Just Spent $100 For an Experiment

[bagintheback]

My biggest vacuum dream is to own a central vac. I've felt this way since I first saw one online. I've only used one once: a 1980s Beam in July 2007, when I was 10 years old.

Being financially incapable for buy and install a central vac unit, I have just spent $100 on a 50 ft vacuum hose and vintage turbine-brush.

I plan to connect this hose my Miracle Mate or Kenmore Magic Blue to make a home-made central vac by placing the vacuum in a closest and vacuuming with the hose. At worst I can still dust and sweep the tile with the hose. Has anyone tried something like this before?

The turbine-brush I bought is the same one I used back in 2007, so I will be recreating my first experience almost exactly. I did find a video of the T-21 from "This Old House". It even shows the same hose I used in 2007, but the inlet was different.

Here is what I bought:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190489967444&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280586660761&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

I will post pictures when the parts arrive somewhere around the 20-26th.

 

[kirby519]

Your home made central vacuum may not be the most efficient.

Central vacuums produce more air flow and higher vacuum lift than a conventional canister vacuum. The longer the hose / air path the less suction and air flow you will have. Also the more bends or coils you have in a line will cause loss of cleaning power. Most canisters can handle up to a 10 to 12 foot hose with out loosing to much in air flow/vacuum lift.

Good luck it on your adventure. Keep us posted as to how well it works out.

 

[bagintheback]

I do expect some suction loss. Before I bought the parts, I put some hoses and wands together, about 20 feet total, and there was some suction loss, but my trial was not sealed, as the new hose will be.

When I used the 30 year old central vac in 2007, the suction at the hose was very close to my Kenmore, and it cleaned very well. So I expect decent performance. But like I said, if it's not that great, I can still sweep the floors, clean in the couch, stuff like that.

I will keep you updated!

 

[bagintheback]

Oh my, I did not say that right. I meant to say the hose WILL be sealed. Sorry.

 

[kirbylover]

if it doesn't work well you can always shorten the hose...

 

[goadie12]

I know before I installed my central I did the exact same thing and I used it with my tristar and it seemed to work well but not as good as a real system and you might notice it more becauase you are using an airdriven pn but there is no reason you couldnt get a central vac tank and get it installed for around $400 just depends on where you go but all the luck to you!!!

 

[twocvbloke]

Yeah, a central vac hose on a domestic vacuum cleaner isn't going to perform as well as it would with the standard hose, the airflow will become pretty poor and suction almost non-existent, this is why central vacs have more powerful motors (maybe even more than one depending on what model) and larger cannisters, a little vac ain't going to cut it unfortunately...

 

[kenmore81]

I've donr it...

When I was younger  I tried it with a Shop-Vac, It worked ok but I did have 3 or 4 hoses linked to each other. I didn.t have a tubo nozzle but the suction was pretty decent and I did use a PN plugged into a home made cord and it seemed to do ok. I to have always wanted a central vac system, Im pretty tempted to buy a Bissell or Hoover garage vac.


Let us know how it turns out =)

 

[bagintheback]

THE HOSE CAME TODAY!

I just opened the hose, and contrary to what you guys said, the suction is fantastic! Defiantly enough to power my new T-21 nozzle, which will come tomorrow. I will make a video of the setup by Monday.