Lux Commercial - new to me

[paul]

I recently bought a Lux Commercial, model U129Q, on Craigslist for 65 bucks. I especially like the 50 foot cord and onboard tool caddy. The slate gray & lipstick red color combination reminds me of the mid-500 series Kirby colors. In searching the Vacuumland threads it doesn't appear that too many collectors have them. If you do, please post photos and info.

I'm wondering if anyone knows the part # for the original accessory kit. I'd also like to know if the cord holder on the handle is movable. It has a torque screw, and I don't have a torque screwdriver.

 

[human]

Nice machine...

It's definitely descended from the Discovery line that debuted back in the '80s. It even appears to have the same tool holders as my Discovery Plus. I'm sure it's a great machine. Does it have a plug-in for a powered hose to run a Sidekick? I certainly enjoy that feature my Discovery II and my Genesis LXe. The Discovery II didn't come with it but I lucked up on an NOS adapter kit for a Discovery III (part no. 43542) on eBay for the price of a fast food meal, which included the metal-tipped hose handle, power cord and straps for the standard hose and the power adapter that mounts on the vacuum cleaner where the cord plugs in.

 

[paul]

Thanks, Bill.

The difference between the household and commercial onboard tool caddies is that the former had holders for two wand sections, but the commercial only has one as the accessory kit only came with one.

Regarding the port for the Sidekick, none of the commercials were equipped with it. Some of the Prolux cleaners ("heavy-duty, for household use only" but not commercial--going by literature and labeling) had hard-wired cords which provided the Sidekick port, but others had the detachable cords like the commercials.

I don't think the adapter would work with the onboard attachments, because the hose would be in the way. I saw a Discovery in a thrift store with a Sidekick port adapter but decided against buying it. Wish now I would have, because I could have tried it. Even if it were to work, though, I've never seen an adapter in the gray to match the Proluxes and commercials; and I wouldn't like a mismatch.

 

[human]

The adapter setup on my Discovery II works very nicely. It plugs into the existing power cord receptacle and has two receptacles on top. The one on the right, directly above the machine's power receptacle is un-switched for the power cord and the one on the left is switched for the Sidekick. You can actually turn the switch on the adapter to the 'on' position and then run the Sidekick with the vacuum cleaner turned off, not that there would be any real reason to do so.

On my Genesis LXe, the receptacle for the Sidekick is where the power cord would plug in on the Discovery.

 

[rugsucker]

Lux Commercial

These were more heavy duty than the previous Discovery based uprights.New features included replaceable bumper and bag compartments screws on outer corners with replaceable lower cord hooks.Early models had switch at handle,later below bag door.Red cord holder does not slide.
I may have att kit at old shop but little time to sort parts.

 

[paul]

Good info., Bill. I didn't realize the adapter had a switch. This is the first Aerus or Electrolux upright I've purchased, so I'm still learning.

Thanks for the info., Jimmy. I'm glad you responded. Let me know when if you find the accessory kit and how much you'd want for it with shipping.

Since the red cord holder isn't movable, I can't move the hose holder higher without bending the cord. Was the commercial's hose shorter than the household version? When I put a white one on (with a cord for the Sidekick) it touched the floor.

Regarding the bumpers on the household version, how are they secured so they're not replacable? I noticed the screws on the outside of the bag chamber, which was a great idea for easier detachment.

 

[tolivac]

Caution!!!!---NEVER try to run a Sidekick tool unless the suction is on-the Suction cools the Sidekicks motor.There is a warning on the bottom of the tool.Mine has that warning.

 

[human]

I agree. There's absolutely no practical reason to run it without suction. I was actually kind of surprised the Sidekick adapter was set up in a way that would allow that other than simplicity for manufacturing purposes. And it does explain the need for yet another switch, making a total of three to actually power up the Sidekick. I actually discovered this 'feature' by accident when I was testing out my newest Sidekick on my Discovery II. I'd hooked everything up and plugged the machine in, not realizing the switch on the adapter was in the 'on' position. Knowing what I know now, I always make sure that switch is turned off when the Sidekick is not in use.

