Sebo vacuum cleaners extreme heat

[madaboutsebo]

I only really notice the heat from my SEBO Felix when on full power. I only use this setting for a deep clean on carpets once a week or so. I use it on half to three quarters of power on the slider switch which I found very adequate both for floors and tool use. I sometimes use full power on hard floors too. That way you don't notice the heat so much from the exhaust filter.

May be the lower wattage motors coming out will generate less heat in general!

 

[blakaeg]

madaboutsebo,

That's a good suggestion. I'll try on lower setting next time I get to use it. My friends carpets tend to be very grubby so the max setting really gets them scrubbed up clean with the excellent double Helix brush on the Felix machine. I also use it on number 1 on all floor types and leave the brush on.

I would not dare to leave the brush on when using the Dyson DC24 due to the rattle issues I encountered before, when I demonstrated the rattle to him, first thing he asked is, if I turn off the brush on hard floor. The latest head I have had since June and it hasn't rattled yet lol

 

[sebo_fan]

I think it comes down to past experiences of other models - for example so many owners' reviews I have read regarding the Felix complain about the high heat. I know I moaned it about myself when I bought the Dart commercial upright version a year before I bought the Felix. But as soon as I used the Felix I realised that it isn't like some other brand's offering.

The Dart is bad because it does not have variable suction control, so you get the full force of 1300 watts each time. The Felix is better because you get the choice of low, medium to high power via the slider.

But, as with most SEBO vacs, the brands and the models teach you do to things slightly different to what has gone on before. Where the Felix is concerned, you don't need full power for maximum pick up - so many owners easily forget that the Felix has two motors on board and that the 175 watt ET1 floor head has 4 manual height adjustments that can additionally improve pick up - without unnecessarily amping up the suction to match.

 

[madaboutsebo]

Blakaeg, your welcome but if I remember I think it was sebo_fan that mentioned it or suggested it once and I've tried it and it works a treat. You don't always need full power for vacuuming flooring especially carpets I feel now. Plus you do not get so much heat from the motor when not on full power. Be interesting to see if the lower watt Felix will emit less heat on full power probably will do.

That surprises me you use number 1 on the ET-1 head for all floors. Do you not find it hard to push on carpets? Suppose you get greater pick up I hard floors with the brush roll switched on. I know what you mean about the Dyson brush roll!

I use the ET-1 on number 1 for hard floors with the brush bar off on 3/4 to full power but I prefer the Deluxe Parquet Floor tool to vacuum my hard floors which are mainly tiles. I feel I get a better pickup. My carpets are short pile I could use number 1 height setting but find it hard to push the vacuum. I mainly use number 3 on 1/2 to 3/4 power and for a deeper cleaning number 2 on the same power setting. I occasionally use full power as and when I want. I find the 2 height settings clean my carpets great grooming and lifting the pile. How thick are the carpet you use the Felix on?

Have you tried the new synthetic bags? I've found these have help to give better performance without the vacuum having to be on full power.

 

[blakaeg]

I do indeed find it harder to push on number 1 but I suppose I like knowing the brush is at the lowest it can be. When I first got it, the head used to shut off because the motor couldn't cope with the pile thickness, but over time it has stopped and now works fine on the carpets at number 1.

Can't say I like the synthetic bags because the dirt in the bag when I've used it has got stuck to
The sides and noticed a slight loss of suction and the bag indicator going across. My friend who owns the Felix now also noticed the same thing. We simply push the dirt down with a wooden spoon and the suction is excellent again and the bag indicator disappears again.

Perhaps I'll try the lower setting next time I stay at the flat to see how it is like at the lower setting. Her flat has cat hair everywhere but the Felix can cope no probs. it's a Sebo Felix Classic and has the Parquet Brush somewhere hidden away at another property.

 

[madaboutsebo]

The brushes haven't warned down have they with the brush head now not switching off? I know what you mean always wanting them deep clean.

