My New (Old) Rainbow!

[mark40511]

So yesterday - I had my rainbow out. I decided to snap a few pics of the fans. I had to shine a flashlight to get the pics to show up. This is six years old & a 2 speed Gold which I bought brand new. I've used it A LOT over the past six years and I think the fans look really good compared to some I've seen. The one pic the flashlight sort of magnifies what I think is mostly mineral dust, probably a little dirt as well. But it still is a very clean smell on the inside. Nothing caked on or nasty. The first year I had it I didn't change the water as often as I should because I didn't know any better, but I never really let it get that bad

 

[mark40511]

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[mark40511]

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[floor-a-matic]

VERY IMPRESSIVE, Mark! It's a rare event that I ever see a used Rainbow (even one that's at least 5 yrs old) in clean, like new condition.

That's why people should NEVER store the Rainbow power unit on the basin, no matter if the basin is dry or wet, empty or full with water/dirt; and ALWAYS clean the Separator & spider after EACH USE; & ALWAYS change the water every 15-20 minutes; & never clean too long with only one filling of water.

 

[eurekastar]

Mission Accomplished

My Rainbow E2 is fully serviced and back together!  I also purchased a 4 quart water basin since I have a fairly large house. 

 

[eurekastar]

The careful eye will notice that the pin striping around the motor unit is missing.  That's about the only thing on this unit that was dinged up, so I just removed it.  I vacuum the rung it's sitting yesterday with an Electrolux.  Today, I vacuumed with the Rainbow E2 I just finished putting together.  Even I was surprised by the amount of crud it removed from the carpet today.  But I have two dogs and one child in and out of the house all the time. 

 

[mark40511]

floor-a-matic

Thanks. I'm the only person that ever uses it. I wouldn't dare let anyone else use it. Seeing how as much as I've used mine over the past six years, I was always puzzled by some comments about Rainbow after my experiences with it. But this machine has a high rate of user error, I'm sure (unfortunately), so that would explain the many dirty rainbows out there. Even the first year of owning mine in 2006, I didn't clean the separator, only rinsed it because it never looked dirty, but it does get dirty in the grooves after a while, so I started cleaning it after each use from that point on.


Eurkastar-

Looks great! Now you don't have anyone else's dirt. It will be your dirt. Whatever you do - don't lend it to anyone (LOL)

 

[mark40511]

I forgot to mention: That four quart water basin; that's a good idea for a large house. This may be a DUMB question, but, I wonder if the larger basin with more water in any way affects the efficacy since it's having to churn more water? Probably not. I know it would come in VERY handy when using the Aquamate 3. It certainly would help with people who don't like to change the water as often.

 

[eurekastar]

4 quart basin

I don't know if the 4 quart basin does affect performance.  I don't have any way of test airflow and water lift, but it still feels plenty powerful!

 

[eurekastar]

Separator

Does anyone know if the separator is dishwasher safe?

 

[mark40511]

Yes. It is dishwasher safe based on past posts I've read on this site. I personally have never put it in the dishwasher but I'm almost positive they are dishwasher safe. The basin itself isn't.

 

[mark40511]

EurkeaStar.........So you think the ONE speed is powerful? I've never seen a one speed in person. I could be wrong, but I've heard that the one speeds had less lift that the previous PE SE Rainbow. That lift was increased even more with the 2 speed brushless. Then again, I've read that the difference is very slight. On yours, did you take the PN completely apart and clean it or just the main unit? How did you take the PN apart?

 

[eurekastar]

I didn't take the PN completely apart.  I just installed a new belt and brush strips.  It didn't look like it had been used much (if at all), so I'm guessing the previous owner must have had mostly hardwood floors.  One of the things about this E2 is the AMP rating on the main motor.  I've seen one speed E2 Rainbow on Ebay that are rated at 9.5 AMPs, but mine is rated at 10 AMPs.  The tag on the bottom and the tag on the motor both state that it is 10 AMPs.  So I guess there was a change in motors later in that model's production run. 

 

[mark40511]

Yeah........

Do you want to know the BEST thing (in my opinion) to put in the water before vacuuming?

Essential oil. It's cheap, lasts a LONG time, and doesn't cost much....AND, No chemicals. I bought a bottle of lemon essential oil off ebay like 3 yrs ago and I'm just getting low on it. I recently bought this and it's my favorite.

http://www.amazon.com/NOW-Foods-Ora...PL8A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1337109455&sr=8-1

 

[eurekastar]

Essential Oil

I have some scents that are sold by Rainbow.  I wonder if they are essential oils or just some type solution infused with scents. 

 

[joshdonnell]

Oil

Sold by rainbow are fake not true oils . Buy tree tea to disinfect and lemon is good too

 

[mark40511]

The Rainbow scents are chemicals. I do like the way they smell, but after using real Lemon essential oil, and then using the rainbow lemon flavor, you can see how it's not as good as the real thing. Another thing I have noticed, that big green Bottle of Deodorizer from Rexair; I always loved the way that smelled but it foams too much. Even the latest formula, someone was telling me they were having trouble with it foaming. I still have half a bottle of it from six years ago. If I ever use it, I can only put a few drops. If I put 2 cap fulls like it suggests, too much foaming, and I have hard water.

 

[pr-21]

Just a note....

Rexair warns that using other oils in the water pan can cause it to crack. They have said this for years. I only use the Rainbow scents. With the new model they changed some of the fragrances. Have only tried the berry so far. I like it, but I liked mulberry better.


Bud Mattingly
PR-21

 

[mark40511]

All the water vacuum manufactures say only to use their products. I've read some oils will harm the basin, like Spearmint and a couple of others. But I've used orange, pine, eucalyptus in mine for a long time now and the basin still looks flawless. I only use a few drops. I just don't like the chemicals

 

[joshdonnell]

Oh

Ive used lavender and the real deal, and orange oil and peperment . I hate chemicals all chemicals!!