Parsing the Aerus/Electrolux models (last decade or so)

[AudibleNectar]

It seems to be time to find some new cleaners, so I figured it best to ask the experts/enthusiasts for the lowdown on what's what in recent Electrolux (Aerus) machinery recently available

I am the type to buy late model high end equipment, to save $$ and get the most mileage for the buck. I also find that once a unit has been in the field we get to know it's faults and strong points better.

Having been an owner of Electrolux vacs (Super J and QVC version Ultralux upright) I am likely to stick to the Aerus/Lux brand, and looking to replace both, which have seen better days - I'll likely donate them to someone in the biz who can restore them or cannibalize them for another restoration.

In particular, I have been scanning the more recent Aerus label canisters - the Guardians in particular, as they seem to have the feature set and top line performance. I have figured out the "start" of that generation of machine - the Renaissance - but get a little confused trying to "date" the versions of similar looking Guardian machines. The Guardians seem to have the features I want - adjustable speed of suction on the handle as well as what appears to be the better of the two Aerus/Lux hose connections to the canister - the seemingly firmer "pin" connection vs. the collar connection found on the step down models (which admittedly are probably still good machines).

Within the Guardian line, however, I am having difficulty figuring out which ones are more recent: Some say "Electrolux" on the canister, some say "Guardian", some say "Lux 9000" - some have the ovalish "Aerus" logo atop the canister, some say "Lux Guardian", some say "75th Guardian" (assuming that one is a bit older?). Can these be "dated" by serial number in any way?

So what I'm trying to do is figure out an "order of production" on these recent Guardian machines - which are earlier (closer to Renaissance age) vs. the newer ones.

I'm also looking into a recent version upright, as well as possibly getting an Electrolux Shampooer to have all the bases covered - but particularly I am interested in the production "order" of these various Guardians, as well as any hidden features/benefits/drawbacks that may exist amongst them.

Thanks in advance....

 

[electromatik]

I can help you a little. You are correct that the Renaissance was the first of the line. The year they began was 1993. They began production of the model called Guardian shortly after that, with the biggest change being the handle controls changing from electronic to slider switches. In 2000 or so, Electrolux USA sold the name to Electrolux AB of Sweden but there was a transition period. Electrolux USA chose Aerus as the new name. Electrolux AB allowed Aerus to continue using the Electrolux name for a period of several years. So, basically speaking, if you see an Electrolux Guardian with no HEPA filter, it was one of the very early models prior to 2000. I believe these had a big blue "E" logo. I think Electrolux began adding the "box" on top for the HEPA later. Aerus-Electrolux branded machines with the clip-on "box" for the HEPA on top are usually early 2000's. The name changed, but it was still the same machine. The ones with the oval Aerus name ONLY are mid-2000's after the transition period ended. I believe the Lux 9000 was a more recent model (perhaps 2009?). They are still using the name "Lux" because that was the name of the first machines and this still appears on their machines today. The current model is the Lux Guardian Ultra and it doesn't look like the older ones, it has the older body style with silver painted top and no "box" on top. The top of the line is the Guardian Platinum and is black and stainless steel. Other Lux experts might help you more with more specific time periods.

 

[electromatik]

I was quite wrong about the Lux 9000, according to a familiar Lux history website, the Lux 9000 was branded Aerus-Electrolux and was produced in 2001.

 

[smith]

Here is the correct production order.

Renaissance 1994-1997
Epic 8000 1997-1998
Guardian (oyster,fog) 1999-2000
Guardian Encore (blue) 2000-2001
Lux 9000 (blue) 2001-2002
Lux Guardian (blue) 2002-2009

Hope this helps!

David

 

[AudibleNectar]

This has been a great help - as is this site. Very cool resource

The "hunt" is on, and has already brought results - found an unused Electrolux floor shampooer for $50 (sans carpet brushes but with naplifters) at an estate sale locally. Save for a bit of storage floobydust which I cleaned up it appears out of a time capsule. So one down, two to go.

I think I know what I'm looking for Re: Guardian, and I think I've found an upright solution - the ProTeam "Aerus clone" commercial upright. While a Guardian upright would be the cat's meow, they aren't so common in the used marketplace, but new ProTeam 15-- versions seem very available new. These seem to be Aerus manufactured machines built for another company, and would give us the convenience we want in an upright for occasional use between Guardian deep cleanings. If anyone has detailed knowledge about the ProTeam versions I would be very interested to hear it, as I'm trying to compare thier performace vs. the late model Aerus uprights.

It seems this pairing would cover our vacuum needs for the next decade or two......

 

[ronni]

Re: HEPA after-filters on the Guardian/Lux 9000 tanks as near as I can tell they were added during their initial run in Electrolux's 75th Anniversary year. Although I suppose that could be the reason (or one of the reasons) why the Model C134B was introduced so soon after the the Model C134A. Anyway, I have never seen a Guardian without the boxed units or with a cover on the exhaust port--unless they were retrofitted later.

