Electrolux Model L

[louvac]

Hey Guys!

I recently picked a blue/turquoise Electrolux model L in decent shape with the usual battle scars and minor rust-scratches. At least the wheels are in excellent condition and the motor sounds decent, but....

Does anyone really know why this particular model Electrolux L always has that, "buudddaaroom" sound when it turns on? I have only ever noticed it with this particular model. I realize the fans could use a thorough cleaning but it seems every blue model L that I have ever found always sounds like this when you turn it on. It sounds like a belabored start.

 

[louvac]

Here is a picture of it

 

[mjhoshaw]

I have owned several blue L's and I know what you mean. My gold L sounds the same. Just my opinion, but I think it has to do with the motor redesign that happened partway through the model's run. I once owned an early L that had the AE/AF/G motor with a 14-pole, 28-bar armature, and it sounded much like the models that preceded it. The motors in the later L's have a 22-pole, 22-bar armature and have a noticeably different sound.

Hope this helps.

Joel

 

[huskyvacs]

Is there any way to tell what motor you have by looking at it? Or do you have to actually open up the motor?

 

[louvac]

I'm glad mine is not the only one!

Hey Joel!

Thanks for your input! I am glad it's not just mine. It always makes me think that there is something wrong with the motor every time I turn on an "L" and so I am reluctant to using them because I feel I am going to ruin it until I can get to that motor--which isn't anytime soon! LOL!

Though I haven't checked the forum, I would like to see one of our comrades here on the forum do an Electrolux repair clinic on YouTube.

I have often wondered if there is a safe and effective way to clean Electrolux motor fans by blasting high pressure air into the motor/fans through the bag chamber while it's running and watch the dirt cloud blow out the exhaust. This would alleviate having to break the motor down completely.

Hmmmmmm......even adding a cleaning component with an evaporative quality theoretically sounds viable......but is it practical?

 

[louvac]

How to tell the which motor

Huskyvacs--that's also a great point. I wonder if a certain serial number range would tell us which motor is in which model. Or, more simply just going by the sound of the motor.

Does anyone else have anything constructive to offer?

 

[mjhoshaw]

Hey Louvac, I haven't explored other methods of cleaning the fans other than breaking down the motor. I've been doing that since I was 12 (53 years now) and the motors are so easy to disassemble that I don't mind at all. It so happens that the motor in my gold L has zero visible commutator wear, and the original front bearing is totally quiet, so I think this motor has very few hours on it. I got lucky on this one. When I got it, it had a sticking brush that was easily fixed.

I'm not sure an evaporative cleaner would work, because no matter how long I soak the fans in cleaning solution, I always have to scrub them with a small bottle brush.

Huskyvacs, one could have told the type of motor without disassembly if the rear housing was still in two pieces like the models E, AE, and AF. Just take off that back piece, shine a light in, and count the number of poles and bars. HOWEVER the model L has a one-piece back, so unless you can hear the nuances in the sound of the early vs. later motors, you'll have to resort to partial disassembly. There is a distinct difference in the sound of the older vs. the newer motors. Interestingly, modern Lamb motors also have 22 poles/22 bars. How the mfr's arrived at this design would be an interesting topic for discussion.

 

[louvac]

Thanks Joel!

Thanks for your input, Joel!

Though I have never really broken down a lux motor, I am willing to try it. I am just a little timid about it since if I run into any trouble, you guys are not exactly nearby and frustration would kill me! I am very mechanical but as with all things, if you never have done something, the first time can be daunting!

I am always afraid that the fans for some reason will not line up and I will get a screeching rubbing sound when I reassemble. It's always best to learn from someone who has done this before you so that you can avoid the pitfalls!

 

[huskyvacs]

I'm more afraid of the cord winders than the motors, lol
I've read some painful stories members told on here of disassembling them, so kind of scary o_o

 

[mjhoshaw]

Louvac, you would have to try really hard to bend the fans to cause the screeching sound you fear. 'lux motors of this vintage come apart really easily. For a noobie, IMO the only part of the disassembly that would invoke fear is breaking loose the nut that secures the fans to the armature. I place a small straight blade screwdriver into one of the slots in the armature stack so that it wedges against the field coil stack, and then use a socket wrench to break loose the nut that holds the fans tight. I do the same thing in reverse to secure the nut when I reassemble. Once you've done this a time or two, I think you'll say "meh" about doing it again. Best of luck to you.

Joel

 

[kirbyklekter]

Hey Louvac

Just wanted to reiterate what Huskyvacs said about the metal cord winders. A favorite repair guy flat out refused to work on my model F's winder. He said he knew someone that was injured pretty bad and he saw the damage done and he said "not worth the risk".

Someone on here actually a few people here have used compressed air to clean the fans.

