Electrolux 1521

[constellation86]

Anybody know the history of the 1521 models? What models had what colors and when they were made. I'm sure there is an expert that that could shed some light on these machines.
Thanks,
Nicholas

 

[lux1521]

Thats my favorite area of Lux history!

The Lux 1521 consisted of all metal body canisters after 1984. The Diamond J was the first. It came after the Silverado (model 1505) and had a new switch design and the automatic control interface had a modern look. It was the last model to have polished metal as trim on the canister top. A major difference was a new motor design. It is not the best motor that Electrolux used and was replaced on the next model. It is far smaller that the previous motor and had the same power. It had a white body with white/black trim(dark green). Later ones had slightly different trim. Early Diamond J models had a white PN5 power nozzle. Later ones had a black PN6. The PN6 had a on/off switch and not just a reset button. The PN6 also had a brush strip behind the opening to keep dirt from scattering on bare floors.
The next 1521 was the Marquise(1987). It was a dark tan with lighter tan trim. The metal on top was textured and painted the same tan as the body. It had a very light tan PN6 with dark tan trim. The canister had a new motor with the carbon brush holders intergrated into a brown plastic end bracket.
The next 1521 was the Grand Marquise(1988). It was white with blue trim. It had a new double ball bearing motor that was otherwise simmilar in design to the Marquise. The inside cover power rating was raised to 11 amps from 10 amps on the previous model. The rubber on the front cover and on the cord winder had the same texture as the body. The metal on top was painted blue. It had a white with blue PN6(or perhaps PN7, it's hard to tell by looking). Later ones may have had the newer style PN(non omni-flo) without a headlight. These may have actualy been early Ultralux canisters that were missing their name lables. It should be noted that the late Diamond J, Marquise, and Grand Marquise did not have name lables.
The early Ultralux(1989?) is really the same as a Grand Marquise. It might have a different power nozzle but otherwise it is the same(mechanicly and in color). They do have name lables.
The next two Ultralux canisters are the Ultralux LX and the Ultralux Classic. They both had power nozzles with the new headlights. The metal part around the handle was a metalic(goldish) paint on a textured surface. The Ultralux LX was white with blue side trim and white on the front cover and the cord winder. The Ultralux Classic was blue with white trim.
I have also seen a rare black Ultralux(made around 1994) that was the true end of the lux metal body caisters. If I remember correctly there were only 1000 made.

Other things worthy of mention:
Power nozzles after the PN6 did not have the bare floor brush strip. A few lighted L shape nozzles have edge cleaning strips but not one that goes the full width. Post PN6 nozzles also have smaller wheels and a stiffer "handeling". The front was less likely to pop up if you pushed foward too hard.
It should also be noted that there was a model called the Legacy, made sometime around the Grand Marquise. They look identical and they don't have name lables so you can't usualy tell what it is. I don't usualy use the Legacy name to avoid confusion with the new plastic vacuums.

If you want pictures of any related stuff (including PNs, motors, and anything else) feel fee to ask.

 

[constellation86]

Thanks for the info

I just bought this one on ebay. Is there a way to tell what model it is without the name label? Also do these machines have good motors? I have heard that the Diamond Js had cheaper motors that weren't as good as the older models (Super J, Silverado). I'd like to find one that has the blue body and white trim, but the are more expensive when they turn up on ebay. I'm a sucker for a blue paint job.
Nicholas

 

[lux1521]

You have a Grand Marquise. It looks like there never was a name lable on it. The motor in that model is one of the better ones. The Diamond J motor is a real mess and should be avoided. The Grand Marquise had a motor that evolved from the Diamond J motor with the major bearing flaw fixed. The diamond j had a sleeve bearing that has a tendency to go bad on you. The Grand Marquise has a replaceable ball bearing set that replaces the poorly designed sleeve bearings on prior models.