Here is my Electrolux/Aerus premium tank list going back to 1994 (main color first, trim color second):

1994-95: Model C104A/Renaissance & pn N106A (coal, gray)
1995-97: Model C104H/Renaissance & pns N106F, N106K (gray, coal)
1997-99: Model C133A/Epic 8000 & pn N106M--red logo (oyster, fog)
1999: Model C134A/Guardian & pn N106M--blue logo (oyster, fog)
2000: Model C134B/Guardian & pn N106M--blue logo (oyster, fog)
2000-01: Model C134C/Guardian Encore (sporting the big E) & pn N137A (white, azure)
2001-03: Models C134D, C134E/Lux 9000 & pn N137A (white, azure)
2003-04: Model C134F/Lux 9000 & pn N142A (white, azure)
2004-05: Model C154B/Guardian & pn N137P (white, azure)
2005-09: Model C154E/Lux Guardian & pn N137M (white, azure)
2009-13: Model C170A/Lux Guardian Ultra & pns N137U, N137V (white, stainless steel, lt. gray)
2013- : Model C177A/Lux Guardian Platinum & pns N137W, N137Z (black, stainless steel)

Notes:

1) Some mistakenly think that one of the Epic 8000's body colors was red, but just the logo and name badge were. Those were changed to blue on the succeeding oyster/fog-colored Guardians.

2) The LGP was designed over a six-year period in partnership with Lux International of Switzerland (one of the two original companies that formed "Electro-Lux" in 1919). Lux International named its Swiss version Lux Intelligence with its model PB-1 power nozzle. Also, International Cleaning Solutions Holdings Pty Ltd of Australia rebadged the machine as the Sauber SI-200 for its Australian/New Zealandian retailer Godfreys. By the way the name Sauber is German for 'clean'.

The Aerus version debuted later than the Lux International versions due to design concerns. It is somewhat different in design--including having its unique LED display, power nozzle, mini-power nozzle (Sidekick III), hose, non-electrical attachments, and bag lock-out feature.

 

[ronni]

Since my previous post I have come across a blogspot called Eluxurious which provides detailed descriptions of the Guardian/Lux 9000 lines along with vintage cleaners such as the Model G and Canadian models:

http://eluxurious.blogspot.com/p/the-9000-guardians-have-taken-over.html

The blogger made mention of the elusive Model C154A--which I had not included on my list. Here is an old eBay photo of an unidentified Guardian sans its after-filter which I would take for granted is the model in question.

Note the following features:

1) Lack of an Aerus logo
2) The phrase "By Electrolux" on the name label (in the black strip) which would indicate to me that--like the Model C151B/Lux 2000 and Model C151C/Ultralux 2000 that also bore the notation--it would have been sold indirectly to consumers.
3) The 'G' graphic is similar to the Model C134C/Guardian Encore's "E" graphic. Additionally, the Encore's name label also has a black underscore which contains "Encore".

These similarities would suggest to me that both cleaners were sold concurrently. Also, it fits in the list.

 

[ronni]

Model C143C/Guardian Encore:

 

[ronni]

Another recent observation ...

Model C154B/Guardian also has the notation "by Electrolux" along with bearing the Aerus logo. Using the logic in reply #6 I am thinking that this also was sold indirectly.

Furthermore, neither the C154A or C154B carries the "Lux" title as the Lux 9000s and later Lux Guardians that were sold prior to and afterward which further supports my claim.

Unknowns:

1) Some machines had an oval flag decal affixed on the top panel while some bore a Good Housekeeping decal. I have not taken time to find out which models have which decals. This may provide another clue as to a machine's sale mode (direct or indirect) and/or years of production.

2) The Model C154B's power nozzle (and presumably the Model C154A's) was N137P, which contained the stiffer green-bristled brush roll. Was that particular pn model the only one that included the special brush roll to test market customer satisfaction and performance, or was the brush roll made available as an option to direct sales customers, as well?

 

[ronni]

N142A

I did some checking around and discovered that the pn Model N142A contained the HPO green-bristled brush roll. It seems that, because there are no other model N142s (e.g. N142B, N142C, etc.) that the HPO brush roll was unique to that model. I read that it had a motor with a green field, as well. One would take for granted, then, that the green-bristled brush rolls are uniquely compatible with the N142A's motor which is designed to work with the stiffer bristles.

Online auctions indicate that the N142A went with the Model C134F/Lux 9000 (around 2003-2004); however, it may have also been paired with a previous Lux 9000 (Model C134D or Model C134E).

Regarding reply #8, since there have been many iterations of the pn model N137s (e. g. N137A, N137Z, etc.) and lacking information about its motor I now speculate that the N137P came with a standard black-bristled brush roll which was later switched out for the green-bristled one.


N142A: