Electrolux Epic series PN to 1693 style with upgrades

[blknblu]

Looking through the Electrolux PN parade thread gave me an idea, and here is the result:


 


Electrolux Power Nozzle Parade


http://www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?23588

 


Desired:


Epic style power nozzle (looks more modern)


double helix brushroll


LED headlight


rocker switch with barrier/guard


wheels with bushings


possibly fixed wheels - (still debating on this, the Epic can be converted to fixed wheels more easily than previous PN's, right now, they are fixed)

 

[blknblu]

Epic series  power nozzle is more versatile than the older PN's to modify, due to the axle cover not being flat.


I had a flat plate as well, and tried a few variations for a fixed axle.


 

 

[hoover61]

HOOVER SPECIALS

CAN SOMEONE LET ME KNOW ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE HOOVER SPECIALS
I AM TALKING ABOUT THE FACTORY REBUILDS
THERE IS NO RHYME OR REASON I HAVE SEEN 300 700 60 115 SPECIALS
THE 60 SPECIAL LOOKS LIKE A 61 WANNA BE
ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED

 

[paul]

I thought that only the PN5 had the spring-loaded wheels. Did all the Epic Series color versions have them or just the dark gray ones?

Here is information I've collected on all the Aerus/Electrolux power nozzles (except the Canadian-exclusive models). It's a work in progress given the fact that I haven't confirmed all the data and don't have all the facts such as the spring-loaded wheels on the Epic Series model, but it provides a framework. There are 60 models in all plus the 3 dry chemical carpet nozzles (D series). To save space I just included the cylinders' model IDs without their names (used since 1974), so some PN models had several different hoods, because the same cylinder model may have had different names (e.g. Model 2100: Hi-Tech, Special Edition, Regency Series, Diplomat). In addition, the PN-1 underwent several color changes to match the different cylinder colors with which they were paired; and the commercial version even had a detachable elbow that the domestic version did not--none of this information was included). I'm unsure which models came with the double helix brush roll, or when it was made available as an option.

I'm thinking that the uprights that were sold concurrently with each cylinder would have used the same power nozzle; others who have worked on them and/or sold them can corroborate or refute that.

Incidentally, these are the Epic Series PNs according to my list: *N106M, N109s, and *N137A. (*also paired with other cylinders)


•PN-1s – PN-4s (STANDARD & COMMERCIAL MODELS): rectangular-shape, metal elbow riveted to wand (PN-1s), wand-lock standard elbow (PN-2s-4s)
brush roll options: PN-1—domestic two-row brush #10368, three-row #10371 (commercial) soft brush two-row #10376; PN-2—two-row domestic #41920, 3-row (commercial) #41921, two-row soft brush #41940; PN-4 & PN-4A—two-row brush (domestic) #42071, agitator brush (commercial) large dowel #42074 and soft two-row brush #42067.
•PN5s, PN6s, & PN7s (STANDARD & COMMERCIAL MODELS): L-Shape “Omni-Flo Automatics”, on/off/reset switch, standard elbow
•factory-equipped 3-wire models: PN-3, PN-4C, PN5C, 6BC (renamed N116B), 7BC (renamed N116A), 1751?
•1622, 1720s, 1751 (ECONOMY MODELS): L-Shape, on/off/reset switch, standard elbow
•1684, 1690s, 1750 (STANDARD MODELS): L-Shape, headlight, on/off/reset switch, std. elbow
•N115s (ECONOMY MODELS): L-Shape, headlight, power switch, reset button, standard elbow
•1752, N116s (Model CB2000s: L-Shape, power switch, reset button, “Omni-Flo Automatic”,
standard elbow
•N106s, N109s N137s: L-Shape, headlight, electric elbow; reset button; hose grip controlled
•N142A: L-shape, headlight, electric elbow, black reset button, hose grip controlled; HPO brush roll
•N144A (INDIRECT SALE MODEL): L-Shape, reset button, electric elbow

 

[blknblu]

Paul,


this Epic power nozzle model is N106F, originally came with a floating axle attached to the axle cover plate.


 


I believe this was done for assembly purposes, since it then becomes a module that can be snapped into the base.


It can be removed from the plate and inserted into the base as well, but that requires a little finesse to do so, (due to the tension spring)


 


As mentioned, the axle cover plate is not flat, but has ridges for a fixed axle. (They reversed the axle holes in the ridges, so the holes are actually on the inside) 


It is doable to convert the plate for a fixed axle.


I just used a longer axle rod, and a flat plate with a groove routed in it for one fixed axle test.


 


I tried different variation of a fixed axle, and ended up with the floating axle put into the base, with a flat plate covering it. My brush roll is now a double helix. This combination actually worked the best.

 

[paul]

Sven,

You are more mechanically-minded than me--sounds like your custom-made power nozzle digs dirt better than the typical ones; good job.

