Discovery Plus Gets a New Lease on Life

[human]

So, for the past couple of years, my Electrolux Discovery Plus (Discovery II with onboard tool storage) has been on long term loan to a friend. Tonight, she came over for dinner and brought the machine back to me. She had been using it to vacuum her area rugs, but had gradually gotten rid of them all because her cat was constantly peeing on them. Without the rugs, she felt she didn't need the vacuum anymore and could take care of her hard floors just as well with a broom and a mop. Also, she said the machine no longer worked and maybe I could either fix it or use it for parts.

It turns out she had put in a new bag--backward so that the notched corners didn't match the outline in the top of the machine. Instead of turning it around, she cut the cardboard so that lid would close. It still didn't work because now, the little tab that sticks up to prevent the machine from running without a bag was not being held down. Also, she had trimmed so much cardboard away that there was now a big opening where the cardboard and the paper bag met. I solved that by tossing the 'modified' bag and putting in a new one the correct way. Fortunately, she returned the machine to me with a 30-pack of generic bags she'd bought, but the machine still wouldn't run. Plug it in, move the switch, and nothing.

I suspected a bad switch, and decided the easiest way to test it would be to remove the handle and put a multimeter on it, but I didn't even have to go that far. When I removed the big screw that holds the handle and one of the tool brackets in place, I found the cord was barely plugged into the machine. When I pushed it firmly into place and plugged it in, it turned on and ran just fine. I couldn't see the problem until that tool bracket was out of the way.

I do love my Electrolux uprights, all five of them (two Discovery II's, the Discovery Plus, a Genesis LXe, and an Epic 3500SR), but this Discovery Plus is my least favorite. The onboard tool storage may have somewhat ahead of its time in the late '80s, but it wasn't all that well thought out. The machine becomes very awkward and unwieldy with everything onboard. At the very least, I've always had to jettison the hose and wands to make the thing more usable. The separate tool caddy is a much better system.

I'm relieved my friend doesn't want that vacuum back. That will save it from further abuse and neglect. If she ever asks me for another vacuum, I'll get a plasticrap bagless vac at Goodwill and give her that. Maybe I should keep my eye out for one, just in case.

 

[paul]

Glad you have your Discovery Plus back. Both your "discoveries" about it at its return are new to me. It makes me think that others have had similar bag experiences and may have decided that it was a cleaner issue rather than an installation one; leading to a premature replacement. Interesting that the machine plug had become loose; I'm sure you were glad that that was all it was.

In case you missed my suggestion in another thread about minimizing the awkwardness and weight factors, I would only store the wands and hose in the caddy when not in use; assembling and placing them in a convenient location for ready conversion during usage.

I do agree with your issues regarding the onboard tools, because I have used a Lux Commercial with them. However, I still like their convenience. My preference, though, is Windsor's design with an integrated flex hose that disengages the brush roll when out of its socket. I wonder how a Lux 4000 or Lux 6000 would compare with it?

 

[cheesewonton]

Hey Paul, if you are talking about the Versamatic I have one ( Sebo 370 but that same model was sold by Windsor as the previous generation Versamatic and the current Versamatic / Sebo 360 is no different ) and that feature you like bugs me. Yes, the brush roll shuts off for above floor cleaning, but there is no way to use the vacuum on hard floors with the brush roll disengaged. With the wand plugged in as soon as you tip the upper body back that brush roll comes on. It is not like the Electrolux or Lindhaus Diamante where you can shut the brush roll off with a switch and go clean hard floors, or certain model Cirrus and Titan uprights that have a mechanical brush roll shut off. With the Sebo / Windsor you have to drag the 9-foot extension hose, extension wand and use a parquet floor brush on the end of the hose to clean hard floors. I end up using the hose and wand with the right hand and moving the vacuum with my left. In the fullness of time I will acquire a less expensive used Diamante 380 and refurbish / sanitize it as my go-to upright.

 

[human]

@paul--I count both of those 'discoveries' as minor design flaws in an otherwise excellent design. The cord shouldn't have pulled out that easily. From the factory, it has little 'teeth', designed to keep that from happening. I had to replace a damaged cord on one of my Discovery IIs and needed to use a pair of pliers to wiggle it out of its socket, like pulling a tooth. This one had apparently been removed and re-installed several times, thus wearing the teeth down. I agree that the notches in the cardboard are probably not readily apparent to some people, especially those with low vision, like my friend. Electrolux could have improved the situation by outlining the groove for the cardboard in a contrasting color or making the cardboard more asymmetrical, to make it more more obvious that it could only go in one way.

 

[paul]

@CheeseWonton—Yes, I was referring to a Windsor Versamatic. I only used it at a part-time job for carpeting, so I had no experience in attempting to use it on hard floors. I liked being able to get larger items and edges with the wand efficiently. I also used an orange cleaner at the same job that was similar to the Versamatic; but I liked it less as its construction seemed less sturdy, and I think it may have lacked some of the Windsor's features. I tried to locate an online photo of it but came up short; it may have been a Triple S. I'm unsure if it had a 3-way switch for hard floors. I can see your point regarding the Windsor's inability to be used on hard floors except for a cumbersome arrangement.

@Human—I agree that those "discoveries" are small potatoes. Generally speaking I like Electrolux uprights, but I question their deep-cleaning ability due to the automatic nozzle adjustment rather than having a height adjuster. If one vacuums regularly and cleans up messes in short order rather than allowing them to get ground in, deep cleaning is not crucial in minimizing carpet wear and tracking. As for the lack of onboard hose, that may have been done to encourage the option of also purchasing a tank-type cleaner for walls, furniture, corners, and edges.

Good points on improving the bag collar design to make its correct installation more obvious.

 

[human]

Yes, the Discovery II style uprights are great all-arounders, and I consider them a favorite because if I had to choose a single vacuum cleaner from those that I own, it would likely be the Genesis LXe or Epic 3500SR. That said, for deeper cleaning, I'd reach for a Kirby, but I almost never use uprights with a hose or attachments. One exception is that I do like to use an Electrolux SideKick power nozzle with both the Lux uprights and canisters. I even retrofitted one of my Discovery IIs with an adapter kit to allow it to work with a SideKick. The Genesis LXe and Epic 3500SR have that capability built in. Even so, I usually reach for an Electrolux or Eureka canister when I need the hose and related tools. And when I'm vacuuming in tight spaces, I'll take the greater maneuverability of a canister with a power nozzle over an upright. Those are the joys of having multiple machines to choose from. I can always choose which machine and what configuration will be the best for the task at hand, or which one just suits my mood at the moment.

 

[paul]

I agree about the Electrolux "twin cleaner" benefits and usage of the Sidekick. Also, I remember the thread in which you mentioned the Sidekick adapter.

 

[panasonicvac]

Paul, I agree with you on the Windsor Versamatic. I think they are one of if not the best commercial uprights ever made. I like the Lux style uprights, I even own a couple myself. But I favor my Kenmore/SEBO machines as they (and Lindhaus) pretty much perfected the Lux design.