Cvacplanet

Sorry about that guys, wasn't trying to "spam", but contribute. $900 doesn't sound to bad for  6 direct connect inlets actually, but you definitly made the correct choice in the Riccar over the Nutone. The new Nutone VX series have 2 and 4 year warranties for a reason.

From my experience, that sounds like a fan blade. I would suggest opening it up.  Sanitaire machines like the SC887 are very simple machines, so it can only be one of a couple things, but when you said loud noise, that is almost always a fan. You can take the belt and brush roller off an turn it on, if it is still making noise it must be the fan. Good luck

There are so may central vacuums to choose from, like mole was saying when you get a customers square footage you should double it. So if their home is 3,500 sq. ft. suggest a vacuum that can do up to 5,000 - 7,000 sq. ft., this will maximize the suction. When the customer is using the inlet furthest away from the unit, you do not want them to have a loss of suction. There are really some good brands out there and everyone has their preference. I personally like the Valet machines made by Lindsay. Lindsay Mfg. also makes AstroVac, Imperium, Vacu-Maid and others. The Beam unit is a great unit, and the company really supports local dealers, but their prices are pretty high. I would stay away from Nutone. In my opionion their units are crap, just not the same units from 15 years ago.

I have dealt with central vacuums for a long time and love all the benefits they bring. My site sells units, accessories and parts, but also includes a lot of helpful information.
I actually though the $1,800 price tag was high, unless you paid good money for installation as part of it. Normally all the products for a 1,300 sq. ft home will costs about $1,200 to $1,500 depending on the attachments and vacuum unit, but that is retail. Most people put them in themselves and save. I know locally here in South Florida the going rate is "$150 a drop", any by drop they mean wall inlet. Central vacuums can go into existing homes or new, but keep in mind that if you have a existing home if will be very difficult to install direct connect inlets.

As for the dust, 98% of central vacuums have the option to vent outsite and as mole said, cyclonic of bagless units should be vented outside regardless. You may also vent inside the garage area and use an exhaust filter. This will eliminate the dust without venting outside.

Mike