human
Well-known member
When I got home today, the connectors were waiting for me in the mailbox. Two weeks to ship from Hong Kong. That's got to be some kind of a record. I'll be wiring up the switch tomorrow. Hopefully everything will work okay.
Need help wiring up a switch in a Silverado
- Thread starter human
- Start date
Help Support VacuumLand:
quebecois
Well-known member
Please let us konw how it turns out.
human
Well-known member
It liiiiiiiiivvves!!!
I put the terminals on the switch wires and connected everything up earlier today. When I plugged it in and threw the switch, the Silverado came to life and purred like a kitten. A new switch assembly and a new plug were all it needed. The machine is still far from perfect, though. The front wheel has a serious flat spot and needs to be replaced, the cord winder needs some work as it suffers from the all too common issue of not wanting to rewind, and I also need to JB Weld the handle on the hose back together but I can wait to work on those another day.
I looked to see if I could spot where that odd screw came from but didn't find any empty screw holes. My pet theory at the moment is it's one that held the original switch in place and fell down inside the machine when the switch was removed.
I put the terminals on the switch wires and connected everything up earlier today. When I plugged it in and threw the switch, the Silverado came to life and purred like a kitten. A new switch assembly and a new plug were all it needed. The machine is still far from perfect, though. The front wheel has a serious flat spot and needs to be replaced, the cord winder needs some work as it suffers from the all too common issue of not wanting to rewind, and I also need to JB Weld the handle on the hose back together but I can wait to work on those another day.
I looked to see if I could spot where that odd screw came from but didn't find any empty screw holes. My pet theory at the moment is it's one that held the original switch in place and fell down inside the machine when the switch was removed.
human
Well-known member
Something's not wired right.
When I initially tested the Silverado, everything seemed okay because I didn't have a hose and power nozzle hooked to it, but with those accessories in place, something is definitely wired up backward on that machine. When I turn the vacuum cleaner on, the power nozzle doesn't run but when I turn the vacuum off, the power nozzle turns on. Weird.
One thing that comes to mind is that when I took the cord winder off, I disconnected all three wires, a black one and two white ones. One of the white wires has a double connector on it, to accommodate one of the other two wires. I connected the two white wires together because that seemed logical and is consistent with the photo linked below from a Diamond J teardown tutorial, which shows the two white wires connected together and one that appears to be light gray connected by itself to the other terminal. But in taking a second look at that photo, maybe that isn't the way it's supposed to go.
The upper terminal on the cord winder in the photo is labeled '1, 2' and the lower terminal is labeled '3' but if the labels on the wires are to be believed, two of the wires are reversed in the photo. One of the white wires, presumably the one with the double connector, is labeled '1' and the other white wire is labeled '3', while the gray wire is labeled '2'. But here's the potential problem: the two white wires (1 and 3) are connected to the upper terminal (1, 2), while the gray wire (2) is connected to the lower terminal, which is clearly labeled '3'. I connected the wires on my Silverado according to the wire colors on the picture and was not looking at the labels, so maybe I just need to take things back apart and reverse those two wires. Any other ideas of where to look for crossed wires?
http://chrisswingler.com/blog/assets_c/2011/04/P1091788-86.html
When I initially tested the Silverado, everything seemed okay because I didn't have a hose and power nozzle hooked to it, but with those accessories in place, something is definitely wired up backward on that machine. When I turn the vacuum cleaner on, the power nozzle doesn't run but when I turn the vacuum off, the power nozzle turns on. Weird.
One thing that comes to mind is that when I took the cord winder off, I disconnected all three wires, a black one and two white ones. One of the white wires has a double connector on it, to accommodate one of the other two wires. I connected the two white wires together because that seemed logical and is consistent with the photo linked below from a Diamond J teardown tutorial, which shows the two white wires connected together and one that appears to be light gray connected by itself to the other terminal. But in taking a second look at that photo, maybe that isn't the way it's supposed to go.
The upper terminal on the cord winder in the photo is labeled '1, 2' and the lower terminal is labeled '3' but if the labels on the wires are to be believed, two of the wires are reversed in the photo. One of the white wires, presumably the one with the double connector, is labeled '1' and the other white wire is labeled '3', while the gray wire is labeled '2'. But here's the potential problem: the two white wires (1 and 3) are connected to the upper terminal (1, 2), while the gray wire (2) is connected to the lower terminal, which is clearly labeled '3'. I connected the wires on my Silverado according to the wire colors on the picture and was not looking at the labels, so maybe I just need to take things back apart and reverse those two wires. Any other ideas of where to look for crossed wires?
http://chrisswingler.com/blog/assets_c/2011/04/P1091788-86.html
human
Well-known member
Yup...
