Viking V241 - 1983

[baumgrenze]

I have a Viking V241 (Product Number 900 47 21) S/N 325 – 0237. It was purchased in Palo Alto, CA in December 1983 from a sewing machine store. It is (has been) a remarkably quiet, powerful machine. As I understand the story, Electrolux USA somehow 'persuaded' Electrolux Sweden to stop selling 110V vacuums in the USA not all that long after it was purchased. Just now it is 'very quiet' because 'she who must be obeyed' announced that it 'just hums.'

Has anyone got access to a repairman's manual for this machine? I gently prodded and pushed and pulled and I have the motor out. I won't try putting 110V to the motor leads until tomorrow when I can make a test cradle for the motor.

The nameplate reads:

Made in Sweden
Manufactured for Viking Sewing Machine Co Inc
2300 Louisiana Avenue North
Minneapolis, MN 55427

I take it that this means it is a 'Swedish Electrolux'

I am trying to establish if there is an equivalent US Electrolux model, as it is clearly easier to find parts and info for US Electrolux.

Thanks,

baumgrenze

 

[vacbear58]

Lux 325

It sounds very much like this is a variation of the European Electrolux 345 model.

I believe that Viking was one of several names used by Electrolux for their sewing machines and it is perfectly possible that they "badged" some of their machines for sale alongside them, rather in teh manner of Singer.

A picture would be very useful but is this cleaner a sort of mid brown colour? Spares for this cleaner in 110V would be pretty rare, if available at all, although variations are known to have been sold under the Volta and Dometic names, particularly in Canada. As I say a picture will be a great help as other members may be able to give more information

Al

 

[vacbear58]

Picture

Does your cleaner looking like the one in the first picture in this thread? Sorry its a bit small

Al

 

[markus79]

my Volta U241

Hi!
Does it look familiar? This is my Volta U241. Made by Electrolux Sweden in 1981. I just think because there is the same model number.

Best Regards
Markus

 

[baumgrenze]

Thank You!!!

Thanks to everyone for participating.

Our machine appears to be Markus' Volta U241 save for the color. Ours is black. Given this information, is there a corresponding US model?

At this point my guess is that:

1) the on/off switch got tired and quit

2) the brushes are too worn to function properly.

This I can sort out when I have time.

Today was spent working on another project.

Thanks again,

baumgrenze

 

[baumgrenze]

Reassembly with Spring?

I tested the motor on a simple wooden cradle. It seems to run fine when supplied with 110V of electric power. I isolated the power switch and checked it for continuity with my VOM. It, too, seems to work fine. I see there is a small, tape wrapped bundle of electronic components. I guess a part in this unit could have failed. What is the function of this unit?

As I disassembled the vacuum, I took a few digital photos of the internal parts. When I lifted the motor out, I found a stiff coil spring, ~17 mm in diameter and ~17 mm long. It makes sense to me that it should be centered vertically where I have it in the photo. It does not seem to engage with much on anything, maybe a small protrusion on the fan end and nothing on the case.

Is this where this part should go?

If so, I am open to suggestions for how to keep it properly oriented while I fit the motor unit down into the case. It looks to me like it could easily tip into the position in the photo.

Is it possible to link photos to ImageShack on this forum. I tried and it appears that HTML code isn't compatible with the forum. In any case, copy and paste these links into your browser and you will see an image of the electronics and also the nameplate.

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/692/vikingvacuumelectronicsa.jpg/

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/43/vikingvacuumnameplate.jpg/

Thanks

baumgrenze

 

[baumgrenze]

More Thoughts on Spring

I did not mention that the cord rewind is damaged beyond repair. As you can see from the photo the center portion of the plastic reel has broken off.

This link leads to an ImageShack photo of the parts on the table to the right of the back of the vacuum.

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/35/vikingvacuumsmallparts.jpg/

I slipped the spring between the back face of the reel and the back of the vacuum. It appears to be the right height. When I opened the vacuum, the shaft on the table, clearly the bearing shaft of the reel, was lying loose in the back.

At this point, I think it would be prudent to put the parts in a ZipLok bag and set them aside. It might also be prudent to wire the power cord directly to the power switch. If the small circuit board is a control for the power carpet wand, that, too is of limited use in our remodeled house. The floors are all slate and/or cork tiles. There are a few rugs, but they don't require a power wand to clean.

Am I on the right track?

Thanks,

baumgrenze

 

[markus79]

Volta U241 pictures

Hope this helps.

Markus

 

[markus79]

Volta U241 pictures

I couldn´t find any information on this Viking-model, it must be very rare=)

 

[baumgrenze]

Thank You!!

