Capacitor on Electrolux XXX vacuum

[ct77]

I posted a question about this earlier on the Electrolux USA facebook group, but I just wanted to get a little more of a consensus.

While I was cleaning my Model XXX vacuums, I noticed they have a capacitor connected in parallel with the motor. I've read that it's a "suppressor" capacitor that old vacuums had to reduce interference on radios and tvs. I imagine it might also help to reduce arcing on the motor brushes. But really old capacitors like this are known to fail. I was just wondering, what opinion do most people have - do you usually just remove the capacitor, replace it with a new one, or just leave it as is?

It would be easy to just take it out, but I'm wondering if that would cause the brushes to have more arcing and wear out? It seems like after I've restored other antiques with motors, contactors, etc, and removed capacitors, they did tend to arc more.

What do you guys usually do with your vacuums?

- Chris

 

[rugsucker]

Electrolux capacitors

When I was with Elux in 80s,90s a regional service manager advised to just remove them when seen on older models.

 

[kirbyklekter]

In the past year

or so, there have been a couple members who posted photos of their machines (vacuums) after the capacitor had exploded. It didn't bring the roof down but made quite a mess. The general consensus was to go ahead and remove them especially as old as they are. Nobody reported extra arching after removing or bypassing the cap, I'd be curious to hear if you experience that. You can always solder it back in if the arching really increases, maybe look for a newer cap if you do Good luck!

 

[ct77]

Thank you for the replies!

Kirbyklekter, I think I will go ahead and disconnect the capacitors on both XXX vacuums. Yikes!

- Chris

 

[ct77]

Capacitors disconnected!

A quick update. I went ahead and took the capacitors out of both the XXX vacuums. It was super easy, I just cut them off from the leads that connect to the switch and the body of the vacuum. I love how easy it is to work on the XXX. It takes just minutes to take off the rear cover and reassemble it again. The only minor annoyance was getting the gasket to stay in place, since it's so worn out.

I compared how the motors run before and after I removed the capacitors. It didn't seem to make any difference whatsoever. The capacitors are so old that they had probably dried up and lost all their capacitance and weren't doing anything anyway.

The brushes do spark a little bit - with and without the capacitor. (Sorry, I didn't get a picture). But then again, even brand new power tools I've had do that. I suppose a new capacitor might help, but who knows. I think pretty much every AC motor I have ever seen had some sparking at the brushes.

But I definitely didn't want those old capacitors to blow up and get electrolyte or whatever all over the motor, after I had spent so much time cleaning both of them!

Also, I noticed the years marked on the switches. So one vacuum was made in May, 1950. The other is from April 1951. Now I finally know! I was kind of hoping they were from a little earlier than that, but early 1950's is still pretty cool

- Chris

 

[paul]

Nice work, Chris, and glad you were able to locate the year stamps; it's more satisfying to know an appliance's production year rather than a span just as it is identifying those of vehicles.

 

[ct77]

Thank you, Paul!

It's interesting how long Electrolux kept making the XXX. I guess that really proves how popular it was!

 

[electrolux137]

Model XXX was sold from 1937 to 1954. When the LX came out, the XXX became a lower-tier model until the Model E came out in late 1954. It was sold for a longer period of time than any other model.

Here are some random photos I came across while searching for a particular image that I -finally- found!!

 

[ct77]

Very cool! What was the context in picture 7? Ha, if only someone could build a time machine!

And I don't know if I WANT to know the context in picture 2 lol

 

[rugsucker]

Mo XXX

Great pictures!
pic 1-Seems to show proper demo with all attachments used.Salesman should always 'kill'the customers old vac by showing all that the Elux could do better.
pic 2-The XXX has later rug nozzle and cardboard on dust brush.(No further comment.)
pic 4-In the Mo XII manual it says cleaning the car is easy when you set it on the running board.
pic 7-This would be an Elux stock room/service department.The PN-1s and boxes for Automatic and Special would date this to at least very early 60s.The XXXs would have been traded for new models with wheels,auto control,4 ply self sealing bags,Power Nozzle outlet etc. earning the salesman,with the manager,a nice commission as well as prizes.At different times the trade in Eluxs would be rebuilt at branch or returned to factory or sold to companies such as Metropolitan for rebuild.
pic 9-The forms would have been from WWII era when only parts,repairs and service could be sold.The 'duration special' would have kept the salesmen working by taking payment from customers who would then get the first Eluxs produced after the war when appliances could be sold again.