Understanding Central Vac Operation

[Gebo]

We are having problems with our central vac system. We plug our hose in to the wall receptacles and it turns on, off, on, off, on, off, etc. Very rapidly, less than seconds between going on and off. My wife and I had
decided to purchase another hose as it did this no matter which wall receptacle we used. So...it must be the hose, right? Then I remembered, I have another hose for downstairs. I took that hose and tried it in the same outlets and
it did the exact same off, on, off, on, off, etc. It's exactly how it would act if you didn't get the hose in completely. Normally, you go back and push and twist and all is well. Here, it is not the case.

I then got a wire and jumped the 2 little [censored] in each wall receptacle. 6 of the 7 would turn on by jumping them. One would not. The one that would not work by jumping is used maybe once a year.

IS this my problem? It doesn't make sense to me.

 

[CT8]

Call the repair guy and get it fixed .

 

[Number_35]

It's possible that neither of your hoses is making good contact. Do you have a friend with central vac? If so, try your hoses in his system, and borrow a known good hose and try it in your system.

If it's not a bad hose, I would replace one wall receptacle and try again.

 

[bugeye]

Go to the central unit. It will have two small low voltage wires which run to the wall outlets. At the central unit, jumper the small connections. If it turns on and runs normally, then the low voltage small wiring is suspect. If it still cycles, then the central unit needs investigation.

 

[SteveSRT8]

And just so you know in the carpet industry it is customary to deny claims for premature wear from folks with a central vac. Sad but true...

 

[Zee09]

Originally Posted by SteveSRT8
And just so you know in the carpet industry it is customary to deny claims for premature wear from folks with a central vac. Sad but true...



And most people I know never used theirs.

 

[Gebo]

Originally Posted by bugeye
Go to the central unit. It will have two small low voltage wires which run to the wall outlets. At the central unit, jumper the small connections. If it turns on and runs normally, then the low voltage small wiring is suspect. If it still cycles, then the central unit needs investigation.



It runs perfectly when I jump the connectors on the central unit. On the wall receptacle that doesn't work, I unscrewed it from the wall and jumped the two screws that have the wires connected to them. It runs fine. BUT...when I jump the two
little metal [censored] on the inside of the ring where the hose goes, it won't come on.

 

[bugeye]

Replace the wall outlet. Wires in hoses break and the switches go bad.

 

[rubberchicken]

Originally Posted by Zee09
Originally Posted by SteveSRT8
And just so you know in the carpet industry it is customary to deny claims for premature wear from folks with a central vac. Sad but true...



And most people I know never used theirs.


I have a central vac- never use it unless our regular vac is broken.

 

[BrocLuno]

Love central vac. All the dirty air is exhausted outside the home. Make sure yours exhausts through an outer wall. Makes a huge difference in the spring when the pollen is high. We track it in, and out it goes

Much cleaner than recycling the air and dust with an portable vacuum

 

[SteveSRT8]

My modern vacuum exhausts air far cleaner than a HEPA filter. And in addition it is a far more effective cleaner.

 

[john_pifer]

Originally Posted by SteveSRT8
And just so you know in the carpet industry it is customary to deny claims for premature wear from folks with a central vac. Sad but true...


Why would that be? They assume that people with a central vac vacuum more?

 

[SteveSRT8]

Originally Posted by john_pifer
Originally Posted by SteveSRT8
And just so you know in the carpet industry it is customary to deny claims for premature wear from folks with a central vac. Sad but true...


Why would that be? They assume that people with a central vac vacuum more?



I used to carry a certificate for inspections of flooring for many years. Carpet companies would deny wear claims from central vac owners due to the lack of agitation and suction.

Don't worry about vacuuming too much. In thousands of claims I never saw that one!

 

[Gebo]

Well, mystery solved. Apparently after 24 years the wall outlets had "stretched". All I did was replace two of them and hot diggity dog! We got some suction and consistent power!. Got 6 more outlets ordered...