NUTONE NC3500 (01) PDF Document

To reduce the risk of fire, electric shock or injury when using your NUTONE NC3500, please follow these warnings:

1. Do not use on wet surfaces or outdoors.

2. Do not vacuum liquids or fine powders (such as drywall dust).

3. Do not use to pick up flammable or combustible liquids such as gasoline or use in areas where they may be present.

4. Do not pick up anything that is burning or smoking, such as cigarettes, matches, or hot ashes.

5. Do not allow to be used as a toy. Close attention is necessary when used by or near children.

6. Use only as described in this manual. Use only manufacturer’s recommended attachments.

7. Keep hair, loose clothing, fingers and all parts of body away from openings and moving parts.

8. Turn off all controls before unplugging.

9. Use extra care when cleaning on stairs.

10. Do not handle plug or appliance with wet hands.

11. Do not use with damaged cord or plug. If the appliance is not working as it should, if it has been dropped, damaged, left outdoors, or dropped into water, return it to a Service Center.

12. Keep your work area well lighted.

13. Connect to a properly grounded outlet only. See grounding instructions.

14. When performing installation, servicing or cleaning the unit, it is recommended to wear safety glasses and gloves.

15. When applicable local regulations comprise more restrictive installation and/or certification requirements, the aforementioned requirements prevail on those of this document and the installer agrees to conform to these at his own expenses.

1. Do not put any object into openings. Do not use with any opening blocked; keep free of dust, lint, hair and anything that may reduce air flow.

2. Ensure air flows freely and exhausts unobstructed from top or side outlet.

3. Do not use without filter (or filters, according to the model) in place.

4. Do not use to blow leaves or debris.

5. Do not place any object on top of the unit.

6. Do not install the unit horizontally.

7. Do not use the pail as a wash bucket.

8. Do not use the pail as a stool.

9. Avoid picking up sharp objects.

10. This appliance is for use on a standard 120 VAC, dedicated 15-amp branch circuit. Some brands of house panel breakers may be more sensitive to startup current than others. In the event where nuisance tripping of the house panel breaker occurs (after ensuring that the circuit is DEDICATED to the central vacuum unit), we recommend changing the breaker with an “HM” type of the same AMP rating.

11. Do not unplug the unit by pulling on cord. To unplug, grasp the plug, not the cord.

12. Store your vacuum cleaner indoors in a clean, dry area, and away from extreme temperatures.

13. Any servicing other than that recommended in this manual should be performed by an authorized service facility.

14. We recommend that your unit be inspected by a specialized technician once a year.

Depending on the installation, the use of the following tools may be required:

Wire strippers, 1/4″ and 1/2″ drill bits, utility knife, putty knife, 2 1/2″ hole saw, keyhole saw, hammer, cold chisel, level, flashlight, drill, electrical tape, Phillips no. 2 screwdriver, wrench, hacksaw, tape measure, safety glasses.

Power tools are recommended to make the installation proceed quickly. A mask and gloves should be worn when cutting ducting and using glue.

Follow these guidelines for locating the power unit:

• Locate the power unit away from the general living area in an accessible location for cleaning and maintenance.

• Locate the power unit within 6 feet of a grounded electrical outlet. The power unit requires a 120 VAC power source, dedicated 15-amp branch circuit.

• Do not locate the power unit close to a source of extreme heat (i.e.: water heater) or in an area with a high ambient temperature (i.e.: attic, furnace room).

• If the power unit is located in a closet or a small utility room, make sure the area is well-ventilated (e.g.: with door louvers).

The NUTONE NC3500 unit is factory shipped ready for use in cyclonic mode, but it can also be operated with a disposable bag (391C). The bag adapter (included with the unit) must be installed if the disposable bag will be used. Follow these steps:

1. Remove the pail from the unit by releasing both side latches, pulling them out and then pushing them up. Detach the pail from the unit.

2. Assemble the bag adapter to the intake elbow. Align the triangle with the small inclined stud.

3. Tighten the junction using the screw and nut (included in the parts bag).

4. Unfold the disposable bag and grasp its collar where indicated. Insert over the bag adapter. Be careful not to tear the bag. Ensure the collar is positioned between the taper ring and the bag stopper on the bag adapter. Put the pail back in place.

To maintain minimum walls and floor clearance dimensions, please follow these guidelines:

• Top View: 12 inches minimum clearance on both sides of the unit.

• Front View: 12 inches minimum from the ceiling and 18 inches minimum above the floor.

This appliance must be grounded. Improper connection of the equipment-grounding conductor can result in a risk of electric shock. Check with a qualified electrician or service person if you are in doubt as to whether the outlet is properly grounded. Do not modify the plug provided with the appliance – if it will not fit the outlet, have a proper outlet installed by a qualified electrician.

The NUTONE NC3500 is for use on a standard 120 VAC, dedicated 15-amp branch circuit with a NEMA 5-15R receptacle. Make sure that the power unit is connected to an outlet that has a grounding attachment plug that looks like the plug shown in the manual. No adapter should be used with this power unit.

For low voltage wiring, inlet leads are to be connected to the power unit low voltage tabs using crimp connectors (included in parts bag) and a low voltage harness.

Open the wall inlet cover and insert the end of the hose into the inlet to turn on the vacuum.

For non-switched hoses, inserting the hose automatically turns on the power unit; removing the hose shuts off the power unit. Some hoses have switches which can be used to activate the power unit. The ON/OFF switch located on the power unit needs to be kept in the OFF position.

As you vacuum, dirt and dust are carried to the power unit where they remain in a bag or in the debris pail. Use the cleaning tools as you would for any other vacuum cleaner. Avoid picking up very large or lengthy debris as these kinds of objects may become lodged in the hose or tubing.

