Rare (?) Vintage Central Vacuum - Flo-Lite

[allydee]

I purchased a house recently that came with this unit...original install. Also have original hosing! Still works just fine although as you would expect, the piping throughout the house has a few breaks in it - so the suction isn't what it could be at each plate (seems like there are 5 or so). Not sure if I will get into repairing those lines as I have no long term plans to stay in the house. Anyway, does anyone know anything about this unit. I really don't find anything online.

 

[centralvacs1928]

Hi, thank you for sharing that picture! What you have is a mid-1960s private labeled Vacuflo Model 26. My understanding is that the "Flo-Lite" name was used by a direct sales/marketing company that worked off of referrals, like many door to door vacuum brands (Kirby, Rainbow, etc). "For each lead you give us, we will pay you $xx and if enough of them buy systems, yours could be free!"

Vacuflo is still in business and still makes some of the best central vac units in the industry. Yours is a workhorse and worth repairing! Really the only maintenance is cleaning off the guard screen up inside the canister and then emptying the bucket. You can get new hose and tool sets to fit your old wall inlets, too.

If you were closer to Chicagoland, I'd make you a deal on upgrading the unit just t ok have yours for my collection!

Hope this helps.

Owen

 

[amtraksebo1997]

centralvacs1928

Are you really sure that's all the maintenance that thing needs? Not to discredit your vacuum knowledge, but vacuums from the 60s usually almost always need some form of motor servicing, and servicing of other mechanical parts.

 

[lesinutah]

The

Guy installs central vacs for a living. It's funny people ask for help then discredit the helpers.

 

[allydee]

See user name...that wasn't me. ^

Anyway, I will get a better look at it...disassemble it a little - when it warms up. When I turned it on it sounded fine and had good suction. I will make a point to keep it when I sell the house if it does in fact have value to some...

 

[panasonicvac]

Reply #2

The motors in Vacuflo central vacs are NOT serviceable. Especially that Flo-Lite because it is "True Cyclonic" which means that it doesn't use a bag or a filter. Dust and dirt are guaranteed to get in the motor and shorten the life anyways so what's the point of trying to service it? And you can still buy a motor for that power unit today, it's actually one of the most common central vac motors that's used in various brands and models. If the motor sounds rough, I'd just get a new motor. Or I would've also offered to upgrade it with a newer and better central vac power unit. The MD Flo-Master F650t would be my recommendation. Or the Vacuflo 566Q if that user chooses to stick with Vacuflo and something that's bagless.

https://builtinvacuum.com/parts/vacuflo/maintenance/

https://builtinvacuum.com/parts/vacuflo/motors-filters/26_110-120_motors/

https://builtinvacuum.com/flomaster/compare.html

https://www.vacuflo.com/wba/content/products/power-units/

 

[speedqueen]

@panasonicvac

Why would a standard Lamb central vacuum motor not be serviceable? Ive taken apart tons in various equipment, even commercial extractors where they can be quite rusty.

 

[caligula]

AmtrakSebo1997.

What station is that in your avatar? I'm a train buff as well as a vacuum cleaner collector. I love all things Amtrak.

Alex Taber. Caligula is the cat in the chair in my avatar.

 

[panasonicvac]

SQ

Technically you can but it's not recommended for central vacs, at least that's what I've learned and experienced. As I've shared on one of the links, the motors are sealed shut. If taken apart, chances are high where the motor(s) could run unbalanced. I've once tried to service a central vac motor before when I was working at a vac shop and didn't had much success. Really the only thing that can be replaced in the motors are the brushes. And when the motor(s) go bad, why bother wasting time rebuilding it where you can just replace it alot faster and the new motor would run alot more longer?

 

[maytag142c]

So... I am not sure if most of you know who you are offering advice to, but AllyDee asked a question and the person who replied with a beautiful response has more knowledge in one finger than anyone in this forum on central vacuum systems. That person happens to be Owen Perkins. He is extremely valued here and makes a living installing, servicing and replacing central vacuum systems in home, commercial and industrial environments throughout the Chicago and surrounding areas.

I have had the pleasure of meeting Owen, and for someone to question his knowledge would be a major slap in the face considering he does offer a lot here. If you have a paid subscription, I would recommend some take the time to read his material, or if you happen to like visuals, watch and listen to his youtube channel. The easiest way one could find that is by searching for vids on the Spencer central vac.

Just my 2 cents for what it's worth and you might learn a few things.

btw... most motors in central vacs are very serviceable.

 

[amtraksebo1997]

Ok

To be fair, I didn't know that much about HP Vacuflo central vacs when I made that reply, and I still don't to this day. I was just trying to help. I also will take back my previous statement about vacs from the 60s usually almost always needing servicing. I mean yes, over the years it will need repairs and maintenance done to them, but if the previous owner took good care of it, the vacuum might be a bit better off. Does all of that make sense?

 

[amtraksebo1997]

Caligula

Idk what station my pfp was taken at. I just looked up images of Amtrak P42dc #160 in the 50th anniversary heritage paint scheme and just used that. But at least I'm glad to know there's another Amtrak fan on this site

 

[taylorscrews1]

Can anyone tell me how to uninstall this unit. We don’t really need it and it taking up room in our garage that we need for storage.