New brush roll for Electrolux PN-1

[human]

I've had my Electrolux 1205 for about 12 years now and after doing a lot of work on my Kirbys lately, especially my G5, I decided to turn my attention to this steadfast 46-year-old machine. The vacuum itself works great, just like brand new. It's got great suction but the Power Nozzle has always been a little lackluster in its performance, especially on my Persian rugs.

Ever since I put a new brush roll in my Kirby G5, I have had it in my mind that that might be what the PN-1 needed. I finally found a good deal on a new brush roll on eBay—$11 including shipping—and it was waiting on me in the mail box when I got home from work today. It only took me about 10 minutes to install—not bad, considering I'd never had the thing apart before. I was amazed at how clean it was inside. It has definitely never come in contact with that carpet fresh crap. One odd thing is the original brush roll has metal flanges at each end but the new one doesn't. They don't seem to be removable, so I left them off. I hope that's not an issue.

Once I got everything buttoned back up, I tried it out and it's like a whole different machine! The Electrolux now gets the cat hair off the Persian rugs almost as well as the Kirbys do. I have definitely awakened a sleeping beast! I had never realized just how worn out that old brush roll was until I compared it with the new one. Assuming it's the original one, it definitely had a good run of almost half a century.

I had never noticed it before, but one of the screws that holds the bottom plate on the Power Nozzle is missing. The two remaining ones are holding everything secure but I'd still like to get another one. Guess I'll take one of the remaining ones out and head to Home Depot in a little bit to see what I can come up with.

 

[bikerray]

The original brushroll did not have the thread cutters (metal disks) at each end. If your's had the thread cutters then it was a PN2 brushroll.

A PN2 brushroll in a PN1 will drag it down.

 

[suckolux]

Glad you have it working better!

 

[human]

Good to know I have the right brush roll. It certainly works better than I had hoped.

I stopped by Home Depot on my way to a meeting this evening and picked up a 4-pack of stainless steel machine screws that are roughly the same length as the OEM screws and have a similar diameter head, although they are Phillips instead of slotted. Most importantly, they appear to have similar threads, even though the OEM screw has a pointy end to help you find the hole and the threads only go about a quarter inch up the shaft. Despite those differences, the replacement screw went in and snugged down like it was made for that application. In case you're curious, the size is #10-24 x 5/8". The four screws cost me the princely sum of $1.25, including tax. I'm sure the purpose engineered OEM screw, if I could have even found one, would probably have cost me about $6 or $8 a piece. Sometimes it works just fine to settle for what's readily available.

 

[suckolux]

I sent in my PN4 for my 1505 20 years ago, needed a new breaker, they replaced the brushroll also, it took off when I turned it on, had no idea it had been worn. It happens over time and we miss it.

 

[human]

Very true. In my case, I had never used an Electrolux Power Nozzle with a brand new brush roll until today, so I really didn't know what I was missing. I've also recently upgraded from the original blue woven hose, which is not in the greatest shape, to a newer leak-free plastic one. Between those two things, I feel like I've got it operating at a peak of efficiency it hasn't seen since long before I owned it.

And to think, my ex wanted me to let her give that machine away to her yoga instructor.

 

[suckolux]

Well you used the right word, ex

 

[human]

Yeah, that vacuum cleaner has been more faithful than she was.

 

[suckolux]

sorry to hear, it happens!

 

[human]

She and I are both happy in new relationships so it all turned out well in the end--especially since I still have the Electrolux and she took her craptastic bagless Bissell plastivac with her.

The bottom line is that while one can't deny the existence pain from the past, one can deny it the power to to have a continued painful effect in the present.