Using cord reels/ returns

[suckolux]

Just input please? I try to be very gentle with my machines, new and old and want to take care of them. Do you guys gently let the cords go back in? The pull shade style I have no choice but to yank and let it go, but the Silverado I turn on its end which seems to release the catch? and just guide it back in holding the plug. The Miele has a foot pressed return, I still guide the cord but does it help to hold down the return even when I pull the cord out? Seems good topic to discuss.Thanks, David.

 

[DesertTortoise]

On button release cords I guide them in gently. On the one pull to retract corded machine I use regularly I use an extension cord and leave the vacuum's cord reeled in.

 

[suckolux]

On the normal? return models, I even guide the whole length of the cord through my fingers/ thumb, figure this makes sure no gunk goes back in. Cord left in reel, any chance they would get hot? Just curious, many appliances tell you to let the whole length out.Its my Kenmore Lime Green that has the pull/ yank, decent little guy, lots of suction, light weight and easy to maneuver around. As we get older, cough, cough, betting DT you and I are close, this stuff starts to matter for me

 

[countryguy]

I always use my hands so that the cord winds in slowly regardless of the type of rewind system.

Gary

 

[DesertTortoise]

Well, I have a strong preference for that final generation of square Kenmore canister vacs. The ten foot long hose allows the vac to sit in the middle of a room and all you push around is the Powermate. No shelf is too high to reach. Because the hose isn't swiveling right over the front caster, their width and how the motor is carried low they don't roll over when you pull on the hose 90 degrees to the vacuum like the later models all do. My Progressive wanders side to side in the hallway bouncing off the walls where the old beasts follow along straight behind me. One of these with a modern motor and upgraded filtration might be the right tool for the job. Might happen too. You never know, stuff happens in the desert.

 

[fan-of-fans]

Most all of my current canisters with cord reels are the push button type ones. On the slower ones I just push the pedal and let it reel and then hold the plug when it gets to the end. The faster ones I hold the plug as they say to, I don't want it hitting me! The only one I have with a pull to rewind is the Kenmore lime green, but it's still in the box.

 

[DesertTortoise]

Of course you could be like my fiancee who simply leaves the full length of the cord for the canister vac laying on the floor and who chastises me if I reel it back in, asking why I bother when I am only going to pull the cord back out for the next vacuuming job. She is studying to be an electrical engineer btw!

 

[suckolux]

Too funny DT

 

[electrolux137]

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I never let the cords just fly back in with any of my machines, especially my older Electroluxes. After I tug on the cord to activate the winding mechanism I carefully allow it to snake back in through my fingers, a little bit at a time.

I've seen too many of the original Belden plugs replaced with fit-all plugs from the hardware store, most likely replaced because the wiring broke loose inside the cord from slamming against the hole in the cord reel; and/or from people pulling the plugs from the wall by the cord instead of by the plug. I've had some of my Electroluxes for 40 years and they all have the original Belden plugs, because I take care of them.

Also, the cord can hit other objects in the room (think - glass lamps, dogs, cats, ceramic knick-knacks etc), AND it can also whap against the machine, scratching the housing.

btw Electrolux used to recommend that every so often you put some talcum powder into a soft cloth and wipe it along the length of the entire cord. The powder acts as a dry lubricant to help keep the cord winder mechanism from getting jammed.

 

[suckolux]

Nice Charles!

 

[luxflairguy]

I learned years ago to always pull out the entire length of a retractable cord. Here's why: adding an extension cord to the cord length, be it 25 or 50 feet--really any length that isn't at least a 14 gauge cord, makes the machine loose power and diminishes the overall cleaning power of the machine. In a nutshell, it puts more strain on the machine.
Also almost all of the newer high wattage machines, leaving the cord on the interior reel can make the cleaner much hotter and can possibly set off the heat shut-down sensor.
Really, most importantly, the cord length on any vacuum has been tested for electrical capacity and adding more cord can often lead to early machine failure. Too long a cord length can rob the machine of it's efficiency. Using an extension cord of any kind isn't a good idea. Greg

 

[DesertTortoise]

Two interesting replies to chew on and weigh against the rarity of replacement cord reels for older machines. For Kenmore canisters at least, anything earlier than the mid 1990's Whispertone series vacs is unobtainable new. When you wear one out you're done. Sometimes you can salvage good ones from otherwise beat vacuums, but the number of such vacs available for salvage is diminished greatly. It is bad enough that I have to cut the gray cord of newer cord reels and splice on an older white cord in it's place just to get a functional cord reel with the right color cord. Once those few cord reels wear out what does one do?

No easy choices here. No beauty queens in this pagent. I hear what's being said but wonder if it matters on older hairy chested vacs with no filters, fuses, relays, pcbs and everything hard wired with wire nuts. And I'm using heavy outdoor extension cords btw.

 

[vacuumman206]

Seeing that no matter what method of retraction your cleaner utilizes there is a spring of some sort in there, I let the cords retract at whatever speed the spring rewinds the wheel, as not to put unnecessary pressure or whatnot on the spring. I generally start by holding the plug and then allow the rest of the cord to go at its own speed. Except for uprights with cord rewinders, because I've seen too many of those cords wear into the plastic from being retracted at the same angle every time.

And if I was the average person who has one vacuum for the house or one vac per floor, I would follow that idea that why wind it up when you're just going to unwind it the next time you use it. But seeing that I don't like leaving my vacs out of their spots and I alternate as much as possible I couldn't possibly continue to leave vacuums unwound around the house.

 

[marks_here]

Oh I do..LOL that 30ft hose stays where I last vacuumed. It funny because I don't think people have very seen a central vacuum before & are gobsmacked how it works. Other then that, the cord vacuum & all stays where I last vacuumed, I can't be bovered to put it away & if company don't like it, they can put it away...but at least they know I use it!

 

[floor-a-matic]

<span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif;">Just let 'er rip!

  Most of the time I just pull the cord & let go (unless bystanders or fine furniture are nearby)</span>

 

[DesertTortoise]

Sounds exactly like how my fiancée starts an argument

 

[caligula]

Electrolux cordwinder.

Hi guys, so good to be back!

I have a very old cordwinder that went to a model XXX, I swapped out the small machine end with a late model LXI (see picture) switching the two. Why? so I'd have the correct winder on my first addition LX.

Being that the winder is from around 1949, I never pull out much cord, and none at all if I can help it. Instead, I use an original model LX cord, and don't run the risk of damaging the inner spring.

Now if I could just find somebody to do a latex repair on my original model LX hose, I'd have a great machine. I stink at this kind of repair, and am willing to pay someone to do that for me.

Alex Taber.