Rainbow E Series, what am I missing?

[troopersam]

I just picked up this E Series Rainbow today, in pretty good shape. It's missing a few things, though, and I'm not quite sure what. Chime in if you know, and add if you know good sources to get the missing items.

Thanks!

 

[brandon_w_t]

Nice find! Is this the 2 speed/brushless model? I had the one that came out just before the blue model (same machine just with gold trim)

I loved it! Great suction, and such a unique sound. Just not a fan of water machines.

All I can see that is missing is the wide floor brush, and sometimes I have seen machines with a separate pair of metal wands for straight suction cleaning.

 

[troopersam]

This is the original E series, so single speed. I'm certain I'm missing the metal wands for use with the non electric hose.

 

[mark40511]

Yes

You're missing the metal wands that go with the NON electric hose.

Since you got this used, I would take the HEPA filter out and take a look inside the machine. If you see dirt inside, it may need to actually be cleaned inside. That's the ONLY reason I wouldn't want to get a water filter vac used (unless it has already been refurbished and already cleaned) I don't think folks change the water enough on these and it can cause the inside to get dirty.

That looks like the OLD Aquamate as well. The new ones for the E series are MUCH better. I guess it will work with the E series.

ONLINE: The BEST place I have found to get any Rainbow supplies is Goodvac dot com. They have everything and are the cheapest I have found

 

[brandon_w_t]

Yes do check the innards.


My E2 was obtained through a trade for my practically brand new Dyson DC17 (something I rather regret)


I got it from a lady who WAS A RAINBOW SALESWOMAN.


I soon after found out that she vacuumed up mud with the straight suction tools and it was completely clogged.


Then I found out she STORED THE MACHINE with WATER IN THE PAN. It reeked of mold. I ran it outside overnight on low speed with scents in the pan.


Never could kill the smell, I SOAKED the filter in bleach for over an hour, and it still smelled.


Poor poor rainbow. I did clean it up as best I could, and sold it on ebay.

Here is the only picture I can find of the machine anywhere. The lady sent this to me.

 

[trebor]

Rainbowmate

The smaller electric power nozzle is not there, but it is an extra, like the Aquamate

 

[troopersam]

Good, thanks! I didn't realize goodvac had Rainbow parts, but I do now. The machine is has some dirt, but not bad, and the HEPA filter looks good. It was in a storage unit that somebody stopped paying the rent on, and I bought it from the guy who bought the contents. He may still find the wands for me, I can give him a couple of weeks for that.

Even though I wasn't sure how much to fill the basin, I guessed well, using that raised part in the middle as a guide because it just made sense to me. I ran the machine and did a bit of cleaning in the living room, and no funny smells, no bad behavior, no strange noises...it just cleaned pretty well, and I poured out a couple of basins of dirty water.

Overall, not the prettiest example of an E Series, with dirt and scuffs and such, but I'd say good for what I paid.

 

[troopersam]

Oh, and I think I want to save for the new wet electric hose and the Aquamate 3...that thing looks great!

 

[brandon_w_t]

The newest aquamate looks pretty good. Reminds me of a more traditional home style carpet cleaner.


The little indent in the center of the water pans bottom is the level line, fill it just past the tip and your good to go!


Sometimes changing the water a few times during a cleaning can be good for ease of cleaning in the end. Otherwise you can have a pan of lots of nasty crud if you clean for a long time.

Especially advised if you have pets that shed a lot.

 

[mark40511]

I'm sure if anyone buys a Rainbow that happens to be really dirty inside, it can be taken somewhere to be taken apart and sanitized on the inside. I know the distributor here charges 65 dollars for that, but I have never had it done. Mine doesn't need it.

Good vac is great. They have every part for Rainbow that exists I think. I bought the 14 foot non-electric hose and it's GREAT if you live in a house with vaulted ceilings. I can stand on an eight foot ladder and clean on top of cabinets, ceiling fans. It comes in very handy to get those REALLY high places that I can't get with the standard size non-electric hose.

After having owned it for several years, I think the most important things are:

1) Change water before it gets too dirty and don't fill the basin with water over the dome in the middle

2) Keep and eye on the separator and clean it with a toothbrush if it needs it

3) Don't turn the machine OFF and let it sit with water in the basin. For example: If you're in the middle of vacuuming and you stop for an hour or so to do something and you're going to finish later. Take it off the basin with water in it.

4) If you vacuum up liquids with the non-electric hose, be sure to fill the sink with some CLEAN water and suck clean water through the hose to wash it (careful to not let the water get past the top of the dome in the basin), then put the hose on the exhaust to dry it.

Seems like a lot, but it's all simple really.

 

[mark40511]

Oh I forgot to mention. I want the new Aquamate too. But I already have a Hoover Deep cleaner....And I think (correct me if I'm wrong) but you can't use HOT water in the new Aquamate, only cool water.........I don't really like the idea of cleaning carpets with cool water. But the thing I do like about the new aquamate is that I suspect the extraction would be MUCH better than a regular deep cleaner since Rainbow has great suction.

 

[goadie12]

If u don't mind me asking how much did u pay for that vacuum because I have been looking for one but haven't had very much locating one thanks.

 

[troopersam]

You know, that one tip, draw some clean water after a wet clean up, it almost sounds like you wouldn't have to say it, like it should be intuitive...but I didn't.

 

[troopersam]

Oh, he advertised it on craigslist for $325, let me have it for $150.

 

[troopersam]

Okay, I learned how to remove the HEPA filter thanks to a quick and dirty tip on greatvacs dot com, and found it to be VERY dusty in that space before the filter, and the filter itself a nice tan color on the inside.

I figure the machine must have had some nice long runs with some very dirty water, bouncing a lot of dust and some grit to the exhaust. And so...I guess I learn how to field strip a Rainbow, and clean all the internals. It's gotta be a mess through and through. I might as well order a new lower motor bearing while I'm at it, as it would be senseless not to change it while I have it stripped that far down.

 

[troopersam]

Okay, I found a good site with a lot of detail on an E Series teardown, lots of pics and good advice. I figure this will be the project of a few weekends, but the end result will be worth it. I'd better order the motor bearing and filters and gaskets soon.

http://rainbow-vacuum.info/

 

[mark40511]

This is NOT my Rainbow, but this is a PIC of an abused Rainbow. I suspect the vacuum guys get a lot of these in and see the crud inside and that's why they don't like the machines. Mine is around five years old and doesn't look like this at all on the inside. Funny though, in that pic, it looks like the WRONG hepa filter for that model Rainbow. When I take off my hepa, there's not a big square hole like in the picture, but a small round hole that the round area of the hepa goes in. I think the ONE speed E series had the big square hepa

 

[mark40511]

Troopersam

You're going to take it apart and clean it yourself?

You're a lot braver than I am! LOL

 

[troopersam]

@mark40511: Yep, I'm gonna do it! I could pay to have it done, and I'm certain that if I really screw it up, I can pay to have it put back together, but that site I linked, along with some other info I read last night, showed that it's just not that hard with an E Series. It's probably easier than a Kirby teardown, which I've not attempted, but intend to learn when the time comes. It doesn't require any tools more complicated than a phillips and a bladed screwdriver, and an edged tool to scrape off old gasket material to make way for new gaskets.

I'm thinking about shooting a series of short videos to show the teardown and reassembly step-by-step...which of course could end up being a great chronicle of a train wreck! Stay tuned!