the rubber gasket,do you sell the small metal piece that holds it in place?

My answer:
This part is not available separate from the inlet valve.  I have the same valve and identical situation.
The quick cheap fix is a rubberized contact cement to keep the gasket in place.  Otherwise, it's a new inlet valve for 8 bucks.

Is there a "green" central vacuum?

I am concerned about the environment and want to do my share to help the planet.  Is there such a thing as a green central vacuum?

There is absolutely no question or even debate over this fact:  central vacuum systems are the only 100% dust free way to clean your home.  But, if you are looking for a green central vacuum system there are some things you want to consider. 

First, you will want to choose a system that doesn't have a paper bag, or filters made from paper products.  This means only the dirt is thrown away.  You have a choice between a true-cyclonic unit that uses no bags or filters, or a unit that uses a cloth inverted filter.  The main true cyclonic brands are VacuMaid, Imperium, and Vacuflo.  Here is a link to a true cyclonic animation from Vacuflo.  http://www.vacuflo.com/TrueCyclonic.mov   Central Vacuum Stores has been a Vacuflo dealer for over 20 years.  We like their products and sell their attachments on our website.  Vacuflo units are available only from local dealers, but if you would like to give us a call at 1-800-221-8227, we can help you locate one in your area. Imperium and VacuMaid units are available for sale to our Internet customers.

The Imperium LTD has inverted cloth filters.  Here are the links to these products on our website.
https://www.centralvacuumstores.com/cvs/limited_special.htm

Secondly, you will want to purchase a unit made primarily of steel, because steel is recyclable.  Imperium, Vacuflo, and Vacu-Maid  are all made primarily of steel.

Lastly, if  you would like to conserve electricity, you can choose a turbine power head rather than an electric power head for your central vacuum system.  Here is the link to several Turbine power heads on our website.
https://www.centralvacuumstores.com/cvs/nozzles.htm

One last thought, the average life of a central vacuum system is at least three times more than a normal vacuum cleaner, meaning less vacuum cleaner carcasses in landfills. 

A Happy, Happy Central Vacuum Customer, Part 2

Thanks so much , to "A Happy, Happy Customer" for updating us on the completion of his project.  We hope all our customers enjoy his story as much as we did.  If you haven't read Part I, be sure to begin there and then move on to this post.

Ah, and now it is one week later.  The unit has arrived- it is much larger than I thought.  Well,  lets get to work- we have already found the stub in the garage- I carefully laid out the pipe from the change out kit.  Then I laid out all the other stuff making sure it was all there. The neighbor came over and watched as I began to install the unit.  I put the pvc pipe together, made sure it reached to the support stud and reached the inlet connection to the unit. I asked him to hold the unit up while I marked out its location on the wall—he left.  So by myself I held the unit up and marked out on the wall where to put the mounting screws.  I measured out the distance for the low voltage wires. All too easy.  I drilled the holes separated by 11 ¼ inch, then put the unit on the wall.  I noticed that the carefully measured out pvc and low voltage wires did not reach their destination. Plus it was kind of wobbly. Then I stepped back to admire my work. Then I took the unit down and put it back up on the wall right side up……

OK on to the next step—hmmm I seem to have lost a piece. The second rubber coupling is gone- oh well.  And the relief valve is backward, and I did not have pipe left over to add some to the muffler—Oh well
And here it is...
This thing is not really that loud- I can still hear the kid next door on his/her drums—maybe I should take this muffler off…
You may ask why I put it so high- it is because I don’t want to stoop to change bags
Also the elation of getting this thing installed was wearing off and my legs were aching from carrying it around, turning it around, etc.  I don’t seem to have any spare parts lying around, so I must have installed it nearly correctly.
That was fun and it took less than ½ hour.
Everything has been tested and works great (I guess)  This is 10000 times nicer than lugging that Kirby around the house, plus this thing does stairs in a breeze- and since my legs still hurt I greatly appreciate that. Thank you for all of your expert advice- look forward to using your services in the future.

A Happy Happy customer

Central Vacuum Motor Installation Cause of City Wide Blackout

We are discovering our customers at Central Vacuum Stores like to tell the stories of their installations and do-it-yourself projects.  If you have one to share just post it (along with any pictures) as a comment to this blog or email me at renee@centralvacuumstores.com. Today I got this email from Phillip, a customer who purchased a new motor for his central vacuum system..  I think Phillip might be the next Stephen King. Hope you all enjoy reading this as much as I did. 

I received the new motor for my central vaccum right on time, your shipping estimate was on target. The motor was beautiful and I immediately ran to my garage in anticipation of having my vaccum back up and running. I carefully lifted the new motor from its packing and admired its gleaming fresh paint. My hands quivered with childish excitement as I slowly lowered it into the vacuum housing and dropped it in place.

Hmm, now how did those wires attach again? "Perhaps you should havemade a diagram", my wife said over my shoulder. My stern look told her that her comments were not needed and she walked off with a shrug.

I was pretty sure the green one went to the... Wait, maybe it was the black one, or was it the red one? So many wires! What the heck, they're probably all the same anyway and it doesn't make any difference.

Oh, how I love to vacuum! I could almost hear the whir of the big motor and see all that dirt getting zipped off into oblivon as I made ready for the final assembly. I quickly snapped the wires into place and attached the unit back to the wall. Once all the hoses were firmly reattached, I was ready for the big moment.

That's when it happened.

I plugged the unit back in and, well, I guess I must have had some wired messed up. The motor jumped into action, but this time it wasn't the same. It wasn't the usual low hum or whir. No, this was something more akin to a hurricane! What started as a low rumble soon became like thunder! The motor roared and the entire house shook!

Without warning, I saw dirt from across the garage begin to get sucked toward the wall port! There wasn't even a hose attached, but it didn't seem to matter! Soon, boxes were sliding across the floor! Rakes and mops were flying off the wall and being sucked to the little vacuumopening! I tried in vain to shut the machine off, but it was no use.

I quickly fled into the house and was met by a most horrific sight. Furniture was in disarray and papers were strewn across the room! Debris was flying around like a tornado and the room took on an eerie glow over the sound of the roaring machine. There was my wife, sitting on the floor with her feet propped against the wall desperately holding on to the back legs of our little dog, Alfie, whose entire front half had been sucked into the vacuum opening. I dove toward the two of them,determined to save the little dog, but it was too late! With one last whimper and a scream from my wife, I saw our little Pomeranian disappear into the wall, never to be seen again. A few pieces of fur around the vacuum hose connector were all that was left.

At last, the power draw from the new motor must have overwhelmed the City's electrical system and all power to the community was lost. I understand some areas were without power for days. However, the vacuum finally stopped. We slowly put the house back together and had new flooring put down. We're still missing a chair, but life is returning to normal. My wife is even looking for a new puppy.

Bottom line, the new motor works pretty well and is very powerful. My compliments to you and your staff for a fine product. I am completely satisfied and would use your company again in the future.

Philip K.