All that said, I did find it handy to be able to power the Sidekick up for a few seconds to listen to it run without the competing sound of the vacuum cleaner when I was trying to identify and isolate the unpleasant noises it was making when I first got it in order to know what to lubricate. I doubt running it like that a time or two for no more than a few seconds did it any harm.

 

[paul]

I talked with an Aerus rep, who told me that the "Lux Commercial" accessory kits did actually have two wands. However, only one could be stored on the onboard caddy, due to the position of the switch on the back side of the bag casing where the household's second wand section was stored. The older "Electrolux Commercial"s had switches in the loop of the steering handle, so their accessory caddies were the same as the household version, including the Proluxes. He also stated that the commercials had flex hoses (I didn't clarify if that meant both "Electrolux" and "Lux"-labeled vacuum cleaners or just the latter). Other accessories in the kit included the dusting brush/upholstery tool and the short crevice nozzle that was stored attached to it.

Does anyone have a scan of the Lux Commercial onboard accessory caddy instruction sheet that shows how to store the accessories on the onboard caddy? If so, please post it on this thread. The users manual doesn't show it as it was an option.

Also, if I can't get an original Aerus flex hose for the commercial, I'm wondering if another brand's would work, or do Aerus hoses have a different diameter than major brands?

 

[paul]

I read that Aerus sold its motor business to Electro Motor in July 2002. Since then—as far as I know based on what I've read—Aerus has used motors made by Johnson Electric Motors (JEM) of China for its cleaners.

Does anyone have experience working on them? My Lux Commercial motor is louder than another I've heard, so I'm guessing the bearings need replacing. I'm hoping it's something I can do.

Along with that, what screwdriver—size and type—do I need to remove the bag compartment from the motor housing?

_______

Also, do the Aerus upright hoses have a standard diameter? I'm still looking for a flex hose for mine and wondering if I can use another brand since Aerus no longer carries them.

 

[rugsucker]

Electrolux upright attachments/hoses

I should have some including gray comm but very little time to search.

 

[paul]

Jimmy,

I would purchase 2 kits from you if you could find them, and they were in good shape.

I need them for work, so I'll have to find another source if you aren't able to locate them soon.

Keep me posted.

 

[paul]

For future reference ...

I was able to locate an Aerus dealer who has the gray accessory kit, stock no. 47376 (since replaced by the black set, stock no. 49484). The set has what several dealers referred to as a "slinky" hose. Due to the placement of the riveted cord strap on the handle, the dusting brush/upholstery tool clip & hose holder is mounted lower than the household version's, which causes standard Electrolux/Aerus upright hose to touch the ground; so the slinky hose remedies that.

The commercial's accessory kit also includes the dusting brush/upholstery tool, the short crevice nozzle (stored in the opening of the dusting brush/upholstery tool),and one plastic wand (not two as I'd previously stated). I may look around to see if I can find another brand's telescopic wand that will fit the Aerus hose AND the onboard caddy (only the narrow end of the Aerus wand will go through).

I also learned that to take apart the bag and motor housings I need a T15 torx screwdriver and that the power switch needs to be removed first. Not sure yet if I'll tackle that on my own or not.

Thanks to the person who offered the correction that the motor supplier for Aerus LLC is Johnson Electric Industrial Manufactory Ltd. (JEI) of Hong Kong. Apparently, the model U129Q was one of the first of Aerus's cleaners that used the JEI motor (u-8225).

 

[paul]

I ended up getting another U129Q Lux Commercial. Interestingly, it's serial # is H10606Y and it has the conventional 8.5A 2-fan motor. The other one, whose serial # is H51862Y, has the single-fan 8.5A JEI suction motor; the brush roll motor is a JEI, too, and the brush roll is the newer style. Sound and air flow are both substantially greater with the JEI motors. Production for the U129Q was 2004 to 2009, so the switch to JEI motors was during that period.

Also, I found out that Electrolux/Aerus never made a commercial upright. They have all made by ProTeam—the dark gray & red ones and the current dark gray & black ones—with and without the on-board hose & telescopic wand.

The Prolux series wasn't really 'commercial' per se. It just had a 35- or 40-foot heavy-duty cord on it, and was marketed as 'heavy duty' (except for one model); otherwise it was the same as the household in style, design, and performance.