vintagerepairer
Well-known member
Well whatever the colour, I bet it has good castors.
Panasonic 40 & 50 series
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Headlight
Very nice vacuums, and I love the cord winder! However, why do European uprights and power nozzles rarely have headlights? That extra bit of light is helpful to me. I can't imagine a bit of extra light in Cheshire, Lancashire or even in Prague wouldn't be helpful there also. Why are the lights so rare on European models?
Very nice vacuums, and I love the cord winder! However, why do European uprights and power nozzles rarely have headlights? That extra bit of light is helpful to me. I can't imagine a bit of extra light in Cheshire, Lancashire or even in Prague wouldn't be helpful there also. Why are the lights so rare on European models?
vintagerepairer
Well-known member
Hi. All I can say is that the head lamps in the vast majority of vacuum cleaners quickly failed. Not all, and in fact the Panasonic bulbs usually lasted the lifetime, but most failed. The 12v Hoover bulb was a lot better than the 240v bulbs, but they too had a high faliure rate.
To be honest, I don't think UK customers were all that bothered about headlamps and only had them because that was what the cleaner came with. There were only two models of Hoover Junior with headlamps which were a choice if you like, as you could buy one of those or the standard model. All the senior cleaners in the Hoover range had bulbs. As did our Starlight, but later that was taken off when it was renamed Junior Deluxe.
Once the mainstream Junior with headlight was discontinued, they were only sold with headlamps as exclusive lines. Even the Senior U4186 went down this road in the early 1980s. Some of the Goblin Housemaid and Commander cleaners had a choice of headlamp model or not. Electrolux has never had a headlamp on any of it's upright. Now Electrolux uprights had always been stupidly good sellers, so maybe it was finally recognised by the others that a headlamp was just not an important feature.
Not that I'm saying I don't like the headlamps, because I do. I think they look rather swish.
To be honest, I don't think UK customers were all that bothered about headlamps and only had them because that was what the cleaner came with. There were only two models of Hoover Junior with headlamps which were a choice if you like, as you could buy one of those or the standard model. All the senior cleaners in the Hoover range had bulbs. As did our Starlight, but later that was taken off when it was renamed Junior Deluxe.
Once the mainstream Junior with headlight was discontinued, they were only sold with headlamps as exclusive lines. Even the Senior U4186 went down this road in the early 1980s. Some of the Goblin Housemaid and Commander cleaners had a choice of headlamp model or not. Electrolux has never had a headlamp on any of it's upright. Now Electrolux uprights had always been stupidly good sellers, so maybe it was finally recognised by the others that a headlamp was just not an important feature.
Not that I'm saying I don't like the headlamps, because I do. I think they look rather swish.
On the subject of headlamps, I wish more cleaners had them!
My HOOVER Ranger U4014 has a "Hedlite", and I love it! As the saying went - "It lights where it's going, it's clean where it's gone!"
I remember a Vax (I think it was) we had for a very short time (my mother sent it back after one day because she didn't like how the telescopic handle felt "loose") had a headlamp and it was very good - Brighter than the one on my Ranger.
My HOOVER Ranger U4014 has a "Hedlite", and I love it! As the saying went - "It lights where it's going, it's clean where it's gone!"
I remember a Vax (I think it was) we had for a very short time (my mother sent it back after one day because she didn't like how the telescopic handle felt "loose") had a headlamp and it was very good - Brighter than the one on my Ranger.
turbo500
Well-known member
I bet it has good castors
"take it away the trolley!?"
anyway, headlights, I never saw the point. Especially on the higher end Panasonic models of the 40 and 50 series, they were simply a way of sticking a bigger price tag on the machine. There is absolutely no difference in cleaning ability between the 44 and 46 and the 53 and 55 - they just come with headlights and variable power.
I do remember once as a child asking my Dad why the vacuum had a light on the front, to which he responded "in case you're hoovering in a power cut". Took me years to figure out what he was on about!
"take it away the trolley!?"
anyway, headlights, I never saw the point. Especially on the higher end Panasonic models of the 40 and 50 series, they were simply a way of sticking a bigger price tag on the machine. There is absolutely no difference in cleaning ability between the 44 and 46 and the 53 and 55 - they just come with headlights and variable power.
I do remember once as a child asking my Dad why the vacuum had a light on the front, to which he responded "in case you're hoovering in a power cut". Took me years to figure out what he was on about!
vintagerepairer
Well-known member
It was once said that the headlamp was useful in days gone by in houses where the only powerpoint was the over head cieling light. Taking the bulb out to plug in the cleaner meant of course that the room had no artificial light. It could be a myth, but it does have some practical sense behind it.
turbo500
Well-known member
Your father was very witty Chris!
He still is. The other day he told me the best cure for hiccups was to stick your head in a bucket of water 3 times, but only bring up twice...
He still is. The other day he told me the best cure for hiccups was to stick your head in a bucket of water 3 times, but only bring up twice...
turbopowerpaul
Well-known member
hi Chris.
Saw this machine a few months ago on ebay. Not knowing anything about Panasonic cleaners, it nevertheless caught my eyes!
Noted it down as an MC-E55, I take it that this is top of the range and is from the same series as the white MC-E53 pictured earlier in the thread?
Paul
Saw this machine a few months ago on ebay. Not knowing anything about Panasonic cleaners, it nevertheless caught my eyes!
