My first E Series Rainbow...

[vacuumfreeeke]

So, I got a Rainbow E-series today after wanting one for years. I was told that the 2 speeds with the brushless motors were better, and I thought that's what this was, but it was not... I wasn't about to change my mind after driving an hour just because it wasn't a two speed. It's the original one speed. Oh well, it's in decent shape and I can always upgrade if this one fails or I get bored with it. It came with the power nozzle and upholstery tool and attachment holder only...

I wanted to play with it right away so I didn't do a clean up yet. I did spray some Lysol on it just to sanitize it, and then went to use it. I noticed it was spitting the dirt back at my feet and that didn't make sense, so I opened up the power nozzle and discovered that there was compacted dirt clogging the air path. The brushroll was bogging down as well, so I replaced it with a Royal all metal upright belt which worked perfectly.

I want to get the rest of the attachments and the Aquamate (will have to get another hose too)... I'm planning to get a brushroll for the SE and maybe sell it on Craig's List or Ebay for 75 bucks or something. I certainly don't need two... I'm going to sell one of my two Hoover Steam Vacs and the Kirby G5 too, since I'm out of room for duplicates and I want to use the money for the aquamate and new hose that it will require (the kind that is electric but can be used for wet stuff as well)...

Anyway, I'm having fun with it and I really like it much better than the SE. I'm sure I'll make a video in the days to come.

 

[vacuumfreeeke]

The dirt that was clogging things up...

 

[vacuumfreeeke]

More dirt... Which way is the brushroll supposed to go by the way? The chevron pattern looks backwards, but this is how it is in every picture I've seen.

 

[vacuumfreeeke]

The Dirt. I hadn't vacuumed in a few days except with the Shark Cordless Navigator... I used the Hoover S/P WindTunnel about a week ago and the Platinum Lightweight bagged the day after that, so this was what it got up.

 

[vacuumfreeeke]

Last picture...

 

[fantomvacuumfan]

Very cool!

Nice find! I really want one

 

[mark40511]

Make sure

Since it's used and kind of gross that you clean the inside.

See video that someone made a while back

Best place to get supplies for a Rainbow is Goodvac.com

 

[rugsucker]

Rainbow

Should clean up nicely.The brush should be reversed so the side with groove is on the side with belt storage.An arrow will point to it,other side has arrow with X on it.

 

[vacuumfreeeke]

Thanks guys... I'm loving it so far. I got all the scuffs off with a magic eraser and wiped it down with some Armor-all. I also reversed the brushroll so it looks like a proper chevron... the brushes seem a little worn, but they still reach the carpet nicely. With a new belt, the power nozzle is really powerful.... I can't say it has the strongest suction of any vacuum I've ever experienced, but it seems sufficient. I love the completely transparent water basin and the water doesn't seem to slosh out of it, even with me being as clumsy as I am.

General thoughts:

The Good...

I like that the power nozzle belt is so easy to change... no tools required. Belt is isolated from the dirt path and there is an overload protector on the power nozzle. I was glad a Royal belt worked until I can get some proper Rainbow belts. I feel really in control with the trigger grip. I like the cord storage system much better than on the SE, though retractable would still be nice. I like the big power switch. I like the direct connect hose. The dolly feels really stable. It has a real height adjust. The power nozzle works pretty well on shag. I like that you can put the attachment caddy on the canister or the wand. I like the rubber grip on the under side of the carrying handle, very nice touch.

The Bad: (and I know they've fixed a lot of these issues on the current model)...

No headlight on the power nozzle. No suction relief valve. No direct connect for the power nozzle to the hand grip or quick release. No geared belt that doesn't stretch. No power switch on the hand grip. No way to lock the trigger on. Edge cleaning is non-existent. Have to adjust height with fingers instead of foot. No swivel neck for power nozzle. Hose doesn't swivel at all either at the machine end or the hand grip end. No place onboard to store the bare floor tool (but you could get a second attachment caddy and keep one on the machine and the other on the wand if you really wanted). No rubber wheels on the power nozzle... it is not bare floor friendly and they even state in their video manual that the power nozzle is not meant to be used on bare floors, though I was glad to see they now offer a bare floor tool with an angled neck instead of requiring that metal curved wand. Basin not the easiest thing in the world to clean out completely.

Anyway, those are my thoughts after owning it for one day and I can't wait to get to know it better and get it complete )

 

[floor-a-matic]

<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Maybe you'll trade it in for the new Rainbow?</span>


<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;"> </span>


<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">I just wasn't sure whether to buy a single-speed E Series or the new Onyx E3</span>


<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;"> </span>


<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">I bought the blue E2 back in November 2008; but it's in OH right now.  I will bring the blue E2 to TX so I can switch from the D4SE to the blue E2 & the chrome dome D2</span>

[this post was last edited: 10/2/2013-18:14]