Legit oldstock website?

[eureka1998]

Honestly I don't know if its legit or not or if the listings are even accurate! You have some American Hoovers and some European ones both placed here, and some of the readups dont seem to match. a 1440 Watt Caddy Vac? Its called Overseas Electronics but its an American firm located in Chicago. Ive been trying to actually find the teal Widepath bagless to add to the collection, but IDK.

 

[hoover300]

Damn, I kinda want one of those teal ones too. If someone has done business through them please speak up!

 

[luxlife]

Please attach a link to their website

I just tried one listed in Chicago by this name, but they had no vacuums on their site. I may not have the correct one.

 

[eurekaprince]

These retailers are probably selling 240volt versions of American vacs for people who are moving overseas. They are most likely not 120 volt vacuums to use here in North America. Many people moving overseas are going with family and like to have all their appliance purchases taken care of on this end of the move.

 

[eureka1998]

luxlife & eurekaprince

Link is attached but unfortunately im starting to think Eurekaprince is right. They're definitely modified machines. Which stinks in a way cause those bagless units are not the easiest to come across.

https://www.welectronics.com/

 

[eureka1998]

Yep other sites have similar listings (one out of stock) that say 220 volts.

 

[hoover300]

Swap in a 110v motor, most Hoovers of the Maytag era used the same motor.

 

[amtraksebo1997]

Cool find

 

[huskyvacs]

I'm wondering how they are converting them to 220V, or were they made from the factory from 220V ?

 

[eurekaprince]

They are all made from the original factories with 220volt motors. Most vacmakers in North America did that. The packaging and instruction manuals are all specifically designed for these 220volt versions of their cleaners. Eureka, Hoover, Panasonic, Bissell….they have all made a certain stock of cleaners for North Americans moving overseas to Europe and other places that use 220volt electrical power. Many military families or diplomatic families or families with academics who accepted professorships overseas could buy these units along with all their other electrical equipment (TVs that need to display PAL or NTSC broadcasts, etc) so that they could be included in their shipment of furniture and other household items.

The power of the motors is listed in watts so 1440 watts in North America is 12amps (1440 / 120) but in Europe it is 1440 divided by 220volts which is 6.5 amps.

 

[eureka1998]

Eurekaprince

Thank you for the information! Never knew the American companies actually did this for people moving overseas but I get why theyd want to make purchases early. I guess the only question left is why these select few machines LOL very specific models. But all these machines scream nostalgia for me, especially since I already had two Caddy Vacs and that specific Fold Away in the past, just never tried the Widepath, though I know its essentially a Windtunnel. Would it be easy to switch a motor in one from a 220v to a 120v? Just asking out of curiosity.

 

[amtraksebo1997]

Maybe someone's gotta bite the bullet and buy one of these to see if it arrives and it what's listed.

 

[eurekaprince]

I think what may have happened is at the end of the run of a certain model, the company set aside 100 or 200 to wire it up for 220volts. Don’t forget, the electrical cord has to be compatible with the higher voltage too. I don’t think you can just swap out the motors - you need to change all the electrical components including the cord and switch.

When I moved to Israel in 1997, I bought my 220volt stuff from two multivoltage stores in Toronto. I was lucky to get a really cool 220volt Eureka Mighty Mite II in dark blue! It was even branded with the World Vac branding of the early 1990’s! The plug was designed for Germany and France so it fit the outlets in my apartment in Tel Aviv. I was surprised to find a blue Eureka Dial-a-Nap upright in the apartment when I moved in! So cool to have two 220volt Eurekas with me!!!!

 

[eurekaprince]

If you want to get any of these special edition 220volt vacuums to use here in North America, just order a voltage transformer box when you order the vacuum. This device will boost our 120volts to the correct voltage for use here. Just be sure your transformer has enough capacity: 2000 watts should be enough.

 

[eureka1998]

eurekaprince

YUP, I figured a cord would need to be changed as well. I dont think I'll get one from here though, I'll jsut bite my chances and look for one if it pops up at a thrift store. I would assume theres still a few of these still around somewhere. They continued for several years as the Tempo Widepath so I would believe they weren't THAT bad. And thats cool about the Eureka!!!!! dark blue world vac one sounds rather rare! You still have that one on you?

 

[eurekaprince]

Yes…I still have that World Vac Mighty Mite II…now that’s a real collectors’ item!

You should go into your local multivoltage store in NYC…I bet you’d find some cool vacs there! Just Google 220 Volt store New York and see what pops up….

 

[panasonicvac]

I seriously doubt it looks legit, I'm pretty sure they don't have any of those machines. I'd contact them to get confirmation though.

 

[huskyvacs]

These vacuums are all over 20 years old - if this is old stock, that's going to be some seriously roached boxes I'd bet. The site looks legit and all on the level, but not sure about these listings. Like the other commenter said someone would have to sacrifice a couple Benjamins as an experiment and see what happens.

 

[eureka1998]

Huskyvacs

I agree about the listings maybe being out of date, cause there were similar website selling the Teal Widepath (also in 220v) and they were "out of stock". Roach infested though I'd doubt, remember not too long ago VCDiscounter was selling almost 20 year old Hoovers New Old Stock. However if its 220v modded machines not fit for American use, than i'd probably say maybe some shouldnt take the chance, unless they have the proper converter and feel comfortable with such a purchase. But I think i'll pass.