Kenmore Central vacuum systems

[BBFvac76]

Kenmore built in vacuum systems were introduced in 1960 or maybe earlier. 1969 line up

 

[BBFvac76]

early 1970s (pre 75) line up.

 

[BBFvac76]

post 78 line up page 1 of 2

 

[BBFvac76]

page 2 of 2

 

[BBFvac76]

what I have known about Kenmore built in vacuum systems:
1 Electric hose in 25ft & 30ft in lengths introduced by 1979.
2 Extension cord set to operate power mate with non electric hoses remain available at least into the 90s.
3 power mate offerings changed along those included with canister vacuums usually offer choice of 3.
4 their inlet valves changed to basic universal types after 1987.
Heres some questions & please answer them if you know:
1.have they ever offered direct connect electrified inlets? I heard that they might have since at least 1994 & Sears discontinued the catalog after 1993
2.When did Sears go out of the US central vacuum market?

 

[BBFvac76]

Info on how there inlets worked
Older inlets: vacuum turns on when door is opened
Newer (post 87) inlets: vacuum turns on when hose is inserted

 

[rugsucker]

Sears Central Vacuum

I think introduction was early 60s.Same as Whirlpool 'JackVac'.(That would put vac jacks throughout your home just as the phone company was promoting phone jacks.)The early super deluxe was connected to plumbing and when the vac shut off water flushed the dirt down drain.They had great tool caddy that was same as tool storage on deluxe canister of that time.You then hung caddy under hose holder and 2 wands with rug nozzle attached were held by clip on front of hose holder.Power Mates were same as canisters of same year.The power adapter was a short section of wand with P Mate connection and switch that went between PM & hose,then cord to electric outlet nearest to vac outlet.On earliest vac outlet you open door,insert hose,then touch low voltage switch in upper corner.Later just open door.Don't think there was ever a Sears outlet with PMate connection.

 

[vackid]

About 2 years ago I got called out to service one of these early Sears Kenmore Central Vacuums. The house was built in the late 1800's and when it was renovated in the 70's they installed one of these Kenmore systems. It was running for 40 years and the motor finally quit. I replaced the motor and exhaust line (Kenmore units used smaller tubing than industry standard 2 inch, by replacing the exhaust line it allowed for better ventilation. ) and it'll probably be cleaning for the next 40 years. Another neat thing is that they used this design up until the late 80's not just under the Kenmore name, but also under the Panasonic name. I have a Panasonic unit sitting in the trade-in pile at the store. They traded it in on a SilentMaster S44.

 

[ultralux88]

I really hate to dredge up an old thread...

But I am very excited to see the catalog listing for their set-emptyinf wet-dry system. and I had been wondering what if anything was offered for a Power Nozzle at the time too.

 

[panasonicvac]

Does anyone have pictures of the systems that were made in the 80's? I know someone on YouTube that has videos of one that was installed in 1985.

 

[ultralux88]

So you mean the system with standard pipe and inlets or the later style 1 1/4 automatic inlets? I have one of the 80s with the small diameter pipe system.

 

[panasonicvac]

Actually just anything from the 80's. That's a nice hose and inlet valve you have there.

 

[ultralux88]

I got extremely lucky with that hose (I know she said that to the sailor...) being that its the newer type of hose, the older ones with a single vinyl layer tend to dry rot and split! These hoses seem to be made of a material that ages better. The inlet is NOS, was never installed or used.



And here's the NOS unit I have, I've got another used one, that came with the pipe and all. Thankfully the glue they provided with the pipe and fittings dries out and lets go over time! Its a two tone gray machine, in all ways other than color both of the units I've got are identical.

 

[vacuumlad1650]

I've gotta ask...how do you get the picture with words above and below? I'm awful with technology...

 

[ultralux88]

Its a picture from Flickr, not actually uploaded here. You copy the "embed" text and then paste it to wherever you are posting. YouTube also has this ability, thats how you get videos on here that you can play while looking at the person's post, rather than having to click a link and go to a new page.

 

[panasonicvac]

Here's this one system that I was talking about, you might have seen these videos before but that's what got me into wondering if there were more information about these later models. For years I've been requesting this user to do a video of the power unit up close while running but it probably won't happen.

http://https//www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Bd2o2sNdXg

 

[panasonicvac]

Also the hose and powerhead.

http://https//www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Wa3Il9S1yY

 

[ultralux88]

I had not yet seen those videos. Fascinating! That was the later style machine than what I have, mine are both a little older than that one.