Central vacuum recommendations.

[maytag142c]

I will second Owen's recommendation! About 5 years ago I purchased an MD M715H and have not looked back. What originally was installed was an MD Airmaster A650 which to me is a fantastic unit as well but I wanted something top emptying. I feel that the performance at the end of the hose is far superior when compared to a lot of the high end cleaners and that comes from once owning several newer cleaners. The M715H when vented outside is virtually silent throughout the house minus the huge rush of air going through the hose or vacupan. Emptying the unit is also a breeze as it's a quick flip of the lid, cap over the bag holes, pull it out and pop a new one in, done. Let's talk warranty too... MD backs their units with a 10 year warranty which its highly unlikely you'll need to use since they do use some of the best components on the market. All things may be prone to failure at some point but as far as MD goes you cannot go wrong. To Answer your question on the circuit breaker, although it is recommended, the M715H is a 120v unit that draws about 15 amps so having it on its own is best. In the past, I've owned a vacuflo 360 (it's now at the office), electrolux (installed at a former partners), royal, beam (tossed), and even a eureka the boss unit. I promise i'm not biased, I just know what I like and what suits my needs and over exceeds my expectations.

Cassie

 

[n0oxy]

central vacuum too powerful?

I really don't think you can have a central vacuum that is too powerful. If you purchase one that is rated for a larger space than what you have, you would just have more cleaning power. I use all of my central vacuum units without pipes and the cleaning power is awesome. I have a unit that uses the Ametek 8.4 motor, it's the Vacumaid 800, indeed, it's quite powerful. At least when connecting a hose directly to the unit, two motors in series provide more power than a dual motor parallel configuration. I have a 50 foot hose and I can clean my entire apartment with any of my central vacuum units with that.
Mike

 

[ajr2993]

Central vacuums are NOTHING more than an oxymoron.

Unless you live in a large residence, central vacuums are OVERPRICED, OVERRATED, and generally INEFFICIENT home cleaning investments that only cater to people who live in oversized McMansions that enjoy carrying 40 ft hoses down the stairs every time they have to clean their living room. They cost $3000 or more with inflation for all the accessories, hoses, vacuum units, and attachments. For that money, I’d get a good old upright and canister vacuum for the job. And the amount of air turbulence in these central vacuums is ABSOLUTELY INSANE!!! I mean, even if they’re installed by a professional installer, they’re still going to leak air like a sieve and have NO better cleaning performance than a high end canister vacuum. I mean, they’re completely fine if you have allergies or enjoy the quiet sounds from your home, but there’s NO reason to install a central vacuum. That’s said, MD and Cyclovac make GOOD machines if you I’ve in a home that’s over 3000 square feet.

 

[evolutionclean1]

Lots of flack

On the way for you, my friend. It may be personal preference, but yikes
My Miracle Mate Platinum is among the most powerful machines in my collection, but I know without a shadow of a doubt that a good central vac would absolutely smoke it, be it a demo unit, or properly installed in a home. Best of luck to you!

 

[panasonicvac]

Andrew

You've NEVER owned or even used a central vac before. Don't knock it until you've tried it or otherwise you're getting called out for silly claims that aren't even true. Having used many central vacs before and even owning one myself, there is definitely a night and day difference compare to portable vacuums. There are no cords or extension cords to deal with, there are no re-circulated dust particles that trigger allergies, they have larger dirt capacity, there are no filter troubles, they last a long time in fact my parents' still have use theirs' since 1991, definitely costs less than buying new portables overtime, lighter and easier to use, and not awkward or maneuverable to carry around. You're also not realizing that they can be more versatile and powerful. There is not a single portable I can think of that can outclean alot of centrals that I've used before. And for being overpriced? I work at an appraisal office for a living and they definitely add value to the home, it's like you're getting a refund or making a profit for selling a home with a central vac. Plus there are centrals out there that can cost less than a portable, this user of the original thread has already chosen a OVO 700 AW. It's not even close to a top of the line portable.

 

[durango159]

Central Vacuums have come a long way with vast feature array

Two of the most popularly recommended lines right now are MD and VacuFlo. CycloVacs is also very good but many seem to be going with VacUFlo over that.

