Thread Number: 28620  /  Tag: Brand New Vacuum Cleaners
Budd Central Vacuums
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Post# 319268   3/24/2015 at 19:43 (3,291 days old) by panofan (West Coast)        

Has anyone seen / heard of Budd central vacuums?

buddvac.com

I stumbled upon them last week. The idea of having a built in paddle to shake off the inverted bag filter seems quite smart! Does it actually work in practice?

Looks like they use 7.2" motors in all their models.


Post# 319312 , Reply# 1   3/25/2015 at 14:13 (3,290 days old) by Sbakerde (Millsboro, DE )        
I have

Heard of them though I have never actually seen one. To my understanding they are mostly seen in the new jersey area. I believe their company base is in that area. A few on my customers here in Delaware have given rave reviews of them. Mostly all transplants from new jersey or new York.

Post# 361990 , Reply# 2   11/4/2016 at 18:58 (2,700 days old) by Iann_nic (NJ)        
Budd central vac

iann_nic's profile picture
I have a Budd central vacuum system. I installed it in my hone about a year ago. One key difference is that they use the 1 1/4 inlet, same a some Kenmore. So it has different hose than most standard systems. Also a key difference is that the unit turns on when the inlet door is opened, Not when you plug the hose in the inlet. It has tremendous suction power! There company base is located in Wycoff NJ, not very far from where I live. Yes, they do have an inverted paddle to shake off some of the dust, but in all honesty it doesn't work too well. It only knocks off the loose dirt. But overall I an extremely pleased with my system!

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Post# 361991 , Reply# 3   11/4/2016 at 19:32 (2,700 days old) by vacerator (Macomb Michigan)        
The nice thing

about a central vac is that the hose is the thinnest intake. All the lines in the walls to the power unit are larger in diameter so clogging is rare.
The best thing I put in my house besides better insulation.
No bags, just empty the dust bin every couple months and brush off the filter.


Post# 362011 , Reply# 4   11/5/2016 at 03:48 (2,700 days old) by tolivac (Greenville,NC)        

The central unit at my Moms Florida home-NuTone would clog on occasion.You do have to be careful what you try to pick up---No bobby pins,pens,pencils,and so on these things WILL cause clogs in the homes central vac plumbing.I have had to clear those jams-potty roll or other paper items is another no-no.The central vac cleaning "cloths" are OK.I like the BAGGED central units better than the bagless ones-dumping several GALLONS of dust and dirt is no fun!The NuTone she had was bagless-she had me dump it each year I visited.Had to take a shower afterward.

Post# 362016 , Reply# 5   11/5/2016 at 08:46 (2,700 days old) by vacerator (Macomb Michigan)        
heavy objetcs

such as glass, pennies, et. collect in the bottom elbow before the power unit. They can't travel up the intake pipe. I disconnect it to clean them out on occasion.

Post# 362017 , Reply# 6   11/5/2016 at 09:34 (2,700 days old) by n0oxy (Saint Louis Missouri, United States)        
central vacuums

I would stay away from any company that uses nonstandard components. 99 percent of the inlets use a 1.5 diameter, you might be able to use these standard valves with a bud vacuum, not sure, but if you can, I would suggest this. Using any component that is nonstandard limits your options. I much prefer bagged vacuums as well, emptying bagless units is a mess to say the least. Got several central vacuum units in my apartment, connecting a hose directly to a unit is awesome, you're basically cleaning with a super duper powerful canister machine.

Post# 362034 , Reply# 7   11/5/2016 at 17:12 (2,699 days old) by Iann_nic (NJ)        

iann_nic's profile picture
The hose does not have a switch on the handle. But instead it has a nice feature. If you lift the inlet, the unit starts right away. But if for some reason you need to stop vacuuming you can just lift the inlet all the way up and it will just stop!

But yes, being a nonstandard company, it is a bit more difficult to get hoses. Almost all hoses use the standard 1 3/8 end but this uses a 1 1/4 end. But I just called the manufacture and they gave me all the parts I needed.

A while back I broke the power head, I had before.(I dropped it down the stairs, they're not built to survive that!):) So I just used my power head from my elextroulux special edition and it works even better than the original one.