Noted it down as an MC-E55, I take it that this is top of the range and is from the same series as the white MC-E53 pictured earlier in the thread?
Paul
rolls_rapide
Well-known member
I had an MC-E43 from new and it had three problems.
It was singularly useless at removing grit from short pile carpets. The grit would be bouncing in front of the cleaner, but would not be swept into the airflow, no matter how many sweeps you made.
The twin 120 volt bulbs were Edison Screw. The vibration from the beating action constantly unscrewed at least one of them. Because they were wired in series, the lights went out. Give me Bayonet Caps any day.
WHICH? recommended them one year as a Best Buy. Yet the following year they reported a problem with a blockage that was very difficult to clear. I experienced a problem where dust, fluff, and dog hair made its way into the motor cavity by way of the wheel axle. The axle simply sticks through the lower half of the motor shell with no seals at all. Silly design.
It was singularly useless at removing grit from short pile carpets. The grit would be bouncing in front of the cleaner, but would not be swept into the airflow, no matter how many sweeps you made.
The twin 120 volt bulbs were Edison Screw. The vibration from the beating action constantly unscrewed at least one of them. Because they were wired in series, the lights went out. Give me Bayonet Caps any day.
WHICH? recommended them one year as a Best Buy. Yet the following year they reported a problem with a blockage that was very difficult to clear. I experienced a problem where dust, fluff, and dog hair made its way into the motor cavity by way of the wheel axle. The axle simply sticks through the lower half of the motor shell with no seals at all. Silly design.
vintagerepairer
Well-known member
That grey cleaner there is a lovely looking machine, though I would stake my life on it having had a new mains lead as the original was usually grey. Not that it matters.
I can't argue at all with what Rolls_Rapide has said. I never thought that the Panasonic uprights felt like they were doing much cleaning as they never seemed to suck at the carpet in the same way that none-floating head cleaners did. The suction plays three roles usually, that being to grip the carpet, to remove debris by suction, and to suck away debris removed by the roller brush. In the case of the Panasonic, it seemed like the suction only did one of the three, that being to suck away debris from the roller. As I mentioned on another thread, my wife bought a Hoover Turbopower 3 in 1997. This was to replace a Panasonic MCE-43N which she'd bought long before I knew her. She never ceased to say how 'heavy' the Hoover was to push about, I suppose this was due to the thin rear wheels and none floating head, but did often say how much better she thought it was at cleaning.
I can't argue at all with what Rolls_Rapide has said. I never thought that the Panasonic uprights felt like they were doing much cleaning as they never seemed to suck at the carpet in the same way that none-floating head cleaners did. The suction plays three roles usually, that being to grip the carpet, to remove debris by suction, and to suck away debris removed by the roller brush. In the case of the Panasonic, it seemed like the suction only did one of the three, that being to suck away debris from the roller. As I mentioned on another thread, my wife bought a Hoover Turbopower 3 in 1997. This was to replace a Panasonic MCE-43N which she'd bought long before I knew her. She never ceased to say how 'heavy' the Hoover was to push about, I suppose this was due to the thin rear wheels and none floating head, but did often say how much better she thought it was at cleaning.
baglessball
Well-known member
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- Oct 15, 2011
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There is is a MC-E43 on eBay, grey with headlight and clear tool door..
baglessball
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 15, 2011
- Messages
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Also completely agree about the lack of grit removal! This used to baffle me when I was a kid. I would reppeatedly vacuum the same spot and still grit would bounce out of the carpet in front of the machine no matter how many strokes I would make..
vacu-finder
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- Jul 25, 2011
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Never seen one myself..........but I is a big fan of Panasonic. Pretty looking MC-E44 and MC-E47 machines
sebo_fan
Well-known member
Oh this takes me back! When I started out collecting someone gave me a 1989 year white MCE 41N - I loved that vacuum and then I got the green MC E53. As someone has already mentioned, I too had more problems with the MC E53 - the auto cord mechanism was quite a struggle but more to the point the motor had seen better days and the variable suction dial was next to useless. Good vacuum when it worked properly but not as eager or as compact to push as the MCE 41N.
Also, a fact that Panasonic now stipulate with their silly current bagged series is the 2 drive belt system which is a bit of a nonsense to have to remove both just to replace the drive belt. It was the same set up on my bagless uprights, MCE 4003 and MCE 4111.
Also, a fact that Panasonic now stipulate with their silly current bagged series is the 2 drive belt system which is a bit of a nonsense to have to remove both just to replace the drive belt. It was the same set up on my bagless uprights, MCE 4003 and MCE 4111.
Belt Change MC-E54
Hi,
Hoping for some advice. I managed to get my hands on one of these machines. THe belt is very stretched so I changed it with what I thought was the correct belt but they are only lasting 30 seconds and then ripping. I'm not sure if I am fitting it correctly. There seems to be a metal guide from the belt pull to the brush roll and I am fitting the belt into that. Is that correct?
Any Adivce would be appreciated
thanks,
Hi,
Hoping for some advice. I managed to get my hands on one of these machines. THe belt is very stretched so I changed it with what I thought was the correct belt but they are only lasting 30 seconds and then ripping. I'm not sure if I am fitting it correctly. There seems to be a metal guide from the belt pull to the brush roll and I am fitting the belt into that. Is that correct?
Any Adivce would be appreciated
thanks,
