Piecing Together a Classic, Part Two

I picked this up recently:

Now, the Renaissance C104A is a little bit more complete. In fact, the only unoriginal part on it is the replacement plug*.

A glamour shot (and this is indeed the most glamorous Electrolux ever, as far as I'm concerned):

Another shot, with the Sidekick II connected up:

*As I believe I mentioned elsewhere, I'm unsure if the floor brush that would have come with this machine had the openings in the front row of bristles or not. The original (and, one assumes, non-PDF manual) should have the answer, but I don't happen to have that. The brush pictured here has a solid row of bristles, and, given the fact that every machine I own that's newer than the Renaissance C104A has a floor brush with openings in the bristles, I'll tentatively assume that this brush is indeed original. As a matter of interest, this particular floor brush came with the battleship grey Epic 6500 I bought, so, who knows what's right or wrong.

The 20th Anniversary of the 75th Anniversary

Yes, it's been 20 years since the Electrolux Guardian 75th Anniversary Model C134A was released, and I've now had my specimen for six years. Still looks great, and still works fine, with all the original gear intact. Luckily, I'm using the 75th as my upstairs non-carpet vacuum for a while, so I figured an anniversary photo shoot was in order.

The only things I don't have are the owner's manual and the combination rug/floor tool with matching grey bumper. Otherwise, I'm quite pleased with my set. This is a significant vacuum in Electrolux/Aerus history, being the first with the name 'Guardian', and the first with a HEPA filter.

Also, just because this is an even more significant vacuum, here is the original, '1st gen' Renaissance, the Guardian 75th's 'father', if you like, in action. As mentioned here, the Renaissance turned into a vintage (25 year old) vacuum just last year. Absolutely gorgeous.

Piecing Together a Classic

The Renaissance C104A now has an original set of dark grey wands.

They work fine, and are in good shape. Naturally, I washed and Armor All-ed them before putting them into service.

In service. This classic* machine is now a little bit more complete. I still need to get an original Sidekick II and a new cord winder with light grey cord and plug.

One of the 'problems' of actually using the machines I collect is that things tend to wear over time, so bits and bobs do occasionally need to be replaced. Then, the problem is that the originality of the machine might be impaired, if one can't find original matching parts. It's a tradeoff between keeping a mostly useful machine going, and 'ruining' it's collectable value. I'm not sure where to go on this one.

In addition, it's a great pity that the hose, which is completely original, barely matches any colour on the machine. Pretty much every picture I've seen of a Renaissance C104A shows a very light, almost beige-ish hose. Perhaps when this model first came out, the hose was actually a closer-looking grey to the trim? Who knows? It's also true that many Electrolux/Aerus hoses are not a close colour match to the machine. Either way, the Renaissance C104A is, beyond a shadow of a doubt, the nicest looking Electrolux/Aerus model ever made.

*The Renaissance first came out in 1993, which makes it 25 years old, which makes it, according to all the conventional definitions I've seen, a classic, or, if you prefer, vintage machine.

Some Forgotten About Pictures

I was tooling through my 'Vacuums' picture folder on my external hard drive, and came across a few pictures that I thought looked nice, and a few oddities as well.

First, a blurry picture of the (later) 88. I like the perspective on this one.

The 89, with the PN III, cleaning the carpet. A very common sight during my younger days.

The Epic 8000 sits on the table. It isn't as elegant as the Renaissance C104A, but much more so than the C104H.

Yet another table picture, for the Guardian C154B.

This is the second of the vacuums I had when I was living in China, the Electrolux Ingenio. It was fairly powerful, had a variable speed motor, reusable cloth bag, and a telescopic wand. I regret not snagging this and bringing it back home.

The bronze Model G. Very elegant...in fact, the most elegant American Electrolux.

Another view of the bronze G:

The blue Model G, decked out with hose cord and power nozzle. I'm not sure if the original hose cord would have been in matching blue or not.

Black vacuums look better in the shade?