That was the problem. Swapping those two wires sorted things out. The black wire goes on the double-terminal white wire. Ironically, the single terminal wire I thought was white was actually gray, just like the photo. Oh well, it's all sorted now and I have one more functioning vacuum cleaner in the house.
That was the problem. Swapping those two wires sorted things out. The black wire goes on the double-terminal white wire. Ironically, the single terminal wire I thought was white was actually gray, just like the photo. Oh well, it's all sorted now and I have one more functioning vacuum cleaner in the house.
quebecois
Well-known member
Good you sorted it out.
It's funny what wrong wiring could do. WHen I put my AP-280 motor back together after a bearing change, I did something wrong with the wires, and I had only the low speed working. I looked at the pictures I took while disassembly and then noticed that I wired it exactly the opposite it should be. After that I had the high speed back.
It's funny what wrong wiring could do. WHen I put my AP-280 motor back together after a bearing change, I did something wrong with the wires, and I had only the low speed working. I looked at the pictures I took while disassembly and then noticed that I wired it exactly the opposite it should be. After that I had the high speed back.
human
Well-known member
I just can't seem to leave this machine alone. I just finished repairing the hose handle, which was split in half, with JB Weld and I've ordered a set of four replacement front casters (yeah, I only need one, so there will be a few left over) that have exactly the right dimensions, even though they're generic items and thus cheap at $3.99 for the set of four. I'm sure it would be at least twice that a used one pulled off of another Electrolux canister. Once I get the caster sorted, the only thing left, battle scars notwithstanding, will be the weak cord winder.
Even though I have prettier vacuums, there's definitely something satisfying about bringing a 'dead' machine back to life.
Even though I have prettier vacuums, there's definitely something satisfying about bringing a 'dead' machine back to life.
madman
Well-known member
There always is! 
human
Well-known member
Swivel caster
So thought I had ordered a set of four swivel casters on eBay for $3.99 to replace the the original front wheel on my Silverado, which had been worn almost completely flat on one side. But last night, the seller unexpectedly reneged on the sale and refunded my money with an apologetic and poorly worded message that demonstrated a profound lack of command of the English language. Undeterred, I went to Lowe's this afternoon and got a two-pack of top plate swivel casters with 1.25-inch wheels for $4.97 and have mounted one on the Silverado, bringing it another step along the path of rehabilitation.
Leave it to Electrolux--or any manufacturer, really--to come up with a slightly non-standard component in lieu of its commodity equivalent. The screw hole locations of the top plate are slightly off from the original so that it couldn't screw into place when lined straight. Fortunately, the mounting system, using two screws on diagonally opposite corners, proved to be its saving grace. I was able to line up the screw holes by mounting it slightly cockeyed. The little locator pins on the opposite corners don't line up with the other two screw holes, but it makes no functional difference since it's a swivel caster. Sure, I could drill out the holes on one end, but why bother? It's secure and you can't see that the top plate is slightly crooked unless you pick it up and look at it.
On an interesting side note, the two screws that hold that swivel caster in place are identical to the odd screw I found and couldn't figure out where it went. To me, this confirms that a) it's a genuine Electrolux screw and b) it was likely used to hold the power switch in place.
So thought I had ordered a set of four swivel casters on eBay for $3.99 to replace the the original front wheel on my Silverado, which had been worn almost completely flat on one side. But last night, the seller unexpectedly reneged on the sale and refunded my money with an apologetic and poorly worded message that demonstrated a profound lack of command of the English language. Undeterred, I went to Lowe's this afternoon and got a two-pack of top plate swivel casters with 1.25-inch wheels for $4.97 and have mounted one on the Silverado, bringing it another step along the path of rehabilitation.