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Post# 362063 , Reply# 8   11/6/2016 at 00:46 (2,699 days old) by tolivac (Greenville,NC)        

Since I have my Volt powernozzle-don't need the central hose that plugs into a wall outlet to work the powernozzle.The Volt has a rechargeable battery powered motor-and is own suction fan beside the brush to make your system tandem air-recommend the Volt highly-will work with any of your central machines like with mine.I also use my central units as giant "canister" vacuums.The MD unit I have uses the large open "Hyper-Flow" bag-you can convert it to use the closed top bags if desired.But you can't use the suction inlet on the central unit machine.The main inlet is equipped with the bag horn to put the closed bag on.Would love to see pictures showing the details of the Budd unit.Is it bagged?

Post# 362070 , Reply# 9   11/6/2016 at 08:52 (2,698 days old) by vacerator (Macomb Michigan)        
Mine has all

standard diameter inlets. I like having a total control hose that turns on the power unit, and powerhead. I don't have 120 volt inlets though. I just plug the hose power 120 volt pigtail in the wall next to the inlet.
I use mostly one inlet for the entire main floor with a 35 ft. hose.


Post# 362087 , Reply# 10   11/6/2016 at 17:15 (2,698 days old) by Iann_nic (NJ)        

iann_nic's profile picture
In my beach house, I have a total of 7 inlets on the first floor of my other home, and 6 on the second floor. Making a total of 13 inlets!!! Same thing, the unit turns on when I lift the inlet door. I needed the most powerful unit they had, which was I believe the Budd 9911 power unit. The hose is the same as the one above. But I have a different powernozzle. It was the on that came with it when we were building our home. Over the course of 16 years, I have only had to make one small repair to the system. Change an inlet valve.The spring broke and wouldn't close.They were pretty hard to find (before I found the Budd website) and very very expensive. Like 25 dollars. Newer inlets for different systems were like 5 dollars. But this power unit was installed in the basement and is very loud! But still very strong!

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Post# 362103 , Reply# 11   11/7/2016 at 08:16 (2,698 days old) by vacerator (Macomb Michigan)        
Noise

was why I installed the power unit in the garage, not the basement. It does have a muffler also. This location also gave me a more central inlet location on the main floor. Our house is perfect to retire in. Not too big, not too small. No need to move to a condo.
We remodeled our bath's barrier free with higher vanities and toilets and low threshold shower.


Post# 362109 , Reply# 12   11/7/2016 at 10:09 (2,697 days old) by n0oxy (Saint Louis Missouri, United States)        
nonstandard inlets

That's another disadvantage of nonstandard components, you pay more for them. The volt is an awesome power nozzle for sure. The MD vacuums default to using open bags which allows very good air flow, you can configure it to used closed bags but the air flow will be more restricted, and you also disable the utility valve this way, really no reason to do this.

Post# 362118 , Reply# 13   11/7/2016 at 14:50 (2,697 days old) by ocscott3085 (DMV)        

When our Dirt Devil Pro Series 990 bit the dust we replaced it with a MD Flomaster and I told the gentleman I preferred the closed bag because I always found cleaning out my parents' Silentmaster a disgusting process. The Dirt Devil was fairly nasty to empty as well. I LOVE how easy it is to change the bags on the Flomaster.

Post# 362123 , Reply# 14   11/7/2016 at 16:30 (2,697 days old) by Iann_nic (NJ)        

iann_nic's profile picture
I actually dont mind the bag less central vacuum. I empty it outside and as long as you do it carefully you barley kick up any dust. And on top of that I dont have to spend money on bags!

Post# 362125 , Reply# 15   11/7/2016 at 17:06 (2,697 days old) by Iann_nic (NJ)        

iann_nic's profile picture
ok so I need your help. I dont know if I mentoned this before but the Budd system that I installed in my home, is only set up for the first floor. Until now I didnt know how to set it up for the second floor. So I have two options. I either can somehow run the pipe up from the basement to the first floor and to the 2nd floor/attic. Or right now, my friend contacted me and he has a refurbished unit, he fixed up. So im wondering if I should just install that unit in my attic and the just run the pipe down to the 2nd floor inlets? The second choice would be much easier, but the first choice would be less expensive! Help, what should I do?!?!?!?!

P.S. the pic below is the refurbished unit im being offered!


