We are quite familiar with the Powerupsystem by Beamco. In fact, we were in full negotiations to buy them out about three years ago but had it completely dependant upon their achieving UL approval. The system is brilliant and clearly the technology works. They are correct in operating an electric powerbrush with 110 volts using the low voltage control wires. I believe the system has sufficient safeguards in it to keep from causing electrical hazards.

In fact, we even showed it in our booth at VDTA about four years ago! At the time Beamco (aka Grand Central) was controlled by Stuart Breslin and they were more of an engineering company than a marketing company. Apparently someone has come in as an investor and created a wonderful marketing presence including slick brochures and a beautiful website. Please note, though that there are no pictures yet of the system.

The system uses a Flexible Technologies hose (Hayden plastic type) with a wire reinforcement. It is only a two-wire hose which is good but they have installed their own end on it. A headphones-type-jack is mounted on the end of the hose and they have modified their own inlets from the early 60’s to accept the hose. The connection looks quite “kludged” and is not, in my estimation, up to modern standards. I would hope that they have changed it by now.

I would whole-heartily back this system if, in fact, it was UL approved. Unfortunately it is not. The main issue is that the NEC (National Electrical Code) requires any wire less than 14 gauge to be installed in a conduit if it has the potential of carrying 120 volts. Plain and simple, that throws a huge amount of liability on any installer who installs these systems into any home. If the system has any trouble and causes any damage to the home, the installation company will have a non-defendable lawsuit on their hands.

Beamco’s was left with two options: Either change the NEC code or market the product without UL approval. I would hope that they are in the process of changing the NEC and then being able to obtain a UL approval but my fear is that an excited investor is willing to accept the risk of it never causing any damage in any home. Oddly enough, these systems have been being installed in homes in the San Francisco area for almost 20 years. Somehow they have been able to pass electrical inspection. It is my belief that the inspectors see it as a normal low-voltage-only system and thus they have not bothered to reject it. As the system’s notoriety spreads to other municipalities and states, it will get caught and the word will get out to watch for it. At this point they will have a difficult time with additional marketing.

It is my hope that they would receive UL approval because then it would save installers a tremendous amount of labor and costs. The technology is solid but changing the NEC will take an act of Congress. Unfortunately there are union interests at stake when you take away the need for electricians to run electrical outlets and wires. I believe this obstacle was too difficult for them to overcome. I would even put my backing behind the product to get it through the NEC but I doubt that this direction was chosen.

We wish them the best of luck in their efforts.

We are often asked about standardized testing of central vacuums. “Has there ever been comparisons by major organizations?” Consumer Reports July 2004 did their first blurb on central vacuums and it was a total disaster according to everyone that I interviewed. They really did not understand what they were testing and obviously provided “Best Buys” to the least expensive products. The article was interspersed inside an article discussing the problems of portable vacuums and it only confused the consumer.

So March 2006 issue was just published in response to all the uproar and strangely they did not even mention central vacuums. At MD, we believe that they recognized their shortcomings and opted not to confuse the matter further. They had called our factory back in 2004 and spoke at length with us but obviously our market is still too small to be considered by them.

Because of the uproar regarding the 2004 article, the Vacuum Dealer Trade Association (VDTA) did contact the Consumer Reports and it was learned that they have developed their own tests over time and feel quite confident in their results. The new issue did have quite a few interesting findings;

Ironically in this issue they actually listed some portable vacuums as “not recommended.” This seems to be any vacuum that scored less than or near 50 on their 1-100 scale. Vacuums costing the consumer $60 actually scored higher than a $1,000 model! Over 72,000 responses to the CR Questionnaire revealed Hoover and Kenmore having the worst track record for repairs but stats for Dyson had not been compiled because of it’s fairly new entry into the market. A brief glance at on-line posting among vacuum cleaner professionals shows Dyson will quickly be winning in this category.

“Six of 19 newly tested uprights and canister vacuums broke or emitted high levels of dust” is the opening sentence to the entire review. Consumer Reports stated outright that the “Cordless Vacuums don’t deep-clean” and vacuums with disposable bags spread less dust. It also recommended that those with allergies should think twice before purchasing a bagless model.

Most portable vacuums scored well on cleaning hard surface floors and they praised uprights with longer hoses, bag-full alerts, I was surprised to see the $700 Oreck placed at 11th with the $400 version almost dead last at 33rd. The average canister tested weighed over 23 pounds but the average upright was over 18 pounds.

So what does all this say about central vacuums? I guess we need to keep pounding away about the power, reliability, filtration, ease of use, and quality of a central vacuum. I know that our satisfaction rating was 100% when we surveyed thousands of our users if they would purchase a central vacuum again!