Leave it to Electrolux--or any manufacturer, really--to come up with a slightly non-standard component in lieu of its commodity equivalent. The screw hole locations of the top plate are slightly off from the original so that it couldn't screw into place when lined straight. Fortunately, the mounting system, using two screws on diagonally opposite corners, proved to be its saving grace. I was able to line up the screw holes by mounting it slightly cockeyed. The little locator pins on the opposite corners don't line up with the other two screw holes, but it makes no functional difference since it's a swivel caster. Sure, I could drill out the holes on one end, but why bother? It's secure and you can't see that the top plate is slightly crooked unless you pick it up and look at it.
On an interesting side note, the two screws that hold that swivel caster in place are identical to the odd screw I found and couldn't figure out where it went. To me, this confirms that a) it's a genuine Electrolux screw and b) it was likely used to hold the power switch in place.
quebecois
Well-known member
SOme of these swiwel are mounted on brackets riveted in the vacuum canister instead of screwed in, that doesn't help replacing them.
On my best ZB89, I ended up drilling the rivet of the wheel itself and putting a small bolt as a new axle.
On my best ZB89, I ended up drilling the rivet of the wheel itself and putting a small bolt as a new axle.
human
Well-known member
So close, but oh so far...
I actually considered doing what you did for a brief moment, but I can live with the slightly crooked plate. It's secure and not going anywhere.
I actually considered doing what you did for a brief moment, but I can live with the slightly crooked plate. It's secure and not going anywhere.
quebecois
Well-known member
Good enough !
human
Well-known member
Silverado Stress Test...
Well, after all the work I've done the past few weeks bringing the Silverado back from death's door, I finally decided it was time to put it through its paces by vacuuming my bedroom, which is one of two fully carpeted rooms in my house. Two others have Persian rugs on top of hardwood floors. For its inaugural run (can't exactly call it a 'maiden voyage'), I rigged it up with the hose that came with it, which I had repaired with JB Weld, and the wand and gray PN4A power nozzle I had bought separately for it. Not surprisingly, the handle on the hose lasted for all of two or three pushes before it broke apart again. Fortunately, I have more Electrolux hoses than I do Electrolux canisters to put them on, so I was back in business in about a minute. Once I got going again, the machine turned out to be every bit the beast I had expected it to be.
To my mind, one of the best tests for a power nozzle is getting cat fur off of a Persian rug and this one handled it with ease. Running the Silverado and its power nozzle for about 15 minutes, there were no disconcerting noises or odors so while it may not be the prettiest machine in my collection, I am taking it off the parts donor list and declaring it fully fit for duty. The only thing still irritates me about the machine itself is the cord winder won't take up the last four or five feet of cord but that can be a project for another day. The hose, I'm not so sure about. It's got a split just aft of the handle, which I repaired with RTV silicone, but the handle itself is toast. I'm just wondering whether it's even worth trying to source a replacement handle when I have so many other better hoses on hand. Certainly, it's not a priority. For now, I'm removing what's left of the handle, tossing it in the trash and the rest of the hose into the barn in the event another handle comes my way sometime in the future.
Well, after all the work I've done the past few weeks bringing the Silverado back from death's door, I finally decided it was time to put it through its paces by vacuuming my bedroom, which is one of two fully carpeted rooms in my house. Two others have Persian rugs on top of hardwood floors. For its inaugural run (can't exactly call it a 'maiden voyage'), I rigged it up with the hose that came with it, which I had repaired with JB Weld, and the wand and gray PN4A power nozzle I had bought separately for it. Not surprisingly, the handle on the hose lasted for all of two or three pushes before it broke apart again. Fortunately, I have more Electrolux hoses than I do Electrolux canisters to put them on, so I was back in business in about a minute. Once I got going again, the machine turned out to be every bit the beast I had expected it to be.
To my mind, one of the best tests for a power nozzle is getting cat fur off of a Persian rug and this one handled it with ease. Running the Silverado and its power nozzle for about 15 minutes, there were no disconcerting noises or odors so while it may not be the prettiest machine in my collection, I am taking it off the parts donor list and declaring it fully fit for duty. The only thing still irritates me about the machine itself is the cord winder won't take up the last four or five feet of cord but that can be a project for another day. The hose, I'm not so sure about. It's got a split just aft of the handle, which I repaired with RTV silicone, but the handle itself is toast. I'm just wondering whether it's even worth trying to source a replacement handle when I have so many other better hoses on hand. Certainly, it's not a priority. For now, I'm removing what's left of the handle, tossing it in the trash and the rest of the hose into the barn in the event another handle comes my way sometime in the future.
