When did Royal add an LED to the brushroll nozzle?

[Sanifan]

Dang. I just got another Royal. Not that I need it. Just that it was in great shape at a very reasonable price. This one is a Classic model with maroon bag, round fan cover, metal wheel covers, and headlamp. I don't have it with me right now to check the model number, but I recall it has a 7 amp motor.

I noticed something interesting that I didn't notice with my other Royals. I has a small green LED on the brushroll nozzle. It reminds me of the LEDs on Kirbys except it's on the rear left surface of the nozzle, facing the user.

When did Royal start putting these on the vacs? I'll have to check my other 3 Royals. I don't recall seeing it on the other ones.

It seem the LED lights up when the brushroll is above the carpet surface and when it makes contact. When the brushroll is lowered too deeply into the carpet the LED goes out. Is this correct? I'm assuming it indicates correct brushroll height in relation to the carpet.

Also, I noticed there is a little red plastic plug covering a little round hole/nozzle on the upper back of the motor housing. What is it for?

Thanks!

 

[tolivac]

the LED brushroll light is telling you the brush is no longer turning when the nozzle is lowered-you need a new belt.the light should stay lit.-means the brush is rotating.
the red plastic cap covers the rear bearing oil port.Give it a drop of oil every several months and you should be fine-non detergent oil only-detergent oil will damage the bearing.Three in One oil marked for small motors works very well.Common hardware store item.

 

[venson]

@tolivac . . .

Hi,

Isn't the return of the oil port a little like stepping back in time. I recall when old machines were proudly badged with "No oiling required." What happened?

Venson

 

[Sanifan]

Thanks. Maybe I got it backwards with the LED. I'll check it out. Great to know about the oil port. Why is it so comforting knowing we can maintain our own gear.

I don't know if this is true, but it gives me the gut feeling that the machine is made to last. Not just designed to wear out and be thrown out.

 

[venson]

@Sanifan . . .

Very early vacuums at one time did require oiling. Then, by whatever wonderful technology, they came up with bearings that supposedly never needed oiling. This also applied to household items like fans. No oiling not only meant a little less bother for the user but spared the expense of possible damage as I doubt the average vacuum owner would have kept up with maintenance of that kind.

If some people can't keep a bag changed or clean a filter, as many a repair person will attest to, I'm hard pressed to imagine they'd think to oil a vacuum's motor. I also wonder if it's become cheaper to make a machine with bearings that need oiling than use those allegedly permanently packed with lubricant.

 

[tolivac]

I don't know the time when Royal switched over to the perm lubed bearings and non serviceable motors-no brush port access on the sides of the motor.Those older serviceable Royal motors could last decades if the bearings were oiled and motor brushes replaced-these would last many years for vacuum cleaner service.so the machine described above is an older one.Probably the last of that kind.