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Post# 362134 , Reply# 16   11/8/2016 at 03:05 (2,697 days old) by tolivac (Greenville,NC)        

Looked up "Budd Central vacuum" and they are still being made.Never heard of them before until now.I am going to keep my MD Silentmaster in the HyperFlow bag mode.Its like a giant TriStar -Compact bag.If you don't fill it all the way-just close the bag over the dirt and lift out.Mine is about half full or so now.The bags are Filtrete.The Disposable Filtrete bag sits in a reusuable cloth outer bag.A rubber collar goes around the top of both.If you go with the closed bag-you leave the outer cloth bag still inside for extra filtering-worth it so the stuff can't get into the motor.

Post# 362159 , Reply# 17   11/8/2016 at 13:54 (2,696 days old) by n0oxy (Saint Louis Missouri, United States)        
md vacuums

I also have a flo master m85, I think they've actually changed their model numbers recently, but it was the top of the line 120 volt flo master model. They are good vacuums, a bit more expensive than some other brands, and they use flow through motors rather than bypass which some consider to be not as good. Regarding the question about cleaning the upstairs, I would connect another run of pipe to the unit you already have if possible, that way you are only maintaining and emptying one unit. I don't like bagless central vacuums, like any other bagless unit, they are a mess to empty. One of my units was bagless, the beam classic 275, I got an adapter to convert it to use bags, much better now.

Post# 362164 , Reply# 18   11/8/2016 at 16:23 (2,696 days old) by Iann_nic (NJ)        

iann_nic's profile picture
personally, I really dont like the bagged central vacuums. They tend to be more expensive, and opperate at higher costs. With my vavuum, its completely free to own. I dont have to worry about buying bags or filters! With me I just unlatch the bucket dump it out and thats it! I dont need to replace filters or bags. But thats just how I feel:)

Post# 362174 , Reply# 19   11/8/2016 at 18:11 (2,696 days old) by Ctvacman (CT)        

Attics tend to very hot so I would be concerned about installing in a attic for that reason alone, I assume your attic is convenient enough to access for cleaning otherwise you wouldn't have mentioned it

Post# 362219 , Reply# 20   11/9/2016 at 20:15 (2,695 days old) by Iann_nic (NJ)        

iann_nic's profile picture
yes true it does tend to get very hot! But will that cause any major damage to the machine?

Post# 362244 , Reply# 21   11/10/2016 at 18:19 (2,694 days old) by Ctvacman (CT)        

It's just extra unnecessary heat, another aspect of running pipes down is it sometimes harder for items like say a BB to make it up to the machine

Post# 362284 , Reply# 22   11/11/2016 at 15:40 (2,693 days old) by n0oxy (Saint Louis Missouri, United States)        
heat and filterless units

One thing about central vacuums that have no bag or filter, there is a screen above the canister that catches larger dirt particles and the screen needs to be cleaned at times. Also, with these units, you have more dust going through the motor which can shorten its life. Regarding installing in the atic, heat is the enemy of electronics, motors and other electrical devices, if the atic gets hot I would avoid installing it there.

Post# 362307 , Reply# 23   11/12/2016 at 03:21 (2,693 days old) by tolivac (Greenville,NC)        

From the installation instructions I have read-on just about any brand of central vacuum-they say the warrantee is voided if the power unit machine is installed in an attic.

Post# 362356 , Reply# 24   11/12/2016 at 21:25 (2,692 days old) by myles_v (Fredericksburg, VA)        

myles_v's profile picture
I've heard of Budd, I've been on their website many times. The rectangular shape of the power unit always intrigued me, it's an interesting change from the traditional cylindrical shape.
The idea of using flexible tubing behind each inlet is interesting, it sounds much easier than the tight 90-degree fittings used in traditional systems. My only concern would be that longer objects, such as pens, could get through and clog once it reaches a regular 90-degree fitting.

The paddle filter system is also an interesting feature. What does the filter system look like?
My central vac just has one of those standard inverted "self-cleaning" filters. I hardly notice much of a reduction in performance while using it, but they are far from self-cleaning.

I personally prefer bagless central vacuums. My portable machines have to be bagged, but with the central vac I only need to empty it a couple of times a year. It's not really worth it to me to buy bags for it.
Plus, mine has a small viewing window to see how full it is. I can just peek inside whenever I walk past it in the garage, rather than opening it up to check a bag.

