Hello! And my new Prolux

[psyberemt]

Hi! I'm new to the site and wanted to say hello and ask a couple questions about my first quasi-vintage collector vacuum. A couple weeks ago I was searching for reviews on YouTube to help me decide on a new vacuum. I have a 75lb German Shedder...I mean Shepherd and needed something a little better than the current throwaway offerings. I came across Roger's (ibaisaic / Sensotronic on here) channel on YouTube and was hooked lol. I was a huge vacuum fan / collector as a kid and seeing his channel reignited my passion. It also cost me $600 as I ran out and bought a Miele C2 that I dearly love lol.

I also managed to get my hands on an Electrolux Prolux model 1572C on Craigslist for $80. I was assured it was in "great shape" -- far from it. The bag had exploded at some point and it was literally FULL of dog food. The suction motor didn't work at all and it was disgusting.

Being somewhat handy I decided to try to refurb it. Took it completely apart, soaked / washed all the plastic pieces, ordered a new brush roll, belt and bags and serviced both motors. The suction motor purrs nicely now with just a touch of brush click as you turn it off.

Now for the questions...

The brushroll and it's motor are a different story. It's LOUD! I took the motor apart, cleaned all the dust out, put some white lithium grease on each end where metal meets metal, polished the carbon buildup off the commutator, removed the light rust and oxidation from both the armature and the pole face with a soft wire brush on the dremel at low speed and buttoned everything back up. Still making a pretty terrible noise (see youtube link). Any ideas?

Would also like to upgrade the suction motor as this is the 8.5A model. I've read that there are at least some 10A motors that will fit...anything even stronger? If not, any idea on a part # for the 10A?

Thanks in advance for the help!

Didn't take any pictures pre-refurb because it just looked awful, but captured a few when I got done.

http://https//youtu.be/5zhtkP3kVLw

 

[compactc9guy]

Sounds good to me

Sounds good to me power head is lound on the electrolux if it spins freely you should be fine i rebuilt my Electrolux Discovery 2 and yours sounds just like mine you will be fine any question ask me .

 

[human]

Yeah, my Discovery II and Discovery Plus uprights are considerably louder than any of my Electrolux canisters--1205, Super J, Diamond J. It's just the nature of the beast.

 

[psyberemt]

Thanks for the replies! Guess I was spoiled by the surprisingly quiet Miele powerhead lol. Any advice on a more powerful suction motor? This one is the 8.5A. I see a couple different options on evacuumstore and even a lamb option on ezvacuumstore. Are there benefits to one over the other? One considered top dog?

 

[myles_v]

Hi from Stafford, just a couple of counties south of Alexandria!

As others have already said, the brush roll motor sounds completely normal. It sounds great in fact, I actually like the loud power nozzles on Aerus/Electrolux vacuums.

Replacing the suction motor would probably make a huge difference from how it performs now, older Elux uprights have pretty low suction compared to more current models. I don't have any suggestions on which motor to replace, but perhaps try searching on Ebay if you have a problem finding a motor elsewhere.

Also, it looks like you have the older style handle/cord setup. That cord/handle was recalled about two decades ago due to the possibility that the sheath could split and leave the machine with exposed wires,https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/1999/C...e-Recall-to-Repair-Top-Corded-Vacuum-Cleaners
Aerus should honor that recall and replace the handle, but if I were you then I'd probably avoid doing that until the cord splits. They'll likely replace it with the current black handle and it won't match the color scheme of the machine.

 

[broomvac]

Welcome

Sounds like you have two very nice cleaners! Good luck trying to limit yourself to just two from here on out haha.

As far as the sounds your Prolux is making...I'm no expert on those particular cleaners but its brush roll motor sounds exactly as I would expect it to sound. If I bought the cleaner and it sounded like that, I'd say it was working just fine. No worries there. A quick search of Youtube reveals that other cleaners sound the same way.



The 'clicky' shutdown as you described it is coming from the suction motor, and is likely either the carbon brushes or a bearing that has gone a little dry. I see no cause for concern here either, but if you wanted to diagnose it further, you could take the motor out and spin it by hand. If it clicks with the carbon brushes in but doesn't with them out, then the brushes rubbing against the ridges on the commutator is the source of your sound. The solution? Use the machine as you usually would and the brushes will seat themselves nicely.

If it's a dry bearing making the noise, you can either replace the entire bearing or pop off its rubber seals with a small pick, clean the bearing with brake cleaner, let it dry, then squirt heavy duty wheel bearing grease into the bearing with a syringe and press the seals back on. I have done this for several of my older cleaners with dry-sounding bearings.

Honestly though, I'd just leave it be and enjoy using it!

Again, welcome!

broomvac

 

[broomvac]

PS, I enjoy following Ibaisaic's YouTube channel, too. He has some great demonstrations!