The first of the two vacuums I had when in China, the Electrolux 'Tabby'. This is the first, and to date only (thank heaven) machine that ever conked out on me. I was vacuuming with it one day, and it gave a dismal groan and blew up in a puff of smoke. Oh well. It did serve me well enough for a couple of years.

The Holiday Vacuum and A Couple of American Gems

What better Electrolux to end the old year and ring in the new with than the Renaissance?

Actually, he's the sole upstairs vacuum at the moment, and has been for the holidays. I just didn't have the energy to carry up an upright, I suppose.

Now, to present a couple of longstanding machines in my collection, the American Model E and Model G.

Model E:

I bought this (motor unit only) on eBay. Its not what you'd call all-original, as it does have a Lamb replacement motor, which makes it louder and more powerful than the original, and a replacement cord (but I do believe the original cord would have been black). Nevertheless, I'm quite satisfied to have it, although it is, beyond a doubt, the least used vacuum in my collection.

This was the first North American Electrolux to have a fully painted metal body. Prior models had metal bodies too, but were adorned with leatherette coverings and (usually) had plastic or Bakelite end caps, so the E is a step forward in terms of styling. As far as I know, it was the first Electrolux to ditch the metal skids or runners in favor of wheels.

What really distinguishes the Model E is the attachments (which I don't have, at least the original ones). It was the first Electrolux to feature the combination dusting/upholstery tool (which could be stored on the top clip, as seen above), and the combination 'flip-over' rug and floor tool. These advances, combined with the incredibly light weight of this machine (even with arthritic fingers, I can literally carry this machine with one finger), make the Model E an incredibly easy to use machine.

In action. Note that the hose, wands, and attachments are not original.

Next up is the blue (or whatever derivative of blue you choose to call it) Model G. This model, along with its younger brother brown version (which has already been featured in this blog) is my favorite American Electrolux. It's stylish, quiet, and powerful, and I'm quite pleased to have examples of both models in my collection*

A picture of the G on the day I got it. The motor unit, hose, power nozzle, and combination rug/floor tool are all original. The switch isn't; it should be in the same teal color as the bumper, and I'm not sure if the hose cord should have been light blue. I don't have the combination dusting/upholstery tool or crevice tool for this model.

As noted above, the G is a very quiet and powerful model. Its also a much more streamlined design than previous (American) models, having the cord winder inside the main body of the machine. I daresay the impetus for this came from the Canadian 80 series, which also integrated the cord winder into the body (at least when closed).

Connected up and ready to go. For the time**, of course, this model was deluxe, but today, the lack of an electric hose and separate wands for the power nozzle and other attachments would render the G user-unfriendly. Still, its not fair to judge vintage vacuums on what came after them.

*The Model G also came in another version known as the 'Hospital G'. This version featured a large filter on the blower end, and was mainly colored white (with blue and brown accents, respectively), but was otherwise the same as the regular Model G. I wouldn't object to having these versions in my collection.

**As far as I know, the blue Model G was produced from 1961 - 1967.

Re: Question on 'Eluxography' page about Renaissance hose

DISCLAIMER: I take no responsibility for anything that might happen to persons or property as a result of performing repairs on any vacuum cleaner or part thereof. This information is for illustrative and informational purposes only.

That being said, here is a picture of the machine end of my Renaissance C104A hose, with the plastic covers removed, and facing upwards (i.e. The side with the release button on it). The two longer pins are on top, and the two shorter on the bottom.

The wiring connecting to the left-side pins seems to come out of the hose a little lower down than the wiring for the right pins. Also, the wiring for the bottom pins seems to be of a lighter grey than the wiring for the top pins.

I'm not sure if this answers the poster's question? In any event, this is what my hose looks like, and it works properly.

The Innards of the Renaissance

The Renaissance C104A cord winder was misbehaving, rewinding the cord of its own accord, which was annoying, to say the least of it. You can hardly pull a cylinder behind you, trying to vacuum your house, while the cord is rewinding, so some investigation was necessary.

The Renaissance dismantled. It was a little dusty in there, so of course I took the opportunity to clean and disinfect it.

