Electrolux Wand/Sheath Info. & Tips

[ronni]

I recently went through my Electrolux power nozzle wands with the sheaths and disassembled them. I'm glad I did so as several had become rusty and were not easily taken apart.

After I got them apart I took a dry soap pad (common brand name in the U. S. "S. O. S Pads--for "Save Our Saucepans") and went over the rusted areas--regular steel wool would do, too; I just used what I had available. Then I sprayed the inside of the wand section with the flared end to inhibit further rusting and to aid reassembly.

I am going to spray the wand locks with WD-40, too, as several are rusty; and I don't want them or the tabs to weaken and become corroded and eventually break.


I like the disassembly feature for making it compact for storage, transporting, posting, or for using the power nozzle to clean stairs and mattresses.

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Wand/Sheath Styles and How to Disassemble & Reassemble:

1) circa 1969-70 (for PN-1): telescopic wand with ribbed teal sheath; wand lock button; (I'm unsure if disassembly is possible)

2) circa 1970-72 (for PN-1): smooth teal sheath with tight horizontal ribbing on front side and single wand; wand lock tab; cord is attached to sheath at bottom and hangs freely at top - to separate pull out from top; to reassemble do the opposite

3) circa 1972-74 (for PN-2): smooth teal sheath with tight horizontal ribbing on front side and 2 fitted wand sections; wand lock tab; cord is attached to sheath at bottom and hangs freely at top - to separate pull out from top; use finger or screw driver to bend back spring latch to separate wand sections; to reassemble push wand sections back together and ensure they are latched before slipping back into sheath from the top

4) circa 1974-77 (for PN-2): smooth ivory sheath with tight horizontal ribbing on front side and 2 fitted wand sections; wand lock tab; cord attached to sheath at top and bottom - to separate pull out from top by using finger or screw driver to release spring latch to separate wand sections; to reassemble push wand sections back together and ensure they are latched before slipping back into sheath from the top

5) circa 1977-82 (for PN-4): smooth ivory sheath with tight horizontal ribbing on front side and latch cut-out and 2 fitted wand sections; wand lock tab; cord attached to sheath at top and bottom - to separate pull out bottom section first after lifting wand section adjoining latch; pull out top section from the top after releasing top latch; to reassemble slip the top wand section back into sheath then push bottom section in making sure latch fits on tracks in cut-out until it snaps into the top wand

6) circa 1982-85 (for PN-4A): smooth ivory or light gray sheath with tight horizontal ribbing on front side and latch cut-out and 2 fitted wand sections; wand lock button; cord attached to sheath at top and bottom - to separate pull out bottom section first after lifting wand section adjoining latch; pull out top section from the top after pressing wand lock button; to reassemble slip the top wand section back into sheath then push bottom section in making sure latch fits on tracks in cut-out until it snaps into the top wand


Wand Section Traits (pairing different style sheaths and wands may cause wands to get stuck, latch to break, or sheath to crack)

PN-2: app. 1/4" width wand latch; upper section latch button hole is on back side (opposite wand lock tab)

PN-4: app. 1/2" width wand latch; upper section latch button hole is on front side (same as wand lock tab)

PN-4A: app. 1/2" width wand latch; upper section latch button hole is on front side (same as wand lock button)


Corrections/Additions welcome. Information on later wand/sheath combinations appreciated.

 

[ronni]

Lest there be any confusion this thread is in reference to Electrolux Corporation (USA) wands/sheaths. I'm unsure if other countries had the same or similar Electrolux wands & sheaths.

 

[collector2]

Looks good. The only thing I can add is that there were also replacement upper wands made to fit both styles so they had holes in back and front. And no, the telescopic wands weren't made to be taken apart.

Doug

 

[ronni]

Thanks, Doug. I didn't know about the replacements.

I looked at a PN-5 wand today and was unable to separate the upper wand from the sheath. The manual stated that they had been assembled at the factory, so I'm guessing that they aren't meant to be disassembled.
Is that correct?

_____

From above ... "I like the disassembly feature for making it compact for storage, transporting, posting, or for using the power nozzle to clean stairs and mattresses."

To clarify about using only one wand section ... it must be the bottom section due to its smaller diameter that fits into the elbow and the sheath cord needs to be removed and connected to the cord attached to the pn's head. Using a hook and loop wrap (typically referred to by the Velcro® brand name) to keep the cords secure to the wand helps, as well. Btw, using one of the aluminum wand sections doesn't work with a direction connection grip because of the lip on the end.

Also, I hadn't tried attaching the power nozzle head to the hose grip without the wand until today, but that is also a viable option.

 

[collector2]

The wand on the newer style can be taken out of the sheath but not as easily. You need to use a screwdriver to lift the clip to release the sheath. Occasionally that can prove to be a very difficult job if the clip has bent.

 

[ronni]

Thanks again, Doug. I tried putting a screwdriver to lift the latch but wasn't successful. I decided it wasn't worth cracking the sheath or breaking the button or latch; besides, one of the plastic tracks (on the inside of the sheath) for the lower wand latch has broken out so its removal is very difficult.

 

[suckolux]

Wow, had my pn4a out today and tried to take the wands apart. I had never done that before, no reason to, but click click, all 3 right there! Lovely built machine,quality still working years later.

 

[ronni]

Glad to hear it. Sounds like you've stored it in a dry place.

_______


I have both a gray Model 4A and a black PN-5 with the same color gray sheath, but the PN-5's is equipped with a covered lower latch with a slider tab to disengage the lower wand. Mine doesn't work well, because the track for the latch (on the inside of the sheath) is partly broken.

______


NOTE: I neglected to mention before to never force a wand section from or into the sheath or other wand section. Sometimes the cord gets out of its track, a cord end isn't securely in place, or maybe you've put the wand in incorrectly. Keep in mind that the person who previously had it apart may have reassembled it incorrectly, so use an owner's manual or the directions above and investigate any problems instead of using force.

 

[suckolux]

not really stored? kept pretty much in use, but for sure always indoors

 

[ronni]

Yeah, I just meant when you weren't using it.

I'm thinking that some I have had been kept in damp places such as basements or garages, due to the rusting.

 

[suckolux]

no, it's never really been that out of circulation. I got it 20 years ago from pawn shop locally. Still looks the same

 

[suckolux]

But even the garage here, carpeted and enclosed, we don't really get damp

 

[ronni]

Overall our garages aren't damp either, but some I've been in such as those built into hillsides or older ones with poor ventilation have had a musty odor to them.

I was also thinking that storage close to corrosives could have also been a contributing factor to the rust.

 

[suckolux]

Very possible