Who would have ever thought that the VacPan concept would have gained such great popularity? Most long-term central vacuum installers initially abhorred the idea because they envisioned the headaches associated with installation, but homeowners decisively created a fantastic market for new alternative uses for the central vacuums. Why, some homeowners have even installed central vacuum systems without a hose; only using VacPans!

Introducing VacnSeal
VacnSeal promises to be the next step after VacPan! This patented novel product combines the convenience of a central vacuum with a food preservation system. Simply install it under a kitchen counter or in a cupboard and connect it to the existing central vacuum system via standard 2” tube or the conveniently available ½” tubing. The homeowner simply flips the arm down, places their Ziploc baggies of food under the nozzle and give the VacnSeal a gentle tug. Seal the baggie between the thumb and forefinger while removing the baggie from the suction arm and foods are conveniently preserved. The suction arm then folds back up under the counter until its next use. Yes, there exists many other countertop food-sealing devices but VacnSeal is the only one to use the central vacuum to eliminate noise and save counter space. It also the only one that will work with standard freezer bags.

“We believe 80-90% of all homes will desire this added benefit” states Gary Hughes, inventor of the device for M.D. Manufacturing, Inc. Gary thought of the idea after observing his wife suck air out of Ziploc bags by using a drinking straw. After two years of careful research, the VacnSeal will be introduced for the first time to the central vacuum market at the VDTA Trade Show in Las Vegas, February28th through March 3rd. In fact, the first 300 companies to provide MD Manufacturing with their business card will actually receive a free sample.

Storing FoodsThe life-giving oxygen we all breathe is vital for all life to exist. Unfortunately, oxygen also has a degrading effect on food and promotes micro-organism growth that helps to ruin food when stored. These micro-organisms are responsible for many problems including disgusting fuzz on food, miserable smells or tastes, and slimy textures. By removing all the air possible within reason and the moisture it contains, these microorganisms stand a much poorer chance of surviving. Mold, reduced nutritional value, bad flavor, and waste are a result of storing unsealed food in our refrigerators and pantries. All of us have tasted stale crackers, chips, cereals, seen moldy cheese, and more. Vacuum packaging with the VacnSeal system will keep your foods fresher longer, especially in areas with high humidity - VacnSeal guarantees it!

Value
Do you realize the cost of foods that are discarded due to inadequate packaging? Add to that the cost of traveling to the store to purchase a new block of cheese and any illnesses that might be contracted from food poisoning and the VacnSeal could easily recuperate the entire cost of the central vacuum in just a few years! Retail priced at $59.95 plus installation, this is sure to add excellent bottom-line revenue to each and every sale.

Easy Installation
Unlike the VacPan, the VacnSeal is a breeze to install. Either locate a regular central vacuum mounting plate such as Hayden #1041 or Canplas #765566W in the cabinet above the VacnSeal location or use VacnSeal’s new 2” x ½” reducer and run their flexible ½” clear tube down inside the cabinet. The VacnSeal can then install underneath the upper cabinets or even inside of a pantry. A low voltage wire also accompanies the device. It will operate effectively with every brand of central vacuum ever produced.

Thoughtful Features
VacnSeal’s pending patents cover a multitude of brilliant ideas. First, it contains an internal filter which is easily removable in the unlikely event liquids are sucked up. The arm and nozzles are easily removed for safe dishwashing. It even contains a secondary filter in the Wall Plate Cover to insure that no dust or debris backflows thru the system. Additional components allow the VacnSeal to be mounted vertically including a 90 degree neck for either left-hand or right-hand operation. In fact, you can easily install it on the door of a pantry with the optional ½” clear flex tube. It comes packaged with an extra inlet valve extension and all hardware for a convenient installation.

Point-of-Sale Packaging
Because this item would be a fantastic add-on for all existing central vacuum systems, it would be a great do-it-yourself-kit. Packaged in a beautiful box, it will look great in your store counter for all after market sales. Complete with step-by-step instructions, the VacnSeal is supported by an extensive website detailing all aspects for your clients.

Another Innovative Product from M.D. Manufacturing, Inc.
M.D. Manufacturing of Bakersfield, Ca is making this product available to the entire industry. Ask for it by name from your Central Vacuum Manufacturer or supplier. You can also contact them directly at 1-800-525-2055 or sales@Vacnseal.com. M.D. Manufacturing has been providing quality products to the central vacuum market since 1961.

In an unprecedented move today, M.D. Manufacturing Inc. announced their first ever retail broken belt on the famous Stealth Power Brush. Originally introduced in 1993, this brush has offered an outrageous $100 of merchandise to the first end-user who ever broke a belt. Now, with almost 50,000 brushes in service, the inevitable has finally happened!

Shirley Friedman of Valley Village, California sent in her belt and it is clearly evident that it actually broke! An interview with her revealed that the brush was about four and a half years old and her cleaning girl, Jeannette, was using the system when she heard the “snap” that signaled the belt had, in fact, broke.

