NuTone Central Vacuum Installation Guide (p.5)

The wall inlet design allows you to work outside the wall where assembly is easy and all the parts you need are accessible. First, make a cutout into the wall and locate the flexible tubing attached to the inlet line which you previously threaded into the wall. Then, attach the flexible tubing to the inlet mounting plate, assemble the other inlet parts, and make the wiring connections. Place the inlet assembly into the wall cutout, sandwiching the wall between the inner and outer parts and secure the inlet tightly to the wall with two screws.

Assemble and install the wall inlet as shown in the illustrations and as explained in the next few pages. Be careful and patient as you make your first cutout and install your first inlet - following the procedure step by step - and the other inlets will be easy to install in very little time.

Making the wall inlet cutout

The wall inlet should be located 18" on-center from the floor and directly inline with the attic or basement inlet tubing hole you have already drilled in the wall plate or header. The wall inlet cutout must be exactly 3 7/8" high by 2 7/8" wide. It is crucial that you make an accurate cutout - a template is provided with system purchase.

Place the template against the wall so that it is 18" on-center from the floor. Use a level along the top edge of the template to make sure that it is square to the wall. Mark the wall for the cutout by tracing around the inside of the template. Then use your pencil to mark the screw hole locations through punched holes at the top and bottom of the template. Remove the template from the wall.

Use an awl or an icepick to punch pilot holes where you marked the two-hole locations. Next, drill two 3/8" diameter holes using the pilot holes as the centers. Take care to locate and drill these holes exactly as marked with the template.

Drilling 3/8" diameter holes

Also drill four pilot holes in the four corners of the marked area. Make sure these holes are located inside the marked line. Then, using a utility knife, score along the inside of the marked line. For plaster walls, score the plaster deeply, being careful to stay inside the marked line.

Pilot holes must be inside the marked line

Next, use a keyhole saw or a saber saw to make the cutout. Again, be extremely careful to cut along the inside of the marked line. Caution: when cutting into plaster walls, make sure the plaster is firm and secure around the cutout area.

Cut along the inside of the marked line.

Attaching the inlet mounting plate

Reach through the inlet hole and locate the inlet tubing and raise it up inside the wall. If the inlet is connected from the basement, have a helper insert the inlet tubing into the access hole until you can see the flexible tubing. Then, pull the flexible tubing through the inlet hole and remove the low-voltage wiring from inside the tube. If the end of the flexible tubing is not even, trim it so that it is exactly even.

Pulling flexible tubing through

Next, remove the nail flange (used for new construction) from the inlet mounting plate. Use pliers to bend this flange along the scored lines until you can break it off.

Removing nail flange

Apply cement to both the inside of the flexible tubing and to the outside of the mount plate's tube ring.

Applying cement

Insert the mounting plate's tube ring in the flexible tubing and twist the pieces as you join them to spread the cement and align the mounting plate in a vertical position.

Connecting mounting plate and tubing

Hold the assembly in place for a few minutes as the cement sets; allow five minutes for the cement to completely dry.

Holding the assembly in place

COMPLETING THE INLET ASSEMBLY

(see diagram at the bottom of this page)

Once you have attached the mounting plate to the flexible tubing, pull the low-voltage wire through the top wiring hole in the mounting plate.

Pulling the wires through the top wiring hole

Strip the ends of the two low-voltage wires and then connect the wires to the screw terminals on the back of the inlet cover. Make sure that the wires are tightly secure under the terminal screws.

Connecting wires to screw terminals

When the wiring is complete, assemble the inlet cover to the tube guard and mounting plate. Insert the top screw through the entire inlet assembly until the screw engages the mounting plate.

When you place the inlet into the wall cutout, the mounting plate and tube guard slip inside the wall and the inlet cover remains on the outside.

Holding the inlet assembly between your thumbs and fingers, angle the bottom of the mounting plate into the cutout.

Push the assembly downward until you have clearance at the top of the cutout.

Push the top of the mounting plate into the cutout and lift the assembly upward until the top screw seats in the pre-drilled hole. At this point, the wall should be sandwiched between the mounting plate and the frame plate.

Pushing the top of the mounting plate

Insert the bottom screw into the inlet cover and through the other parts. Give the screw a few turns until it firmly engages in the mounting plate. Level and slightly lower the assembly. Make sure that the wall is sandwiched between the inner and outer parts - you'll be able to feel if the mounting plate is firmly centered on the inside of the wall.

Position of inlet in wall

Hold the inlet in place and gradually tighten down each screw a bit at a time. If you completely tighten down one screw at a time the mounting plate may pull away from the wall at the loose end and slip back into the cutout.

Tightening screws

Complete all of the wall inlet installations in this manner. If your cutouts are accurate, each wall inlet will install more quickly and easily.