Kirby Classic Omega w/ Dual Sanitronic 50 Safety Switch?

[kirbyclassiciii]

Does anyone here have a perfectly-working Kirby Classic Omega 1CB with the older-style safety switch first used on the Dual Sanitronic 50 (part #134365)? If yes, please upload pictures of its "power plant."

As I understand it, they changed the safety switch around the spring of 1974. As a result, the hose had its motor connection end redesigned to jibe with the new safety switch. The picture below shows the hose as it was after the redesign. But as the same picture shows, I believe it is missing its rubber gasket.

~Ben

 

[vacman1961]

There was no Omega models that shared the same switch as the Dual 50, Dual 80 and Classic models, those prior models had a 2 button speed switch, the Omega was the first year that Kirby used a single tab speed switch. The later replacement hose coupling from Kirby accomodated all Kirby speed switches prior to the Heritage models. The newer replacement hose would work on all Kirby models from the 516 all the way to the Tradition. I hope this helps.
Charlie

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Charlie,

Here is an Omega, serial #M345728, which appears to bear the new-style safety switch you're thinking of. I am suspicious that this switch (#134374) may have replaced the original (#134365).

~Ben

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Kirby Omega Safety Switch

Kirby Omega safety switch - the original version (see 7th picture on page). I suppose this original version of the toggle switch didn't last long.

~Ben

 

[vacman1961]

The Omega never used the 134365 speed switch. All the Omegas used the single tab safety switch. I worked for Kirby in the 70's.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Charlie,

Thank you. I would also believe the Omega hose, for that reason, had the longer right attaching lug (for the speed control arm to activate high speed mode) from the beginning, however, the metal swivel tube (tool end) and the wands and surface nozzle arm didn't yet have the holes.

~Ben

 

[vacman1961]

Ben, The suction relief holes were introduced with the Omega in 1973 because of a law suit from a child getting injured prior to that, and yes, the original machine coupler had the longer leg on it to push the speed switch into second speed, as I said earlier, the replacement hose couplers that were available became universal so they would work on any Kirby from 1956 until 1981.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Charlie,

Here's a #223669S hose, with the trim color being intended for the Classic 1CR, with the coupler end that suggests universal fitting for all Kirbys from 516 to Tradition.

It's rare to find these hoses and coupler redesign in the model-specific trim color (today's versions are black). The protruding lug, by the right attaching lug, is to activate the high speed button on the 134365 safety switch. The longer attaching lug is to activate the high speed position on the 134374 safety switch.

~Ben

 

[vacman1961]

Ben that hose end was never a production hose end that was sold with the actual vacuum, it was the one I was telling you about that was Kirby's universal hose end that was sold as a replacement part, which was used on all models from the 516 to the Tradition. This hose end design was NEVER sold with any model vacuum.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Charlie,

Exactly. That coupling design was used for all Kirbys from the 516 to Tradition, after Tradition production ended in late 1981, and it also has the top protrusion that served the short-lived headlight safety switch used on the very first Traditions.

~Ben

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Charlie,

Here's what the very first Omega 1CB safety switch looked like (that's right, there's two buttons on it - and also a raised rim by the attaching bar). Serial #M266730.

But... a new mystery unfolds here: I'm thinking that not only is the safety switch incorrect, but the fan case is as well.

Picture courtesy of BrianKirbyClass.

~Ben[this post was last edited: 4/21/2013-20:12]

 

[Elektrolux]

Sanitronic VII

I'm puzzled then. If the hose in pic above is universal from 515 on it doesn't have the center placed tab for the Sanitronic 518 & 562 I have.

Another thing I noticed from pix above is if the hose did have this center tab (562 Sanitronic VII) then it wouldn't fit or close down because of the raised center area of casing between the switches on the Omega pictured above. Or did Kirby make it with all tabs and just nib off the ones not needed for the one being sent back? I can see the spot where it could have been. Just curious.

Here's an example of my 562 Sanitronic. Note single speed safety switch about center.

 

[Elektrolux]

Dual Sanitronic 50

Here's my example of aligning the same attachment from 562 on D50. You can mount it but tab will go right between both speed switches. But I don't think you couldn't safely or physically mount this on the Omega because of that raised center area between the two switches.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Kris,

Here is a model 560 with this hose attached to that.

Link:

~Ben