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Message started by Vacuumfreeeke on 04/18/07 at 4:52pm

Title: is this nomral behavior for power nozzles?
Post by Vacuumfreeeke on 04/18/07 at 4:52pm

Hi there. This forum doesn't seem very active lately, I'll be surprised to even get one response. I just got a Kenmore Iridium, and while I love it I am concerned about its performance. When I push the power nozzle forward on the carpet (mind you I have very flat carpet in my apartment, and I've tried on all height settings) it sounds fine, but when I draw it back the motor changes pitch. Almost like it is straining. My Elux Diamond Jubilee has always done this but it's an antique. My Hoover Celebrity (before the p/n shattered all to pieces), Rainbows, and Filter Queen never do this. When I sold for Sears, the Panasonic made Kenmores never did it either. I don't have any experience with LG vacuums except for this one so I want to know if it is normal behavior for this machine and power nozzles in general. If you have an Iridium, does the power nozzle make a different sound on the back stroke? I have TERRIBLE luck with power nozzles... my Hoover Celebrity base broke last month (the part that holds the brushroll!), and my antique Whirlpool made Kenmore canister's neck/elbow broke all to pieces as well. :'( What next? Think I should stick to uprights. Thanks!

Title: Re: is this nomral behavior for power nozzles?
Post by old-timer on 04/18/07 at 6:29pm

Hi V.F., it sounds to me like the base of the powerhead is taking a dive on the back stroke,sealing it to the low pile,indoor outdoor type carpet,it's really not that unusual,try backing off the suction reducer valve if the machine has one.Also remember that your going against the brush rotation of the powerhead.

Does anyone remember the dual sweep panasonic powerhead in the late 80's early 90's,the brush rotation changed from forward to reverse,on the forward stroke came into the base on the backstroke brush turned away from the base
this system was way ahead of it's time,and groomed the carpet beautifully.
This was truely innovative,and why panasonic was known for being ahead of it's time.

The mc 9500 series canisters were and still are one of the best vacuums out there,i wish i had millions to sell.........

O.T.

Title: Re: is this nomral behavior for power nozzles?
Post by guess_who on 04/18/07 at 9:11pm

Hi VF,

My Iridium's power nozzle is still doing a fine all around job. If you have low pile carpeting the best is to set it at "L" -- never "X-L" and drop the motor speed to medium especially if you have a dense, low cut weave like Axminister. (Vacuuming with medium motor speed is no sin when going over frequently vacuumed carpeting.)

Though I have had no real problem with "bucking" as I'm tall and usually leave the telescopic wand all the way out to the last detent, the nozzle does have a tendency to dip slightly when pulled backward meaning a seal of the nozzle mouth against dense low pile might cause the nozzle's motor labor a little.

Test this by grasping the hose handle loosely and taking note whether or not the power nozzle pulls forward on its own.

I would also note that the Iridium's power nozzle has very, very firm tufts on its brush roll. That along with the development of a seal on the backpass might be added reason for a change in sound.

I think if anything serious was going on the nozzle would quite likely shut off the same as mine has done when used on very deep pile.

Venson

Title: Re: is this nomral behavior for power nozzles?
Post by Vacuumfreeeke on 04/18/07 at 10:32pm

Thanks guys! I did an experiment today and found out for myself. Of course in getting a new vacuum cleaner I have to show it off. My friend Sheila has soft medium carpet in her condo. I took my machine over and vacuumed for her. She has 3 nieces, a black cat and a black lab! That Intelliclean didn't turn the motor speed down the entire time I vacuumed... and you should have seen the mess in the dirt container. Anyway, on the soft thick carpet the power nozzle sounded perfectly normal at all times. I have concluded that my flat carpet is more firm and that is the reason for the resistance. Doesn't make sense logically... you'd think the thicker the carpet the more resistance. Anyway, my machine is fine. Thanks for the responses :)

Title: Re: is this nomral behavior for power nozzles?
Post by VacOMatic on 04/20/07 at 8:10pm

When I tried an Iridium I found its power brush slowed down when I was pulling the wand backwards. Apparently the brushhead "droops" when being pulled backward and puts extra load on the motor.

This was some time ago...the nozzle may be redesigned by now.

Title: Re: is this nomral behavior for power nozzles?
Post by Vacuumfreeeke on 04/21/07 at 4:00pm

No, Vacomatic... you are correct. Hasn't been redesigned, that is just the nature of the beast.

Title: Re: is this nomral behavior for power nozzles?
Post by guess_who on 04/22/07 at 6:03pm

There of course will be no changes in design as the Iridium has been discontinued. I would note however that the power nozzle for the LG machine that the Kenmore Iridium was cloned from was strikingly different, at least in apppearance, from the one that was outsourced for the Kenmore version. The nozzle we use with our Iridiums is quite similar to the one Riccar and Simpicity uses.

Venson