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Central Vac

I am considering installing a central vac in the basement. My experience with central vacs made for RV's is that they s... because they don't suck much. Has anyone installed a  small  house central vacuum? I was looking (on the web) at an Imperium central vac, the dimensions are small enough to install in the basement, not sure how I would run the piping but I do believe it could be done. Am I delusional or has someone done this before ??? ?

Roland
1993 U280 4341
2010 Jeep Liberty
The Pied Pipers

Re: Central Vac

Reply #1 –
We have a central Dirt Devil in our '12 Nimbus. Great suction. Very good quality long hose. Can get refill bags at camping World.
Doug, Mary & Abby the Terrier, boss of us.
2012 Nimbus 40',  #6557
2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
Salem, SC

Re: Central Vac

Reply #2 –
We really like our InterVac... George installed it in 2011.  Great suction, and replaceable bags.  Have had two different central vac systems in previous homes, but the canisters in those systems (which appear similar to the Imperium) were fairly large (in the garage) and did not have bags (messy & difficult to empty - and one motor failed after 5 years).

Here are the related posts:

George's post & pictures regarding the installation: What did you do to your coach today.

My post on sourcing:  What did you do to your coach today.

Manufacturer's website (the product is made in the USA):  Vacuums for your Home, R/V, Garage and Yachts - interVac Design

tothetrail's post on their installation of an Intervac:  InterVac Central Vacuum Installation

Hope this helps!
The selected media item is not currently available.Pat Hatfield
2000 U295 3600 #5666 WTFE (sold 1/7/20)
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee
previously: 2003 U295 3610 #6228 (sold 5/29/14)
previously:  2009 Honda CRV (sold 6/9/14)

Re: Central Vac

Reply #3 –
Our original factory installed vacuum works great but getting out and stowing the hose is a pain. We bought and carry a basic Oreck upright vacuum. The way Trip sheds, it picks up at least two standard poodles worth of dog hair per day and the bags last four times as long as the central vac.
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

Re: Central Vac

Reply #4 –
We looked at central vacs too.  We have one in our home.  For the coach we went with a Dirt Devil upright with a HEPA filter and a hose that you can use with a crevice tool, an upholstery tool and another small brush.  Suction is good.  Long enough cord so that we can plug in in one spot and do the whole coach.  It takes up much less space than a long hose, a wand and all of the attachments.  Plus it was only about $50 at Target on sale.  We can go through several of these for the price of a built-in.  There was some concern about the belt in the thing.  A year on the first one.  A spare is at the ready.

We don't have a pooch any more.  We measured her Malamute spring shed in grocery bag units.  She was with us for almost 17 years.  In any case, we are always amazed at how much we vacuum up even while we are careful not to track in to much.  It's nice to keep up with it.

Roger
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Central Vac

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Kent Speers –
Our original factory installed vacuum works great but getting out and stowing the hose is a pain. We bought and carry a basic Oreck upright vacuum. The way Trip sheds, it picks up at least two standard poodles worth of dog hair per day and the bags last four times as long as the central vac.
The nice part about InterVac is the "stretch hose" (Stretch Hose, 40 Feet) that comes with the unit.

The stretch hose (stretches to 40 ft, and compresses to 8 ft for storage) is a little bit of a challenge.  The suction is so powerful that it tends to keep the hose mostly compressed.  However, I put one foot on the hose, one hand about 3 ft from the grip, and it is easy to use and reaches to both ends of our 36' coach (and Madelyn Brenneman says, it reaches all areas of their 42' FT).

The stretch hose and ALL the accessories store nicely in one of the under-refrigerator cabinets:
The selected media item is not currently available.

Kent... don't forget Keith's post about the Dyson vacuum... to vacuum Trip that is!!  :))
The selected media item is not currently available.Pat Hatfield
2000 U295 3600 #5666 WTFE (sold 1/7/20)
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee
previously: 2003 U295 3610 #6228 (sold 5/29/14)
previously:  2009 Honda CRV (sold 6/9/14)

Re: Central Vac

Reply #6 –
Pat that hose is pretty cool but getting it out from under the cabinets is the problem. Now if we could teach Trip to open the door and hand us the hose, well that probably ain't happening.

We bought a vacuum dog brush attachment and it works pretty good but you have to change the bags or empty the vacuum every 10 minutes. Remember, he sheds a complete Cosmo equivalent every day. It sure is a good thing he is such a great dog.
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

Re: Central Vac

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Kent Speers –
We bought a vacuum dog brush attachment and it works pretty good but you have to change the bags or empty the vacuum every 10 minutes. Remember, he sheds a complete Cosmo equivalent every day. It sure is a good thing he is such a great dog.
Hey, Kent....  you need to save that fur.... then you can send it to this place in Ottawa where they will spin it, dye it, and knit you a hat... or mittens... or a scarf!!  :))

Handspun Yarn from pet cat and dog fur

Or to California:  VIP Fibers - Hand Spun Yarn from your Very Imnportant Pet
The selected media item is not currently available.Pat Hatfield
2000 U295 3600 #5666 WTFE (sold 1/7/20)
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee
previously: 2003 U295 3610 #6228 (sold 5/29/14)
previously:  2009 Honda CRV (sold 6/9/14)

Re: Central Vac

Reply #8 –
Pat, seriously we have been thinking the same thing. His undercoat is as soft as any fiber I have ever seen. We will actually check out your leads. Of course, how many people would wear clothing made of dog hair? I guess if we just called it Anatolian Fur, most people wouldn't even know it was from a dog. VIP fibers even listed the Anatolian. That looks like a pretty good business based on their prices. I love my dog but $98 for a hat and I have to knit it myself???

Sorry Roland. Didn't mean to hijack your thread.
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

Re: Central Vac

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Patricia –
Hey, Kent....  you need to save that fur.... then you can send it to this place in Ottawa where they will spin it, dye it, and knit you a hat... or mittens... or a scarf!!  :))

Or to California:  VIP Fibers - Hand Spun Yarn from your Very Imnportant Pet

Actually, VIP is in our community in Texas.  Steve and I have met Victoria and her husband (we were their "preferred guest" hosts on their initial homebuilding visit).

No, we do not have Posse Pullovers :P
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Central Vac

Reply #10 –
Kent, No problem..........I'll adopt 'Trip'.  ;)
Coach Build # 5862/40'/2001/U320/Motorcader 17136

Re: Central Vac

Reply #11 –
Michelle, that's great news. We will just start sending garbage bags of Trips hair to you and you can hand deliver it for us. We wouldn't trust that treasure with just anyone.
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

Re: Central Vac

Reply #12 –
I can send an envelope or so ... I keep getting leftover wisps every time I suck the dust from under the edge of the slide floor.  Trip is the gift that keeps on giving!!!
Carol & Jeff Savournin
Usta have a '93 U225 36', Usta have a '95 U320 40', Usta have a '02 U320 40'
Usta have a 2006 Born Free, Usta have a 2011 Phoenix Cruiser
Usta have a 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4dr
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."  Steve Jobs