My central vacuum is currently out of service due to warping/melting pipes in the attic, and until I can rake up enough money to have an attic fan installed I had to buy a cheap temporary vacuum. I opted to buy the Eureka but have since noticed that the belts tend to wear out very quickly, I have to change them every couple of weeks and I only vacuum two to three times per week. I don't remember having to change a belt on this type of vacuum so often in the past. Is it normal for these vacuums to go through frequent belt changes? I thought about bringing out my Singer SST but its just too loud and hard to push.

vaclov wrote:
Hi vaclov,

This is not the be-all-end-all direct air upright but it will get the job done nicely. What kind of carpet are you cleaning with it and how have you set the height adjustment?

If you are noticing belt slippage after only two weeks of use you might want to try raising the height just a little higher. The cleaner may be set a little too low. (Also take a look at the brushroll to sure it's able to move freely.)

Old rules apply here. Raise the pile height adjustment to its highest point and, with the cleaner running, lower it until you hear a distinct change in sound. Begin pushing the cleaner back and forth. If the sound at the new height setting remains constant -- you're there. However, if the change in sound you first heard is intermittent while you work -- something at first like a hum that changes to the sound you'd hear when you raise the front of the machine off the rug -- try letting it down another degree.

Properly set this cleaner can suck carpeting up against the mouth of the brushroll chamber and does not have to be set super-low to be effective.

Venson

Might want to check the roll and revolutions of the brush roll.  If hard to turn, belts will wear out prematurely.

Carmine D.

Vaclov, if you're still reading the forum, how did the Eureka turn out for you?  I just bought one at the GoodWill for 25 bucks.... I don't think it's quite worth that much used, but it's in great shape and I LOVE it.  It's quiet, powerful, and really quite beautiful.  It just GLIDES across the carpet, super easy to push.  I think I may forsake the Miele, Kirbys, and Dyson for a long time so I can enjoy this simple beauty (and my new Hoover Steam Vac LOL).  Reminds me a lot of my Sanitaire SC687, save the shake out bag, 50 foot cord, and metal handle on the Sanitaire.  I don't even use the Sanitaire because of that awful long cord.  The 1934A has a super short cord (20 ft) so I may have to add an extension cord.  Why can all vacuums have 30 feet cords... that would be a great comprimise!  Or at least a quick release cord hook!

vaclov wrote:

HI VACLOV

I have found that too low a setting will usually wear a belt out really fast......causing brushroll to kinda drag....usually the ones that come in the shop are set on 1 or 2...kinda low w/bent bristles on roller....from drag id say.....but this is just one of a few causes of belt wear....just what ive seen.  I like the 1934s...nice deep cleaners @durable....well worth the price....proper height adj. is a must on these. hope this helps.

turtle1

Hello 'turtle1', Vaclov:

I mentioned on another thread that I repaired a neighbor's [she's moving] bagless EUREKA Uno model 2999 and loaned her a HOOVER TEMPO to clean her house before she leaves.  When she returned with the HOOVER TEMPO, I gave her the diagnosis for the the EUREKA Uno:  Motor is going bad from dirt [due to dirty/unmaintained filters] that has degraded the motor's life.  It will keep going on well for awhile longer IF she cleans/maintains the filters and doesn't mind the noise.  She said she planned to dispose of it when she left LV and I was welcomed to keep it.  It's in the garage with the line up of other vacuums.  I used recently to clean out the inside of the cars. I like the turbo tool on it and the long crevice tool.  It's considerably noisey from the bad motor bearings.  But still more life in it before it bites the dust for good.  $99 after Sam's $20 rebate at the register about 3 years ago.  Clogged and dirty pre-motor filter that the user [a writer] never maintained did it in.  I have no doubt that a bagged cleaner like this one [read BOSS] would still be going strong.

Carmine D.

The Uno is a disposable toy... one that doesn't work that well to start with and wasn't designed to last very long anyway.  The vacuum this thread is about (the 1934A) is a great machine because it is based on the older platform.  It's bagged, black, and beautiful!  It's my favorite vacuum now, and my current daily driver!!

Vacuumfreeeke wrote:

Hello Vacuumfreeeke:

To put a picture with the model:

Tho an old platform and fan first design, it was/is for its time, due to the plasticity, also considered a cheap lightweight disposable.  Uses a metal/wooden brushroll and metal soleplate with type F& G bags.  No light.  6 height adjustments.  Small motor and plastic fan with a short cord and switch on the hood.  Worse of all an all plastic handle.  By far, its worse feature in my humble opinion save the tinker toyish motor.  It is not effective with attachments which were available at extra cost and converted under the machine's brushroll housing.  Sold primarily through big box retail stores as low as $50 on occasions. 

It is the basis, at least in name only, for the EUREKA BOSS which also is sold new today and consistently rated a top performer and BEST BUY by Consumer Reports.  Tho, today's BOSS and UNO are on similar platforms and designs with tools on board and today's BOSS is available with paper bags/bagless.  My preference is bagged on this model.

Putting a pic with the EUREKA UNO 2999:

A decent rug and tool performer but skittish on longevity.  Why?  The bagless design and temperamental pre-motor filter.  Tho, it packs a wallop with 12 amps as opposed to the 5 amp BOSS upright above.  Also available in a lovely light blue.  And HEPA rated due to the post motor HEPA pleated filter.  It's worse feature IMHO is that it is a bagless.  Makes it prone to a short-lived useful life if not treated with extra TLC. 

