Convertible U4173

[seamusuk]

Rating sticker

Obviously the US version would have been stamped onto the converter track!- this one dates to November 74- was the U4003 still current in the US by then????

 

[seamusuk]

One more.....

In order to comply to UK radio/tv supression standards it has a UK type interference suppressor fitted .

 

[ohio_tuec]

I have the U.S. equivalent, with "Custom Convertible" written on the lens. I just love the bag graphics on this machine. It seems as if the switch cover on the U.K. version is made of plastic, with a different bag hook. U.S. models would have to wait a few years more, when they changed to the sliding switch. I do like the red toggle switch though. Looks just like those used on the first Dial-A-Matics in 1963.

 

[seamusuk]

Switch

looks like this inside....

 

[seamusuk]

other side.....

Showing cord grip etc

 

[vacuumkid3]

Seamus...

How in the world does the supression thing work? I have always been curious. My parents (or someone...) used to remember that vacuums would make the TV go crazy! Does the supression work? Is it just a capacitor? Just curious...

~~K~~

P.S. Nice pics!

 

[seamusuk]

Kyle

Hey

Im not too hot on the techie side of this, but basicslly tv/radio interference is caused by the sparking of the brushes against the commutator. The supressor is basically a smoothing capacitor to counteract this.

All UK Hoovers from the late 50s onwards were fitted with suppression, and there were kits fitted by Hoover service stations to older machines(these were fitted by the switch in the handle normally- the supressors were mini versions!). Strictly speaking it was illegal to cause interference but I doubt this was often if ever enforced.

I dont know if any US machines have anything similar? I know the 1010 and 707 Convertibles I have dont appear to.

Hope this helps!

Seamus

 

[myhooverco]

Seamus...

I think some of our commercial models had the radio supression on the motors. The household units did not. I can remember in the 1970s, when we did not have cable tv, my mom running the Hoover Convertible and the tv going "snowy" until she turned it off. This also happened when she used the can opener or the mixer in the kitchen. I am not sure why this happened.

Also my U4014 does not have a headlight. The lens is opaque and there is no bulb. I am not sure why. It seems very original to me. I loved the Shake and Vac commercial. We had that same stuff here. I am not sure if you can still buy it or not. We called it Carpet Fresh or Love My Carpet. It is nasty stuff for any vacuum to deal with. Thanks for your close up photos of the wiring. The UK models were definitely better built than our US counterparts.

--Tom

 

[74simon]

What an odd machine! Surely sending those to the USA was like sending snow to the North Pole! I'd love to know why Hoover ended up importing them from over here - do you have any idea why, Tom?

Si

 

[myhooverco]

Si...

I have no idea why Hoover wanted to sell UK models here unless the UK just had too many in stock. Any ideas on this one out there in Vacuumland? This model has the aluminum handle, bag and foot switch just like all other UK models. It is very well built but it was not a top line model. I know that the UK got some US built models along the way. It is just one of those great Hoover mysteries!

--Tom

 

[petek]

One of the old vac shop guys I knew who had previously been a Hoover store owner before they shut them down here told me that Hoover brought over UK models when they were in the midst of major plant or model changes to get them by.