I do wonder if your N106F was a swap at some point as all the other Epic 6500s were N109s (the Epic 8000 had the N106M). I'm sure that happened often as the N106 and concurrently-sold N109 hoods were the same. I'm not sure what the mechanical differences were but they must have existed or it wouldn't have made sense to use different model IDs.

 

[blknblu]

The N106F power nozzle is quite common.


 


Here is mine unaltered, along with another pic of one:


 


 

 

[blknblu]

some more variants ..


 

 

[paul]

Re: Reply #6 Photo 1--Is that a white elbow? I've seen that before and have always thought that it was a replacement.

Re: Reply #7 Photo 2--Does the list include all the power nozzles that had the floating axles?

I got to thinking that the two axle types may have marked the difference between the models paired with the premium cylinders (Renaissances, Epic 8000, Guardians, Lux 9000s, and Lux Guardians) and the standard ones (Epic 6500s, Lux 7000s, and Lux Legacys); although I have also noticed that some power nozzles have rectangular air channels along the front side of the brush roll opening and others have triangular ones, so that could also be a difference between the two.

To my knowledge the Lux Guardian Platinum and the current Lux Legacy are both paired with N137Z.

 

[Gr8DaneDad]

The PN on the Guardian Platinum is not the same as the one for the Legacy. Different elbows and wand sizes. The Platinum PN is shared with the TOL TriStar models.

The PN chart above is extremely inaccurate. Only the earliest of PN 1s had a riveted elbow. All others have a replaceable plastic elbow in either beige or turquoise. On/Off/Reset switches were not introduced until the 1622 or there abouts, and not all PNs had them until after the name change to Aerus, before that they just had the red reset switch for the circuit breaker and only the TOL models had a PN with On/Off/Reset. I know that no PN5, PN6 or PN6A had them, the very last of the PN7s may have but I don't think so. And all the PNs associated with the newer plastic wands have the power switch on the gas pump handle and only a circuit breaker reset on the PN.
Upright PNs don't correlate at all and only have circuit breaker resets and unique design to the upright. They share only front wheels, brush rolls, belts and motors with the cylinder PNs.

 

[paul]

"Extremely inaccurate" is a pretty caustic and tactless remark. I stated that it is a work in progress, but would add that the information has come through personal observation, information from others who own the products, and information from Aerus personnel--I didn't just throw something together as your statement implies.

Furthermore, your own information is flawed (I won't say "extremely" or otherwise try to patronize you) considering: the photos on the link shown in the original post prove (among other things) that the 3-way switch first appeared on the PN6 (it was not needed for the premium models, because of the hose grip controls) and the first version of the Model 1205 had the riveted wand before the telescopic one was introduced.

Electrolux, like other companies, has used flawed materials from time to time--likely in an effort to economize and/or its lack of pre-production testing. The plastic wands for the tan Model G PN-1s prove that as many have, indeed, been replaced (often with the teal elbow and sheath or short-lived steel wand). Other examples are the dry-rotting of the colored tool bumpers in the '50s and the round plugs on the first aqua Model Gs--most of which have been replaced unlike the later ones (so it's not consumer neglect). I'm sure there are others. No product or company is without its flaws--either now or back in the day.

Regarding the N137Z, I have gone to two different Aerus stores and have seen different eBay listings showing it with the current Lux Legacy. One salesperson even stated that it was the same one that the Lux Guardian Platinum used. If I'm wrong (along with the salesperson), please give me the correct model ID for the Lux Legacy.

Photo: tan PN-1 showing its riveted wand alongside the tan Model G, circa 1966

 

[blknblu]

let's take a step back and enjoy the variety of Electrolux power nozzles.


Nothing was set in stone, and different PN's could come with a machine new.


 


These threads are interesting to read:


Electrolux Power Nozzle Parade


http://www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?23588

 


Electrolux Power Nozzles


http://www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?10468

 


Also, there was a thread or two where someone else compiled a list or two.


 


Arguing is just not constructive. Factory literature can be in error. Salesman can mix parts based on what he had, etc. All of these things should just be a guide, not concrete.


 

 

[paul]

I'm with you, Sven. I was just pointing out that one can see several different photos showing the 3-way switch on a PN6. As for the company literature being in error, that is a possibility. I thought the attached photo of the leaflet was accurate, though, because my tan Model G manual with the yellow cover shows the PN-1 with the plastic wand (not the wand/sheath combination). If you have tan PN Model G literature showing the detachable wand/sheath I'm interested in seeing it; although it could even be that they changed the PN-1 wand after publishing the literature. As for the Model 1205 and PN with the plastic wand it's conceivable that they were custom-made versions--maybe by repair shops or DIYers. I'll admit that I've never seen the inside of a 1968 Model 1205 manual.

I don't mind someone proving me wrong, but I'd like to see the photos, literature, or links to back it up. I also appreciate respectful communication instead of snarkiness.

Getting back to our earlier discussion ... thanks for the links!