Rainbow Performnce

[Miss Mercy]

Hey guys!

I've recently gotten my hands on a 1997 Rainbow D4 SE and I have absolutely fallen in love with it! I got it for $40 and it came with the AquaMate still new in the box. However, I live in a two story house and I want to purchase a second Rainbow. I'm thinking about getting a new one, but I want to know what your opinions are between the performance of the first 1998 E Series model and the new E4 Black. I love how the water basin has LEDs in it and illuminates the water. Also, I'm glad that the new PN has the edge cleaning brushes and LEDs as well. Please share with me your thoughts and I'm sure they will help me make my final decision.

Thanks!!

Adam Mercer

 

[kirbyultimateg]

Hi Adam.
I would get the 1st E-Series Rainbow. That is closest to your Rainbow SE PE.
Rob

 

[kirbyloverdan]

Hey Adam

that is a very good rainbow FINALLY welcome to water vacs take two .
Get the new Rainbow E4 Black I have it and its awsome very powerful and the LED`S are BANGING !!!
You can not go wrong with the E4 ...

 

[Miss Mercy]

...

Thanks y'all! How does the E compare to the E4?

 

[mark40511]

This shows how each model is different.

http://www.goodvac.com/kb_results.asp?ID=1

 

[kirbykid63]

My experiance tells me

Hi Adam,in my 13 years of working on rainbows I would say that the d4 Se is my favorite rainbow.This model has a twin fan motor that is easy to service ,my advice is remove the motor and give the fans a good soaking to remove all the dirt build up and replace the bottom seal.You may also want to repack or replace the lower bearing this is the one that gets corroded.

Enjoy your machine
Richard Groski
new2youvacuums on Ebay.

 

[joshdonnell]

Adam

Im shocked that you got one . Manly becuase you told me you didnt like them . Becuase you had one your teacher gave you hated it . But i can see not anymore . Congrats

 

[Miss Mercy]

...

Hey thanks guys! I think I'm actually going to purchase a new one. The Rainbow E4 Diamond Edition (Black). Josh I did have a Rainbow several years ago but it wasn't a complete one like the one I have now. I was missing all the attachments, PN,and the dolly. I did hate that one, but the one I have now cleans beautifully. I'm so anxious to try the new one though.

 

[Miss Mercy]

Josh

What model Rainbow do you have?

 

[kirbyloverdan]

Adam

Just buy the new one it IS the best PERIOD !!!

 

[joshdonnell]

@adam

I have the one after. The se . When i bought mine i had the the choice between the se and the eseries which is the one i own . The guy was selling both but i only went with the e becuase the se had the old style power nozzel . And mine was a little up to date . And mine also had the shampooer. But now i want a Hyla

 

[kirbylux77]

Dan:

If the current black Rainbow E4 is so good, then WHY is there talk that it's replacement is coming out soon?!

Besides a new hose handle, wand, lighted powerhead, lighted basin & dolly, it's pretty much the same as the other E-Series models. And maybe I am being too skeptical here, but IF, in the unlikely event I changed my mind & bought a Rainbow, I would be purchasing the first E-Series, as it uses a motor with carbon brushes & the HEPA filter isn't a Washable HEPA filter, like today's models are. I'm not willing to invest money in a switched-reluctance motor when the technology hasn't been proven long-term to be reliable.

As a matter of fact, a good reason to get an older model E-Series is that you could put any powerhead you want with it, perhaps a Wessell EBK340 or Eureka Express powerhead, & get rid of the Rainbow powerhead if you wish. All you would need to do is install the Rainbow powerhead cord on the new powerhead.

Rob

 

[Miss Mercy]

...

Dan: I plan to

Josh: I've heard great things about the Hyla. I say go for it.

 

[kirbyloverdan]

Great

Adam you`ll love it . I do love mine .

 

[mark40511]

What else can be done to improve the Black Rainbow? They've pretty much addressed most everything I can think of.

As far as the washable hepa filters and switch reluctance: The hepa filters past the E series one speed can either be washed and or replaced the same as a one speed. Mine is the Gold 2 speed and I have had no trouble with the motor.

I will mention ONE thing they can improve upon. Those little clips on the end of the hose that snap into the main unit. Those need to be made of something unbreakable. One day I was carrying the hose over my shoulder walking into another room and the end of the hose tapped the side of the wall in such a way that it broke part of the clip off. It was the non electric hose

 

[kirbylux77]

Mark

Well, for starters they need to go back to making the HEPA filter non-washable. The FIRST E-Series E1 models apparently call for a different HEPA filter that is non-washable than the second E-Series E1 models that switched to the Ametek motor with carbon brushes. And they need to DRAMATICALLY improve the waterlift & airflow ratings!! Seriously, both the E-Series & E2 Gold machines with switched reluctance motors I have tried, I have been unimpressed with....I think even the D4 had better suction than they did! And I'm not a huge fan of that new powerhead....they need to come up with a better design.

By the way, speaking of the powerhead....this is what I have heard is the cause for the re-design & release of a new model. I have heard they are having problems with the new powerhead.

Rob

 

[countryguy]

I bought a new Rainbow a couple of months ago and so far I am very pleased with it. I have deep pile carpeting and the power head works very well although I think the side rotating brushes could extend further out. Because of the weight of the power head, it feels solid, unlike the FQ power head Just having one hose, the quick connect wands and the lighted water basin are great features.

Gary

 

[floor-a-matic]

@joshdonnell
Is your E Series single or two-speed?

I'm not so sure about buying the new E3; but what problems are going on with the new model?

 

[pr-21]

I sure like mine....

The only thing I noticed was on the goodvac site. They have changed the belt a few times. I am still on my original belt with no problems and have had the machine for about 3 months or so...The width is the only difference if you read the goodvac website. I did purchase a few that goodvac said was the latest, however when I bought my Rainbow, I got a few extra belts and they were identical to the ones I bought from Goodvac. This is by far the best power nozzle since the ones that looked like Eureka power nozzles.


Sincerely,

Bud Mattingly
PR-21