Underneath the white lever on the cord winder is a little wheel, which, when dirty, can possibly cause cord winder problems such as the one I was having. I simply cleaned the wheel with a q-tip, reassembled everything, and lo and behold, it solved the problem. I hope it doesn't occur again, at least for a while, but its not a huge problem to fix it again. If it continues to be problematic, I'll replace the entire cord winder.

As can be seen, the Renaissance has a single stage/fan motor. Note also the plastic box-like cover over the rest of the motor.

The Renaissance exhaust system. When this plug is pushed down, as I'm doing here, the vent is closed off and the exhaust redirects upwards (i.e. into the hose for blowing). When in normal position, the exhaust blows out through the vent, over the motor, and out through the attachment compartment. I always wondered what this configuration was like, and now I know. Presumably brothers Renaissance C104H and Epic 8000 are the same.

Incidentally, I hadn't dismantled any of my vacuums for a long time, until today. It's good to get back into the guts of things, so to speak.

The Two Rennies

Presenting the two Electrolux Renaissance models together. Both were on cleaning duty today, so I thought they deserved a photo shoot.

Granted that not everything in the Renaissance set is original and complete, I'm still quite happy to "have what I have". Both work perfectly well and are used regularly. For each machine, I have an original hose and power nozzle, and one set of original standard attachments (dusting brush, upholstery tool, crevice tool, and floor brush) is shared between the two. The first Renaissance needs a matching Sidekick and wands to be complete, and doesn't have its original plug, but at least the battleship grey Sidekick and wands match the trim, and the cord and plug aren't bright orange, or something like that.

The full Renaissance ensemble:

I really feel that the first Renaissance is one of the most significant models ever made by Electrolux, and, incidentally, that's why it gets so much exposure in this blog. In many ways, it's my favourite Electrolux and/or Aerus model, and if and when I come across any others for sale, I'd be happy to add them to the collection.

Upstanding:

I believe these models were produced between 1994-7, but I'm not sure. At least that's what the Aerus model chart says, but that's not always dependable. I'm also reminded that the Renaissance, along with certain other North American models (I think the Genesis LX or LXE and the Floor Pro shampooer), was sold in Europe under the brand name 'Globaltek'. How and why this happened, I'm not sure, but the machines appear to be identical in every way to the North American versions except for the brand name and voltage.

Hose handles 1 and 2. These work exactly the same, with the obvious differences. The 2nd hose is certainly more user-friendly for those who speak languages other than English.

P.S. I've heard some people nickname the Renaissance 'Renny', which, quite frankly, I don't like, but it does give an opportunity for the terrible joke in the post title.

In looking at the picture below, I wonder why the company kept the dark grey cord winder pedal and handle on the otherwise monotone grey 2nd Renaissance?

Getting its Bearings

Presenting Renaissance #2, or Model C104H. I've had this fellow for a while, but he had a terribly bad front bearing, which has been replaced. Now, he's quite his old self again.

Putting the bearings and other things to the test:

The C104H is definitely not up to the C104A in terms of looks, but its true that the solid battleship grey machines have a certain kind of homely charm. See the picture at the end for a fantastic exhibition of battleship grey-ness. I'm not sure why they didn't make the trim on this one darker grey (i.e. the same color as the body of the first Renaissance) to give it a little extra dash.

Come to think of it, it really doesn't look that bad, does it?

I believe the major difference between the two Renaissances is in the hose handle circuit board, as the first was apparently problematic. Other than that, the differences are cosmetic: graphics rather than words on the hose handle, and battleship grey body, power nozzle, Sidekick, wands, and hose ends. It's also possible that the C104H floor brush had the openings in the front row of bristles, but I'm not sure, because this one is 'stolen' from the matching-in-color Epic 6500. Incidentally, the Renaissance C104H had color-matching models in the Epic 6500 (which I have), Epic 3500 (which I have), and Ambassador III.

At all events, the Renaissance C104H is back on regular cleaning duty, and that's great. Naturally, he performs as well as his near contemporaries.

The full-on ensemble shot, after a washing, magic eraser-ing, q-tipping, re-washing, and Armor-All coating. The plastic (?)/lexan (?) bodied models really look quite nice when cleaned and detailed...you can even see the shine.

