Electrolux Epic 3500 SR

[luxkid1980]

Hi all.

I recently came across an Electrolux Epic 3500 SR sweeper in my local thrift store for $5. The cleaner was in very dirty condition. There was so much hair and string on the brush roll you could hardly see it! The bag was so overfilled that the dirt backed all the out to the brush roller. I paid the $5 and brought it home and cleaned it all up. I went to the local vac shop and bought some bags and a new belt. The brushroll itself appeared to be in OK condition, just dirty. Anyways, when I attempted to clean the wall to wall carpet in my den, the cleaner seems to hop across the carpet. Does this seem like an issue with the brush roller? I thought it was due to the old belt, but changing to the new belt did not seem to help. Also, the cleaner did not seem to want to pick up stray pieces of cat litter...more or less pushed them around on the linoleum, with the brush roll off. Maybe the cleaner is sitting too low. Overall, it sounds very healthy and the side exhaust vent really blows out a large volume of air.

Thanks!

 

[myles_v]

It may be "hopping" across the carpet due to your carpet's texture, is it Berber carpeting? I've experienced similar things with other vacuums on Berber and other low-pile carpeting. With the cat litter on your linoleum, the plastic grooves at the front of the nozzle base may be pushing it around. The 3500 SR doesn't have the absolute best suction/airflow, so I occasionally have some small issues picking up debris on hard floors. Aside from that, it's a great cleaner.

Does it only "hop" on your den's carpeting? Do you have multiple types/textures of carpeting to try the machine on?

Btw, where in Virginia are you located? I'm in Fredericksburg/Spotsylvania.

 

[human]

Hopping seems to be common with very low pile rugs and carpets. I have several Persian rugs and experience it to varying degrees with my Discovery Plus as well as my various power nozzles, the worst offender being my PN1. I experience it most in the dining room and one of the bedrooms where the rug is laid directly on a hard floor. It's less pronounced in the living room and my bedroom, where the Persian rug is on top of wall-to-wall carpet.

 

[luxkid1980]

The carpet is fairly low pile but it is very dense. It's strange though because the Oreck XL I have does not experience this hopping, neither does the PN 4 nozzle I have with my Electrolux Silverado. I was thinking that the weight of the 3500 was causing the issue, but I don't have other carpet in the house to test this on. Also it only seems to experience the hopping issue in certain directions on the carpet. Perhaps it is just the nature of the machine and it may be suited for much lower pile carpet, like in an office environment. My Oreck's power nozzle might sit a bit higher as it does not have issues picking up debris on the carpet, hardwood or linoleum flooring.

Hi Myles. I'm in the Richmond Va area, so not too far away

Regarding the brushroll, how long would one last on the Electrolux uprights? How often do people here typically replace them? I can't tell how old the one on my machine is.

 

[human]

Luxkid1980 wrote:
Regarding the brushroll, how long would one last on the Electrolux uprights? How often do people here typically replace them? I can't tell how old the one on my machine is.

I reply:
Brush rolls typically last for several years but exactly how many years you get out of it really depends on how often you use the machine and on what surfaces. Eventually, the bristles will get splayed out and too soft to do much good, sort of like an old toothbrush. As long as the bristles are straight and stiff, you should be fine.

One of the things I really like about the PN2 is its two-position brush roll, similar to Kirby brush rolls. Start it out in the "New" position and then when the bristles get some noticeable wear on them, just change it to the "Used" position and you can get even more use out of the brush roll before replacing it. I think that feature was only on the PN2, which is really a shame.

 

[luxkid1980]

The brushroll bristles look OK to me, not much splaying. I've attached a couple pictures. Hopefully the brushroll can be seen well enough.

Human, yes I have heard that some of the PN power nozzles had the new/used brushroll feature. My Oreck has that feature.

 

[vacuumlad1650]

That's the old style brushroll. If you want to replace it, use a generic one. The genuine ones out more strain on the motor
Andy

 

[pr-21]

Your brush roll may need new bearing ends, probably easier to go to the newer style brush roll and ends.

Some carpet types now a days do cause hopping with certain vacuums. My Kirby does this depending on the direction I am vacuuming. Like against the nap in tight spaces....I don't notice my Lux upright doing this, but it does have the newer brush roll in it.


