Yay for Estate Sales
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AC not DC
I've just taken some power measurements on the Lewty. It seems that there is 3.2 volts AC of power going into the beginning of the hose and 2.6 volts AC coming out at the end of the wands. I would expect the voltage to drop 0.8 down since it is so low and has to travel around the entire hose and down the wands, so this should be normal. The power being generated is AC not DC, in order for the power to be DC, they would have had to install a transformer which would have been very costly at that time and it probably would have needed a glass vacuum tube. Unless of course there is something I'm missing in my head. Does anyone know what the voltage should be to run the beater? 24 volts AC would be way to high to run down exposed wands, but 2.6 volts would be generally safe, but is that enough to run the power head? What did this power head look like???
By the way I was able to get the wands to generate a spark by touching a probe from the meter onto the lead and wand at the same time. No Lilt Home Permenants needed for our housewives with this baby!
Oh and Electrolux tank bags fit this cleaner just fine, albeit smaller than the Lewyt bags.
I've just taken some power measurements on the Lewty. It seems that there is 3.2 volts AC of power going into the beginning of the hose and 2.6 volts AC coming out at the end of the wands. I would expect the voltage to drop 0.8 down since it is so low and has to travel around the entire hose and down the wands, so this should be normal. The power being generated is AC not DC, in order for the power to be DC, they would have had to install a transformer which would have been very costly at that time and it probably would have needed a glass vacuum tube. Unless of course there is something I'm missing in my head. Does anyone know what the voltage should be to run the beater? 24 volts AC would be way to high to run down exposed wands, but 2.6 volts would be generally safe, but is that enough to run the power head? What did this power head look like???
By the way I was able to get the wands to generate a spark by touching a probe from the meter onto the lead and wand at the same time. No Lilt Home Permenants needed for our housewives with this baby!
Oh and Electrolux tank bags fit this cleaner just fine, albeit smaller than the Lewyt bags.
hoovercelebrity
New member
Although not the exact same one...
Here's Mike's Lewyt (mentioned above), with the external cord that ran up the wands, down the hose, and somehow connected to the cleaner. Pictures are from the convention in Louisville...
I would imagine that the design of the powerhead, or "Beater Sweeper" would have been somewhat similar.
Here's Mike's Lewyt (mentioned above), with the external cord that ran up the wands, down the hose, and somehow connected to the cleaner. Pictures are from the convention in Louisville...
I would imagine that the design of the powerhead, or "Beater Sweeper" would have been somewhat similar.
hoovercelebrity
New member
These are pictures of pictures... so they're not completely crisp... but you get the idea.
hoovercelebrity
New member
Powerhead taken apart.
Here it is, taken apart.
What's unique about this is the lack of a belt...
It's gear driven, baby!
Here it is, taken apart.
What's unique about this is the lack of a belt...
It's gear driven, baby!
collector2
Well-known member
Hi Everyone
I'm out of town at the moment so not checking in very often. You needed information on the Lewyt Electronics so here goes what little I have so far.
Lewyt produced two models of electronics - the model 111 - green - which I have (also without power head) and the model 121 - blue - which you have. The model 11 was out in 1959 and the 121 in 1960.
I've never actually found out the voltage for the powerhead but the machine's motor had a secondary winding on it that produced the lower voltage, as an isolated circuit, to run it. Unfortunately Lewyt chose to use the machine body and wands as one pole of the contact. The insulation on the winding was poor and, in the course of running broke down, causing the 110 volts to short through. This in turn gave alot of people shocks as they came in contact with the now, no longer isolated, and charged with 110 Volts parts of the wand and machine. This resulted in a number of lawsuits which, in 1961 or 62, bankrupted the company.
Because the secondary winding is a non removable part of the motor it is pretty much impossible to repair. I have toyed with the idea of putting in a plain motor and a transformer but, again, I dont know the voltage required and, with limited space, it would be hard to get a transformer to fit that was also large enough to provide a sufficient current for the power head motor.
The molds for the attachments and rights to the Lewyt name were purchased by the Shetland Mfg. Corp and the patents and molds for the big wheels machines were purchased by Holland Electro (Which continued to produce them into the 80's in Europe - without the power heads
)
The power head did run on AC to my knowledge. All the parts for both machines were white and the attachment set should include dusting brush, small nozzle, crevice tool and floor brush.
Hope that helps (If anyone finds a Green powerhead I need one too )
Doug
I'm out of town at the moment so not checking in very often. You needed information on the Lewyt Electronics so here goes what little I have so far.