The Renaissance Gets Hosed

As soon as I saw this, I had to have it. It's an original hose for the Renaissance C104A; not new, but in good condition. I had been contemplating getting a spare hose anyway, because the Renaissance models are unique in using the push button hose handle with different circuit board, unlike the models that followed with the slider switch handle. I have more than a few of the latter type, but only one of the former, so an extra hose was indicated.

All I need now to make this King of Electroluxes and Aeruses complete is a set of dark gray wands, and a dark gray Sidekick II. I could use an original plug as well.

One thing I've noticed about most or all of the Electrolux/Aerus vinyl hoses is that the color, other than the handle and machine end, never matches up with the machine. This one, as well, is most probably slightly discolored with age. Another point...the handle on this hose can't be detached, for whatever reason, unlike all of the other hoses I've seen.

I've also heard it said that this hose had a problematic circuit board, which could be easily shorted out if dropped and so on, but I haven't experienced this yet, and hope to never experience it. Of course, I tend to be rather careful with all my vacuums, but accidents can happen. In fact, because I put my vacuums through actual use for serious cleaning, I have bumped/dropped them numerous times. The Style R hose handle, too, being rather heavy compared to others, can easily fall on the floor when connected to the wands and power nozzle, when the assembly is left standing upright. To be honest, I rarely do this, preferring to lean it against a piece of furniture, or disconnect the hose entirely.

Portraits Fit for a King

This post isn't strictly about vacuums; rather, it's about an iPhone app I happened on called "HDR", by "Lucky Clan" that takes very good, clear, crisp, detailed, and well-lit pictures.

The Renaissance was on furniture/dusting/bare floor duty yesterday, and I thought he deserved a little photo session, both to celebrate his handsomeness, and as a congratulations for a well-done cleaning job.

Picture 1 was processed with the 'auto' filter, and 2 with the 'contrast' filter. Don't get me wrong...I'm not a professional, and don't fully understand all the things a professional would in taking pictures, but I find these pictures are light years beyond those taken with the normal iPhone camera. It's great to see a fitting subject (the Renaissance) immortalized in fitting pictures.

My Style R Electrolux and Aerus Lineup

Just for the heck of it, I felt like taking some shots of all my Style R vacuums. I don't have all of them, of course*, but this is a good representation of machines from the beginning to the end of the run.

Back row, left to right: Aerus Lux 9000 C134F, Aerus Guardian C154B, Aerus Lux Guardian C154E .

Front row, left to right: Electrolux Guardian 75th Anniversary C134A, Electrolux Epic 8000 C133A, Electrolux Renaissance C104H, Electrolux Renaissance C104A.

Electrolux Style R models, clockwise from top (Guardian 75th C134A, Epic 8000 C133A, Renaissance C104A, Renaissance C104H). These are much better looking than their Aerus counterparts, partly because most are missing the HEPA filter and are thus much more streamlined, and partly because gray is a nicer color than pale blue:

Aerus Style R models (Guardian C154E, Guardian C154B, Lux 9000 C134F):

As an addendum, here is this week's cleaning team: the white, grey, and red Epic 8000 and Epic 3500. It's certainly a fetish with me, but I do like to use similarly colored and/or styled machines when I'm using them in pairs, not to mention the fact that I like to use all the original and/or matching attachments with a particular machine.

It's difficult to say whether one of these is my favourite. Certainly, the Renaissance C104A blows the others out of the water in terms of looks (and for that matter, it does the same for all other Electrolux and Aerus models, before or since), but the two newest machines, the C154B and C154E, have more power than the others. Like I said in another post, comparing machines is difficult. Each model or series of models has something distinctive and interesting about it. In short, there's good to be found in everything.

*Just to keep it straight, I don't have the Electrolux Guardian 75th Anniversary C134B, Electrolux Guardian Encore C134C, Electrolux Lux 9000 C134D, Electrolux Guardian C134E, and the Aerus Lux 9000 C154A (assuming this model exists). Funds permitting, and reasonable prices offered, I'd like to add these to the collection.