PR-21
Bud

 

[luxkid1980]

Thanks for the tip on the brushroll. Would something like this work for my Epic?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/371520969449?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

[pr-21]

Yes, but keep in mind, there is a difference in quality brush rolls. I usually spend between 25 and 30 dollars for a quality generic. That's just me and I have been well pleased with them. Who knows, maybe I pay too much......

pr-21
Bud

 

[kirbylux77]

Luxkid1980, if you decide to replace your brushroll, I would suggest getting this one I have linked to below. This is the generic version of the newer-style 10 Degree brushroll that Aerus Electrolux now uses on all their canisters & upright powerheads. The difference is it has a extra turn of bristles for improved grooming performance. I have this installed in my Electrolux Grand Marquise canister's PN6 powerhead, & it has shown a marked improvement in grooming performance & cleaning ability. As for the genuine Aerus Electrolux brushrolls (this one) putting more strain on the PN motor? I haven't noticed it, & if it does, it's not a signifigant amount & very unlikely to cause damage.

Rob

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Electrolux-...293&meid=cbe96a3daf60432aab4f7795374048cc&pid

 

[vacuumlad1650]

Rob
It puts a fairly obvious strain, but I doubt it will burn out the motor. The generic old style brushes also have stiffer brushes, which beat the carpet better. Just my 2 cents...
Andy

 

[ronni]

Just wanted to mention that the Epic 3500SR label uprights were sold in different models/colors from 1993-2000. There were 2 models in navy & light sand--1719 and U110A. I doubt there is any difference. In 1994, with the introduction of the Renaissance C104A all cleaners were given alphanumeric model designations. You will find your specs on the top of the hood when you release the handle. There was also the navy & light sand Epic 3000SR which looked similar. I think the difference was that it lacked a carrying handle.

There was also a budget model called the Epic 2500SR which had a 9 amp. motor and no headlight. It sold alongside the 3500SR during the same period in matching colors.

As for the hopping, I agree that it could have something to do with the weight of the nozzle. The PN-4 has a metal hood and bottom plate that would make it a bit heavier than the plastic hood and base nozzle of your upright. Of course, if you go against the nap of an area rug the vacuum nozzle will hop.

 

[ronni]

Another thought that came to mind regarding the hopping of your Electrolux 3500SR is that its brush roll bristles have stiffened over time. You could try to remedy that by removing the brush roll, placing it in a pail of warm water, weighing it down with a plastic container filled with water, and soaking it overnight.

Regarding replacement timing, a rule of thumb for the length is that the bristles should stick out past the brush roll opening about 1/16 of an inch.

If you need an instruction manual, you can download one from aerushome.com. Click "Service", then scroll to the bottom and click "Manuals".

 

[luxkid1980]

Thanks Ronni. That's good info to know about the bristles. I've ordered a replacement brushroll so we will see if there is any improvement.

 

[electroluxxxx]

Andy if I may call you that the only possible way an Electrolux brushroll can put strain on that machine would be if the bearings were gummed up to the point of almost being frozen. Being one who has and has had a wide variety of Electrolux machines I have never noticed any such thing as a genuine brushroll creating an "obvious strain" on a machine.

Also do not soak the brushroll in a pail of water as it is a wood brushroll and it will swell in water. Last but not least those are nylon bristles and honestly I have never heard of such bristles stiffening due to age hell I work on machines for a living that are nearly 45 years old to new with nylon bristles and never once have any come back "stiff". If the machine seems to be skipping across the floor this is usually caused by a couple of things. One being that you are trying to vacuum against the grain of the carpet. 2 being the type of carpet and 3 the brushroll could be worn. I have a Berber type area rug that is rather difficult to clean with a vacuum due to the same thing. If I go with the grain of the carpet it doesn't jump or skip if I go against it the machine will jump and skip reguardless of the machine. I have had this happen with different types of carpet too such as medium pile and low business pile carpet. Hope this info helps you

 

[luxkid1980]

These have all been good solutions I think. I'm going to go the route of replacement brushroll first to see if that changes anything (once it arrives). I haven't experienced the skipping issue with other vacuums that I have and use regularly (Silverado Deluxe and the Oreck XL), but those two machines have newer brush rolls. I just initially thought it was an inherent characteristic of the Electrolux uprights since I have never used one till now.