Royal All-Metal 884 Advice Needed

[atrac]

First, I hope I'm in the right place. I'm not sure if this model was made after 1980 or not. The model number is 884.

I purchased one yesterday from a Thrift Store. I was thrilled with the condition and couldn't pass it up! The prongs on the plug were broken off, so I had to replace the plug (no more plastic clamp for attaching it to the rest of the cord!). I also bought a new belt and bulb for it.

After digging off all of the carpet strands and hairs, I went to replace the belt and realized something was missing -- the bottom plate! D'oh!!! So I replaced the belt and started using it. It's acting like I never replaced the belt. Do you think this is because of the lack of a plate (a literal vacuum is being created with no "play" with the carpet provided by the plate) or did the guy just sell me the wrong belt? It was tight when I put it on, but I did realize I put it on backwards at first (and it pulled towards me...oops).

More importantly, am I going to have a difficult time finding a bottom plate for it?

Thanks!

 

[atrac]

I just double-checked and on the bag it says "Royal Prince II." Apparently this model was released at the beginning of the 80's, so I just made it into the right forum!

If only I had looked at the big letters on the bag vs. the tiny model number on the bottom first.

 

[atrac]

(I wish you could edit your posts on here!).

One thing I should point out is the belt I was given seems to be made of Vinyl vs. Rubber. Did I get quasi-scammed or is that normal?

 

[bagintheback]

I don't think a vacuum without a plate should act differently, especially on a Kirby and Royal style vacuum. Could your belt pulley be worn? When you turn it on, does it sound like a Royal, or does it sound like it's slow-ed down? I'd take it apart and blow it out with an Oreck Buster B. (I've used the Oreck as a blower many times and it works really well!) Then, if you have a Kirby belt (I think they are the same size) put that on and see if it works and better.

If the vacuum sounds okay when pressed to the carpet, then you need a new brush roll. I'd probably get a new one from a vacuum shop, as Royal is part of TTI.(Isn't that evil!?)

I hope this helped.

Nathaniel

 

[dualsanitronic]

A Royal Pain Perhaps?

Check the end caps. "1" is new, then "2" and "3" are for brush wear compensation. If, for example, you had each end on "3" and the bristles were not yet worn enough to warrant that adjustment yet, the brush would bog in the rug,especially without that plate. And yes the belt should be rubber,just a shade larger than a Kirby belt.

 

[atrac]

Thanks for the advice! The vacuum definitely sounds loud and powerful (like my other Royal). I checked the brush roll settings and both sides are set for "1." I looked at it from the side and there's brush exposed, so I think that's the right setting for it (the brush roll looks fairly new).

Unfortunately, I no longer have my Kirby so I can't test the belt on it.

I'm kind of miffed over that Vinyl/rubber composite belt. It's definitely not "full" rubber like my old belt.

When I had put the belt on backwards, in addition to the brushroll spinning the wrong way, I did notice a brief "rubber" smell before I turned it off. Do you think I screwed up the belt already? Did I flush $1.75 down the toilet and I already need another one?

 

[royaler]

Royal Belts

Royal makes two belts. One appears to be vinyl for older machines and then a heavier one with a rough affect on the inside for new machines. I have many Royal's both new and old and use the more flexable "vinyl" appearing one on all of my machines. The heavier the belt the more tension it places on the front bearing. DO NOT use a Kirby belt on a Royal. Kirby belts are designed for Kirby and Royal belts are designed for Royal's.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

If this is a model 884, the bag on it would not be original to this unit (that bag with the "Prince II" logo is from the 870).

The 884 was produced from 1987 to 1992.

~Ben