Tom
"Pretty tricky how Quantum won't show how to clean the separater in the on-line manual."
The reason Quantum won't show you how to clean the separator is, if they DID, & you took it off to clean it, you would be disgusted with all the dust on the separator! And it's the ultimate proof water filtration vacuums don't work! Which is why many of them, including the industry leader, Rainbow, employ a HEPA exhaust filter. Quantum doesn't want you calling to complain about their product. Remember how there was a member here comparing the Rainbow & Sirena & how they found dust on the Sirena's separator & how it wasn't as effective as the Rainbow? It uses the same motor & separator as Quantum does on their machine.
The only one that's really effective is the Rainbow E Series....they seem to have perfected it. When I had my 2nd Rainbow, a E Series 1 speed, for a short while, it's Separator never seemed to get signifigantly dirty, nor was there much on the HEPA Neutralizer.
Rob