A New Year's Resolution?

I don't know how much of a conscious decision this was on my part, but for a month or so now, my vacuum usage habits have slightly changed.
 
Having more than one vacuum means you can, if you choose, use a different vacuum when you feel like it. When you have 40+ vacuums, you're positively spoiled for choice. My normal pattern was to use a different vacuum each day, or sometimes multiple vacuums in one cleaning session for different tasks.

Of late, however, I find myself using only two vacuums in a single week...an upright for the carpets, and a cylinder for the bare floors and dusting. Here is my current weekly 'set': the Renaissance and the Epic 3500. It may or may not be a coincidence that they have more or less matching colors.

One reason for this is that my vacuum storage/display room is in a bit of a state at the moment. I really need to properly organize and display my machines, but that's another story. This room is also in the basement* of the house, so I've found its easier to carry up the two machines at the beginning of the week and leave them upstairs for the duration, or until I want to change them.

Another thing I've found is that the Style R models and the uprights are really the only machines that get used anymore. They're just too damned convenient. Once in a blue moon, I'll bust out an older model, but this is becoming rather rare. I also have decided to not get any more machines, unless they're on my wish list, and all of those are newer and useful models. My vintage collecting days are done.

At any rate, I daresay the next weekly set will be the Aerus Lux Guardian C154E and the Epic 3000, but who knows? One of my resolutions this year is to organize both my collection and its storage space. The other is to (hopefully) complete my wish list, as seen here.

*For whatever reason, the vacuum I use most in the basement is:

A Gorgeous Modern Classic

I can't say how happy I am to finally have one of these in my collection. Presenting the Renaissance, model C104A...a radical and beautiful new model for the Electrolux company.

This specimen came to me in excellent running and cosmetic condition, and with a full set of attachments (the Sidekick and floor brush aren't pictured here). I'm guessing, as far as the Sidekick goes, that this was the first model with the newly designed Sidekick II. The Sidekick II that came with this machine is from the next Renaissance, the battleship gray C104H, as are the hose and wands, but they do match the bumper trim, so all is good. It does have a replacement plug, but we can't have everything we want, I suppose.

Electrolux had never made a machine quite like this one before, or, as events turned out eventually, since. It was the first ever Electrolux to feature:

• fingertip power and speed controls. Although some Canadian models from the late 60's to the mid 80's did have a trigger on the handle to control the power nozzle, and the near contemporaneous Epic 6500 featured a switch for the same purpose, no previous model had the main power control on the hose handle. 
• the 3 speed motor. The late 70's/early 80's Canadian AP280 had a 2 speed motor, with the selector switch on the top of the vacuum.
• detachable electric wand set. Previous models had either the electric telescopic wand or "sheath" wand, but the only sensible attachment these could be used with was the power nozzle. Quite a few models came with an extra set of plastic accessory wands. With the Renaissance, one set of wands could be used for both standard and powered attachments.
• power nozzle with direct connect, swivel elbow. Previous models had a cord running from the power nozzle to the bottom of the sheath, and a static elbow. 
• recessed, on-board attachments. Various other models, of course, had a clip on the top to store the combination dusting/upholstery tool and/or the "baby" crevice tool, and the Epic 6000 and 6500 had the enlarged top cover with space for the dusting/upholstery tool and crevice tool, but the Renaissance was the first to store the attachments in their own, hideaway compartment, which contributed to the streamlined, bullet train styling of the machine.
• adjustable attachments. The elbows on the dusting brush and upholstery tool could be swiveled to four different positions, and the crevice tool collapsed for storage.
• latch fit attachments. Older attachments slipped onto the outside of the hose or wand and were "held in place" by friction, which meant that they could (and did) fall off in use.
• the top mounted, pedal controlled cord rewind. In addition, no other model had such a long cord (28 feet, I believe, but I've never measured it).
• the factory preset automatic bag full shutoff function. Older models had, of course, the manual control dial.
• the "electric blow port". Since the hose must be connected to power the machine, the blow port has electrical contacts, and you can choose low, medium, or high speed for blowing.
• dual carrying handles. I may be wrong, but I don't think any other model had more than one handle.
• 2 wheel/3 caster movement system. The American Model G had two "extra" static wheels, which were there to balance the machine when it was moved around. 