Thats interesting, I must admit I prefer them. I do notice the pet hair sticks to the side more with the synthetic bags but it still generally fills from the bottom. I've noticed the bag indicator hardly moves for me with the new type bags. Saying that my bags are full of mainly pet hair as well as general household dust and dirt properly why the bag indicator doesn't move much. I noticed it moved more using the paper bags. I only notice a slight change in suction as the synthetic bags fill compared to the paper ones which was noticeable as the bag became fuller. Great tip for pushing the dust and dirt down. My bag is nearly ready for changing and the bag indicator is only on a quarter! Must change both filters as not been changed in 7 years!! Saying that I didn't use it much in the first few years of owning it, and I'm only on my second box of bags too.

Do try the lower setting and let us know how you get on. The Felix does cope very well with pet hair. Mines the Felix Classic.

 

[sebo_fan]

Spiraclean reminded me of the softer delicate brush roll on both the X and the Felix - it digs deeper but of course it treats carpets with a lot more kindness than the harder blue bristles.

 

[madaboutsebo]

Thanks for that info sebo_fan I didn't know that about the delicate brush roll digging deeper. I've heard the delicate brush roll can wear down quicker than the harder blue bristle one. Are the bristles longer then for it to dig deeper? Suppose it's due to the bristles being softer. Might have to invest in one then!

Thats good Knowing that info for when I get an X series I would feel happier using the delicate brush roll on hard floors.

 

[sebo_fan]

Glad I could help as always.

The bristles are the same length, just softer and green in colour. TBH I dont notice a big difference between the two with the choice of roller brushes.

What I do notice however is that the X is slightly heavier to push with the delicate brush roller fitted. I've since returned to using the harder bristles in my X1 Auto due to the sensor and the delicate brush roller in the Felix since it has the manual height adjustment.

 

[madaboutsebo]

You sure did thanks. Slowly getting to know the SEBO brand and it's vacuum cleaners more and more which I find interesting thank you for your help and knowledge and sharing too.

Might give the delicate brush roll a try, will have to order one when I order my new filters for my Felix. Suppose the softer bristles are able to dig deeper into the carpet pile. The Delicate brush roll must make the X series head lower more then with the standard harder bristles hence heavier to push.

I know SEBO would never make one but it would be nice to have an ET-1 head with automatic height adjustment like the X series but offer the one with manual height as well. The auto ET-1 head would have to have a hard floor setting so if you turn the brush bar off it lowers to a height suitable for hard floors unless you left the brush bar on. I know a silly idea!!

 

[sebo_fan]

I think that's the reason as to why they don't have an auto sensor ET-1. As far as I can remember the ET-H has an unusual function whereby the dial at the back click locks into a height adjustment but when actually activated onto carpet, the dial doesn't really make much of a difference. If you look at Roger's video for the Sebo K3 Premium, he shows this off to good effect.

The ET-1 was developed purely for manual height adjustment and for a time for domestic owners who wanted something newer - apparently. I don't think I would like an auto sensing ET-H. The Felix is so much better at cleaning around the home because it takes a far shorter time to get around than the slow and progressive X1. I like both as you know, but most of the time my Felix gets used far more often than the X series. I do like the wand and short hose on the X though.

 

[DesertTortoise]

The best I can determine is that the Sebo belt sensor seems to operate by sensing differential rpm between the output shaft of the motor and the brush roll. The sensor is between the motor and the brush roll and can measure the rpm of each independently. I say this because the owners manual for the Sebo Automatic X1 shows the belt sensor in the electrical diagram as two back to back hall sensors. Hall sensors are the normal means to measure rpm or road speed in automotive and motorcycle applications today, so this is a clever application of this technology. It is also easy to make hall sensors small and the signal processing the pcb has to do is trivial.

http://www.sebo-vacuums.com/assets/pdfs/website_owners_manualsPDFs/AUTOMATIC X Manual.pdf

If the rpm difference between the motor and the brush is below a set value, meaning the brush is spinning about as fast as the motor output shaft, it tells the vacuum to lower the brush roll, or if it has a manual height adjustment it flashes the belt light telling you to turn adjust the height adjuster to the next lower setting. If brush roll rpm is lower than motor rpm by a set value the sensor interprets this as a belt jam, shutting the vacuum down and showing a solid red light on the belt indicator. That sensor is looking for a set rpm difference indicating just the right amount of drag on the brush.