Although the motor in the Grand Marquise is quite good, all motors made after 1984 are nothing compared to the Super J motor. The Super J, Olympia, and Silverado had motors that were massive by comparison. All parts were replaceable and they were great. Chances are you will never see a moter like that in a new vacuum.

About the blue body and white trim. The Ultralux Classic is also one of my favorites and they look great. I sold one on ebay and just shipped it out on Thursday. It was nice but I'm a high school student saving up for a car so it had to go. It was item number 200103705806. In my ebay buying and selling experience I have bought and sold 2 Ultralux classics, so they are not impossible to find. If they were rarer I would have considered keeping that one.

If you want pictures of the motors for comparison I can post some.

 

[constellation86]

I would love to see some motor pics if you have some.
Do the 1521s have suction as good as the Silverado? I'd like one that has the most power you can get! (insert Tim Taylor grunting noises!)
Side story: I got a rebuilt 1453 special model on ebay thinking that it would have the big motor in it. It isn't! My older machines L, G, F ... have way more power. I wish I would have known before I shelled out 50 bucks for one.
Also how do they compare to the plastic models? Are they the same motor do you know? I have a 2100 that I got at a thrift store for $13. I love the P/N 7 it came with. But the hose is a leaky woven type. It seems strong at the machine, but it's real weak at the end of the hose.
Thanks for your help.
Nicholas

 

[lux1521]

In terms of power it seems to me that Silverados and 1521s have about the same power. I have a Silverado I will be selling in about a week that has about as much power as you can get. Really, power can change from machine to machine depending on motor wear and other factors.

The model 1453 you have should have plenty of power if it has a orignal motor and is working properly. I have seen some dealers install motors wrong and the vacuum has very little suction and that could be your problem. By the way, what color is it? I liked the white ones and it's been a while since I have seen a good one.

Now, about that 2100. First, your hose is shot. You can get a replacement for it for about $35.00 on ebay. After that it should be as good as new. Second, the PN7 can be loads of fun. With a good brush roll in them they can be great carpet cleaners. Third, the metal and plastic body motors are usualy the same depending on when it was made. If the motor sounds good now, and you take good care of it(change bags often), then it should stay that way and I woulden't worry about it. The motors tend to give you plenty of warning before they let go.

Below is a picture of a motor from a Marquise.

 

[lux1521]

And a top view of the same motor. There will be more pictures to come later tonight.

 

[constellation86]

1453

My 1453 is silver. I took it to the Electrolux dealer a couple months ago when I bought it. He said it ran fine and that I got a bargain. It's all how you look at it I guess. It has plenty of power to be useful, but my expectations were way high. I still use it once in a while. I haven't tried it with a power nozzle yet. I won't have an electric hose for it until my Grand Marquise comes in the mail.
Nicholas
P.S. Thanks for the motor pictures I'm looking forward to seeing the rest.

 

[lux1521]

Ok, I've got the rest of the picures. First up is the Diamond J motor (1984-1987).

 

[lux1521]

And the Diamond J motor view from the top.

 

[lux1521]

Now a trip back in time. The 1968-74 1205 motor. I am using this as a comparison to the Super J motor because they share the same structure and have identical fan assembleys. A Super J motor is like this with the electrical components about 25% larger.

 

[lux1521]

And a 1205 motor view from the top.

 

[lux1521]

A side by side comparison of the older 1205 motor to a newer but cheaper Diamond J motor. They are both lined up at the mounting plates. This allows you better imagine how they fit in the machines differntly.