MD Manufacturing engineers inspected the brush this week and stated “We’ve never seen anything like it!” The preliminary diagnosis shows that it somehow frayed on the ridge of one of the cogs and later had a blunt force trauma compound the energy through that precise location initiating a chain reaction of disintegration within the fiberglass reinforcements. “Then basically it ripped,” stated Mike Kretsinger of M.D. Manufacturing.

No other powerbrush in the world can boast of the belt life proven by M.D. Manufacturing. An onboard computer within the powerbrush immediately disengages the roller brush in the unlikely event of any over-current. This eliminates the potential of prolonged tension on the brush when it might jam on a throw rug or electrical cord. Furthermore, the computer notifies the user of inappropriate carpet height settings that might cause undue strain on the motor and belt or on the carpeting surface itself. The computer even limits the free-spinning ability of the brush on hard surfaces.

Aided by a computer balanced motor and a computer balanced roller brush, the brush runs extremely smooth adding to the brush life. Lastly, the brush employs rubber cushioned sealed ball bearings in the end of the roller brush which further extends the life of the belt.

MD Manufacturing’s dealers absolutely love the brush because it eliminates senseless service calls. “I’ll install a system and not hear back from the client in seven years because of the reliability of the product,” states Glenn Troness of Placerville, California. “And when they do call it is because they are moving and want me install another system in their new home.”

Richard Spink, salesman for Mrs. Friedman’s brush was also quite shocked by the call claiming the belt had broken. “Initially I didn’t believe her because I knew of the virtual impossibility of the situation,” stated Richard, but he quickly repaired the brush with a free new belt. As for Mrs. Friedman, she received her $100 worth of free goods and purchased an additional $200 worth. She stated how much she truly loves her MD Central Vacuum and even purchased one for her son’s home.

In recognition of this momentous occasion, M.D. Manufacturing Inc. has chosen to increase it’s belt warranty from 5 years all the way to a lifetime guarantee! Yes, MD will provide a free belt to all retail residential applications that have a belt failure due to breakage. Abuse or intentional breakages will not be covered.
So after 12 years of offering $100 to the first client, the prize has finally been awarded. Special thanks goes to all vacuum dealers who have been faithfully representing this brush.

I hope to use this forum to keep you updated on the latest breaking news from our industry. The few trade journals that cover our industry are quite weak and almost all the reporting is simply manufacturers bragging about color changes or repackaged products.

Here’s a few tidbits from CEDIA.
First, the Filtex brand name is back. The name began in the late 40’s I believe as a portable vacuum sold door-to-door. Originally based out of Los Angeles, they added central vacuums on in the late 50’s. They actually used to make a few parts for us in the early 60’s and we made a few parts for them also. They company was sold a few times to VSI, Nader Mfg, M&S, and Chamberlain. Chamberlain sold out their central vacuum division to Linear late last year and apparently everyone forgot about the name. Well Lindsay Manufacturing noticed the gap and wisely picked up the name. So we now have a re-invented central vacuum called “Filtex” that looks just like a Vacuumaid. It is blue and silver will likely be sold to the builder/installer market.

Beam had their new”Prism” RF (Radio Frequency) hose at the tradeshow. I believe it contained two-way communication verifying that the power unit was operating with a led light on the end of the hose. (Something MD has had for 4 years). They really weren’t showing off the hose at CEDIA and no one we spoke to said they demonstrated it. Also they had their Electrolux Power Brush at the show but we noticed that the neck was completely broken off of the mount. They state that this was only a sample piece and not a production item so it will ikely be strengthened before they introduce it. Maybe they can’t slam it on the ground like we do when we demonstrate our Stealth Brush?

Also Beam had a new Electrolux Solaire unit at the show. It was an aqua green color and rather small. We’ll be posting the stats of it on our website as soon as we can.

Nutone displayed their new style unit that is egg-shaped and plastic. It looks cool but we really doubt that it will improve their performance. Somebody has to teach their booth design crew to install vacuums. This is the second show in a row where they installed their tees completely backwards! No one coming to our booth even mentioned that they saw it.

Of course MD, as always had a ton of new things. Their 5.0 version of the AirForce was a big hit turning off when the phone or door bell rings, but this version now offers a fool-proof way to check all the communication before you leave the job site. Simple test procedures are now built into every device to determine background noise, signal strength, and if any devices are not on the same phase. A laptop computer can also be used to run a series of tests to determine fluxuations over time. All this, without having to run low voltage wires. They even demonstrated turning the unit and or the power brush on and off from any laptop that had the software installed! MD also has it’s new CentraMop attachment that essentially gives you a “swiffer” on the end of the central vacuum wand. It’s pretty cool. And then they introduced their new website with new graphics and a far-easier means of drilling down into the tons of info found there.

Hope this helps bring you up to speed. I’ll be telling you more as the weeks progress.