Lewyt produced two models of electronics - the model 111 - green - which I have (also without power head) and the model 121 - blue - which you have. The model 11 was out in 1959 and the 121 in 1960.
I've never actually found out the voltage for the powerhead but the machine's motor had a secondary winding on it that produced the lower voltage, as an isolated circuit, to run it. Unfortunately Lewyt chose to use the machine body and wands as one pole of the contact. The insulation on the winding was poor and, in the course of running broke down, causing the 110 volts to short through. This in turn gave alot of people shocks as they came in contact with the now, no longer isolated, and charged with 110 Volts parts of the wand and machine. This resulted in a number of lawsuits which, in 1961 or 62, bankrupted the company.
Because the secondary winding is a non removable part of the motor it is pretty much impossible to repair. I have toyed with the idea of putting in a plain motor and a transformer but, again, I dont know the voltage required and, with limited space, it would be hard to get a transformer to fit that was also large enough to provide a sufficient current for the power head motor.
The molds for the attachments and rights to the Lewyt name were purchased by the Shetland Mfg. Corp and the patents and molds for the big wheels machines were purchased by Holland Electro (Which continued to produce them into the 80's in Europe - without the power heads
)The power head did run on AC to my knowledge. All the parts for both machines were white and the attachment set should include dusting brush, small nozzle, crevice tool and floor brush.
Hope that helps (If anyone finds a Green powerhead I need one too
)Doug
collector2
Well-known member
Forgot to mention - yes I'm Jelous 
- Thats one I've been looking for too.
The Apex is very nice as well.
Doug
- Thats one I've been looking for too.The Apex is very nice as well.
Doug
Doug, thank you for the explanation, now it all makes sense about what's going on in there. I cannot believe they did that, this vacuum is very dangerous. I should probably open it up and temporarily disconnect the connection between the secondary windings and the hose nozzle port.
Correct me if I'm wrong but couldn't you just use the same motor and disconnect the connection to the secondary windings. Then take a power resistor (of significant ohms) and branch off of the hot side of the power cord to bring down the voltage to what ever the requirements of the power nozzle are? Then connect a wire from the output of the resistor to the metal nozzle port. The only problem here is that the power cord isn't polarized, so if you plug it in the wrong way you will get zero voltage to the hose, but then you would simply pull the plug out of the wall socket and turn it around and re-plug it back in.
So anyway, I was vacuuming with the Lewyt tonight using the dusting brush and I was turning it on and off as I moved things around to be dusted. So after about five or so of these on/offs I switched it back and nothing, now power. Hmmmm. So I measured the power at the wands with the switch on suddenly its 23 volts AC, yikes! Looks like this baby is gonna head downstairs to the workshop and get in line with everything else lol.
Correct me if I'm wrong but couldn't you just use the same motor and disconnect the connection to the secondary windings. Then take a power resistor (of significant ohms) and branch off of the hot side of the power cord to bring down the voltage to what ever the requirements of the power nozzle are? Then connect a wire from the output of the resistor to the metal nozzle port. The only problem here is that the power cord isn't polarized, so if you plug it in the wrong way you will get zero voltage to the hose, but then you would simply pull the plug out of the wall socket and turn it around and re-plug it back in.
So anyway, I was vacuuming with the Lewyt tonight using the dusting brush and I was turning it on and off as I moved things around to be dusted. So after about five or so of these on/offs I switched it back and nothing, now power. Hmmmm. So I measured the power at the wands with the switch on suddenly its 23 volts AC, yikes! Looks like this baby is gonna head downstairs to the workshop and get in line with everything else lol.
hoovercelebrity
New member
"Looks like this baby is gonna head downstairs to the w
...Welcome to my world...
...Welcome to my world...
collector2
Well-known member
Hi again:
If your planning on using it disconnecting the secondary wouldnt be a bad idea.
A resistor, however wouldnt work very well for the PN. To begin with you would have to have an extremely large one to handle the current that a low voltage motor would require. At the same time you would be creating a non isolated circuit so, by merely plugging in the machine with the wrong side of the plug in the hot connection, you have now charged the body of the machine with 120 V. All it would take is for you to accidentally touch something that is grounded and you would get a hell of a shock at the least. Basically it would be creating the same conditions that the shorted winding did.
The safest way would be to use an isolating transformer.