Thank you, Markus,

What a gift. Can you supply a URL for the images you sent? I am interested in the name of part 61. As I see it, it must be the speed control for the power carped tool.

Since I found the spring in the motor compartment it is unclear if I reassembled the vacuum correctly years ago when I tried to repair the cord winder. Perhaps I did not even notice the part. It could also have jumped from its proper location at the rear end of the motor/fan unit when I disengaged the clear plastic separator unit. At least I now know where to put it.

Thank you very much,

baumgrenze

 

[baumgrenze]

Wiring Diagram

Hello Again Markus,

I hate to trouble you yet again, but I see on the first image you posted, that page 9 of the document you photographed/scanned should be a wiring diagram for the Volta V241. When you get a chance, would you please post a copy of it? I see now that perhaps I did not take enough pictures or write enough notes or put enough tags on the wires and connectors to properly reconnect everything.

I think that the white lead with red shrink tube on it (See the photo of the cord winder in a message Post# 203600, Reply# 6 above.) should connect to the terminal marked "W" in white on the switch in the photo below, and that the unconnected wire should be placed on the vertical spade on the adjacent terminal, so it stands at right angles to the white socket marked "B." This makes sense to me as it would provide hot lead power to one terminal of the switch, the one closer to the viewer in my newest photo. The unconnected lead becomes the black lead to the motor itself. This is good wiring convention.

Two things trouble me.

1) The white protective cap on that black power lead to the motor is too big for the connector to fit on the vertical spade.

2) The white lead with red shrink tube is wired to the terminal on the cord winder marked "L" and the black lead is marked "N." This is contrary to wiring my convention, where white is neutral and black is hot. Is there any chance that in Swedish "L" means "neutral" and "N" means hot? By the time I get to the motor the polarity seems correct, white to "N" and black to "L."

I do like the idea of the hot lead being on the 'line' side of the switch and the motor and other power needs, powered carpet tool, are on the 'load' side of the switch so that when the switch is off, if the plug is connected to mains power, nothing on the 'load' side of the switch should be hot.

Am I making sense?

Thanks for your patience,

baumgrenze

 

[markus79]

Volta U241 pictures

Hi!
Sorry but unfortunately I don´t have page 9 , only 4-8.
I think there is no matter how you put the cable on the switch.

Best Regards
Markus

 

[funvacfan]

I have this model...

Does yours have the electronic speed switch as well? Do you have the powerhead attachment for carpets?

Guy

 

[baumgrenze]

Thanks Again

Thank you Guy, for entering the conversation.

The Viking 241 has an electronic speed switch and carpet powerhead.

Apparently it is a really rare bird. I had no idea. Apart from the broken rewind reel, it has been a real workhorse up until now, having given 29 years of regular service.

I know the motor works, so, if the vacuum does not run when I finally get it properly rewired, my guess is that a component in the speed circuit has failed. It should be a simple task to bypass that and get full power to the motor. I have a former colleague who designs electronic components for fun. I can bring the speed control to him and he will quickly diagnose a failed component if there is one.

Thank you, Markus, for following through and replying. Where did you get the pages 4-8, if you can share that information. I might just try to track that source down, too.

I will post a photo of the machine once I've reassembled it.

Thanks again,

baumgrenze

 

[baumgrenze]

A Correction 1984 Not 1983

Today I pulled up the original owner's manual, receipt, and warranty card for our Viking 241. I was wrong. The receipt is dated 12/24/84, so I bought it for Christmas 1984. I was excited about retiring the flat, round Hoover canister we had that was called a "whisper something-or-other." The operator needed to wear noise canceling earmuffs. It was much louder than a cheap 5-gallon can shop vacuum.

I emailed in the manual as an Acrobat file, and included the receipt (boy it was expensive at $389 + tax) but it was soooooooo quiet.

baumgrenze

 

[baumgrenze]

Overall Photo

The vacuum is working.

The speed control seems to have no impact, but the machine works with the toggle switch in either position.

I will upload 3 photos, each with its own message. The first is a photo of everything except for the upholstery tool and brush. These are no longer original.

I have one other comment. The light on the power head has been intermittent from the first day of use. Is it common for these to flicker?

 

[baumgrenze]

Photo From End

Here's a photo of the tail end of the vacuum.

 

[baumgrenze]

Photo from Top

Here's the 3rd photo. It is from the top.

Are there other views of interest to anyone. I can take and post more.

Thanks again for all the help.

baumgrenze

 

[markus79]

Viking

That´s so cool=)
Did you know this H-logo means Husqvarna=)
Best Regards
Markus