My new Riccar Radiance!

[mieles7]

Well, maybe not "new". It's a RAD.1 that I got off eBay, so it's not cosmetically perfect, but nothing I won't be able to clean up. Anyway, I have a question about this vacuum's height adjustment knob. I'm having a lot of trouble turning it, so I'm wondering if there is some kind of special technique I need to use to turn it, or if it just requires a lot of force. Does anyone have any advice?

Here's some pics of the vacuum's unboxing. It was packed extremely well!

 

[mieles7]

Never mind on the height adjust. Just was a bit tough to turn.

 

[bikerray]

You do know that you can download the manual from Riccar

 

[mieles7]

Yeah I was looking at it a lot yesterday.

 

[panasonicvac]

Speaking of which...

Hey Tom if you find this, I hear there's a new tandem air model coming out from Tacony. I know there's a simplicity in a cherry color and it's got same hose feature like the newer brilliance/synchrony has with it. What else is new with these? My dealer said he'll have that simplicity in stock by next Monday but I couldn't wait for that long to see it so do you have any pictures with them as a sneek peak?

 

[dysonman1]

Hey Alex:
The new R40 Riccar and S40 Simplicity are awesome machines. They use the new hose and full length wand from the Maytag M1200 models, they are much easier to assemble (and work on), they feature a new fan for the dirty air motor with a large space between the blades (so hard debris won't bother it), and a brand new bag system as well as HEPA filtration system. They are also quieter, which I enjoy when I go to demonstrate them to people visiting the Vacuum Cleaner Museum and Factory Outlet Store. They also feature an expanded dirt and allergen indicator light system.

 

[mieles7]

Here's a pic of the vacuum running. Even though one of the LEDs is out, the headlight still puts out a ton of light.

 

[miskini]

How are you liking it so far?

 

[mieles7]

It's probably one of the nicest vacuums I've ever used. The Radiance's build quality is top-notch, and it is very comfortable to use. I haven't really done any serious vacuuming with it yet, but from my experience it does a pretty good job. With only the first motor on the vacuum is pretty quiet, but once you flip the carpet switch on the vacuum gets very loud. To be honest, it is one of the loudest vacuums I own, but the motors are both pretty low pitched so the vacuum isn't too painful for me to use. My only complaint is that the hose is pretty short, but I am aware that you can purchase an extension hose for it.

Interestingly enough, the Riccar Radiance share a lot of similarities with my Sebo X2. The hose and cord wraps are both located at nearly the same points and the hose grips are both attached to a removable wand, although the Riccar's wand is telescopic. In addition, the bag latches are in similar places on the body of each vacuum, and both of them have pre-motor filters to the side of the bag..

 

[tolivac]

Bad headlight-point that out to your dealer-and generally you will get a replacement machine!You return the bad one to the dealer.And the dealer gives you another--via Tacony.I truely admire Taconys service if you have problems-they take care of it right away.

 

[dysonman1]

Since it's a used machine from eBay, that's more than 10 years old, he really couldn't return it to a dealer. Since Tacony makes parts for their machines, even a new model with a bag headlight would not get replaced entirely, the light bar would simply be replace under warranty.

 

[tolivac]

Didn't realize the vacuum was old.

 

[mieles7]

After running it a few times, I've noticed that even after changing the bag the vacuum emits an unpleasant odor. Anything I could try in order make the smell go away?

 

[tolivac]

Filters?something caught in the machine?If this is new maybe the dealer should check it?

 

[tolivac]

Sorry,don't know why I keep thinking the vacuum is new-never mind the dealer part.Your filters should be changed.the exhaust filter-the one in the bag chamber-and a small one on top of the lower motor housing in the base.Tilt the handle ALL THE WAY back and you will find it.If you can get to the cleanout ports on your machine-check those and make sure nothing is caught in them.

 

[mieles7]

Thanks Tolivac. I'll try to get some new filters soon. Also, where are the cleanout ports in the vacuum?

 

[tolivac]

On the base in the back and I beleive there is one on ther botttom I would have to look on mine to see.In later machines the ports were a flap door affair you could open.Early ones the cover had a screw you had to remove.And you can twist off the hose connector on the back of the machine.I am just careful what I pick up.No long stiff,hard or sharp things.