Central Vacuum, Original 1970 Nautilus

[ibdilbert01]

My 1970 Winnebago has the original central vacuum that was sold with it in 1970.   I did some searching for bags and not only couldn't I find an exact fit, I couldn't even find something close.  It was starting to show some rust, but the bearings and brushes were good, and it sucks really well.  So it was either make my own vacuum bag, or modify the vacuum cleaner to accommodate modern bags.    (the latter seemed easier).   




You all know I'm cheap, so I elected to find a "cheap" vacuum bag, and make it work!    Our local IGA had Kenmore type C bags, 2 for $2.79. (Yeah....  Now were talking!!!!).

Now looking at this thing, its pretty much nothing more than a box with a vacuum motor on the end.   Alls I needed to do was move the vacuum intake nozzle duhicky to the side to accommodate the new bags.   Pretty easy!  I also relocated the power switch to the side.   



After a quick paint job, she now looks a bit newer, maybe she'll last another 43 years!



I'm going to remount it under the closest floor shelf, and vent it to the outside.   

[aaron7]

Jealous! That's too cool!

[Oz]

That was a very good idea to vent it to the outside.  Vacuum bags are horrible germ factories and the bags let tons of them through.  I am extremely allergic to vaccum exhaust and I can't even be around a vacuum that has been run which has a bag.  Plus, if it's vented to the inside, guess what?  In an hour or two, there's dust all over the inside of the RV.  Where did it come from?  Yup, the vacuum.  So, it is highly adviseable in every aspect to vent a built-in vac to the outside.

 

[maxximuss]

Nice job! Might is suggest that you put a shut off valve to the exit door so that you don't get rodents trying to get in when not in use. where there is a will there is a way for those suckers.

[aaron7]

What year ranges or models might have had one of these? Thinking about going junkyard hunting!

[Oz]

For Winnebago 1970s models... looks like 1970 through the rest of the decade (and of course, the newer, chevy chassis as well, etc.).

These were most typically found on the Chieftain as an option.  You can find out by going to the resources list > Winnnebago > model brochures.  The link takes you to the .pdf archive from Winn. Ind. and you can look through them all, although, during the "lean" years, the brochures aren't anywhere near as nice and comprehensive as during the boon years.