I saved the Compact Electra & something else!

[petek]

Who had the posting the other day about the Compact their mom brought them...anyways that forced me to go back and grab the Electra that has been languishing downtown here for $10. Pitiful hose and it's filthy but it runs well and surprisingly most of it's just dirt and some tape up top by the latch, for what I don't know.. Anyways it'll probably shine up nice.

 

[petek]

Now I have clearly hit the lowest rung on the socio economic ladder when I went dumpster diving. Actually this wasn't in the dumpster it was sitting alongside other garbage at the side of a local vac shop, crying out to me. I was on my motorcycle when I spotted it and full throttled it home to get the car and hurried on back before the garbage truck came and took it away forever.
It's an Electrolux Volta but they were called Dometic Volta here in Canada and probably the US because they couldn't use the Electrolux name. I don't think they were big sellers, I don't even recall anyone selling them. It runs beautifully and only needs a new belt, this one is slipping. Oh and some new bags, I hope I can find some.
It's very quiet as well and light. I kinda like it.

 

[arh1953]

I've never dumpster dove, but I did grab a Hoover Power Drive Supreme off someone's swale last May. They cut the cord off of it, otherwise except for a wand, the onboard tools are still with it, and it has a clean bag in it, and an extra belt.

 

[petek]

Oh I forgot to mention, along with this Volta there was a FQ with no casters and a couple of Rainbow bodies. I didn't stick around long enough to look at them, just grabbed the Volta, tossed it in the trunk and screamed off LOL

 

[petek]

Ah, it was Chad in Ypsi who got one the other day that forced me to go get this one LOL

 

[rocketwarrior]

Restoration

Pete,
Keep us apprised of your restoration efforts. This one was in a wet dirt floor cellar when I found it - all nasty and corroded. But, as you can see, it shined up just fine.

 

[arh1953]

It looks like a Plymouth Prowler. What kind of mileage does it get?

 

[petek]

I like that, how much time would you say you put into it?

btw the Volta above, Made in England, model 0500 or U500 hard to read

 

[rocketwarrior]

How much Time?

Best guess is 6 to 8 hours.

 

[ian88]

Ahhh Volta 502 <3

I presume it sounds/works/feels identical to the Electrolux 500 series now you'll know why I like em so much.

 

[petek]

I put a new belt on the Volta and away she went. Very nice little vac I can see why you like em Ian. Much like the little Panasonic Jet Flo. If this had a brushroll on/off switch it would be even better.
Now if I can't find bags E28 I think, I'll need someone in the UK or Oz to mail me some at my cost.. thanks

 

[ian88]

Oh I dunno about gadgets like brush shutoffs would clutter the design if you start adding stupid little bells and whistles.

I feel the 500 series had a very clean, crisp, period design..and that's what made them so popular (in the UK).

Not to mention the fact they're light, quiet, and you'll forgive me for swearing, piss easy to use

Ian

 

[petek]

When were they made/available Ian?

 

[petek]

Ian, would these be the right bags, if so I may just order a couple of packs?

http://cgi.ebay.com/5x-bag-Electrol...ryZ20618QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

 

[ian88]

The 500 series ran (in various forms) from about 1974 to...the early 1990s (of course by then they were called "Twin Turbo" and were a load of cheap plastic and ugly, ugly, pastel colours.


And yes my friend, those are indeed the correct bags

Ian

 

[seamusuk]

Filters...

Hey Pete

Thats identical to our Electrolux 502-it was the 2nd in the 500 series and ran from approx 74-79.

There should be 2 filters under the bag, a loose one laying on top of one in a plastic frame held in with a screw. These make a huge difference to the performance and are well worth changing.

If ya want any advice drop me a mail, will hapilly get ya some bags, filters and brushroll inserts if ya need them

Seamus

 

[seamusuk]

whistle stop

.

 

[seamusuk]

changing filters

.

 

[petek]

Thanks for those scans Seamus, can you email them to me as well for keeping. I just looked and yes there is a filter inside there and the wouldn't you know it that tube was blocked a bit thanks to an errant paper clip LOL
I've emailed that Ace Gadgets in Northumbria about mailing me a couple of bags of bags. The brushroll tufts appear to be still ok.
What I just noticed reading that scan and was wondering about because I hadn't removed it was that red clip on the bottom of the bag. I'd never known to remove that so you could empty the bag and re-use it and probably would have tossed it out with a full bag.