The first one I had was Ricar when the house was being built. They came out about 4 times. It would work when they left, but still never enough power. Then I would have trouble with the hoses not going in or coming out. Then I got electrolux to come out and they put in all new ports or outlets, and new hoses. Still not enough power and the same with the hose problems. They did do a few things in the attic with the pipes. Now I have Drainvac which is the high powered unit I got the electrician to install. Great suction power but hoses still get stuff in the pipes. If I only had clear pipes I could see where the blockage is. We have a call into the head people at the original company that installed the pipes. It was a Hide A Hose system. We are hoping they will recommend someone who really knows how the install and service them. I have almost 9k in this system now and still not happy. My sister built a new house the same time and did not want it. She has a rainbow somebody gave her. She is laughing all the time about what I am going thru. I never had any trouble before until I got Hide a Hose.

We decided against a central vac, but our quote for HAH for a 5000 sq ft ranch was $5000 with a few dustpans. I would still love to have it, but it was one of the only things my DH wasn't crazy about spending the money for.

There are 2 different (gas pump style) handle types (at least) with 2 different mechanisms for adjusting air flow/leakage at the handle. Why I have 2 different ones I don't know. If you want maximum suction, there should be no leakage at the handle. There is a plastic piece to turn to change the leakage. I don't have the remote shut off. It was a little pricey and I figure I could add it later if I wanted. Wife hasn't requested it and I don't mind not having it. The only time I think about it is with the turbo cat since that is loud when it isn't on carpet so going from room to room (hardwood in between), it is a bit annoying. Otherwise, our motor is pretty isolated that just leaving it on is no problem.

I still say that it sounds like somehow you've broken the low voltage control circuit going to those other outlets. Your wiring description sounds OK. And, I don't think rewiring all the outlets is the answer. But, now you have to become a detective to find the problem. If your wiring changes were done at or near the vac unit, the problem is probably somewhere close to that area. You know the low voltage circuit within the vac unit itself works because the switch on the side of the unit turns the unit on and off. That's good. Does jumping the low voltage terminals on the side of the unit turn it on? It should. With the outlet wiring connected to the low voltage control terminals on the vac unit, you should be able to go back along the wiring (away from the vac unit) a short distance and jumper the 2 wires together to turn the vac unit on. If the unit turns on, good. If it doesn't, then the wiring problem is between where you are and the last known good location that turned the unit on. In this way you can trace the control wiring and find the break in the control circuit. It may be as simple as a bad connection, or maybe you pulled at a wire that passes into a wall or crawl space and a wire broke within the insulation. Hope this helps.