help with info on a central vac

6 years ago

Hello so there is collectively a lot of knowledge in this group and this may be too odd ball a question for here but I am hoping someone can help me out. I Purchased a flush mount central vacc at a yard sale. Mostly I was interested in the power head, for 5 bucks it was worth a shot. Thinking I could use the power head on a different central vac. But the unit works really well so I thought what the heck I will just use this little unit. That is until I tried to find the replacement bags. I can not find anything at all about this "vac-in-a-box" unit. I gather it was likely made for mobile homes or RVs. But there is no sign of this system on my searches. Were they bought out closed shop change names? Does anyone recall this unit or have suggestions about alternative bags. Has anyone ever reused bags or DIY something or is this just a horrible idea. Seams a shame, not to use it the unit works much better then the uprights I currently have. Any help is appreciated.

Comments (7)

ldstarr
6 years ago
Can you post a photo of the unit? I've worked with a company in Florida to find parts for a no longer made unit with much success. Maybe try talking to them.
frogged
Original Author
6 years ago
Hello, sorry no pic's my camera has died, but it is all white, metal 20 25 lbs aprox 6.5 by 13 " there are two halves that are this size separated by the flange that you would use to attach to the wall. The front of the unit would sit proud to the wall about 3 inches and the back half would sit inside the wall cavity. There is a small square for exhaust on the front half of the unit along its side, about 1 by 1.5". The inlet for the hose is on the front half of the unit near the top , there is a door that folds down to allow you to put in the bag. On the bottom is the power switch and the power head eclectic port/plug. The unit has a cord with plug on the back half of the unit. The model number is WV 1000 120V AC 60 hz 7.37A The bag- the part that is cardboard takes up the entire area when you open the door and measures 5 3/4" wide by 5"high the corners are all rounded. The bag itself is 11" long and triangle in shape, other says the bag is treated with bactrastat. Wish I had a working camera it would simplify things for sure. Oh I forgot it says VIB inc but that lead me no where when I looked. thanks!
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Central vacuums are interesting. It seems like they're much more popular in the North than in the South. In fact, I have never actually seen one here in the South. It almost seems like the large house you have, the less economical the system would be. If we're looking at $1/sq ft, we're looking at a pretty expensive vacuum in a 4,000 sq ft house. Furthermore, if that's the starting price, maybe we should estimate $1.50/sq ft for extra conveniences such as HAH (without which it almost kind of defeats one of the major advantages of a central vac system). So what kind of a vacuum could I get for $6,000? Probably a Dyson for every single room in addition to a few spares. Lets not forget that any problems you have with your central vac system could be within a wall...talk about high maintenance costs (a service fee, ripping out walls, redoing drywall, painting, etc)! Lets also not forget what happens if you vacuum up something that you didn't mean to/ didn't want to such as Mr. Lego man and his family! With that said, the major advantages to me seem to be what I assume are much greater suction and separating yourself from the trash and dust. Anyways, if I ever got a system, my favorite feature would probably be the option of automatic dustpans. I would sweep EVERY DAY if I didn't have to worry about manually filling a dustpan and then the inevitable line of dust that you can never fully capture. I dream about how awesomeness an automatic dustpan would be for people who shed a lot of hair when they comb it. With that said, maybe incorporating some of these (http://www.amazon.com/Eye-Vac-EVPRO-Professional-Touchless-Stationary/dp/B0011G20QY/ref=pd_sim_sbs_k_1) in my $6,000 vacuum budget would be worth it .
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I didn't get any other bids since I was so dead set on the HAH, so I can't really compare. Knowing your bid amount and your square footage, it seems comparable and in line to my pricing. I have two hoses, one vac pan, all the tools I could possibly need, and the garage outlet/tools/garage hose. I think the extra costs are there not because he marks it up for profit, but because of the HAH requirements. He has to build in enough tubing to house each retractable hose, so the price difference is for the material and the extra time it takes him to install. The main trunk line can't really house the hose because it would render the system unusable. Also, because the HAH uses special sweeps, that can rack up the price as well. Is it worth the extra cost? That is going to entirely depend on you and the way you plan on using and storing the hoses. For me, the HAH was essential because I knew I would end up with the hose tangled up in the bottom of the coat closet rather than neatly put away. I just know myself and knew I would be neat with it at first, but would eventually give in and just not do it which would result in a mess (and then the toddler would probably end up climbing on it and smashing it, etc.). I didn't see the point of having the central vac if I was still having to take up space in the closet for it like I did with the traditional vacuum. I also knew I would drive myself and my neat freak DH crazy with the tangled hose! :) Frequent vacuuming is essential in my house (a minimum of 2-3 times per week) because we have three dogs that shed, so I have to stay on top of it or suffer the consequences. I have to make it easy on myself to be organized or I just simply won't do it. Since you have a two story home, you would probably also want a hose on each floor if you didn't go with the HAH, so that is something to consider as well. If you don't think you would mind dealing with the hose (and some people don't), then you may not see the $2,000 benefit of the HAH. I just know myself and have been able to come to terms with my weaknesses! If you are a person who always puts things away regardless of any amount of hassle involved, then you probably wouldn't miss the HAH. However, if you have the slightest suspicion you might ever get a little lazy (you have to be brutally honest with yourself), I promise the HAH is money well spent. Another point to consider whether you go with Bob or not, I'm not crazy about the Turbo cat with the amount of dog hair we have to control. We have all concrete floors with plush carpet rugs here and there. Just based on its performance with the rugs, I know I wouldn't like the air driven head if I had actual carpet. I don't know if I would have the same opinion if we didn't have the dogs though, but for our situation, it just doesn't work. If we had carpet any thicker than berber and animals that shed a lot, the electric head would be a much better tool. The HAH was my splurge in our build, and even my husband, who rarely sees the value in these types of things, has said on numerous occasions that it was by far the best money we spent in our entire build. That was a profound statement coming from him because I swear sometimes I can hear him squeak when he walks! ;)
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Lindsey_CA
6 years ago
Interesting. We have a central vac in our house, with three inlets (one upstairs, two downstairs) to which we can attach the hose. Those three inlets allow us to vacuum the entire house (2,300 sq.ft.). The canister is attached to the wall in the garage. It doesn't take/use bags at all - we just unhook the canister and empty it. It's large, so we don't have to empty it very often. I've never heard of a central vacuum using bags. And the canister for our central vac is more than 11" deep...