A consumer could get a basic Beam or low end Nutone setup that had a single motor setup or have a triple motor setup running in series. There are units that power off a standard 110 Volt outlet and units that have their own dedicated 220V breaker in a panel. Depending on the system, and how motors are wired in series, they can provide enough power for 3 or more users all to be connected on one system and each having more than enough power to spin an air driven TurboCat nozzle.

Back in the 90s and beyond, the case would be that a user carried a 25' - 35' heavy vinyl/ rubber hose around the home and plugged it into various outlets. Outlets can be direct power on where the hose powers a straight suction system with no controls, to a fancier direct connect inlet with power nozzle connection. The hoses would be 3 way control for Off, Suction Only, Suction and Power Nozzle.

The current major trend in centrals is piped stored hose, otherwise known as Chameleon valve setups or Hide-A-Hose. Basically a 60' or other length hose stores in piping in the wall and is pulled out and locked into a position when a customer wants to use it. With many homes having hard flooring as the current trend, the straight suction setup works great and conusmers attached an air turbine nozzle or battery operated power nozzle for the limited carpeting they have. Or conusumers can still get standard outlets with now crush resistant hoses. The crush resistant hoses are about 1/3 the weight of old rubber/ vinyl hoses from back in the day.... Think about the heavy hoses that canister vacs such as Eureka Rotomatic, Kenmore Whispertone, Hoover Dimension 1000 had compared to current models like a Sebo D4 canister, Eurekas of the 2000s, Riccar, Miele.

I don't know where the user got the idea that the systems leak. A professional installer glues central vac piping together. The piping is run in a way that the tightest 90 degree angle in the system is just behind the outlet so that if a long object like a pen gets sucked in, it stops right at the outlet and doesn't get trapped somewhere in wall piping. The systems are pressure checked to ensure that all hose inlets whether Hide-A-Hose, WallyFlex for cleaning out the dryer or at a workstation, Vroom setup for quick grab around the kitchen, VacPan and any other installed outlets are properly sealed and system is reaching proper CFMs, and water lift according to manufacturer specs. The technical term for the unit is called Working Vacuum Pressure and a professional installer like many on this group or on FB vac groups could get into and discuss the gauge they use.


There are many many options for a central vac. I have seen them installed in trailer homes, to churches and commercial properties.

 

[centralvacguru]

Very well said Owen!! And you might be a good candidate to ship it to him!!!

 

[panasonicvac]

This user has since already bought both an OVO 700 AW and a DrainVac Turbo.

 

[cheesewonton]

Lots of flack

On the way for you, my friend. It may be personal preference, but yikes
My Miracle Mate Platinum is among the most powerful machines in my collection, but I know without a shadow of a doubt that a good central vac would absolutely smoke it, be it a demo unit, or properly installed in a home. Best of luck to you!

So I test my vacuums with a suction gauge and anemometer. A Miracle Mate Platinum has average suction and airflow at the hose end, comparable to a top of the line 1980-81 Kenmore canister. Mine produces 62-64 inches of water lift and 41 cfm based on a measured 6200 ft per minute airspeed and a measured 1.1 inch inside diameter hose opening which gives an area of 0.0066 square feet. 6200 ft per min x 0.0066 square feet = 40.92 cubic feet per minute. The small hose opening is very restrictive. I thought it was 1 1/4 inches but my micrometer says otherwise.

A VAPamore ( CRAPamore ) MR500 Vento gives 80-82 inches of water lift at the hose end and 49 cfm. My Kenmore 81614 600 Series canister I can't get a sealed suction reading due to the funky shape of the hose end but I measured 90 cfm ( 40 mm hose opening, 0.0134 square feet of area and a measured 6700 ft per minute airpseed, 6700 x 0.0134 = 89.78. call it 90 cfm )

 

[centralvacs1928]

John has been pretty quiet since he got his central vacs. Is he having so much fun vacuuming that he's not making any more videos?

I'd actually be interested to hear an update now that he's used both units.

 

[vacerator]

Owen knows his trade well. For new home buyers telling their builders they don't want a central system because of the cumbersome hose, he recommends the builder mention the retractable hose which can operate a battery operated power brush or a Turbocat with a strong enough power unit. He's an MD dealer, but if they don't want to have to replace bags and filters, a bagless cyclonic model can be vented outside the house or garage.
I would avoid the Chinese brands sold on Amazon including Prolux. They use the Beam/Electrolux tank with a cheap flow through motor. Only $500 so you get what you pay for.