Central Vacuum System

[toasty]

Hi,

I'm just in the process of fitting a central vac system.

Anyone on here got one? Or got any eperience of them.

I'll post pictures of the installation when it's complete if anyone is interested.
-Dan

 

[noseall]

i have seen this in Ireland about 15 years ago.

motor or vacuum in the garage, with hose connection outlets placed strategically throughout the house similar to plug sockets.

works well if fitted securely. i.e. sealed well.

 

[crazycanuck]

I,ve had one for about 10 years, it's a electrolux make ,another good one
is the Beam make.
easy to install yourself.
points to think about, make sure you have at least a 20ft. hose.
Place outlets in a hall, top of stairs,and one in basement if you have one.
make sure their not more than 20ft apart or hose won't reach,also put one at vaccum . Dry fit all pipes until your happy then glue all fittings.
DO NOT GLUE THE ONES AT THE VACCUM SOMEDAY YOU WILL HAVE TO
DISMANTLE IT BELIEVE ME.
Clean vaccum filter at least every 4-6 weeks.
not shown in plans is a filter under cover of intake this also will become plugged and must be cleaned or dirt will get into brushes.
entire project should take about 8 hours.

 

[Bilioustrumpstaine]

What is the advantage ?

 

[Alison556]

My friend's got one...............it's like wrestling a bloomin 20 feet python trying to vacuum. I'm sticking to me Dyson.

 

[toasty]

Thanks crazycanuck!

Parts arrive tomorrrow - I can't wait.

Regarding the benefits:
1) Much (MUCH) better suction than a normal vac, even a Dyson (probably twice the airwatts)
2) Vacuumed air is pumped outside the building, so no dust is recirculated
3) Because the power unit is situated in the garage, cellar, loft etc.. the noise is massively reduced
4) Bag/Bucket needs emptying only 2-3 times per year
5) Low maintenance
6) No heavy vacuum to carry around, making cleaning the stairs easy as pie.
7) Really long hoses (i've gone for 9m or 30') meaning that with the sockets in the right place you can make it out to the car for cleaning that.

The range of accesories is mind boggling, they even do a horse grooming attachement (I kid you not!) but I don't have a horse, and as I am scared of them, I'm never likely to either, but I'm sure the accessory is great - maybe I'll buy it and try it on the cat (I don't have one of them either!)


I just love gadgets frankly, but I think this will be a good one.
Cheers
-Dan

 

[Alison556]

I must admit that a girl I know in Australia has one and she swears by it - only cos I asked her how the hell she managed to keep cream carpets when she had a dog! Her answer is her ducted vacuum and good quality carpets.

But I see my friend wrestling that 20 feet of hose and it just looks so awkward..............

 

[crazycanuck]

I use mine on the dog hair (collie) .
2-3 times a year is not enough you will lose suction.
If you have central heating don't forget to clean the return air vents ,this will save your furnace filters. enjoy.
don't forget the plug-in at the unit in the garage it will make it great for the car.

 

[toasty]

As the title suggests, the project is complete!!!

For anyone who is interested, here is a link to my website, it details the installation of my central vacuum cleaner system

www.yourmissus.com/vacuum/


Any comments greatfully received.
-Dan

 

[breezer]

looks upside down to me

 

[toasty]

it is, yes!

Strangely though it's easier to insert the hose. It is the way most people fit them.

Well spotted

 

[breezer]

question for you, but hopefully (for your sake) you dont know the answer

I suck up item x not knowing i have done so.

item y gets caught on item x

item z gets caught on item y and blocks it all up, now what do you do?

 

[toasty]

Hi Breezer,

That shouldn't happen, the smallest part of the system is the hose, from there the socket is slightly bigger and has a tight 90degree bend on the back to stop big objects getting into the main pipework.
The main pipe work is slightly bigger still, and all bends in the main pipework are gradually swept so that the likelihood of a blockage is reduced.
Additionally, you are advised to cut the pipes squarely and smooth them off first so that the inside of the pipe has no rough edges.
Finally they advise you put an inspection Tee in anywhere that a length of pipe has bends at both ends so that you get get a pokey stick or something in there. (I only have one such length of pipe and so have an inspection tee in the loft)

They are pretty well established in the states, so the technology is proven, I can't personally see how it could get blocked - for example a small pen won't pass the 90degree elbow behind the socket so will never get into the system, longer or thicker items get blocked the same.

And the fact that the hose is only 32mm internal, the sockets 40mm and the pipework is 48mm means that whatever gets through the hose will easily pass through the main pipework.

They do say that dust can build up in the pipework and can cause problems, but the solution is simple - vacuum up a duster or some kitchen roll from time to to clean the pipes.

The only example I can think that might block the system would be something exceptionally sticky, this could get stuck and then stick to other smaller objects. That said, and sort of as a test, I've tried vacuuming up bits of gaffer tape both flat and rolled up into a ball, and it always end up in the dust bucket, so I think it'll be fine - especially if you treat it with respect and DON'T vacuum up ridiculous things!

Finally, and I know I'm harping on a bit, but I'm just pleased with it that's all. It is easy to assume that this thing might get blocked the same way as a normal vaccum hose, but it is just so (and I mean SO) much more powerful I just can't see it happening, but I'll report back in a year or so.

 

[AND1234]

I'm researching into these systems for my next project. How is yours "toasty" over a year on...? Still liking it?