I'd also be concerned about heat in the attic, plus you'd then have two tanks to dump. Have you considered the idea of running a length of tubing through a closet perhaps in order to reach a higher floor and eventually the attic?


Post# 362380 , Reply# 25   11/13/2016 at 12:26 (2,691 days old) by luxflairguy (Wilmington, NC)        

Budd units are strange looking, there's no doubt about it! But they use Lamb motors and while looking like a tin can and being LOUD work!

Filtration methods are up the the user. I prefer true cyclonic systems that vent outdoors, including any smell. Un-vented units of any kind can leave a bad smell in the air. I most hate cartridge filter systems, most notably the Electrolux/
Aerus foam cartridge filter! Getting all the dirt and the water out is hard. Not to mention the wet dirty mess you have on your hands. I'm also not a fan of MD open bag units. Getting the rubber gasket out as well as the bag and not getting any dirt in the bottom of the canister is hard,, and well, 12 gallons of dirt out of the canister takes a bit of muscle. I've serviced units where they are mounted too high on the wall and you need a step stool to get high enough to lift the bag out! But to each his own! We could take about the pro's and con's for days. But the trade is noticing more and more a shift toward bagged units. Just saying!

Ian! Sorry, you've been neglected as this thread has gone away from your needs to talk about filtration. Do not put a unit in the attic! As Tolivac said it can void your warranty. Unless, of course your attic is finished and climate controlled. Of course you'd also need to make sure you have an adequately sized outlet. As I said in another thread, sharing a circuit can be risky.

In a VDTA training class we learned about getting a branch line to a upper story and I've used the training several times. Scout around in your basement and see if you can find a closet on the ground (main) floor that also has a closet above it on your second story. If you do, you can run your branch line up from the basement through the closets and into your attic and then down to the # of inlets needed. I've even used this method in one of my homes to great success!

There are two more issues with your installation. First are those Budd inlets. You do not have to use them! The backup plate that the inlets attach to are universal. You are FREE to use any inlet made with a few exclusions! You are free to use either low voltage or dual voltage inlets with those mounting plates. Two, you are using the worst electric hose on the market! It's 1 1/4" wire wound and of all the hoses available is robbing you of the full power of your system! It's not crushproof and in the hose sock you are using you'd have a hard time seeing if someone trips on the hose or steps on it, crushing it some. If you upgraded your inlets AND your hose, you would utilize the FULL potential of your Budd system! It's an investment I'd make--you WILL see a difference. I am going to email you with my email and phone if yoju've more questions..
Greg Bushman


Post# 362386 , Reply# 26   11/13/2016 at 16:00 (2,691 days old) by panasonicvac (Northern Utah)        

panasonicvac's profile picture
Tolivac is right as well, it will void your warranty. And I also agree that the filtration methods are up to the user as well. I really hate the inverted bag/self cleaning system, I will NEVER own one. I think the Filtered cyclonic systems are alright but like what Greg said, it does take a while to clean a filter out. True cyclonic systems like Vacumaid and Vacuflo in my opinion, is the best bagless system to go for. Vented outside, not really messy to clean the screen out, and no bags or filters to ever have to replace on them. Yes the open bags on the MD are tricky and dirty to replace but they still have tons of capacity and airflow as the bags fill up. Closed bag is alot easier and cleaner to replace on a MD, downfall there is they don't hold as much and they do lose some airflow.

Post# 362392 , Reply# 27   11/13/2016 at 19:03 (2,691 days old) by Iann_nic (NJ)        

iann_nic's profile picture
@luxflairguy, thank you so much for all that information! I really appreciate it. I actually have looked into purchasing a hose that has a larger diamiter, than my old one. But what I have noticed is that the newer hoses that are larget have a different end. That means that if I were to upgrade my current hose, I would have to rip all of my inlets out as well as the mounting plate. Yes, since the Budd inlets are not industry standard, they wont fit into the industry standard mounting brackets. I've tried, and for me to replace all my inlets I would have to cut out the tight 90 in the wall connect another one and put a different mounting bracket in the wall. Thats' just too much work for me! And quite frankly I love my Budd system and am very happy with it. But thanks to all that helped!!!!


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