I wouldn't be giving up on this Panasonic so quickly, Questions31. This is a fairly new model, & the Panasonic/Kenmore canisters usually have about a 10 to 15 year lifespan before something major happens & it dies.
As for zip tying the wheels in place, those wheels are available to purchase separately. Just go to any vac shop & get them to order them for you, their distribution company will have them. The new wheels will work UNLESS there is also damage to the powerhead base where the wheels go in, in which case the base will also require replacement. Either way, reapiring the existing powerhead will be much cheaper than buying a new one.
Since you say the vacuum is popping circuit breakers, I would suggest taking the vacuum to a friend's house & try it out over there. If it still does it over there, then you know indeed the vacuum is the problem. However, I am willing to bet the REAL issue is the wiring in your house, or some circuits being overloaded with too many appliances on them. Unplugging a couple of items while the vacuum is in use would likely help that situation.
If you try everything & replacement is needed, I have a couple suggestions. A good used TriStar CXL, Miracle Mate, Patriot/Airstorm canister would be a good choice. Very easy to find on Ebay, rugged durable design, double stage motors. It will be a bit more than your suggested budget, but worth it in the long run since you will get at least a couple decades before it needs relacement.
Aerus Electrolux would also be a good choice....durable construction, very good ease of use, bags & filters are inexpensive, parts are easy to find. Buy online on Ebay, or thru Craigslist, & make sure you get one that says Electrolux on it, NOT Aerus, as the Electrolux ones have the double stage motors that are much better quality, & also make sure they are the long tube canister. There is the "other" Electrolux out there, that is considerably worse than the original. The Perfect C101 & C103 metal & plastic bodied canisters are the copies of the original Aerus Electrolux, & might be worthwhile if you prefer new.
Riccar & Simplicity would also be very worthwhile looking at. Metal brushroll & bottom plate, very durable design, BUT very pricey.
As for Miele & Filter Queen, they are best avoided. For Miele, they have had too many issues with past models, & their repair parts & expendables are exorbitantly priced. The bags, if you buy the 8 pack value pack, are $4.38 per bag. HEPA Filter, $50 per year. If the powerhead neck breaks, you're looking at $120 plus labor & tax to replace it. Smallish tools, heavy wand & heavy powerhead, short stiff hose, poorly placed controls on the hose handle. As for Filter Queen, their main flaw is the filtration system....the paper cones clog WAY TOO QUICK, & make the machine lose most of its airflow with hardly any dirt in the container. In addition, the newer models with the direct connect wand & newer powerhead, they have had considerable issues with the powerhead wand, powerhead neck & hose/wand clips wearing out prematurely & requiring expensive repairs. To the point that repair shops have started offering replacement hose/wand/powerhead replacement kits to replace the original FQ parts. They also cheapened the motor & changed from double stage motors to single stage motors when they changed the powerhead & wand design. It would be best to avoid ANY model made after the Filter Queen 70th Anniversary/Limited Edition & Triple Crown models.
Hope this helps you out....
Rob
