Help! What is happening to my Rainbow

[mark40511]

Yep

sounds like it always has from day one. I want the SRX too (LOL). I mean, I even wanted the E3 Black or E2 Black.....But I made it through not getting the black one......and I can make it through not getting the SRX (I think). It's just so hard to justify it when I have a perfectly nice rainbow that will probably outlast me.

I was surprised he didn't give me hell about using a generic HEPA filter. It's so hard to tell the difference I don't think he even noticed.

Have you seen the size of the HEPA filters on the SRX?? They are Massive. I wonder what a replacement cost would be for one of those?

 

[lux_luthor]

I hope mine will last a long time, as it will be a good long while before I can upgrade.

I was surprised the filter on mine is as big as a car cabin filter. The new one looks like it’s twice as big, almost HVAC size.

 

[juju93]

When I purchased my SRX system a few months back I ask about the life expectancy of the filter and the distributor told me that it’ll last 10 years, 7 if you have pets. Now I’m not sure how true that is but I can justify paying whatever the price is.

 

[mark40511]

I wouldn't be surprised if that's true

They are huge. I went 5 years before changing my first HEPA that came with mine. Cut into it, and it was barely dirty. Didn't even need changing.

I can't find any of those filter replacements online I was wondering what their pricing was. The current E series HEPA's can be as much as $50. I wouldn't not be surprised if these are close to $100. I also noticed they are a dark color which is odd.

 

[mark40511]

One thing I forgot to mention

Since this rainbow of mine has the updated board.......when starting it, it ramps up much faster than it did before.

 

[huskyvacs]

Glad to know the correct diagnosis was given. I'm sure it runs a lot better now and probably even has stronger suction too. It sounds like the way the board failed, it was not transferring the AC line voltage to the motor properly. Kind of like when you have a cheapo crappy battery in your car and the starter can't get going to turn the engine over I guess?

That's cool he gave you a massive discount when he seen that you were someone that cared for your equipment and this problem was totally the fault of Rainbow and not the user. That does not happen every day, he sounds like a good guy. He probably didn't clean the fan because there was not enough there to be worth it to disturb the rest of the vacuum assembly or he had a lot more services to do and was pressed for time, I don't think he did it just to ignore you.

Also Chinese parts have gotten a lot better in quality - a lot of the knockoff Dyson filters, even going over with a magnifying glass you can hardly see the difference both by sight and feel. I have to use china knockoff box filters in my furnace now because the filter media size that it takes (20x20x5) is obsolete, and the manufacturer as well as 2nd party makers quit selling them, which left it open to 3rd party makers to start selling them.

 

[lux_luthor]

That’s cool that it fires up quicker. I need to get mine out and go ham. I’ve not used it this week yet.

 

[redgeminipa]

I just bought 2 E2 Golds, hoping to clean them up, and make at least 2 good extra machine. After tearing the first one down, thinking it only needed a switch, it won't turn on. I pulled my E2 Blue apart, trying the power and basin safety switches, hoping one of those were the problem. Nope. Dead.

When I had it apart for cleaning, I pulled the controller out of the housing. It was dusty, but not horrible. While holding (I thought) along the edges, I got shocked. I tried blowing it off as much as I could, and reassembled. Nothing.

When I tested the good switch on the other one, it does nothing in low, and keeps cutting out when trying to spool up. I didn't rip into that one, yet, but I'm afraid the board is on its way out, too.

I'd LOVE to get these both up and running, but they're not worth spending $300 each for new controllers. Luckily, I only paid $50 for both, and there are a lot of good attachments and extras with them, including a new 4 qt basin, and some other things I wanted to get for my Blue.

 

[madman]

You know you could just replace the electronic components yourself. You probably won't spend more than $5 on components. I don't know exactly what they need, but probably some thermistors, maybe a thyristor.

 

[lesinutah]

Part

If you go to rainvac the part is 32.50.
I'll give you advice.
I bought a e2 type 12 rainbow for $30 cleaned it sold for $350.
I got an e2 gold for $75. I sold it for $350. I bought a platinum for $75. I sold for $850. I bought 2 silvers for $350 sold one for $600 and one for $500. I still have 2 silvers and two single speed gold's.
I'd suggest learning to fix and repair. They do sale for huge profits.
Les

 

[mark40511]

speaking of Rainvac

Is that like an online "Authorized" dealer or something?

I'm thinking not. It's a super nice website that only deals in Rainbow and sells only genuine parts.

It's true - if you can fix and repair a rainbow, you're almost sure to make a profit. Too bad I don't know how to fix crap.

 

[redgeminipa]

Which part?

The only part I'm seeing from RainVac for the controller is the whole controller for almost $300. I'm not investing that kind of money into a machine that needs a couple other parts, only to sell it for barely what I have into it for parts costs alone.

 

[madman]

Well if the vac is junk as it stands, you can't make it worse. Take this opportunity to try and learn how to repair electronics.

 

[redgeminipa]

It wouldn't be too bad, if I knew what was the main cause of these problems, and where to find the replacement parts.

I've dipped my toes into fixing all types of things over the years, and this type of electronics repair hasn't been one of the things I've mastered.

I may have to wait until everyone is back up and running, and take it to an electronics repair person with proper tools and skills. It would still have to be a lot cheaper than spending $300 for a new controller. The downside is, it's still a failed design, and it will die again at some point, unless I can figure out a way to modify the Rainbow itself for better/cleaner cooling of the controller.

 

[mark40511]

cleaner/cooling of the controller

You're referring to the one speed, right?

 

[redgeminipa]

No, 2-speed. The 1 speed doesn't have a controller.

 

[marks_here]

I've used RainVac before, they were very nice making sure I was getting the correct part for the right unit. I think the closest Rainbow distributor is no longer in Mt. Juliet anymore and there might be one still in Knoxville.

 

[lesinutah]

Controller

I see the controller. It's basically everything electronic for the vacuum runs through it. I thought it was small board.
I'll tell you what to do. If you know a vacuum dealer or someone who fixes them. You find a used one. If you can't it's a parts machine.
I didn't realize it was a $300 part.
You can find one I'm not sure of the cost. If you want money out of it this is it.
Les

 

[redgeminipa]

In all reality, it'll be nearly impossible to find a used controller. It's the most expensive component in the entire machine, by a large margin, and it's really the only bad part that would keep someone from fixing up any other issues with one. That's where I am, with 2 of them...

Even if I found an E2 Blue dirt cheap (they're out there), it would be wiser to just fix the issues with that machine, versus swapping the controller into a Gold that's not worth as much, nor designed as well. The only possible way would be a Blue that is literally destroyed on the outside.

Finding another dirt cheap Gold will raise more concerns. Does it have an updated controller? Doubtful, meaning its days are probably numbered, no matter how well it runs when it's acquired. Anyone who knowingly paid the money for a new $300 controller won't be selling the machine for much less than that.

In the end, I have some good parts. I may keep them for fixing up future acquired machines, or sell some of the parts. I got my money's worth with some accessories I needed for my Blue, including the 4 qt basin (new), inlet cover (new), inflator/deflator tool with coil wand (new). There are 2 good separators, latches, seals and motor units, hoses, wands, power nozzles, dollies and a few other attachments. There are some other accessories for an Aquamate and others. For $50 for everything, I knew I'd be ahead, even if the machines were toast.