 

[madaboutsebo]

It would also complicate what is an already great power head with manual height adjustment which works beautifully. You've jogged my memory I remember watching Roger's video with the ET-H on the SEBO K3 Premium. I will take another look so I can see that dial you mention on the ET-H thank you.

I know what you about the Felix it does make for quick and easy cleaning and very agile around objects like furniture. That's what I like about the Felix too. I do miss a hose and wand setup which is why I would like an X series for though hard to reach areas both floor and above. Suppose a cylinder would do for that!

Just out of interest have you ever used sebo_fan your Felix or X series with the Duo-P to brush it into the carpet for dry cleaning?

 

[sebo_fan]

Regarding DuoP powder, I have tried the SEBO trick of unlocking the hose and using the vacuum to brush roll the powder in. It kind of works but I prefer to use the SEBO daisy wheel brush broom - mine is a Rug Renovator that I ordered from a seller in the U.S many years ago and constantly emailed SEBO about it in the UK to stock it in. They eventually relented - the Rug Renovator or SEBO Daisy Wheel brush is perfect for putting the powder down though either way you'll have to clean off the power when you are finished.

On the Felix the bottom of the hose must be kept in place for the brush roll to keep spinning, otherwise when taken out the brush roll will stop.

On the X series the hose can either be unlocked from the top of the machine leading to the bag OR just taken out of the top of the wand hoister since the X doesn't have brush roll on/off.

Thereafter once the powder has been put in and after half an hour when it is time to brush out the powder, I find the entire brush roller does take up all the powder, but the cavity in which it sits in can get a little clogged up. It doesn't affect normal dry vacuuming performance but over time if you leave the powder clogged up in there, it will gradually build up.

Once the hose is added back in, then the powder naturally can be sucked up.

 

[blakaeg]

I really like the Sebo Felix and I find it quieter than the X4 machine. It has a pleasent sound. The X4 is more 'deeper' in sound. Plus I think the X4 looks a bit dated.

I've used the the Felix with the Duo P. I removed the top of the hose and pushed the machine over the top of the powder to brush it into the pile. Left it there for 3 hours to ensure fully dried and vacuumed over. I didn't really notice much difference after 2x applications but the powder did change colour, so I assume it 'soaked' up some dirt in the pile.

 

[sebo_fan]

X versus Felix

The thing about the X versus the Felix in my experience is that the Felix is not a lightweight vacuum cleaner. It isn't designed to be as light as an Oreck but it was designed to offer something different when it came along. More like a small to medium flat and home vacuum compared to the X.

The X series, as we all know is pretty old but for a company who are still private and independent, SEBO have just allowed the old design to soldier on with only a few basic upgrades. Only buy an X1.1 or X4 is you want longer lasting dust bags and a lighter weight to push around. Whilst the X can cope, they're good if you want progressive slow cleaning around your home - I find the Felix is far quicker and dependent on the carpet height setting I have it on, can be lighter to push.

Rather than pay out massively for an X1.1 or X4, my best opinion however would be to find or seek out a refurbished X1 Automatic - the dark grey and light grey contrasting models are powerful enough, even if suction is a lot stronger from the Felix.

It's still the model of choice given their cheap prices second hand. In time the X1.1 will take over but I suspect even with the newer models coming in for the EU Law, it may take a long time for the original X1 Automatic to slowly disappear. At least if you try an X1 Automatic, you can either keep that for the long haul or sell it on cheaply and then finally buy an updated X rather than going full hog and spending some £150 or so on a new model.