Also there are a few Electrolux rebuild projects that are in the archives from members, I've read they are really thorough so there is that!

Vacuuming the upper shelves in kitchen cupboards, lost grip of hose to model AF, it landed into a sink full of hot sudsy water. I believe it sucked about a half gallon of said water before I could jump down from sink top and pull the plug. I drained as much water as I could, wiped it out and put it in closet. A couple weeks later I installed new paper bag and it started right up, that was 20 yrs ago,I was amazed! Haven't had it apart for any repairs, go figure! Good luck on your repair project.

 

[louvac]

Thanks Guys!

Thanks Joel and Bill!

One of these days I will tackle a motor job. I keep saying I'll wait for a nearly trashed machine to do this on so if I ruin it-eh no big deal, but then I can never get myself to do it as I become more obsessed with trying to rescue it and bring it back to life again do I don't want to "ruin it".

Don't know about most of you guys, but cord winders never tripped my trigger. From when I was a kid, when I saw a machine with "no cord", it made me think of a battery operated toy! Not seeing the cord took away some of the fantasy these machines instilled! For me, the cord completed the picture. So, for me if a machine doesn't have a cord winder, I am not disappointed whatsoever! I almost prefer it!

In other words, the cord gives the machine credence...again at least for me!

 

[jo]

Interesting

I’ve had numerous model L’s over the years between family and friends and not one of them seems to have this issue they all run beautifully from start to finish on each turn on and off.

However, an Electrolux rep that sold my Mom hers back in the 70s told me in the 80s that sometimes the motors get loose causing a vibration upon start and stop. Perhaps that’s the problem.

Jon

 

[mjhoshaw]

Speaking of teardowns . . .

Louvac, in the near future I will do a teardown on the motor of the model E I received last week. It's similar in many aspects to the model L motor. Its bearings are a little noisy but I've heard much worse, and I believe they will quiet down after I clean them with solvent and put in fresh grease. (If not, I'm prepared to replace them.) If you're willing to share your email address (mine is in my profile), I would be happy to document that work and send images to you so you can see exactly what's involved. I will start with the motor removed and on the bench.

Joel

 

[jo]

Weight

Since you have a model L without the cordwinder and just the cord halo…I would be interested in knowing the weight of the main unit with the cord but without any attachments on the clip and no or an empty bag installed.

The model L was touted as “The world lightest weight heavy duty vacuum cleaner” at the time. I don’t have an L at home but my Mom does but her scale is not digital and kinda crappy so I can’t get an accurate weight. Basically stand the cord halo end of the vac on a digital scale to get the weight. Might have to stap on the scale first to get it to turn on.


Jon

 

[mjhoshaw]

Weight, as close as I can get

Jon, I have two digital scales, one with 1/2 lb. resolution and one with 1/8 oz. that doesn't go over 11 lbs. I removed the cordwinder from my L and temporarily stuck on a halo. Not counting the cord, the main unit weighs 11.5 lbs. I coiled up as much as I could of the cord from one of my Es and weighed it - 13 oz. So, 12 lbs. 5 oz. total.

Back in the mid-50s Electrolux advertised the model E the same way. I have prints of several of those ads. That said, both of my model Es weigh 13.5 lbs. with their cords wound, so the L rightfully claims the title.

Joel

 

[kirbyklekter]

A tip on weighing

For weighing odd shaped or oversized items I just weigh myself first then get back on while holding said item and check the difference. Works great with digital bathroom scales.

 

[mjhoshaw]

That weighing method works but . . .

It assumes you aren't averse to finding out what you weigh! I've also weighed odd-shaped objects by finding a box they'll fit into, weighing the box, and then weighing the box with the item in it.

 

[jo]

Ha!

Yeah, we weigh our dogs by getting on the bathroom scale with out them then pick them up and weigh again then subtract our own weight…it works great for squirmy pets that are nervous of the scale but don’t mind being picked up and held!

Thanks for the weight on the model L. It about matches the weight of the Lux Classic which my Mom finds much easier to use than the weight of the Silverado she has. As I am getting older too…I notice a lighter weight model is more desired myself. My Silverado’s motor has gone bad and while I’ve found many options to repair or replace the motor…I may just get a Model L main canister to replace it and use all the attachments from the Silverado with it. I know the hose is different but I actually have 2 vinyl genuine Electrolux vinyl pigtail hoses for my model G. I don’t have a hose for a Lux Classic and besides…I’m not a fan of the carry handle forcing me to have to carry it at that weird angle.

Yes, I’ve seen those 50s ads for the model E…touting….”New baby…New Electrolux…Same weight!”

I think the model E’s metal was a slightly thicker gauge as most I find for sale on eBay have a lot less dents than.model L’s. Immediately after the model E I think the metal gauge was reduced.