Electrolux vacuum cleaner

[ppppenguin]

I used my 50 year old Electrolux 502 upright vacuum cleaner this morning. First time in a few months. After a few minutes there was a horrible burning smell. My nose correctly diagnosed a suppressor capacitor. Opened up the machine and no surprise at all to find the offending Rifa.

The surprise was a Class Y 4700p cap from live to the motor casing. Since this is a Class II (double insulated) appliance I don't really see the purpose of that cap. Anyway, seeing as it was a Rifa, I replaced it.

Actually although it's obviously double insulated with a 2 core flex, it doesn't have the "square in square" logo. It may pre-date the logo.

[Refugee]

I had one let rip in a Henry cleaner. The good thing is that the fan in the cleaner blows most of the slime out at the expense of ear ache from the fire alarm.

[Radio Fixer]

50 year old vac cleaner !!

Get rid of it (and the Henry) if you value your lungs. Buy a modern one with particulate filtering. Miele do a great one with a basic filter (reasonably good) but you can buy the particulate filters from them that fit in the same housing then its excellent.

Believe me I can tell the difference after doing a house vac with the basic and the better. Feel it in the throat.

Gary

[ppppenguin]

If you're sensitive to these things, then get a vac with a HEPA filter. Most of us seem to be OK with whatever vacs we use. My main one is a Hoover Aquamaster (over 25 years old) which is a powerful beast. Can do wet stuff and carpet shampooing too.

[Radio Fixer]

For "particulate filter" read HEPA filter: it is what I use but couldnt remember the name. If I can detect the difference between it and a standard filter the particles are still coming out the back and those that cant are still ingesting them. Seems not a good idea to me: one day they may notice but they could be helping their lungs now. Theres so much we cant do anything about like car exhausts and particles from the tyres of electric vehicles that dont have them. Seems a good idea to improve where we can.

Gary