Electrolux's Finest- PRE 1980

[mercuryman]

"it has the wonderful exhaust smell unique to the G'

Charlie,

I know exactly what smell you're talking about. When I first got my Model G and turned it on, I couldn't believe it...it smelled like...Grandma's old Model AF! The AF definitely had that same exhaust smell you're talking about. No other Luxes have that smell, for some bizarre reason. I think the AF and the G are essentially the same machine, only with the AF having the optional donut-style cordwinder. They both sounded very similar when running. I remember thinking Grandma's AF was SO much quieter and more pleasant-sounding than my mom's Super J when I was a kid. The Super J is a great machine, but it's noisy!

 

[petek]

I've a factory rebuilt Model G sans power nozzle models as well as a Canadian 88 red and 89 green which are essentially the same other than the color.
The G, 88, 89 are all remarkably quiet whereas once they switched to the plasti-body machines like my Super J and AP280, 2100 and System 90, the noise factor increased exponentially.
I use the Model G and the green 89 most frequently. Well up until I got the Miele allervac which is pretty quiet as well.
It's too bad that Electrolux didn't put so much effort into noise reduction on the later machines, to me it's a huge factor. The later Aerus machines were even worse I think. When you put out big bucks like that on a vacuum it should be unobtrusive.

 

[mercuryman]

Well, here's a theory:

As far as "noise-dampening" in Luxes...I just thought of this:

The airflow in Luxes prior to the introduction of the 1205 occurred in a straight line, from suction inlet to exhaust. The motor was totally encased in the machine, and the exhaust blew out of the front "hole" with such fury that its sound muffled the motor noise. Hence why the machines sounded so "quiet"...all you heard was the airflow.

When the 1205 was introduced, the motor sat BELOW the exhaust outlet. The exhaust was not as concentrated as it was in the earlier machines. I think this allowed a lot more motor noise to emanate from the machine. Ever notice how the sound of a 1205 or later machine changes when the blower port is opened?

Tell me if you guys think I'm onto something.

 

[brandon_w_t]

Makes perfect logic to me. I think you are very correct in that!

 

[collector2]

Partly but it also has to do with the speed and design of the motor. If you run the motors ouside of the machine the new ones are alot noisier too.

 

[petek]

Had to dig out my Super J and 2100 for comparison and there's definitely a difference there. The J to my ears is still acceptable, the 2100 not so much for a machine that cost what it did new.

 

[gsheen]

I have never worked on a USA electrolux before but one of the things I can tell you is that as motors grow more powerfull they spin faster and so the noise goes up, some current vacuum motors spin as fast as 40 000 rpm but most modern day vacuums spin around the 30 000 rpm mark


 


When I was working in the development department for Electrolux SA we had a new shop vac type vacuum that we were developing and the thrust and torque from the motor was so great that the machine would spin 360 deg on start up . we solved this with soft start sofware.

 

[akabent]

No doubt, XXX's and G's are headliners in this group

...and I'm fortunate enough to have multiple incarnations of each. Both are great machines, but although I do not have a production tally of G's manufactured, I venture to say neither the G's nor any other vacuum that comes to mind would touch 30/XXX's 13 or 15 MILLION unit production totals (I forget which.) I'd have to say, that speaks volumes!

That said, this does not detract from the quality or design attributes of the G's or 87/89-series Electroli.

((Does anyone out there have the production numbers for the XXX/30 AND perhaps for
the G?))

RBinOC

 

[hygiene903]

I Agree, It's The G!

I believe the G is Electrolux at it's finest--powerful, quiet, and pleasing ot the eye. Although the XXX and Automatic E are also favorites of mine, the G is hands down the finest Lux ever built.

 

[vacuumfreak]

Since I have no experience with a G, it would definitely the model XXX because of its quietness and strong suction. I have to agree with Doug on the model 88 since I am Canadian, but the XXX is my favourite american model.

 

[floor-a-matic]

Model L (1205-era)
Automatic E

Someday I'd like to have a Canadian model Elux-O-Matic or UK Lux canister[this post was last edited: 7/8/2013-11:15]

 

[countryguy]

Definitely the green Z89! Powerful, quiet, well built.

Gary

 

[kirbylux77]

Well, for me, it is a toss up between 3 models. The Canadian 88/89 metal body Luxes, the AP280, & also the American Super J we had for a while here. And if I had to pick my favorite of the three, my vote goes for the 89. Gotta love how quiet it is, powerful & well-made, & the hose handle design with trigger switch & front suction control valve is perhaps their best design. Wish they had made a better powerhead for it though....

Rob

 

[countryguy]

I liked the AP280 with the 2 speeds but hated the stiff woven hose and the extra plastic molding at the top of the hose next to the handle.

Gary

 

[danwalker]

I am also Canadian and I feel that the best vacuum Electrolux made was the model 89. I own five of them. I have used the method described on this forum [somewhere] to seal the original hose with liquid latex, and it works very well.
Now the hose really has suction

 

[thevacomaticiec]

For me simple my Electrolux zb 89.

 

[kirbyklekter]

Later produced Model G's

Turquoise model G's produced after the sibling model G bronze came out were equipped with it's larger motor which I'm told was a nice improvement. So that's my choice. The Hospital G is probably even better but aesthetically turquoise is my choice.

 

[mjhoshaw]

Has to be the model G . . .

. . . in any form. I own both a turquoise and a tan model G. They must be at end of turquoise and the beginning of tan production, because both run at the same speed, draw identical wattage, and have within 1" of the same sealed suction - neither here nor there for this thread. I didn't grow up with the model G, but I love it. "Elegant" is the word that comes to mind.

Joel