Why Did Fantom Die In 2001/Euro-Pro Fantom Thoughts

[vac_whisperer]

Ive saw Euro-Pros at department stores like Linens &Things and B, B, &B

 

[director12]

Me to. Don't forget K-Mart and BJs. I saw them there when I was little.

 

[thevacuumman]

and its a shame that you can hardly find parts for the older Fantoms and it is hard for me to find parts for my Cyclone XT because they were so rare in my area and it doesn't help that the circuit board on mine is going out

 

[kirbyvertibles]

i'm looking for a power nozzle for the lightning canister if anyone has one to sell. I have 2 caisters two hoses and two electric wands ( i think one might be new old stock ) but do you think I can find one power nozzle.

 

[director12]

And also, did Fantom's website go offline?

 

[sirrookanga]

Kirbyvertibles - I have one each of the following Fantom Lightning accessories that I have never used: powerhead, mini powerhead, and bare floor nozzle. These are original OEM accessories purchased in 2001 the same time I purchased my Fantom Lightning and Cyclone XT. The accessories are in mint condition (see picture). Offer?

 

[director12]

I see the pics. And also, you got to be lucky to find these attachments and vacuums made by the said company.

 

[mjsosins]

I picked up a Fantom upright off the curb over the summer. It runs, but it is missing the filters and STINKS. I didn't want to put any time or money into fixing it yet. Are the parts for these things worth much if I part it out or trade it in?

 

[director12]

I don't know. You can try online. And also, why did Euro-Pro focus more on the Shark line?

 

[bravokid]

wasnt their a court battle between dyson and fantom of the cyclone tech. i know their is a older dyson canister that looks identical to the lightening minus the power nozzle .

 

[bravokid]

thats it pictured above

 

[director12]

Um, any reasons why Euro-Pro focused more on the Shark line?

 

[vacuumking]

fantom fury in the store

I saw a Fantom fury in Tuseday morning for $29.99 and I bought it so I think there are still Fantoms in shops still because they still have inventory.

 

[rainbowd4c]

My mom and a friend of mine had a Fantom Thunder and both had the same problem with the switch. Finding the parts to put a new switch in was impossible so for my mom they put some kind of store bought switch that didn't match anything, and Theresa wound up leaving the switch in the on position and wound up plugging in to turn on and unplugging to turn off.

 

[dysonman1]

This is what actually happened...

Iona Appliances (which became Fantom Technologies), licensed the dual cyclonic patent from James Dyson. That meant, for EVERY Vectron, Thunder, Lightning, Fury, and Cyclone XT, as well as the Dry Tech carpet shampooer, Iona had to pay James a small royalty.

During the 1990's, Dyson invented MEMA filters (MEMA stands for Maximum Efficiency Maximum Airflow). This is the washable pre-motor filter in all Dyson cleaners. James went to Iona and said "you have the right to use this feature". Iona said "you don't understand. We're in the BUSINESS of selling Hepa filters" James said "I'm not renewing my 10 year agreement with you which expires in October of 2001". (I'm paraphrasing - but you get the point).

After October, 2001, even though Fantoms were selling very well, they did in fact allow the agreement with James to expire. The Wildcat as well as the other single cyclone models were launched.

I was an authorized Fantom dealer and service center in 2001 when the change occurred. I knew that Fantom was soon to be history, so I bought the last Fantom Thunder from Iona then. By November, 2001, I was the USA's first Authorized Dyson Sales and Service Center. My account number was 0001. James himself set up the account for me, and I met with Dyson US's first sales director in my store in Festus, MO

The name "Fantom" was sold to Euro-Pro. Euro-Pro had Sanyo private label the line of machines for them under the Fantom name. Sanyo sold them under their own name as well. These were filtered bagless machines that clogged very quickly with fine dust. Interesting that Euro-Pro has never had a true dual cyclonic (not to mention true multi-cyclonic) cleaner ever. The Infinity does not count as the secondary cyclones are not the same design as Dyson's nor are they as effective.

It wasn't excessive warranty work that killed Fantom, it was greed. The $75 post motor HEPA filter was their downfall. By not having a pre-motor filter (in order to dirty the post motor filter), the motors took all the fine dust, resulting in early failure. How many times do you have to buy a $75 filter to say "no more" to the vacuum?

Of course, in 2002, Dyson's DC07 was launched and everyone forgot about the Fantom.

 

[director12]

Well Infinity vacuums are not effective.

 

[thevacuumman]

I had a Sanyo made Fantom Twister that worked good after I fixed the plug between the base and the rest of the vacuum, I used it for about a week then sold it. The Cyclone XT I have is still going very strong and I use it sometimes when I feel like using it other wise I use my Riccar or one of my Hoovers.

 

[Tcall]

Drill oiling holes in Fantom Fury case to slow overheating?

dysonman1:
>>>It wasn't excessive warranty work that killed Fantom, it was greed. The $75 post motor HEPA filter was their downfall. By not having a pre-motor filter (in order to dirty the post motor filter), the motors took all the fine dust, resulting in early failure. How many times do you have to buy a $75 filter to say "no more" to the vacuum?<<<

Might it be possible to drill a hole or two in the motor case of my Fantom Fury to allow for regular oiling of the motor axle? (Mine started overheating with just under 2 years of infrequent use.)

(I have an ancient Compact that I nursed its motor along for years by getting oil into its bearings about once a year.)

Tim

 

[sbakerde]

Not a good idea.

I don't and won't recommend blindly putting oil into a motor. For one ball bearings are sealed so that very little oil on the outside will actually make it in. I have often seen bearings become seized but spin in the socket do to the introduction of oil. To effectively oil a ball bearing it needs to be out of the vacuum. Secondly blindly putting oil into an electrical motor is a massive fire hazard. Oil which is flammable plus an electric motor that generates heat and spark from the brushes. That could easily go up in flames. One a few occasions I refused to even diagnose a machine that had wd40 sprayed into it. My recommendation for a bagless such as the fantom is to remove all filters, take it outside and turn on. That gush of air will clear a good bit of dust from the motor an inner working without taking the vac apart. It's not 100% or even close to it but better then letting it chock to death.

Lastly, most older motors are pretty easy to rebuild and new bearings are only a few bucks.

That's my humble opinion.

 

[parwaz786]

I dont wanna sound judgemental or anything, but the DC07 came out in 2001 DC08 came out in 2002