Rainbow model D

[gmarquez]

Hello everyone. Today I came across a rainbow model D for a good deal so I ended up picking it up, all it came with was the dolly, basin, motor unit, and a shag rake for $30. So now that I’ve got it I now have to go about giving it the tune up it deserves after being around so long. Although it’s incredibly dusty inside the motor runs smooth with little to no bearing noise and I’m hoping the surface coating of dust will have protected the motor from rust, does anyone know if/ how to repack the motor bearings even if they’re not making noise yet I’m sure it’s time it had some new grease on them.

 

[dysonman1]

I specialize in Rainbows and have ever since I went into the vacuum business almost 40 years ago. Depending upon when it was made, your machine will either have bearings made in Japan which are made to be repacked, or they will be New Departure bearings which have sealed on metal shields. If it's a N.D. bearing, you'll have to replace it. Not hard to find at a bearing shop or on-line with the number embossed into the bearing shield. The top bearing will be the same way. If the machine is young enough to have Japan bearings, the top bearing should have removable bearing shields which will let you repack them. But, the top bearing will have to be removed from the bearing plate to repack it. Drill out the four rivets from the underside of the bearing plate, and remove the bearing holders. I never use pop rivets to put it back, as they stick too far up (or down). I use a small screw and nut, and a dremel to cut off the part of the screw that sticks through the nut.

Remember that the opening in the revolving suction fans always faces "the water". Don't try to operate it without the stage clips on the stages. Remove the carbon brushes and holders BEFORE attempting to remove the armature. All the parts of the motor can be cleaned in soap and water, including the armature and field coil. Do not wet the carbon brushes or bearings. Use a soft toothbrush to wash the field coil and armature. The manufacturing date of the armature is stamped between the stackings going up and down. That way you know how old the machine is. Soak the revolving fans for an hour or so in hot soapy water, and use a thin brush to clean the turbines. I use a Compact floor tool brush strip, which fits into the turbine curves and cleans them very well.

 

[gmarquez]

Thanks so much for the advice I’ve found a local electric motor shop that should have the bearings in stock so now just to tear it down and get the parts. This leads me on to a new question this can use the same hose as the d3 and se models right?

 

[bikerray]

Yes the hose connecters are the same but if you're using an electric hose the plugs may be different. The D had a 3 pin plug on some of the models, the D3 and D4SE used a 2 pin plug.