HP Vacuflo Product History: Dual Motor "Wide Body" Central Vacuum Power Units

These units, owing to their size, power, and capacity, could be considered commercial-grade. The earliest dual-motor Vacuflo unit, the H-30, was likely only sold into commercial applications. Subsequent units like the Model 90, 99, 860, and 960, were used to power built-in vacuum systems in large homes at least as often as they were used for light commercial service such as funeral homes, banquet halls, motels, restaurants, etc.
The three examples I show here were all traded in from large private residences, servicing between 12 and 24 wall inlets.

[@jhomrich89]

You can still buy the 960 today, they don't heavily advertise it and it's not on their advertising material but it's still available and according to my rep it's the only one that offers a commercial warranty available and can handle up to 3 users depending on application

[@panasonicvac4036]

Really? Maybe they no longer offer it for the residential line but only for commercial use nowadays. I'll have to ask Vacuflo and see since other websites are showing that it's discontinued.

[@panasonicvac4036]

UPDATE 3/27: I contacted Vacuflo and this was their response. _"Unfortunately, the 960-power unit is no longer in production. It's officially discontinued as the last unit went out the door on 3/7."_

[@jhomrich89]

Yep I was about to say they did discontinue it fairly recently but I could order it as a dealer but they didn't heavily advertise it

[@aaaaeeeeffffeeeekkkkssss]

I wonder why Vacuflo never put bags or filters in their units.

[@123yashahari]

I think that was back in 1955 when H-P Products launched the VacuFlo True Cyclonic idea. From then, their focus was presumably to reduce the need for bags to change and filters to clean. Always liked VacuFlo units but I definitely prefer bagged! But hey, there’s the DB series for that.

[@allclevernamesgone]

Back in the day (50's to 80's) the quality of filters and bags was poor (especially filters). For 15 to 20 years cyclonic would provide great performance --- well, until the motors filled with debris. In the common era with the quality of disposable bags being so high --- it just makes sense to use them. You are right though ------ Beam/Vacuflo missed out on millions of dollars in bag sales with the number of units they have sold over the decades.

[@jhomrich89]

They offer a bagged series the DB series that's the one I promote the most for several reasons, one they're easier to retrofit, two they're cleaner to operate and three they keep customers in contact with you for bags supplies ect, and my representative tells me the DB series is engineered specifically for retractable hose applications.

[@mikearrigo5674]

I have a Vacuflo unit that does use bags, the DB9000, it's a 240 volt dual motor beast. I'm not sure what motors are used in it but if anyone knows, I would love to know what it uses. I use all of my central vacuum units without pipes, I just put a utility valve on the in-take and connect the hose, works great. That DB9000 unit is definitely a beast! When I got it and opened the box, I laid it down and unhooked the latches to remove the contents from the bucket and to install the bag. Once I got the bucket reattached, it was an effort to stand that thing upright, I literally had to rap my arms around it and stand it up that way, my hands just wouldn't do the trick. It's a great unit though, two motors in series so the suction is quite impressive. It's standing on the floor in my dining room next to my other 4 240 volt dual motor units, since that's where my 240 volt outlet is.

[@isaacgraf7498]

Here are the DB9000 motors. Bottom: HP #9064-02/Ametek #122100-07. Top: HP #9065-02/Ametek #122101-07. Both have carbon capture filters. Hope that helps.

[@panasonicvac4036]

I didn't know there was a 980 model, interesting! Maybe they didn't made those for very long, that would probably explain why I hadn't seen one as of yet. Honestly if I had to pick of which dual motor Vacuflo that I would want to use in my own home, it would be the 760 and there's a good chance that I might end up with one of those for myself. I like how much thinner it is, wouldn't clog up the screen as much, and you can see how full the dirt is in it's more clear plastic dirt bin.

[@bojoyner3663]

Love the videos

[@Matt-tv1ix]

Hi, I have a question for you. You mentioned that HP in Ohio has a visual museum. Do Vacuflo display all they power and turbo nozzle that came with the central vacuum during the years?

[@owenperkins]

No, I don't remember seeing that on display. Too bad because that would be pretty cool to see! They have driven so much of the innovation in the CV field.

[@DATNIGGA42069]

The system that’s installed in the House or building that you’re in Is it the vacuum you use in your house personally or like what setting is it in you know

[@chrisk6668]

I have one that looks similar to the model 90 shown. The label is green and says: HP VACFLO BUILT IN VACUUM SYSTEM Manufactured by H-P PRODUCTS, INC., Louisville, Ohio It has 20 round vent holes in the top and a standard plug instead of the one shown in the video. Other than that it looks very similar. (Cream with brown base) The house was built in 1964 and the pipe installation appears to have been installed in the house during the initial construction so it should be a pre 1965 model. Is there anyway you could tell me the model and possibly the wattage/amps of the unit and or send me in the right direction to find a manual? Basically the stand alone outlet it is plugged into is wired to a 20 amp breaker and I am working to upgrade the breaker box to more modern standards but there isn't a label on the unit and I can't find anything on it even on the website about the history of vacuflo glosses over that point, doesn't have pictures, and a search for each model it does show around thar time comes up with very little info. If you can help me out that'd be great if not thanks for the video.