With a 6 U.S. gallons (22.7 liters) capacity, under normal conditions the bag/debris pail requires changing/emptying approximately twice a year. If the bag/debris pail is full, you will notice a reduced suction from the system. Unless this loss of suction is caused by a blockage in the system, changing the bag or emptying the debris pail will solve the problem.

NOTE: Even if not filled to capacity, if the bag seems tightly stretched when removing the debris pail, changing the bag will prevent it from tearing.

To empty the debris pail on your NUTONE NC3500, release both latches on the sides of the unit by pulling out and then pushing up. Holding the pail by the latches, lower it from the unit. Carry the pail to a trash receptacle and dispose of the debris. Put the pail back in its place.

1. To remove the disposable bag, release both latches on the sides of the unit by pulling out and then pushing up. Remove the pail from the unit. Grasp the edges of the bag collar and pull down. The bag will slide off easily. Do not pull on the bag.

2. Unfold the new bag.

3. Grasp the collar where indicated on the new bag and insert it over the bag adapter. Be careful not to tear the bag. Ensure the collar is positioned between the taper ring and the bag stopper on the bag adapter. Put the pail back in its place.

The permanent filter on your NUTONE NC3500 protects the motor and stops small particles from escaping. The filter cleans itself by moving up when the power unit starts and dropping down when the unit is turned off. Under normal use, there is no need to maintain this filter. It is possible to remove it to inspect the motor foam filter, or to replace it if it has been damaged.

Removal and Installation of Permanent Filter:

1. Remove the pail from the unit. To remove the permanent filter, use the pull tab (A) located on the edge of the filter to pull and loosen the filter from the inlet chamber wall. Squeeze from both sides of the filter to the center of the housing. Then, carefully remove it from the unit.

2. Squeeze the filter in order to move it past the inlet opening (B). Let the filter bear against the unit wall by releasing the pressure. Make sure to place the rigid ring in its groove to ensure proper sealing.

NOTE: Make sure the filter is installed so that the pull tab (A) is accessible for future filter removal. Be sure to reinstall the filter properly. Appropriate location is critical to insure proper protection of the motor.

A motor foam safety filter, located at the top of the vacuum chamber, provides protection against dirt being pulled into the motor if the disposable bag or permanent filter should accidentally be torn. This filter should be checked and cleaned if necessary when a replacement bag is installed or when the permanent filter is removed.

Simply brush the filter clean. If the filter is excessively soiled, hand wash it in a water and mild detergent solution, rinse and let it dry completely on a flat surface before reinstalling.

CAUTION: Operating the power unit without the motor foam filter will void the warranty.

Removing the motor foam filter:

Remove the debris pail and disposable bag or permanent filter. Lift the center of the wire retaining the motor foam filter and slide the filter out of its location.

Reinstalling the motor foam filter:

To reinstall the motor foam filter, reverse the steps described above.

The NCKIT3500 accessory kit for the NUTONE NC3500 includes the following items:

1. Deluxe floor combo tool

2. Deluxe floor brush

3. Mesh storage bag

4. Low-voltage hose, 30 ft. long

5. Hose sock

6. Hose hanger

7. Telescopic wand for static tools

8. Wand hanger

9. Round dusting brush

10. Upholstery tool

11. Long crevice tool

To ensure proper operation of the low voltage hose (model NCKIT3500), insert the hose into the wall inlet. Align the tab on the hose end up with the depression in the wall inlet (A).

The switch on the low voltage hose will turn the power unit ON (I position) and OFF (O position).

If your NUTONE NC3500 has a loss or decrease of suction, check the following possible causes and remedies:

• Debris pail or disposable bag is completely full. Empty the debris pail or change the disposable bag.

• Debris pail gasket damaged or missing. Replace the debris pail gasket.

• Obstruction in the hose. A blockage can be determined by inserting the hose into any wall inlet and checking other inlets for normal suction. If the blockage is in the hose, disconnect it from the wall inlet and insert a blunt instrument (like a flexible garden hose) into the hose to clear the obstruction.

• Obstruction in the tubing system inside the walls. Insert the hose end into any inlet to make the power unit run, then place the palm of your hand over the opposite end of the hose. When you feel the suction increase, hold your hand over the hose for a few seconds and then quickly remove it. Repeating this procedure several times should clear the obstruction. If not cleared, contact a Service Center.

• Permanent filter or disposable bag torn. Clean the interior of the unit and install a new permanent filter or disposable bag.

• Wall inlet cover not properly sealed. Check all wall inlet covers to be sure they are closed and sealed tightly.

• Exhaust tubing or vent clogged. Inspect and remove any blockages.

If your NUTONE NC3500 fails to start or stops suddenly, consider these causes and solutions:

• Defective inlet. Check other wall inlets. If the inlet is defective, replace it.

• Power unit internal circuit breaker has been activated (the reset button is popped up). Push on the circuit breaker reset button located on the left side of the power unit. If this button pops up again, contact an authorized Service Center.

• Blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker on house electrical panel. Replace the fuse or reset the circuit breaker. Ensure the circuit is DEDICATED to the central vacuum unit. Some brands of breakers may be more sensitive; consider changing the breaker to an “HM” type of the same AMP rating.

• Defective hose. Replace the hose as required.

• Power unit overcurrent protector has been activated. Unplug the power unit, wait at least 15 minutes, and plug it back in.

If your NUTONE NC3500 runs continuously, check the following:

• The unit power switch is in the ON position. Set the unit power switch to the OFF position.

• An electrical short has occurred somewhere in the system. Perform a complete check of all wall inlets and power unit low voltage control lead connections. Contact your authorized Service Center.

The following are service parts for the NUTONE NC3500. Please order service parts by “Part No.”, not by “Key No.”

* ITEM NOT SHOWN