An Epic Epic Find!

[huskyvacs]

No, I am not embellishing my title, I promise! I just got an Electrolux Epic 3500SR vacuum for $39! woo! the ebay auction listed was a copy/paste description from a KitchenAid mixer, but in the item description notes thing at the top of the description it just said "does not turn on". Well from my experience with vacuums, a vacuum never just "doesn't turn on". It will hum, or blow your circuit breaker, or make smoke, squeal, or do something. Never just silence. I seen the handle was missing screws at the top and there was a wire blocking the screw hole inside the handle. That told me that someone tampered with it. I removed the single remaining screw in the handle, and guess what I found? The hot wire for the switch had become unplugged! So the switch was not getting power. The wires had electrical tape on them, I undid that to see what was wrong with the wires, and they just had age cracks on the crease in the wire insulation from the rubber being brittle and decaying. I put fresh tape on, plugged the lead back into the switch, and presto! It came to life! I used it for about 5 minutes on a test run, and it performed perfectly!

So, I got a slightly uncommon, 20 year old vacuum for $40 (others were listed for well over $100) that was described as being a KitchenAid mixer and everyone that seen the listing assumed the motor was blown. I took that gamble, and came out on top! Now, someone buy me a ticket to Las Vegas! lmao

Photo #1: The vacuum on my porch when I came home.
Photo #2: The box in "the opening zone"
Photo #3: The vacuum tried to break free of the box!
Photo #4: The vacuum unboxed.
Photo #5: The suspect wire unplugged.
Photo #6: The mouse inspection has been passed.

 

[fantomfan57]

Congratulations!

Very nice machine. Bravo!

 

[Deleted member 1090]

Same thingwhit my Elextrolux Discovery 2 upright for 20$in a yard sale cleaned it up put fresh bags and filters and presto work like a charm sill have it 2 years later score congrats on ya find attachements can be found on ebay for those hose ect

 

[human]

Nice machine! I've got three of those twin-motor uprights:, a Discovery II, Discovery Plus and Genesis LXe, and I really like them. Switches must be a bit of a weak point on those machines. Shortly after I got my Genesis last fall ($8 at a thrift shop), I realized it had the recalled cord that came out the end of the handle. I took it in to the nearest Aerus dealer, almost 40 miles away, to have the handle assembly replaced and the machine wouldn't turn on in the "I" position for straight suction only. I had to turn on to the "II" position to also activate the brush roll and then move the switch back to "I" to turn the brush roll off and leave the suction motor running. This was with a brand new handle assembly. I took the handle apart to make sure the switch was properly connected and the instant I touched one of the wires, the whole switch fell out of the front of the handle. Once I confirmed that all the connections were tight, I snapped it back into place and it worked perfectly. Honestly, I like the earlier slider switch, which the Discovery models have and the Genesis had before the handle swap. In that respect, I sort of regret taking it in for the recall but safety is also an important consideration.

 

[huskyvacs]

By the way, are these vacuums supposed to be so tough to push back up? Trying to lock the handle in place on this thing with all the creaks and pops feels like I'm going to snap it.

 

[human]

Sticky handle

No, they're supposed to move smoothly in and out of the upright and locked position. My Genesis LXe was hard to move like that when I first got it but when I took it in to have the handle/cord assembly replaced under the factory recall, the technician also lubricated the metal friction points where the two halves of the machine come together. Mine had a bit of surface rust on those spots, likely from disuse. He suggested lubricating those spots whenever it starts to stick. But now that I think about it, he didn't specify what type of lubricant. I guess a shot of silicone would probably be about as good as anything. All that said, I do find it helpful to place my foot on the 'outrigger' part of the power nozzle as I pull the handle down from the upright and locked position.

 

[huskyvacs]

Yeah I do use my foot on the corner part of the brushroll, but much creaking and popping from the vacuum. I guess I'll have to lubricate it. The electrical tape in the handle was starting to turn gooey and tacky into tar which in my experience happens after about 10-15 years time. I presume that's how long it's been since it was used. It did have a new bag in it however, that's nice for a change. "New" in quotes as it did have a couple of bug holes eaten in it that I put some tape over while I had it out.

 

[electrolux-dude]

Solution for upright handle locking position

The best solution I have found that works for me when I have run into this problem on an Electrolux upright is apply a little of the vaseline clear petroleum jelly onto the little rear clips at the rear of the powerhead part of the machine. It works perfectly!

 

[vacuumlad1650]

Nathan would know for sure!

I bought my Epic 3000 from him a few years back...love it to this day!

 

[huskyvacs]

@ vacuumlad1650

What model is your Epic? Is it modified? Mine has a toggle switch and not a slide switch.

 

[vacuumlad1650]

Mine is an Epic 3000 (I would have to check it for the specific 4 digit number). It has a slider switch.

 

[huskyvacs]

OK thanks. My model number is #1719.

 

[vacuumdevil]

Quite the Epic find!