Filtex by M&S FX675A

[airway77]

Hi All!

I own my grandparents' 1994 FX675A Central Vac Unit. They installed it new in their newly built home in 1994, but my grandmother HATED it due to the heavy, wire-reinforced M&S V530PT electric hose (ConductaFlex 208/NuTone CH510). It was quite the chore to use, and the VM380 PN (Hayden-style CenTec CT-14) ate headlight bulbs like mad. The VMTKD attachment set wasn't too great, but it did the job reasonably well.

In 2007, after two clogs in the V530 hose that required snaking out with a garden hose (thanks Grandpa!) and a motor bearing failure in the VM380, my grandmother pulled her Electrolux Marquis out of storage, and the central vac was retired until I acquired it in 2014.

Since acquiring the unit, I have on-and-off considered installing a system, but the Rainbow SE PN2 has conveniently stalled the idea until now. It's rated for 5000 sq. feet, more than adequate for our 2700 home. I also own a DustCare 35 foot pigtail electric hose, along with it's Elite Majestic Attachment set. The Elite Majestic is a modified CT-14 QuietDrive, but I honestly HATE it's cheap build quality. It's decent at cleaning (as it has been used on my other grandparents' NuTone system), but plastic parts are beginning break even though it's only 4 years old.

I'm planning to retire the Elite Majestic tools to car-cleaning use. I own a 1986 Eureka Express with VGIII and that will definitely be my daily-driver electric PN. I also own a VacuFlo TurboCat and plan to use it for light duty "heavy traffic area cleaning".

I want to purchase a non-110 volt hose (be it standard or low-voltage) and a GOOD attachment set. Any words of advice? I really like the VacuFlo attachments and they would match the TurboCat. I like some of the stuff on BuddVac.com too. Also, I'm used to the NuTone CH230 low-voltage hose with my grandparents' NuTone and, despite being wire-reinforced, the TurboCat works pretty well (and they have a basic Model 350 from 1970...).

I know crushproof allows more airflow, but what hoses are worth buying? It seems like every manufacturer/retailer has their own design spins on the PlastiFlex stuff....

Thanks!!

 

[airway77]

I also really like the metal Filtex tools....


I'll have to go find myself a set...

 

[panasonicvac]

Do you have a pic of the central vac unit we could all see?

 

[tolivac]

Is this machine bagged or bagless?Would like to see it.

 

[airway77]

Filtex FX675A

Here's pic from the good ol' University of Google.

Mine is the later mid-1990's dark blue/gray with a different logo, but the same design and proportions.

It's bagged. I wouldn't own a bagless/filtered unless it was a VacuFlo True Cyclonic or maybe a Budd. I've heard that Budd units hold up very well.

 

[airway77]

Filtex FX675A

Here's the Dust Care Elite Majestic attachment set.

 

[tolivac]

Sort of similar to my MD Silentmaster.Will look up Filtex and see what I can find on Google.Good that its bagged.

 

[airway77]

Filtex FX675A

Yep, it's bagged...no bagless machines for me (except the Rainbow).

I've spent some time reading Owen Perkins' blog JustCentralVacuums. It really saddens me that the iconic design and Filtex Name is no more (thanks Linear Corp...go shove those plastic AirVac monstrosities where the sun don't shine!). I also really want to find a set of the metal Filtex tools. I have parts of the VMTKD set but it's all cheap plastic stuff (and I only have what hasn't already broken). That metal carpet tool especially looks like a beast....

Also, we're planning to use Canplas VacuValve inlets, which have been standard OEM inlets for M&S systems since the metal "Automatic" inlets ceased production. What is the best low-voltage or standard hose for the money?

I really hope that Owen is a member of this forum. His (along with other Central Vac experts) input would be gladly appreciated.

 

[airway77]

Filtex FX675A

Also, I see the similarity in the design of the M&S FX-Series and the SilentMaster, but the Filtex's two motors are by no means silent!!!!

We like our neighbors, so the machine won't be vented outside. What mufflers (two motors, two exhaust ports) should I get? I really like those Imperium Industrial sized super-mufflers on CentralVacuumStores.com, but they ain't cheap and look like they'll be a royal PITA to install....

http://www.centralvacuumstores.com/...mponents/mufflers/imperium-industrial-muffler

 

[airway77]

I have pictures!!

1) The FX675A

2) The Rating and Information Tag

3) The VM380 powerhead

 

[dysonman1]

My friend Owen Perkins

assisted me in deciding upon the system as well as the inlets and attachments I use with my Central Vacuum system - installed about a year ago when Donnie and I bought our new house.

It is Owen's former system from his own home - a commercial Vacuflo - that supplies the hurricane-force suction. A "cherry bomb" car muffler in the exhaust line makes the sound of the vented air outside my house so quiet that it's like the exhaust of a dryer. Almost silent.

But it was the attachments that Owen recommended that are the real stars. Initially, I had three ElectraValves installed, along with the deluxe, premium Riccar central vac 35 foot hose, premium power nozzle, and premium attachments. In use, I found that the dragging of the 'boa constrictor' hose to be the real detriment to use. I'd often pick an upright vacuum for the rugs, rather than deal with the hose (and to be sure, the Riccar hose is light weight and crush-proof). I just hated dragging that hose around.

