Electrolux Epic

[luxkid1980]

I needed another vacuum just as much as I needed another hole in the head! But this Electrolux Epic was too nice to pass up and the price was right! It was there hiding among some bagless vacuums and had the lowest price of any of the vacuums at the thrift store. It even had all of the attachments and caddy, except for the dusting brush and floor tool. The whole unit looks almost unused. The hose especially looks like it was never used! I fired it up and it works perfectly! The wooden beater bar looks to be fairly new as well. Overall I’m impressed that it was even at the thrift store due to its condition. It even had an original Electrolux bag installed that wasn’t hardly filled. No funky odors either which is nice. I wonder why someone wanted to get rid of it?

 

[justjunque]

Nice find, Jason!

It does look like it's in great shape!
That must be the same era as my Ambassador.
Appears to be the same color combination, and the hose is almost identical.
Mine didn't have the non-powered wands when I picked it up off the curb, so I had to buy them off of eBay.
I went with the older aluminum type though.

Don't worry too much about the "not needing another vacuum" thing.
At least you have carpet.
I've dragged home a couple of Hoover Convertibles, and I hardly have anything to use them on!
It's an addiction. It's not supposed to make sense.

Barry

 

[rugsucker]

Nice Electrolux!

Great price,very good condition,nearly complete(it would not have had the floor tool as the 2 motor with 2 position switch would allow vacuuming both carpet and hard floors).
Why was it at the thrift store?One guess would be that an older long time Elux customer bought it as being easier than pulling the tank model or after downsizing.And then after little use got older and died.With many families living in distant parts of the country it is common to call a thrift store,possibly after an estate sale,to come take everything left in house.And then because it didn't look like the latest high price Dyson it was priced low and you get a vac with many more years use ahead with a self sealing filter bag where you--See No,Touch No,Smell No Dust.
Happy Vacuuming

 

[gregvacs28]

Wow

Looks like new.

I've owned a few of these over the years and they work good. I've found they work even better if you clean and caulk where the motor meets the rubber seal (and let it dry before using).

I forgot they have the performance indicator, which is very handy.

Enjoy.

Oh and as for the numerous holes in your head, I wouldn't worry. It obviously hasn't stopped you from finding good deals. As long as things aren't leaking out, you should be fine.
[this post was last edited: 9/22/2018-21:36]

 

[human]

That's a great machine. I've got three of that type (Discovery Plus, Discovery II and Genesis LXe). They'll outclean--and outlast--any Wally World plasticrap vac out there.

 

[luxkid1980]

@rugsucker

That's a good point! I meant the floor combo tool. I may still look for one to allow for easier cleaning under chairs and the like. Some folks might think the Electrolux looks pretty old fashioned compared to newer bagless models. I went to a different thrift store later that afternoon and saw a young 20-something couple checking out some vacuums and they were immediately drawn to a stick type bagless unit versus an Oreck vacuum that was also there, which was the best vacuum they had. I think they settled on the stick vac instead and didn't give the Oreck a consideration. The same probably happened to the Electrolux. Its a heavy vacuum no doubt but it feels much more solid and robust than other cleaners. I'm sure it wasn't cheap either to whoever bought it new.

 

[luxkid1980]

@human

No doubt it will outclean the wally world specials!

 

[luxkid1980]

@gregvacs28

Haha. Nothing leaking out yet! You never know what people will get rid of!

 

[n0oxy]

power nozzles

Sounds like you got a nice Lux machine, enjoy. I'm the same way when it comes to power nozzles and very little carpet. All I have when it comes to carpet are area rugs outside my apartment doors, inside my apartment is all hard floors. Yet, I do have all of the major universal power nozzles that are available, these are mostly designed for central vacuums and since they have cords on them, they will work with many canisters as well. I do use them to clean the area rugs but not inside. I use a variety of hard floor tools for vacuuming inside the apartment. Still, I'm glad I got them to add to my collection. The only power nozzle I use inside the apartment on my hard floors is the Centec CT10 which is designed for that purpose.
Mike

 

[luxkid1980]

Thanks Mike. Its the nicest Epic I've come across at a thrift shop. Fun to find items that have been taken care of! Are these pretty much the same as the current Lux Guardian uprights, less the HEPA filter?

 

[vacuumdevil]

What a great find!
People get rid of vacuums all the time there doesn't seem a reason most of the time .
I worked in the vacuum store for many years .Some people get rid of perfectly good vacuums on the regular.

 

[air-waycharlie]

Jason,

The current Guardian Platinum upright has a motor that has a much higher RPM resulting in much improved suction. The design and housing is identical other than that. The hose, tools and carrier are all the same too.

It also have a new bag that is made of HEPA material similar to Kirby for improved filtration in addition to the HEPA exhaust filter. Genuine Aerus bags must be used for the first 5 years, (if I'm remembering correctly), to keep any repairs under warranty.

I have one after also owning the Epic and Legacy. The current model seems quieter and is a great vacuum. I traded in the Legacy and kept the attachments as they work perfectly on the Guardian plus it saved me a few $$$$.

 

[suckolux]

Had one 30 years ago, top heavy yes, works great, hard to break in everyday use. Handy with thoughtless folks around. Miss it

 

[madman]

Most thrift store stuff is leftovers from garage sales and estate sales. Like probably 90% of it.

Great find.

 

[paul]

Congratulations, Jason. You were fortunate to get most of the accessories; which is not always the case with thrift store vacs.

In case you didn't know, Electrolux Corporation's Epic uprights came in two series: the 2500 & the 3500. If you look carefully at the label, you'll see that yours is a 3500SR. The differences between the budget 2500SR and the standard 3500SR are:

9 amp v. 10 amp dual motor system
160 air watts v. 200 air watts
30 foot v. 35 foot power cord
no headlight v. headlight
accessory kit v. accessory kit with the Sidekick nozzle & carry caddy

Both were marketed from 1993-2002 in various successive colors. The gray ones (models U110B & U112B), like yours, were out from 1995-1998. Btw,there was also an earlier Epic 3000 series, model 1717 (same as the Genesis LXe) similar to the 3500SR produced from 1992-1993. I think the differences were that the 3000SR lacked a carrying handle and was equipped with a 30 foot power cord. It did have the 10 amp motor and headlight.

The name stamp is on the top of the base's hood and can be seen when the handle is released to the floor.

Also, here's the link to the manual in case you don't have one: http://www.aerushome.com/Warranty/Manual?category=Surface&manual=Epic3500.pdf

________

As for the current black & white Lux Guardian upright, model U147H, it is manufactured by The Eureka Company or another outsourced company. The motors are supplied by JEI of Hong Kong, which are more powerful than the ones used in the Epic series. Aerus is just involved in assembly, distribution, marketing, and sales.

 

[huskyvacs]

You didn't state how much you paid for it, but I assume you got a good deal!

I paid $40-something for my Electrolux Epic that was from an industrial setting and was advertised as having a dead motor. When I received it, I noticed that a monkey had been playing with the switch on the handle and there was screws missing. I undo the tape and the single screw left, and lo and behold there was the problem for the "dead" motor....the hot wire was unplugged from the switch! I plugged the wire back in and braced for the worst (janitors usually intentionally disable broken vacuums for safety), but I was surprised in that the motor sounded brand new! No squeals, sparks, vibration rattle, or anything.