| Cloth Support Bag (Old Style) Replacement and Cleaning | |
| Question: I have Airvac AV625. How can I clean or replace the fabric filter as it is almost 10+ years old since I installed it?
Sumati Shah
Cerritos, CA |
Answer: There are no replacements for it and it really doesn't need any other cleaning than maybe to be beat out a bit. It is actually okay to have fine dust on it. |
| Yellow Light - Motor Brush Half Life | |
| Question: I have a ZV3500 gold series central vac. Noted that the light for the motor is yellow. Cleaned the bag and reset the top button. Still yellow. Says beside it something about the motor half life. What do I need to do? Sheri Macon, Ga |
Answer: After 400, or so, hours of use the light comes on indicating it is time to check the two motor brushes. These are parts within the motor that wear out and if they are worn down to 3/16 inch they should be replaced. This prolongs the life of the motor. We have a how-to article here http://builtinvacuum.com/motorbrush.html. Then to turn the yellow light off you should be able to unplug the unit and plug it back in. If that doesn't work, switch the unit on manually 7 or 10 times. |
| Mini Breaker, Blue in Motor | |
| Question: Joel, Memphis...M & S VM180: the Mini breaker switch on the central vac keeps popping if I turn the unit on. When the unit is off, I press the mini breaker switch and it stays that way until I turn it on. Each time I turn the unit on the one motor on the top lights up blue and then after 3 seconds the breaker pops. I have been in the house for 2 years and the people who had the house before us said they rarely used it. The filters were terrible. Do you think the motor is going bad or is there a way to take the motor off and clean in it, under it, around it...Thanks |
Answer: The popping and blue sparks indicate a motor going bad. It may be that the carbon motor brush sticks can be replaced and not the entire motor but that depends on how damaged the armature is where the brushes make contact. There is nothing to clean on the motor or near it. How to replace motor brushes: http://builtinvacuum.com/motorbrush.html. Motors and brushes are here http://builtinvacuum.com/retail/shopretail.php?part_no=205,221,211,how2mtr |
| VM454 Brush Reset Button Tripping | |
| Question: We have an AirVac system with the VM454 Electric Brush. The unit will cause the overload protector to fail with minimal load on motor.
For example, high setting on a medium pile rug. Do you think replacing the overload protector will fix the problem? The motor does not seem to get warm before it shuts off. It will reset but go off again. Do you sell a replacement overload protector? |
Answer: First check the brush roller, there may be debris wrapped around the ends of the brush roller against the axle that is causing too much stress on the motor and tripping the safety. |
| Airvac AV2500 Unit Not Turning On With The Hose | |
| Question: We have had an AirVac Model # AV2500 for 10 years and it has worked very well until the last several weeks. The problem we are having is with it turning on by the attachments. Sometimes it will turn on properly but when it doesn't we have to go in the garage and turn on the manual switch. That works temporarily but it is inconvenient.
What can I do to correct this ?
Claire - Sarasota, Florida |
Answer: Most likely you have a bad switch in your hose that is not activating the vacuum. Relacing the switch should fix the issue. |
| Air Vac AV425A Bags? | |
| Question: Just purchased a vacation home with an Air Vac Model AV425A. Does this vac have a disposable bag and if so, where can we purchase the bag? |
Answer: The AV425A is a bagless unit. The debris collects at the bottom bin that is detached from the main unit and dumped out. You can try putting a plastic bag inside the collection bin, with the top of the bag folded over the brim of the collection bin like you would for a trash can. Then latch the bin into place with the extra plastic from the bag sticking out all the way around. When full, just replace the plastic bag! |
| Poor Performance | |
| Question: I have Av2500 and need to have it checked out. I do not feel that it is performing properly. It was installed in the Model Home that I purchased and has been in use less than 2 years. |
Answer: Use can use this chart www.builtinvacuum.com/flowchrt.html to check yourself or click on dealers at the top of the page for local support. |
| Very Low Suction | |
| Question: I have an Air Vac AVR7500 central vacuum and it worked fine after setting up. The problem now is that it has lost a lot of its suction power. I put the small paper test through each outlet and all arrived in canister. What could be the problem.