LOL - It seems to me that I remember someone saying at one time that 24 Volts was the proper voltage for the powerhead. Seems your motor may have quit but the secondary is now working properly. Figures
If your planning on using it disconnecting the secondary wouldnt be a bad idea.
A resistor, however wouldnt work very well for the PN. To begin with you would have to have an extremely large one to handle the current that a low voltage motor would require. At the same time you would be creating a non isolated circuit so, by merely plugging in the machine with the wrong side of the plug in the hot connection, you have now charged the body of the machine with 120 V. All it would take is for you to accidentally touch something that is grounded and you would get a hell of a shock at the least. Basically it would be creating the same conditions that the shorted winding did.
The safest way would be to use an isolating transformer.
LOL - It seems to me that I remember someone saying at one time that 24 Volts was the proper voltage for the powerhead. Seems your motor may have quit but the secondary is now working properly. Figures
You're right Doug, I was only thinking about one side of the line. I suppose it would work if I installed a polorized plug. I was thinking a dropping power resistor because this still would be smaller than trying to fit an isolating step down transformer inside the body of the vacuum. But I totaly agree, using a transformer would be the safest way to go.
So this morning the Lewyt powers up again, but now there are 44 volts on the wands! ouch LOL. Something tells me I better not be vacuuming the cement workshop floor barefoot next to a leaking washer with this baby.
So this morning the Lewyt powers up again, but now there are 44 volts on the wands! ouch LOL. Something tells me I better not be vacuuming the cement workshop floor barefoot next to a leaking washer with this baby.
collector2
Well-known member
Sounds like the winding insulation is melting off. The more the insulation melts off the better the connection becomes. I dont know if the motor itself will keep running either as the primary must also have a bare spot that is shorting over.
hamiltonbeachbo
New member
Hey Robert,
Glad to hear you haven't been shocked by the Lewyt.
Does sound like you've been close to some shocking opportunities.
My concern was the reason for my call, but then again dealing with vintage machines is something you do well.
What a shame they (Lewyt designers) didn't use more common sense when attempting to accommodate a power nozzle.
Very interesting to read your commentary as you explored attempting to work with this machine.
I can't imagine the number of housewives, back in the day, that were almost "taken out" as they beater swept their homes.
Unbelievable.
Still, a very interesting machine to have in your collection.
Got your voicemail ... will be calling back this week.
Take Care!!
Pat
Glad to hear you haven't been shocked by the Lewyt.
Does sound like you've been close to some shocking opportunities.
My concern was the reason for my call, but then again dealing with vintage machines is something you do well.
What a shame they (Lewyt designers) didn't use more common sense when attempting to accommodate a power nozzle.
Very interesting to read your commentary as you explored attempting to work with this machine.
I can't imagine the number of housewives, back in the day, that were almost "taken out" as they beater swept their homes.
Unbelievable.
Still, a very interesting machine to have in your collection.
Got your voicemail ... will be calling back this week.
Take Care!!
Pat
vacuumkid3
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 30, 2006
- Messages
- 974
It looks to me as though (like most power nozzle motors), it's a universal motor, indicating it can run off of DC or AC. AC in the high voltage ranges is more safe, but lower voltages, I don't think it matters. The resistor would not work, like Doug said. If I ever end up designing a vacuum, I'll definitely design it like a Lewyt, but the power nozzle will run on a low voltage, but the wand will have small wires running in it. It will also use a transformer. Due to Ohm's Law, if the resistance remains the same, the current increases as voltage decreases, which means there should not be a drop in power (watts). I was able to mess with Toby's electric, but it has the same fate as many...such a shame! I am surprised they didn't last longer...
~~K~~
~~K~~
vacuumkid3
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 30, 2006
- Messages
- 974
Oh...I forgot to mention. Maybe you could replace the motor with an older Lewyt motor and just put in a transformer. That'd probably be the best to get it to work correctly. Good luck!
~~K~~, future E.E.!
~~K~~, future E.E.!
compactelectra
Well-known member
OK - My Lewyt
I got this machine complete from Charles Richard Lester. One of the first of my collection. Tania and Fred S. helped me restore it. It does not have an original hose or cord (I still have them), but the machine is beautiful. I have all the original attachments somewhere, I just have to find them. Here is a glam shot. Luckily (or unluckily, it is not the Electronic, so it doesn't shock you) but not a bad vacuum! We'll have to trot this out this weekend. Those machine hose ends rotted and became useless (they were held in by the suction.) Luckily we found a good one!
