Picked up a Whispertone Canister for $10

[nubz3760]

Checked out the thrift stores today and found this. Its a Kenmore Whispertone Canister, 4.8 amps. I came with the power nozzle and all the attachments. I'm not much of a canister guy but its so quiet I had to have it, especially with the p/n. There was a 80's eureka canister at another thrift shop with p/n, but it wasnt as quiet and didnt have on board tool storage and retractable cord. It also has variable power control on the hose. My only real issue with it is the p/n doesnt like to stand up on its own, and sometimes it wont turn on until you wiggle the hose. I hear bad connections are common, its where it connects to the base but the conecctions dont look burnt. and once you move it, it turns right on and works without a hitch. It doesnt really happen all the time. I think its worth the $10

 

[nubz3760]

heres a closeup

 

[nubz3760]

heres a pic of the variable power control

 

[nubz3760]

the power nozzle

 

[nubz3760]

the attachments

 

[nubz3760]

Does anybody know when this was made? I think its from the 90's. I dont see a model number anywhere, the the base and p/n have 2 strings of text etched on the bottom. Is that how kenmore does its model and serial numbers? They look to be done by hand.

 

[fantomfan]

kenmore

I'm not sure. If there is markings printed directly on the vacuum stating "sears roebuck and co", it was probably made before panasonic took over kenmore's vacuum line. I'm guessing late 80's early 90's. A good deal indeed!!!

 

[eurekaprince]

This is definitely post July 1991, the month that Matsushita/Panasonic bought the Whirlpool vac plant in Danville Kentucky. There are identical vacs branded as Panasonics.......and part of the purchase agreement was to work with Sears to design and develop Kenmore vacs.

 

[fan-of-fans]

I'd say you did well with that! It has all the attachments and the dusting brush bristles are like new! Usually they are worn out. This is around 1991, I think I have the catalog with it!

 

[fan-of-fans]

Here it is! From the 1991 Fall/Winter catalog. This was the TOL canister.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a251/farrini/sears921.jpg

 

[kirbylux77]

Nick

Nice score there! I love Kenmore canister vacuums from the 80's & 90's. I think back then, they were perhaps the best value/ best buy for a powerhead canister. Back then, the joke was you could spend $1,000 for a Filter Queen, $2,000 for a TriStar, or $500 for a Kenmore, & all had the same double-stage Ametek motor!

A word of caution though....do treat this vacuum with some care. I have seen a couple of these vacuums come in for repairs, & it's usually the relay box, as with most Kenmore canisters. However, this particular relay box, seeing that it also controls variable motor speed, is extremely pricey & is also getting hard to obtain now. In fact, I would suggest contacting Sears & purchasing a spare relay box, & set it aside, should you decide to use this vacuum regularly. That way you won't be disappointed if it breaks down on you.

Enjoy vacuuming with your Kenmore....Rob

 

[durango159]

Looks Good!!

Enjoy it. What other power head canisters do you have? You can have fun doing comparisons between them all!!!

 

[durango159]

If the power nozzle isn't staying up, it may be a bad foot pedal. They are easily replaceable and cheap. If you're friendly with your local vacuum shop then perhaps they may be able to help you diagnose it with out charging.

For loss of power I would check the pins and sockets all from where the hose connects to the canister to the power nozzle quick release. Chances are one of them isn't too good. You might also try running a multimeter on everything and trying to identify if its the suction unit, hose, wands, or power nozzle. I can't see any hose kinks but I would THOROUGHLY inspect the hose. Kinks, cuts, whatever. If wiggling the hose turns power on and off then your problem is most likely there. Does your hose rotate at the hose handle? If it does one of those pins may be broken.

Hope this helps. Keeps us updated!!
Rob

 

[nubz3760]

Its definitely where the hose connects to the base, I hear these have problems with the connections getting fried. Once I move the hose it comes on, it stays on. It really doesnt happen that much, I just make to to shut off the main power on the base before disconnecting the hose .

 

[durango159]

The 360 degree hose swivel??

I never heard about that but absolutely, that 360 degree hose swivel probably has a loose prong. I've never tried repairing one at the canister connection so I personally can't offer advise on that but perhaps someone else on here knows how to gain access to that assemble where the wiring is, then you probably just have to re-sodder a loose wire, unless its burnt.

 

[nubz3760]

the plastic isnt melted at all but you can tell the hose moves around at the base and wiggles the connection

 

[briguy]

Nick that is definitely a great find for $10!. My sister had that same model she bought new at Sears when they moved into their new house at the time. She had it quite a few years before replacing it with another Kenmore. I do recall this as being the TOL model at the time.