Last catch

[quebecois]

I'm pretty excited with my last purchase, a ZB55 Elux from the 50's (see pictures).

The machine has pretty good succion at the front end for its 60 years or so of age, but the hose should be totally shot because I don't get any vacuum as soon as I connect the hose. I ran a long metal tube all the way in the hose and I can say it's not clogged at all. The cord is in poor condition, the outer layer is falling apart.


I have the original permanent bag, which looks like in pretty good shape. I'll see as soon as I clean it completely.


Considering I got it almost for free, I'm very satisfied with this machine. Now, I'd be very happy if I could find a good hose to actually do some cleaning with it.

 

[quebecois]

Here is the cloth dirt bag after a quick cleaning (with another vacuum cleaner). The cloth grab strap at the rear end is still solid.

 

[crazykirbydude]

They sell decent generic hoses on eBay for as low as $20. I bought one for my Electrolux Model 30 and it works well. You could also check with your local Aerus dealer to see if they have a hose.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/7-Vacuum-C...6:g:t4EAAOSwdbxasXkz:rk:1:pf:1&frcectupt=true

 

[quebecois]

Thanks for the link, with vacuum cleaners that old, it is probably the only hoses that could be useful.

As for the cloth bag, I'd like to clean it a bit more, is it okay to soak it in hot water with an all purpose liquid soap ?

 

[crazykirbydude]

Don't use soap. Just use water. Soap will loosen the fabric, allowing more dust through the pores in the bag. The best option is to get a new bag. The new bags filter much better than the old ones. However, if you want to use the original bag, a light rinse probably won't hurt it

https://evacuumstore.com/p-7942-electrolux-model-xxx-cloth-bag.aspx

 

[crazykirbydude]

I'm not an expert on the Canadian Aerus Electrolux machines. I'm only an expert on the American Aerus Electroluxes, as I live in the USA. If the ZB55 is anything like the American Electrolux Model XXX, then here's a cord that will work with it.

https://evacuumstore.com/p-899-electrolux-model-30-cord.aspx

 

[quebecois]

Thanks again, I'll try to source these items here in Canada, there is a company named JohhnyVac in Montreal, I'll ask them first about a hose, a cord and a bag.

I know there is another supplier of Elux parts in Calgary, if I don't have success with either of them , I'll order on your side of the border.

 

[quebecois]

I ended up replacing the cord with a light grey one I had in my spare parts. That'll be okay for now.

As for the hose, I decided to wrap it with a special rubber tape called "Magic wrap", that is mostly used for emergency plumbing repair. It stretches up to three times its original length and bonds to itself.

The hose is still pliable and obviously a lot more airtight (don't know if it's the right word); it's a litlle bit sticky, not for hands but it attracts hair and dust a bit.

And it doesn't look bad at all.

That stuff ain't cheap, it's around 13$ for a 1" X 16' roll, but I wanted test it and report to the group. I used roughly 2/3rd of the roll.

 

[quebecois]

A question about the rear air filter: can it be taken apart for cleaning in water, or should I just use the air gun to dry clean it?