Electrolux Silverado Deluxe - Restoration Questions

[turboace]

Hi All,

Crummy weather day here in NJ so I decided to tackle one of my more recent garage sale finds. I found the following machine for $5 complete with powerhead (no pics of that yet). With a new bo-jack bag in place and nothing else, it pulled 82" on my guage. This is one powerful old electrolux. But since I'm and engineer, and as the saying goes we are good at "Fix it 'til its broke" I totally ripped it apart and just finshed a couple hours of scrubbing. It must have been maintained as there were several "service" stickers on the machine and functionally it ran well.

I plan on replacing the carbon brushes, and the brushroll and belt in the power nozzle. Other than that, it does not look like any parts will be required. When I took the carbon brushes out, one was cracked in half, but the pieces were perfectly mated to each other in the holder so I don't think this would have caused any problems.

Now for my questions. First, did this model, was this model supposed to, have any type of filters other than the bag. When I took this one apart, it did not. There was carbon brush carbon dust all over the inside of the unit and around the diffuse air exit ports around the top and in and around the "blower door". I can not believe there was not supposed to be something, some wadding, foam, felt, something to try and catch that. I also wonder if there was supposed to have been any type of secondary filter to protect the motor. If anyone knows either of these, please let me know.

My other line of questioning relates to the "automatic" function. All the tygon tubing lines appeared to be in place and not too stiff or clogged. As long as I have it so far apart, I will replace all of it, I just need to nab some from the lab at work. The diaphram that accutates the door release is supple and does not leak. Aside from replacing the tubing, what should I do to ensure this will work? Are there any O-rings within the adjustment mechinism that need to be lubricated to enusre a tight seal so that it may acctuate the release by pulling a vacuum on that diaprham? Also, I removed and dissasembled the check bag light since it did not light. Picture below. I used my multi-meter to check it out. The resistor in place ohms out ok. The bulb however, does not, there is no continuity from one side of the bulb to the other. You can see in the one pic that inside the bulb there are two what I will call "rods". Inspection under a 10x loop reveals that they are not connected, I however see no remains of a fillament in the bulb. I'm sure it had to have one at one point, I will look at an electronics store to see if I can find a replacement bulb. Has anyone else encounterd this, and how did you solve the problem?

To summarize, I need to know:

1) Filters?
2) Anything other than replace tubing?
3) Light bulb?

Thanks in advance for all of your expertise and advice. Now, here are the pic.

Andy

 

[turboace]

Mostly clean...

 

[turboace]

automatic door mechinism...

 

[turboace]

adjustment thingy on automatic door - anything have to be done to this?

 

[turboace]

Bag Check light - note the rods in the bulb

 

[turboace]

Another of the bag check light

 

[vinvac]

Andy,

I don't beleive there were any filters on those models. They did on later models, I think the Canadian Plastic Models did have a filter that went under the cover of the blower port. But nothing inside the machine.

Electrolux beleived that thier bags did not leak any dust and with the three ply bag the filter was part of the bag system.

At least that is what the salesmen used as a sales pitch here.

Morgan

 

[turboace]

I really appreciate everyones help with this. I have to order the carbon brushes and I won't be in the lab to grab some tygon until the end of this week, so won't really start putting back together until next weekend. I also want to re-do the writing on the raised lettering, black on the side logo and silver around the bag check and automatic control. Anyone have a good technique for this? I am picturing a little baby paint roller, or a rubber ink roller and some kraft acrylic paints. I also thought maybe a paint pen with a steady hand would work. How has everyone done that?

Thanks agian, off to the gym now...

Andy

 

[electroluxxxx]

to restore the outside I would highly recomend Mr. Clean Magic Eraser they will remove the scuff marks but scrub lightly.

 

[turboace]

Electroluxxxx - been there, done that with Mr. Magic Eraser! A very light touch indeed is needed or else you can really F things up in a hurry. I have moved away from that unless all else fails. I have found that Goo-Gone citrus in the spray bottle, its a thick, viscous nice smelling solvent, takes a lot of stuff off with minimal risk. Next I attack with OOPS. OOPS is great at removing paint from ruber bumpers and marks from plastic bodies. You just have to use a very soft cloth and rub VERY lightly only until the mark is gone, no more, or risk burnishing, molecularly reconfiguring, the plastic.

 

[electroluxxxx]

thank you I think I might go and pick up some of that stuff at hardware. and by the way the silverado looks great. I wish u the best of luck with it
mike

 

[hoovercelebrity]

The bulb...

If I'm not mistaken, I think that bulb isn't actually a bulb. I think it's a tiny neon tube. Hoover had something very similar in their Dimension 1000 canister--in the gas-pump style hose grip, there was an orange/red "ready" light that would illuminate, telling the user that the machine had power, and you could turn it on with the remote switch right under that "ready" light. It was described in the parts catalog as "Neon Tube" or something like that.

I wouldn't be sure why it's not lighting--but because there's no actual filament, I don't know that a circuit would be completed--or an OHM meter would show a completed circuit. As the neon gas inside the "tube" is what acts as the filament when electricity is pushed in through both leads.

All that said, I'd really have no clue where one could obtain one of those, if needed. You may go through Electrolux... or contact Nathan Thomas (Electrolux-Dude), here on the forum. He knows his Luxes inside and out. He may have a spare lounging about.

Hope that's somewhat helpful.

~Fred

 

[constellation86]

light

I'm sure that's a neon lamp. They work without fillaments. It may be bad, but an ohmeter won't show continuity even if it is good.
Hope this helps.
Nicholas

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neon_lamp

 

[constellation86]

Wow two posts in the same minute. That must be a new record.

 

[cleaningbuff]

electrolux silverado

I have one of these vacs I currently use and they do not have a
motor exhaust filter. These are great vacs, If u need to replace the electric hose, I just got one for mine from Total Replacement Vacuums.com great buy,,,heavy vinyl swivel at pistol grip and great grey color too,,,,for about 52.00.
Hope this helps you. Good luck with the restoration.
Robert

 

[turboace]

Thanks for the help everybody! After pondering the "bulb" for a while and not finding anything similar at radio shack or online, I believe you all, Fred got it first!, are correct in that it is a neon type bulb, or florecent. Makes sense because a regular bulb woudn't need a risistor on it, especially a 10K one. I also more closely examined the circuit the light is on and it must not be lighting because the automatic door mechinism is not working. The bag check light is only energized after the automatic thingy is accutated.

So now, thats my only remaining question. What do I need to do in order to get that working?

I stopped on my way home from the gym and got a silver and a black paint pen. Precisely what I needed, check out the results.

 

[kirbykid63]

I rebuild those all the time

Hi Andy, i will be in Delaware first week of march,I have rebuilt many of those electrolux's you can call me at 520-742-4885.i recommend repainting the tank with hammer tone gray rustolium pant, it will look like new.

Richard Groski

 

[lux1521]

The light should be on when the door is open and the on/off switch is turned on. You don't need to wait for the bag to be full for it to illuminate. It will also illuminate when no bag is installed and you attempt to run the vacuum. The automatic door opener does not need to function correctly for the light to work.

 

[crevicetool]

Andy,

I would wash all the valve and chamber parts in warm water and rinse well. then place a TINY amount of petroleum jelly on the O-rings only. Just a very small amount is sufficient. I also run warm water through the tubes and make sure the orifice at the hose end is clear. Erick is correct about the switch. It shuts the motor off and lights the check bag light either when there is no bag or after automatic shut off
Rick