 

[vacuumlad1650]

Actually, Broomvac...
You are better (carefully) cleaning the Bearing with Carburetor Cleaner, then cleaning out that residue with brake cleaner and an Air Compressor. A good friend is a Mechanic (and has been since the 70's) and he taught me this. Works like a charm.
I like to soak the bearings in either Carb Cleaner or Mineral Spirits. That's what I do at the farm...no complaints yet!
Just my 2-cents...

 

[human]

I don't know that I'd wait until the cord splits. Better to be proactive about these things, plus you never know at what point Aerus might decide to stop stocking the replacement parts. I personally wouldn't worry too much about the color scheme. Safety would be more important to me.

Just my $0.02

 

[myles_v]

I agree about being concerned about safety if he intends to use it as a daily driver or something similar, but if he intends to keep it mainly has a part of his collection then I'd keep it original if the cord has little-no signs of wear right now. If you do decide not to get it replaced now then keep an eye on it.

The Aerus store I go to is at 1611 S Walter Reed Dr, Arlington, VA 22204. They're pretty nice there and I haven't had any issues with them trying to pressure me into buying a new machine. The store in Richmond was all about getting me to buy the Guardian Platinum canister, and there's another store in the NOVA area in Fairfax that seems to always be out of whatever I need when I go in there. Last time I went to the Fairfax store to get some shampoo, brushes for my Floor Pro, and some bags the guy working said I'd have to order it all.

 

[psyberemt]

Wow! Thanks for all the info and feedback. I am familiar with the recall and do plan on having it done. I bought this partially because I'd always wanted one and partially because Miele bags are so darned expensive lol. Plan on using this day to day and the Miele for a deep clean every week or two.

I emailed Aerus and they were quick to reply that they're still happy to honor the recall. I plan on taking it by the store in Arlington if I can ever get off work early enough to make it there by 5 lol.

 

[myles_v]

They're great machines, and the bags are cheap and easy to replace.

 

[broomvac]

Cord split

Gosh, I didn't read the response about the recall above my post. When I said "I'd just leave it be and enjoy using it," I didn't realize there were concerns about the cord too. I was referring to the sounds the cleaner was making.

Definitely, safety first! I'd recommend having the recall performed.

Sorry for the confusion.

broomvac

 

[psyberemt]

It's all good broomvac, didn't think you were trying to get me fried lol. Gonna load it into the car and try to leave work tomorrow in time to get it by the store.

 

[psyberemt]

So an update. Went by the store on Walter Reed and it appears they’re closed. Sign in the window said for lease and when I called the number on their web site the person who answered had no idea who I was looking for.

Went to the store in DC. HUGE mistake. The jerk that worked there demanded a credit card # initially, even after I explained it was a recall. After almost 10 full minutes of arguing with me and me finally getting my iPad and showing him the email from Aerus saying the recall was still good he finally agreed to accept it for repair.

A week later he calls and says its ready for pickup. You can see what I picked up in the picture...a WORSE tape job than it had originally. He said it “wasn’t worth fixing” and flat out refused to do anything else with it. All he was willing to do was give me a trade in discount on a new unit.

I emailed Aerus back with my experience and photos and they called me today. They are going to ship me a new handle and cord assembly and have the regional VP deal with the store. Not a lot they can do being that they’re a franchise, but that was wholly unacceptable.

 

[fantomfan57]

Outragious!

Just my opinion based on working 30 years in Customer Service and learning good work ethics from my father:

When a store hires the wrong Customer Service person and their manager is incompetent, this is what you get.

Add to that if the owner is seldom around to monitor the work, then things like this happen.

Next thing you know, everyone is surprised by profits drying up and the store closes.

 

[myles_v]

What?

The Walter Reed store is closed? That is such a shame, I was in there maybe two or three months ago and they said they were doing well.

The Fredericksburg store closed a few years ago and now we've lost another store in this area. I wonder if the Richmond store is even open still.

There's another store in Fairfax but they suck.

So now we only have the Manassas store, Fairfax store, and the DC store in NOVA. That really sucks, I can't see the DC store lasting much longer if they treat everyone the way they treated you.

 

[ocscott3085]

Seems like the DC area is pretty much SOL when it comes to Aerus. I used to frequent the Rockville, MD store but they closed years ago. I think there might be one out in Ellicott City, MD but that's a hike from VA for you guys.

 

[human]

Even as a franchisee, the store is under contractual obligation to carry out corporate directives. Depending on how the franchise agreement is set up, there could be quite a few sanctions Aerus could take against an errant franchisee, including terminating the franchise if things get bad enough. One thing's for sure. That store will now be under Aerus' corporate microscope for a while.

I'm glad Aerus is sending you the handle assembly. I don't know why they didn't offer to do that in the first place. It's really easy to install. Just remove the big screw on the back and the whole handle and cord assembly lifts away from the body of the vacuum cleaner. You'll probably need to swap that tool bracket over to the new handle as well. All in all, less than ten minutes' work.