Customizing the Vacuum Cleaner?

[Mike81]

I thought that I bring this subject to this forum.
What people think about customizing the vacuum cleaner? Do you think that it's ruining or improving the vac?

Here is what I did to my Electrolux UltraFlex Green:
I ordered the longer 2.6 meter hose, because the original 1.5 meter was too short for me.
I made powerhead wiring to it. I just needed to remove back panel from the vac and take power from the two wires coming from the cord rewind. Then I inserted the cord to exit from the front side.
Rest of the cord is connected to the hose with the removable zip ties. In the handle end cord has spiral shape what is extended type to allow free rotation of the hose.
Then there is power connectors to make possible to remove and attach the powerhead wire to it.
Powerhead wire has on/off switch to make easy to control the powerhead.
Large powerhead is from the Kärcher upright, same as the Sebo BS36. It has large brushroll with very stiff bristles and manual height position adjustment.

So why I did it?
Longer hose makes big improvement for handling the vacuum. Powerhead makes it very good deep cleaner for my large rug. When I don't need the powerhead it's easy to remove it and use other nozzles.
So in my opinion I greatly improved the vacuum, because now I can do all the vacuuming with one unit.
And why I removed the powerhead from the Kärcher upright? To be honest it doesn't have very good suction. I would say that it's mediocre. UltraFlex has clearly better suction and airflow.
So I am very happy how it came up, but it's not original anymore like many vacuum cleaner enthusiasts would like vacs to bee.

 

[n0oxy]

vacuum customizations

I think if you can customize your vacuum to make it better, that is a good thing. It sounds like your vacuum was not originally made to support an electric power nozzle but you modified it to be able to do so. There's actually an adapter you can get for backpack vacuums to do the same thing as long as the backpack uses a pig tail extension cord. I've thought about getting this for my super coach. It's also interesting to use other power nozzles than the one which came with a particular vacuum. I've used my Sebo power nozzle with vacuums such as the Riccar Prima and Aerus classic with good results when cleaning my area rugs. So yes, if you can upgrade your vacuum yourself to make it better, that's definitely a good thing.

 

[Mike81]

Price

You are correct, my vacuum doesn't have powerhead connection, so I had to do it myself. UltraFlex with the full-size ph is not available in the Finland. UltraOne is and it costs 499€ with the ph. Way too expensive for me.
Normal price for the UltraFlex is 200-250€. I got it from the discount and it only cost 179€.
Something to mention is that the UltraFlex in the US costs (with the full-size ph) 399-499$.
Of cource I would go with that, but it's just not the option for me.
I actually spotted one online home appliance store in Finland where they sell that same ph for the Electrolux.
It's called Paragon. It's not too pricey costing only 84€. So I have to think about it.

http://www.huoltopalvelu.com/epages...bjectPath=/Shops/Huolto/Products/140017911086

 

[delaneymeegan]

Customizing is Good.

 


 


It looks like you did very good.


 


I'm tired of vacuums being sold all or nothing.   Computers aren't sold that way. T.V. entertainment centers aren't sold that way.  Kitchen appliances aren't sold that way.  Furniture isn't sold that way either.  


 


When you buy a computer, you may well be re-using an old printer, or none.  You shouldn't have to buy all the different parts you may not use.


Same thing with Kitchen appliances.  We don't go in and buy frig, stove, dishwasher, trash compactor, microwave all from the same manufacturer, or get none.  You buy what you want from the manufacturer you want.


 


Vacuums should be the same way.


If I want a Bissel canister, with an Eureka hose, several Kenmore parts, several Hoover parts, and an Electrolux power nozzle, I should be able to buy that right off the shelf.  


Likewise, If I already have a working canister vacuum, but I want a new Electrolux hose, and a new Bissel Power Nozzle, I should be able to buy that.


 


Most Vacuum manufacturers have relatively universal parts now.  For example, an Electrolux dusting tool will fit a Shop-vac, or a Kenmore, or a Eureka, or a Henry.


 


They should package each part separate.  The other thing is, some tools haven't changed in decades, but the power nozzle and canisters have.  It would be easier inventory control for the manufacturers.  Also, smaller boxes would be easier to ship.  And smaller boxes on display shelves are easier to move around and pick up by consumers.  Plus, not everybody needs all tools.  And some people need more than one of a certain tool.


 


It would take an agreement by all manufacturers to adhere to certain standards, like having the same hose ends so one manufacturers hose would fit another machine, etc.  And it would create a market for someone to make adapters for older machines.  


 


My recent customization is my Hoover power nozzle paired with my Electrolux.  


 


You need to like what you have and customization is the way.  Worrying about how manufacturers packaged something is fun and it LOOKS good perhaps, but practicality takes the lead if you want something that fits you.