Carmine D.

The 1934A has 6 height adjustments instead of 3.  Amps mean only how much electricity the machine uses, not how well it can clean.  The Uno has the paper pleated filter that will clog almost instantly upon use.  The fan first design and the beater bars on the 1934A, not to mention the bagged design mean that it will outperform the Uno on carpet.  The Uno may have a headlight, but the light shines right on the base of the vacuum cleaner and casts a shadow on the floor actually hiding the dirt right in front of the cleaner, similar to Hoover WindTunnels.  Nice!!  I don't know why they can't put a light right on the front of of the machine where it belongs. 

Vacuumfreeeke wrote:
Hi VF,

It's not done because it means money as far as the manufacturer is concerned. To put a headlight directly over or in front of where the brushroll sits means extra wiring if not a re-design. Vacuum makers are not in the habit of giving us "niceties" unless we're will willing to go for their mark-up in the process.

You'll see in the Eureka and any other brand line that the more you get, the more you pay.

Venson

Vacuumfreeeke wrote:

Hello Vacuumfreeeke:

Thank you for the correction.  The EUREKA UNO has 6 height adjustments with the barefloor setting!  The BOSS 1934 upright doesn't have a head light, in part, because it is an inexpensive upright vacuum.  As Venson says, the more they add, the more they have to charge. 

Carmine D.

Vacuumfreeeke wrote:

Hi VF:

The EUREKA UNO pre-motor filter is a foam rubber filter, even worse than the paper pleated, but is washable.  On a good note it is not in the dirt bin but separate from it.  The post-motor filter on the UNO is a HEPA rated paper pleated filter [but not washable].

Carmine D.

Hello Venson, VF et al:

One of the disadvantages of the conventional lightbulb in/over the brush roll housing is bulb failure.  The old SINGER uprights from the 50's and more recently the RICCAR/SIMPLICITY uprights with headlights in these locations tend to blow out quickly.  Why?  Herky jerky movements and vibration of the brushroll housing.  The LED lights have overcome the bulb failure problem but are costly and generally found only in the high end uprights with premium prices.  Except of course that infamous d brand.

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote: Hi Carmine,

Thanks, point well taken. Do you know what Kenmore and Aerus have done to counter the problem in power nozzles?

I am greatly interested in LED light bulbs as of late but wonder if they are expensive because they don't quickly regenerate business by call for replacement or because they are costly to make.

My S7 Tango has the LED set-up and the PN on my Capricorn has what appears to be a florescent bulb right up front (takes a couple of seconds for it to fully light when switched on).

Venson

Hello Venson:

The risk of bulb blowouts and failures are not as great in power heads as full size vacuums.  I presume the law of physics is at work: Momentum/force is equal to the body's mass times its acceleration [as Newton tells us].  Presume that for the most part users employ the same/equivalent back and forth speed for vacuuming whether with an upright/cann with a power head.  The force required to push/pull full size vacuums with back and forth motions is far greater than the smaller and lighter power head nozzles.  When the vacuums/power heads encounter an immovable object [furniture/wall board], the impact is greater for the full size vacuums than the power heads.  Over time doing in the fragile light bulbs in the full size vacuums more frequently.

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:

HI CARMINE

On 12volt lights ......could you not use an  automotive / led taillight bulb ,,,,built for vibration and come in wedge or prong fitments....a little pricey but last youll buy [2 per pk]. wally carries them cheaper than auto store, but auto store has more sizes and wattages avail.....i cant see why it wouldnt work....just a thought.

turtle1

retardturtle1 wrote:

Hello 'turtle1:'

The laws of physics at work.  A 12 volt auto bulb will not work in a 110-120 volt electrical appliance.  Tho it is a good thought/idea.  As a good pastor said to me recently in charity:  It's an excellent idea Carmine except it doesn't work!

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:

HI CARMINE

Some vacs use 12volt bulbs...194 ect....same as auto. ...for some reason i thought the eureka used a 12 volt bulb....been a little while since ive worked on a 1934.

turtle1

retardturtle1 wrote:

Hello 'turtle1':

I'm not familiar with any 12 V vacuum bulbs.  Only the 10, 15, and 25 watt with 120 v.  The EUREKA BOSS counterpart uprights with headlights use a 15 and/or 25 Watt 120 v bulb, bayonet style lock-in holder with 2 contacts.   

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:

HI CARMINE

Ibelieve its the wedge 194 and 916 bulbs.....riccar uses them.eka hvr oreck also....im almost sure of it...but then again i could be off on this one.

turtle1

retardturtle1 wrote:

Hi 'turtle1":

I had a SIMPLICITY upright for several years with the headlight [bulb] up front in the brushroll compartment.  I couldn't keep working bulbs [filament] in it.  Excellent candidate for the LED which it has now and are covered under the warranty].

I'll research the other vacuums to see what I come up with on the 12 V bulbs.  Thanks turtle1.

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:

You should already know. A youngster like tutrtle knew this.

Hoover, Kirby, Oreck and others us them.

http://www.vacsew.com/vacuum/hoover-bulb-27313107.html

HARDSELL wrote:

Like I always say, I am an eternal student of the vacuum industry.  Never too old or too smart to learn.  Thanks HS and thanks turtle1. 

Hoover Bulb - Lamp - 27313107

Carmine D.