Windsor Versamatic VSE 1-3

[spencersvacs92]

Hello, I’m looking for a little more information about this machine. I’m trying to see if anyone can date this machine or iknows how to date these machines please let me know. I believe this is a 12 inch machine I really can’t tell

 

[funeraldirector]

Versamatic

Hi,

I had one just like it and it about 2000 or so.


Brian

 

[centralvacs1928]

These are what the schools I attended all used.

I remember in elementary school (mid 1990s) the "old" ones had a tapered motor housing that only met the nozzle at the neck. The hose had a curved end too. The "newer" ones looked just like yours.

By junior high (late 90s-early 00s) the newest Versamatics had a larger diameter power switch button. The size of a quarter. Yours has the older style button about the size of a dime. As I recall they were identical otherwise.

It doesn't appear that the serial number contains a date code, so my best guess based on this is mid 90s.

Owen

 

[justjunque]

Not exactly pinpointing it, but; doesn't the "Made in West Germany" date it to some time before the wall came down?

 

[spencersvacs92]

The West Germany is telling me maybe 83. Because I feel that’s how there serial numbers are I’m not positive but that is my guess

 

[luxlife]

I don’t believe that this is the one from the late 1970’s

The very first Versamatics didn’t have a carpet height adjustment and yours does.

 

[jade_angel]

My vote also goes to 1980s. I would have guessed later than '83, but that serial number has me wondering.

The ones that Owen described above, with the different housing design - were those the ones that didn't have a carpet height adjustment, or were there three? (That description sounds more like a Vorwerk or Lindhaus to me, but I'll trust his account - there are lots of weird designs out there)

If there were three, then 1983 is probably too early, unless the new housing but without height adjustment was very short-lived. But "West Germany" puts it firmly pre-1990, unless some units still shipped from unified Germany marked thus.

 

[bisonian]

I was a housekeeping manager at a health care facility that used these machines in the 1980s. This version was introduced in 1986 or '87. Earlier models didn't have the light panel on the base, and were supported only by a center tube -- much like today's Sebo Felix without the swivel feature.

 

[oldcrankman]

So.

Either the top the cord should have a clock date stamp on it or on the inside of the bag door should tell you the year.

 

[oldcrankman]

This was made in Novemeber of 2015.

11 represents November and 15 represents 2015.

 

[spencersvacs92]

I have checked inside the bag door and the housing, and didn’t see a date wheel and my machine has an aftermarket metal plug on it as well

 

[panasonicvac]

The older Versamatics don't have date codes on them. But I'd say it's from the 80s as well.

 

[spencersvacs92]

I was thinking 83 because that is the start of the serial number, I’m more used to dating Eureka and Eureka style machines, and I’m also very confused as well

 

[oldcrankman]

if its a 1983 model

It would be the Sebo 350 body style. This is the Sebo 360 model which indicates the late 80s early 90s.

 

[luxlife]

Split hairs all you want, it’s still a great vacuum…

It’s definitely worth hanging onto, especially since it’s a Sebo built Windsor and not a Karcher built Windsor. Since Windsor Industries became part of Karcher Group, shop owners and vacuum users alike have been unhappy with the build quality of the newest Karcher/Windsor Sensor models. They’re made with differently shaped body components to create machines that are more distinct from Sebo’s and apparently there are some weak spots where the plastic used to be thicker.

I’d be interested to see if there’s an Ametek motor retrofit for the suction unit in this machine, because I always thought the suction needed improvement. Either way, it’s truly a worthy, time-tested design.

 

[panasonicvac]

The newer Sensors and the rest of the uprights are still made by Sebo. Karcher just buys from the manufacturers for Windsor, like Panasonic making the Kenmores for Sears. I don't know about the Sensors models but I really do like the newer Versamatics they're selling today. They've upgraded the filtration and they went back to using Ametek Lamb motors, they were using Domel before which are excellent motors but they're not as efficient. If I can this weekend, I'll show you what it looks and sounds like.

 

[panasonicvac]

As promised

I just had some new Versamatics ordered and thought I'd do a side-by-side comparison between those and the older models. They're fantastic! I'm still trying to convince SEBO to import over the residential version of the 14" variant called the BS 360 since the 370 Comfort is gone now.

 

[blackheart]

Hm

What is the difference between the versamatic and the BS360? Is it just another case of 2 wire cord vs 3 wire cord? I think in today's age a 2 motor system without a brushroll shutoff is outdated for residential usage. Unless they've changed that with their recent generation but to my knowledge the 370 lacked that feature.

It is a shame they dicontinued the plus. That's our primary work vacuum but with them being discontinued we're going to the versamatic. I think the bag change system on the plus was much easier to deal with, and while the after filter on the versamatic is a nice touch I've already seen a few people running machines with very clogged hepa filters because they don't realize they are there. The curved wand setup also takes getting used to. While the plus's was shorter it was easier to get out and back into the slot. the one big upside to the change though is the cost of repairs for when the support arm inevitably breaks through the motor housing (due to abuse) should be lower as well as consume less repair time.

 

[panasonicvac]

From my understanding the BS 360 is supposedly the same (video down below). To be quite honest, I don't believe these need a switch to turn the brushroll off. Mainly because these would be been terrible for hardfloors. Especially with the brushroll spinning. Instead you can just fit a extension hose with a extension wand and barefloor tool, it would do a much better job. I definitely agree with you on the 370 about the bag change, though I don't really mind changing the bags out on the 360 since I've done that multiple times on the Versamatics. I'm sure there are people using the Plus models today with clogged filters as well, but I like that they can be washable. I also like they had a carrying handle on the back. And I like that it had more attachments stored on-board. That building where I filmed the Versamatics at previously had a Plus, one of them got replaced by a Versamatic. It definitely was a really nice machine. Wished SEBO still made them but I can see why they gave that one up.