Terry Branon, Mb |
Answer: Do you clean the screen under the motor? Have you tested the suction where the intake pipe goes in? There may be a clog in the lines or hose. |
| Clogged? | |
| Question: Air vac central unit. Clogged with, I think, a piece of broken glass (size of a wine cork aprox)and some dried leaves. How to unclogged? or who to call for service? Cornelius, NC |
Answer: Please try the solutions under #3 here www.builtinvacuum.com/flowchrt.html |
| Accessories Fit all Models? | |
| Question: Will the hoses and assessories shown for other models of airvacs fit all models? I just purchased a home with Model BV2000 and need some replacement assessories (Langley BC Canada) thank you Lavaughn |
Answer: Yes, the AirVac system has a standard connection in the wall and at the hose so all the accessories at builtinvacuum.com will fit. Thank you for asking. |
| AirVac Nozzle Belt | |
| Question: Gloria in Louisville
AirVac 850 Power Nozzel, how to open and view belt. Believe it needs belt repalcement. How to order belts. |
Answer: Hi, if you don't see any screws or bolts under the nozzle then lift the very top of the nozzle off by pressing the sides in. The screws are under there. If that is the case then you have what we call a Hayden Nozzle and we do have belts. (The AV 850 has many different power nozzles.) If your brush looks anything like this then this is your belt. http://builtinvacuum.com/retail/shopretail.php?part_no=480,480I,48045. This power nozzle was used under many different brands. |
| Chamberlain Air Vac Filter | |
| Question: Looking for a filter for Chamberlain Air Vac to pick up in Columbus?
Richard, Columbus, OH |
Answer: The filters are in the following link and there is a dealer look-up at the top of the page. You can order online or call as well. http://builtinvacuum.com/help/airvac/motor.html |
| New Home with Central Vac | |
| Question: I HAVE A AIR VAC CENTRAL VAC SYSTEM IN THE HOUSE WE JUST BOUGHT, MOD. NUMBER IS AV525A DOES THIS SYSTEM USE A FILTER? |
Answer: Congratulations on the home and the central vac! If you don't have one already, we suggest an electric hose and kit. You will love the system with this addition, and they all fit your system. Yes, there is a filter in the machine. Drop the bucket on the bottom and you'll see a center-weighted semi-permanent cloth filter. It gets suctioned up when the unit is on. To clean, put a trash bag around the unit and shake the filter. To remove the filter, grab a top side and pull inward. Replacements are available if the diameter matches one of these http://builtinvacuum.com/retail/shopretail.php?part_no=710B,711B&title=Cloth+Filter+-+Measure+Diameter. That is all the maintenance you need. The suction turns on when the hose is inserted into your wall inlets. There may be a switch on the end of the hose for easier use. Hoses are not tied to the model of your vacuum. You have industry standard wall inlets (as do all AirVac Systems) so you can have any hose and kit on the market today. Start here to see all your options for them along with other accessories. http://builtinvacuum.com/help/airvac.html |
| Cloth Weighted Filter | |
| Question: Follow up question, ok, the unit that came with the home is a bottom canister with a permanent weighted filter. The filter is very dirty and I can find no way to remove it to clean it. Any suggestions? I plan to purchase accessories for it through your site and I am assuming they all fit the standard power hoses? Thanks. |
Answer: Yes, the accessories will work wonderfully with your system and all AirVac Systems. To remove the bag, grap it on the upper outer edge and pull in. The stiff outer rim flexes in and the bag falls out. If you wash it, install it when completely dry. If it is 14" diameter you can buy a new one here http://builtinvacuum.com/retail/shopretail.php?part_no=711B |
| New to Central Vacuum | |
| Question: Purchased a home with this unit already installed, we have never had one and know nothing about it, any info on it would be appreciated. Owners manual would be great and listings of all things that can be bought and done with it. Thanks. It is an M&S Systems Airvac Central Cyclonic system. Shawn |
Answer: Hi, congratulations on the home and central vacuum. M&S and AirVac and Filtex all are one company so don't be confused by that. You probably have the top emptying disposable bag type. The only maintenance is to replace the bag and that is really easy to do. Just lift off the lid and pull the paper bag with its cardboard rim out and replace with another (part #722L). The key to getting the most from your vacuum is a good hose and tool kit such as any electric kit. They all fit right into your vacuum wall port and you will need the "8ft cord" version when available. Start here and let us know if you have any questions http://builtinvacuum.com/help/ms.html. |
| Steel Piping? | |
| Question: I have a Air Vac Model 180 that is about 25 years old and located in my garage. It works fine, but i must relocate it approximately 10 feet. The existing piping appears to be 2" steel tubing. Since this is in the garage do i need to use steel tubing or can I use 2" pvc vacuum tubing. Is steel tubing and fittings available? or can 2" pvc vacuum tubing be readily adapted to the steel pipe. |
Answer: Hello, they may have done that for code in your area. We do have steel central vacuum pipe and connectors (please call to place order). If it is 2" OD then central vacuum pipe and connects will fit right on to it. |