IDEA!!!

[vac_whisperer]

Around the time i was In middle school i always dreamed of owning my own vacuum company, making vacuums on the same level as Kirby and TriStar. That dream kind of faded away, sadly, but it still stays in the back of my my mind and i think of it sometimes still.

 

[ornery]

Why Reinvent The Wheel?

In the mid 70's Dyson bought a Hoover Junior vacuum cleaner and was disappointed by the "loss of suction". Rather than perfect or find a work around for that issue, he went through thousands of prototypes to replace it.

Obviously, if the Hoover was that bad, it wouldn't still exist in the form of the direct air vacuums still on the market today.

My suggestion would be to perfect and re-brand one of those. Replace the plastic housing with metal, improve the light, improve or replace the belt with something stronger. Quiet the motor and/ or fan, make the height adjustment easier. Possibly just retrofit existing parts with improved ones.

 

[sebo_fan]

Yes but that would be all too simple for Hoover to do, I think.

Plus they would do customer clinics who probably wouldn't want to see a Convertible upright or Junior. I know I would but then I can't buy all the millions of them should they decide to make them, or for that matter the smattering of members on here who adore the old classic Hoover uprights.

 

[ornery]

Soup 'Em Up!

Michael Dell got his start by taking budget machines, beefing them up, and selling them at a profit. Carroll Shelby turned an AC Ace into a Cobra. I think the Hoover CH50020 would make great bones for a tweaked machine. Well, that's the direction I would go, rather than the Dyson reinvent the wheel route.

 

[ornery]

The UK Market

How about a Direct Air vacuum for the UK? That market is ripe for a vacuum that performs well and doesn't cost a fortune.

How much would it cost to retrofit a 120VAC 60Hz Direct Air vacuum to run on 220VAC 50Hz? How much would a motor manufacturer charge for a lot of 500, 800watt motors of that voltage configuration?

 

[ornery]

Motor/ Vacuum Sources

China, Hong Kong and Singapore all have the same voltage as the UK. Sanitaire Vacuum Motor 5.0 Amp OEM # 15943-1 is only $40.00 when you buy one from a retailer. You should be able to buy motors like that in bulk from one of those Asian producers for far less.

http://www.sanitairecommercialvacuum.com/Sanitaire-Vacuum-Motor-50-Amp-OEM-15943-1_p_138.html#

 

[baglessball]

Ornery! Ornery!

Do you know if there is a 220v motor available for the all metal royal uprights?

 

[ornery]

Wish There Was

I believe the motors used in the current Royal Metal uprights are built in a country that uses 220V, 50 cycle power. I don't see why they couldn't manufacture motors for that voltage along with the 110V line.

Start selling those converted vacuums for commercial use, and gradually make inroads to the household market. Somebody is missing a great opportunity here!

 

[spiraclean]

Baglessball,

It's a long shot, but you may want to try contacting Solution UK Ltd (link below). They are a supplier of commercial carpet cleaning equipment and chemicals, and a few years ago they were importing a 230 volt metal Royal upright into the UK. As of now they no longer seem to offer it, but the bags are still available on their website. Might be worth giving them a call to see if they can obtain other parts too, specifically a motor?

Bear in mind the carpet cleaning equipment market can be rather faddy, and today's must-have item will often disappear without a trace tomorrow. It's entirely possible these cleaners have since been orphaned, with no ongoing support. Even if that is the case, however, they sold like hotcakes at the time and there will still be a fair few about. Keep an eye on eBay, because once in a blue moon they do come up for auction. The last one I saw had a grotty bag and a missing base plate and brush roller, but would have been fine if all you needed was the motor.

http://www.worldoflcean.co.uk

 

[baglessball]

Spiraclean..

Thanks for that, I am really greatful for the info.

I have just sent them an email, I'll keep you up to date.

It's only recently that I have given attention to what deep cleaners Royals are. I had seen the machine you mentioned on eBay too, but at that time I didn't know much about them. So I am kicking myself now!

Have you seen any others on eBay?

 

[spiraclean]

Fingers crossed they may be able to help. At the time they were rather expensive cleaners - £380+ if I remember correctly - and for that sort of price I personally would have very high expectations of the dealer continuing to provide parts and support.


 


Saw another one of these on eBay as part of a lot, bundled with a carpet extraction machine, chemicals and wotnot. So sometimes it is worth searching under "carpet cleaning" and seeing what comes up. Not all sellers bother to put the make and/or model in the auction title either, preferring something generic like "commercial vacuum" or "industrial hoover". That can mean ANYTHING, from a beaten up old Henry to something highly unusual like a 230 volt Royal. Skimming the listings and looking at the thumbnail pics is your only hope then.