I got this machine complete from Charles Richard Lester. One of the first of my collection. Tania and Fred S. helped me restore it. It does not have an original hose or cord (I still have them), but the machine is beautiful. I have all the original attachments somewhere, I just have to find them. Here is a glam shot. Luckily (or unluckily, it is not the Electronic, so it doesn't shock you) but not a bad vacuum! We'll have to trot this out this weekend. Those machine hose ends rotted and became useless (they were held in by the suction.) Luckily we found a good one!
compactelectra
Well-known member
Inside
The machine - Robert - that is a brand new see-inside bag from Tania. We will get you a few.
The machine - Robert - that is a brand new see-inside bag from Tania. We will get you a few.
compactelectra
Well-known member
Finally
Something I haven't seen before. A genuine Lewyt hose and attachment holder. Proudly up on the wall in the vacuum room. I now have a new appreciation for it. The finish matches the machine. How many of these do you see?
Something I haven't seen before. A genuine Lewyt hose and attachment holder. Proudly up on the wall in the vacuum room. I now have a new appreciation for it. The finish matches the machine. How many of these do you see?
compactelectra
Well-known member
I also have
The original instruction manual (somewhere!) I remember this machine from the "Bob Cummings Show" in the fifties.
The original instruction manual (somewhere!) I remember this machine from the "Bob Cummings Show" in the fifties.
aeoliandave
Well-known member
Lewyt 105 Manual
Found my February 9 Lewyt 120 post in the archives to add to this really enjoyable thread.
Bring on the Big Wheels, folks.
http://www.vacuumland.org/TD/ARCHIVE/VINTAGE/2008/2858x15.htm
Found my February 9 Lewyt 120 post in the archives to add to this really enjoyable thread.
Bring on the Big Wheels, folks.
http://www.vacuumland.org/TD/ARCHIVE/VINTAGE/2008/2858x15.htm
aeoliandave
Well-known member
page 2 & 3
aeoliandave
Well-known member
pages 4-5
aeoliandave
Well-known member
Pages 6-7.
Manual courtesy of Doug Smith. Thanks, Doug.
Dave
Manual courtesy of Doug Smith. Thanks, Doug.
Dave
Sad news, it appears that Alex Lewyt died last month, sorry if you guys posted this already and I missed it, but here is the NYT obit...
Apparently he was quoted as saying in 1955 "Nuclear-powered vacuum cleaners will probably be a reality in 10 years."
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE5D81431F932A15750C0A96E948260
Apparently he was quoted as saying in 1955 "Nuclear-powered vacuum cleaners will probably be a reality in 10 years."
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE5D81431F932A15750C0A96E948260
Thanks for posting this but..........
Robert, I'm confused, the article about Mr. Lewyt dying at age 79 is about 20 years old. There is the April 10, 2008 date at the top upper left corner also.
Robert, I'm confused, the article about Mr. Lewyt dying at age 79 is about 20 years old. There is the April 10, 2008 date at the top upper left corner also.
Oh never mind, LOL, my bad
The article is date "Published: March 21, 1988", I saw 1988 and my mind read "2008". lol, whoops.
But anyway, check this out, its all the technical information on how the Lewit Electronic works
http://www.google.com/patents?id=MoROAAAAEBAJ&dq=VACUUM+inassignee:LEWYT
The article is date "Published: March 21, 1988", I saw 1988 and my mind read "2008". lol, whoops.
But anyway, check this out, its all the technical information on how the Lewit Electronic works
http://www.google.com/patents?id=MoROAAAAEBAJ&dq=VACUUM+inassignee:LEWYT
No harm done, I just tried to figure how he was only 79 when he was born in 1908! lol- Thanks for posting it, I never knew any of the story.
classiccaprice
Active member
- Joined
- Jan 24, 2008
- Messages
- 37
beautiful vacuum! You are so lucky!
chestermikeuk
Well-known member
Solid & Robust
Another great find there Robert, soon have as many vacs as washers!! this looks a really solid machine, love the hammerite blue...
Those Lewyt Speed Sacs where also used over here in the Bylock Table Vac, dont know how the tie between these two companies came to be..
Fred , is red inner lining of the lid a "Fabric" or paint??
Cheers, Mike
Another great find there Robert, soon have as many vacs as washers!! this looks a really solid machine, love the hammerite blue...
Those Lewyt Speed Sacs where also used over here in the Bylock Table Vac, dont know how the tie between these two companies came to be..
Fred , is red inner lining of the lid a "Fabric" or paint??
Cheers, Mike