 

[constellation86]

1453 motor

Thanks for the motor pictures. They gave me the motivation to take apart my 1453 last night. I was wondering about the suction. There is some sponge-like stuff at the back of the bag chamber; is this stuff supposed to seal? Some of it on the top is missing.
Also the whole back of this thing is covered with carbon dust from the brushes. I think it may just be getting worn out. What other motors would fit? The fan looks just like the Diamond J(about 3 inches high), but the electric side looks like the 1205 but taller (about 4 1/2 inches from the mounting plate. I guess a shorter motor would be fine but the fan would have to be the same, right?
This is the first 80's era machine I have tinkered with and any advice would be great.
Thanks,
Nicholas

 

[lux1521]

It sounds like you have a Super J motor judging by it's size. Does it have the large rubber gasket like the 1205 motor?
Lots of carbon brush dust seems to be common on these motors. The brushes seem to be quite large compared to other motors on the market. The brushes can be removed quite easily so you can see how worn down they are. I would recommend that you have that motor serviced rather than buy a new motor. Most parts for those motors are still made and don't cost very much. New motors just don't compare in terms of quality, and they cost about $110.
The sponge stuff falls off once and a while. I have no idea what it does but I have seen many machine function fine without it. Perhaps someone else on here knows what it's for.

If you have a digital camera and could post a few pictures I could give better advice on what to do in terms of servicing the motor.

I am also posting the totalvac.com page with electrolux replacement motors and parts.

http://www.totalvac.com/parts/electrolux_motor.html

 

[constellation86]

Thanks for the info. While I had the motor out I ran it and checked the suction right at the fan. Don't try this at home kids! It had a lot more power than when it was in the vacuum. I figure it must not have been lined up right with the bag chamber. I put it all back together and it runs smooth and stronger than before. Almost as good as my vintage machines. I still can't wait till my 1521 comes in the mail. It's been over a week now, I can't take much more suspense!
I forgot about the size. The fan does not have a big gasket like the 1205. It looks just like the Diamond J, but with a much taller and beefier motor. I was just curious about stuffing Super J guts in it to make a monster, but the fans stick out to far from the mounting plate. It has OK suction now so I will run it until it dies.
I would post some pictures but I can't get my camera to work with my computer. I would get a new camera, but I keep spending all my money on vacuums. You know how it goes!
Nicholas

 

[lux1521]

This sounds like an interesting motor. It has been a while since I have done work on a 1453 so I can't remember exactly what the motor looked like. By the sounds of it you might have a modified Super J motor to begin with. It sounds like the lux designers might have decided to take the Super J motor, remove the gasket, then attach a mounting plate directly to the fan housings. Do your fan casings have bolts like on the 1205 motor? What is the diamiter of the fan casings?

I'll be interested to see what you think of your 1521 when you get it. It should have a nicer feel to it than your 1453. It will have a bit more metal on it and might also be a bit larger. You could also have some fun with the Automatic control.

Lastly, about that digital camera of yours. I might be able to help you with that. I "build" computers as a hobby so I can probably figure out what your problem might be and what you can do about it.

 

[danemodsandy]

Diamond Jubilee

I've had a DJ for a few years now, and I haven't had any trouble with its motor, nor have any of the other DJ owners I've known. The main problem point with the DJ was the bottom plate of the PN-5 power nozzle, which was plastic. The mounting holes where the brush roll bearing retainers are screwed into the plate tend to break.

There are no replacement bottom plates available. For a while, there was a redesigned housing available for the entire PN, but now Aerus has discontinued that, too.

A PN-5 in good shape is something to prize and take care of. It's an excellent power nozzle, so long as its bottom plate is intact and capable of keeping the brush roll bearings in place.

 

[lux1521]

I assume that you treat your Diamond J nicely, and that is why it is still in good shape. The Diamond J motors tend to stay nice when used properly. They just don't seem to handle abuse very well. I have seen 4 or 5 Diamond Jubilees over the past 3 years and 2 have had bearing issues and another had a commutator bar missing. I have never seen any other Electrolux motor that has problems this frequently.

I completly agree that the PN5 is a great nozzle. I have never seen the problem that you described, although I can see how it could occour. I have 2 perfectly working PN5 nozzles at the moment, and have had many in the past. Using them is plenty of fun and they clean very well, although I prefer the PN6 with it's bare floor cleaning capibility.