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The size of the power unit required for your home is
determined firstly by the service distance (each power unit has a finite
distance it can service - see power unit specifications). Service distance
is measured by the distance the dirt travels from the location of the
furthest inlet valve, through the piping to the power unit (usually
located in the garage). You must not exceed this distance. It is simply a matter of actually measuring (or consulting floor plans to scale) to calculate the floor distance, and then add on the wall height at both ends. To ensure that you will not under estimate the service distance, it is wise to assume piping will travel square to the house and not at 45 degree angles (certainly not in a straight line from the furthest inlet to the power unit). A secondary factor that indicates the size of power unit required is the number of inlet valves actually needed to comfortably service your home. The most popular length of hose used to do the vacuuming is 9 metres, and this is the hose length used to indicate the maximum number of inlets suggested for each power unit (see power unit specifications). 11 metre hoses are also available, and these of course service a greater floor area. This means less inlet valves are required for the same home (in smaller homes though, the longer hose may be more cumbersome to get around the house with). If an 11 metre hose is chosen, the secondary factor concerning suggested maximum number of inlet valves for a power unit must be lowered by around one third. If you have any questions concerning power unit size required, we suggest you consult your Beam dealer. |
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An important decision to be made is hose length and type.
The 9 metre hose is an ideal length for small to medium homes. In larger
homes, because of room size and other factors the longer 11 metre hose is
more practical. And you have a choice between a standard hose and a hose
with an on-off switch on the handle for convenience (see hoses and
accessories). Beam has a wide range of attachments and accessories, and these items may be purchased on their own or as tool kits (see hoses and accessories). For the ultimate in ease, add a Vacpan automatic dustpan in your kitchen, bathroom or wherever desired. Wide bare floor tools for bare floors or tiles, turbo brushes or turbocats for extra carpet grooming, wall brushes and very light sets of plastic wands to reach those extra high places, whatever your need just ask you Beam dealer. |
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One inlet in general can serve an area of around 60 or so
square metres. However, this does vary with the length of hose, layout and
design of home, and other factors. The inlets must be placed so that you can reach the extremities of all rooms and areas within your home, and your hose length will tend to indicate where valves need to be located. You should take into account furniture placement, and being able to reach up and vacuum ceiling areas as well. It is wise to always have some extra hose left over when vacuuming the furthest corners, in order to avoid pulling the hose tight around doorways and furniture. Planning each actual inlet placement is very important in order to ensure there is sufficient hose to service the area required. Placement of inlets is also important to ensure they will never interfere with current or future positioning of furniture. Near doorways, protruding corners, and walk areas (such as passages) are preferred positions for inlet valves. It is recommended to look at your floor plans to scale or physically measure your home to determine the number of inlets required and the strategic placement of those inlets. The inlet valves are normally placed on the walls, but they may be installed in the floor, or other locations. Vacpans are treated as additional inlets in your vacuum system. They are commonly placed in the kitchen and located in the baseboard under the bench or cupboards. Remember on the Beam power unit you also have a free utility inlet valve, which can be conveniently used to clean your car and garage. We suggest you consult your Beam dealer if there is any concern about placement of inlets. Please also refer to (inlet valves) to select type and colour of inlet valve you wish to have in your home. |
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Plan the piping installation from the Beam power unit to the inlet valves. It's best to run the piping under the floor if possible. In structures without basements, the piping may be run through the attic or crawlspaces. In an existing two- or three-story home, vacuum piping may be run to upper levels through the back of closets or under stairways, or beside a soil pipe. In new structures, pipe can be run through wall studs before drywall is applied. Be sure to plan where to locate the Beam power unit — usually in the garage or basement. | |
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To install an inlet valve in an existing construction, start
by finding the center of the bottom plate of the wall. Then from the
basement use the hole saw to drill a hole up into the wall cavity.
(Remember to wear safety goggles throughout the installation process.) There is a simple way to find the centre of a wall. Using a section of wire cut from a coat hanger, drill a pilot hole through the carpet or hard surface floor. Drill as close to the wall as possible — pointing the drill bit at a 45-degree angle. In the basement, see where the coat hanger has come through. Measure over from the coat hanger to find the centre of the bottom of the wall plate. Using the hole saw, drill a hole into the wall cavity. Using the flashlight, and/or broom handle, check to see that the wall cavity is free from obstructions to the desired height of the inlet valve — before cutting a hole in the wall. Then, on the wall, centre a mark above the pilot hole made by the coat hanger. This will be the centre of your inlet valve. Centre the wall inlet bracket, trace the outline, then cut a hole in the wall. Attach the wall bracket to an elbow of pipe. Connect the low voltage wire to the inlet valve stem. Attach a small weight to the opposite end of the wire and feed the wire through the hole to the basement. Insert the inlet valve and bracket into the wall. Mount the inlet valve so the valve folds down to open.  |
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Measure the length of pipe, making sure your cuts are
straight and clean. Use a sharp knife or sandpaper to eliminate burrs that
might collect dust or hair that could form a dirt trap. Starting with the inlet valve farthest from the power unit, begin test fitting then gluing together sections of piping. Join sections of piping to the main trunk line which ties into the Beam power unit. Splice together the low voltage wires along the trunk line. Run and connect the trunk line to the Beam power unit. If mounting the power unit in the garage, drill a pilot hole through the wall using a wire coat hanger to check location for obstructions. Then cut a 60 - 65 mm hole though the wooden joist above the masonry wall between the basement and the garage. Feed piping into garage to unit. |
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Mount the Beam power unit using detailed instructions included with it. Strip the ends of the low voltage wire coming into the garage and connect them to the power unit. Plug the power unit into an electrical outlet, flip the manual override switch on/off to test it. Then plug in the lightweight hose to clean up any minor mess you may have made installing the inlets. Congratulations! You're on your way to a cleaner, healthier — old or new — home. | |
| UneedaVac is an authorised dealer, installer & service centre for the Beam ducted vacuum range. | ||