You said, "I gather it was likely made for mobile homes or RVs." Have you tried contacting mobile home companies or RV companies to see if they have the info you need?
ldstarr
6 years ago
Take a look at the information for InterVac at this link. http://www.centralvacuumstores.com/central-vacuum/powerunits/power-units/intervac-rmh120ea-remote-surface-mounted-kit

Does this look anything like yours? They have bags for them.
chisue
6 years ago
My central vacuum was made by M. D. Manufacturing, Inc. The manual says they are in Bakersfield, California. www.mdfg@builtinvacuum.com

I have a receipt for bags from 2009 from a place in Tampa, Florida. Sales@statevacuum.com

No harm in asking if these places can identify your system.

I've been extremely happy with my system -- teriffic suction. I replaced motors last year, when it was 15 years old. When I think of all the 'name' push vacuums I've owned and thrown away... waste of money.
Lindsey_CA
6 years ago
Ours is an Electrolux, installed when our house was in construction in 1990.
frogged
Original Author
6 years ago
Idstarr thanks for the link I did come across these, the style is similar to this unit but they do not use similar bags.

Lindsey - This is a much smaller unit then the one you have, I did look at some RV units they are again similar in design but different enough that the style of bags they use would not work for me.

My parents have a central vac similar to yours and it is likely 20 plus years old and works wonderfully. If I can track down some bags I hope that this will work just as well for me. But if not I am only 5 bucks out. And I will still have power head and hose that I can see about using with a different motor and canister. I think I will try a local vac dealer, or RV dealer there is one just down the road.

thanks all for your help.

help with info on a central vac

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help with info on a central vac

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ldstarr

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