Owen suggested the Hide-A-Hose system, with a 60 foot hose. Evan Rogers installed it, and I couldn't be happier. The Hide-A-Hose makes using the central vacuum the easiest thing yet. And I could use whatever straight suction attachments I wanted. The Rainbow Jet Air Rug Tool actually works when attached to a machine that is generating 120 inches of water lift. A Filter Queen rug tool almost seals itself to the carpet. But the best was the Air-Way Sanitizor rug nozzle - the best in the business.

To be honest, I knew I was in love with the central vacuum when the "Volt" cordless power nozzle was launched. Tandem-Air power, a wonderful brush roller, and very light weight make it super simple to use with the Hide-A-Hose. So much so that I never, NEVER, use the ElectraValves, electric hose, and electric power nozzle with the central vac. Had I know from the beginning that the Hide-A-Hose was so wonderful, and would make the use of the central system so enjoyable, I would have had it installed from the beginning. There's nothing in the world like the sight of the Hide-A-Hose being sucked back into the wall, without coiling or dragging or hanging it in the closet. All from the enormous power of a commercial 2-motor "Spencer" that, ironically, used to belong to Owen himself. So simple and easy.

Together with the VROOM under the kitchen sink, two Wally Flex units (one in the garage over the workbench, one in the laundry room), the garage valve for car cleaning, the Vac Pan in the kitchen, three ElectraValves and a sixty foot Hide-A-Hose with "Volt" power nozzle, I think my modern "Spencer" unit is the ultimate cleaning system.

Thanks Owen (and Evan) for guiding me in the right direction. I couldn't be happier.

 

[ocscott3085]

Tom I agree wholeheartedly regarding the Hide a Hose. My partner thought I was nuts for retrofitting a HAH outlet into our central vacuum system. He uses it more than I do now! Can't wait to get the Volt nozzle so I can keep my upright in the closet to stay. I *HATE* dragging/storing the electric hose from my Vacuflo Edge kit.

 

[airway77]

Filtex FX675A

Thanks Tom!

As much as I like the idea of Hide-A-Hose, and I applaud innovation, the plain truth is that I have a shedding cat and dog. An electric power brush is a necessity. I know that my air-driven/straight suction brushes will perform well with the Filtex, but my Eureka Express/Beam RugMaster VGIII cleans circles around them. I don't mind my crushproof electric hose at all, and I find it very light and comfortable to work with.

Now...someone please tell me what kind of non-110 volt, 30 foot hose I should look into for lighter, "daily" cleaning jobs. It seems like every major manufacturer has their own take on the PlastiFlex stuff......

 

[luxflairguy]

Why do you feel you need another hose for your "daily needs?" One crushproof hose is similar to another. I don't see the need for yet another hose... Why do you?

 

[myles_v]

For my central vacuum, I use a low-voltage 45 foot crushproof Nutone hose along with a Turbocat. I just have a mid-range Honeywell unit and it powers the Turbocat very well, it would be more than adequate for daily touch up cleaning.

I will say that I agree with your choice to have a second hose for the touch-up cleanings. In addition to my low voltage 45-foot hose, I also have a completely non-electric 30-foot hose that I use for touch-up cleaning.

My low-voltage hose can be a bit heavy at times (might be due to the length) so I'd suggest getting a non-voltage basic hose. I have seen some stretch hoses but I have not tried one with my system, I'd worry that the suction combined with the Turbocat would cause the hose to try and compress into itself.

https://smile.amazon.com/30ft-Beam-...72318703&sr=8-20&keywords=central+vacuum+hose

I've included a link to a hose that is similar to the hose I use for touch-ups. Mine is white, but it looks the same other than that.

http://https//smile.amazon.com/30ft...72318703&sr=8-20&keywords=central+vacuum+hose

 

[airway77]

Filtex FX675A

Myles,


I'm glad I'm not the only one who believes in the two hose philosophy. I was beginning to think I might be crazy there for a bit .


Luxflairguy, I know they are all similar in terms of length, diameter, overall weight, durability, etc. However, I'm a fan of the basic, curved metal hose end when I'm using attachments other than a powerhead. The "Gas-Pump" electric handle is great for the RugMaster, but I find it annoyingly bulky when I use the dusting tools with it. I might spring for the VacuFlo UltraLite basic hose. There's a good deal on them on eBay...

 

[ocscott3085]

I agree about the gas pump handle..hate doing anything above the floor with that handle. We have a basic hose to clean out the cars in the garage. I wish there were still more electric pistol grip options for central vac hoses. My parent's have one in their basement and I prefer it over the gas pump style hose.

 

[luxflairguy]

O.K. My everyday hose is a Vacuflo low voltage hose. I use it and my Turbocat daily, and have a direct connect power hose for those once in a while deep deep cleans. I love the on/off switch as opposed to a metal end with no on/off capabilities. I'm able to use my Eureka tools, my Filtex metal tools, and have 4 different floor brushes including the now hard to find 12" Eureka tool. My electric hose is gas handle style and I agree it's not as easy to use. Years ago there was an electric pigtail hose with a handle just like the Vacuflo low voltage which had a PN outlet on the front. You had to plug in the pigtail from the PN. No direct connect. It's been over 10 years since I've seen one....

 

[airway77]

Filtex FX675A

I'm definitely looking into the pistol grip VacuFlo low voltage hose. Best of both worlds and they're all over eBay.


Does anyone have a clue as to where I may be able to find a set of the metal Filtex tools??? eBay and CL are both dead....