I'm sure there might be a few other firsts, which I'll think of later. Its interesting to note that the Lux Guardian Ultra did away with the variable speed motor, handle power controls (except for the powered accessory switch), on-board/adjustable/recessed/latch fit attachments (is a little clip on the wand considered "on-board"?), variable speed blow port, and the long cord...in short, most of the features of the Renaissance and subsequent Style R models. Progress is strange sometimes*.

The Renaissance is both a highly useful and highly collectible model, as are most or all of the other Style R machines*. The Renaissance models are only between 15-18 years old, and that's not very old for an Electrolux, if you ask me. This one is every bit as powerful and dependable as anything that followed it, and, as for looks...

Seriously, no Electrolux or Aerus model looks better than this. Period.

It looks so good it deserves a footrest of its own.

Top view. The handle is ever-so-slightly different than successor models; it doesn't have the small "grooves" in the underside, and is a tad bigger.

Bottom view. This has a smooth bottom, compared to the textured ones of later models, and it also has the two large rear casters, instead of the smaller ones on later models (i.e. the Epic 8000 and beyond). The middle wheels are slightly different, and the ratings sticker is also moved towards the top. Actually, I like the smaller rear casters much better...the Renaissance seems much less maneuverable than the other Style R models.

Logos. Successor models (the Epic 8000 and Guardian 75th Anniversary) have the "Electrolux" in raised and colored letters on a flat background. After that point, all the models featured a silver decal on the side bumper.

Attachments. Another set in great condition (can't have too many of these excellent Style R attachments!). Really, these are the most user-friendly and useful attachments Electrolux/Aerus ever made. I'm at the point where I almost hate using the older ones (non-adjustable and always falling off the end of the hose handle or wands). Note the lack of arrows near the front latches for the attachment tray...successor models all had them.

Inside bag door. I'm not sure why they put the "Electrolux" there, but it looks cool.

Hose handle, with very futuristic looking push button controls and lights. As mentioned above, this hose is from the later battleship gray Renaissance, but it does work with this one, although I believe the later ones with slider switches won't work at all with this machine. This must have been the first ever gas pump style hose handle for Electrolux. It is indeed a bit on the "fat" side, but I've gotten so used to having all the controls at my fingertips, and the lock-fit attachments, that I almost hate using anything else.

The bag light always stays on when the machine is running; I believe it flashes when the bag is full and the machine shuts itself off, but I haven't yet experienced a full bag (the Renaissance is a recent acquisition). The off button light flashes to signal a missing bag, and the machine always starts on high (floor) speed. This is of course quite different from the later slider switch hose handles, which I sort of like better. Still, I'm very far from complaining about this one.

In the middle of Renaissancing the carpet. The performance of this machine is more or less at par with its successors (Epic 8000 and Guardian 75th)**

This Renaissance is in a class of its own, as there were no lower-line models produced in matching colors***. This is an entirely fitting situation for this beautiful machine. Whether you call it a REHN-uh-sahnse or Reh-NAY-sahnse, its all the same, and its all good. I could end my collection right here, and be perfectly satisfied.

*The Style R design is, alas, no longer made, and I'm not sure why. After adding several Style R models to my collection, I don't really want to use anything else, other than the uprights.

**Its difficult to compare the performance of different models, even though they may be quite similar or the same mechanically. First of all, all of my machines are used, and of a certain age, and I have no idea what their usage history is, or whether they've ever been repaired, serviced, or refurbished in any way. Those that I've bought from "vac shops" may have replacement parts, or they may be entirely original, and who knows what might have occurred during shipping? I always keep these factors in mind when comparing machines. To tell the truth, I don't really like comparing vacuums anyway...every machine I have has something different and special about it, otherwise I wouldn't want it.

***The lower-line models out at the time were, to the best of my knowledge, the blue and white Epic 6500 (also with gas pump hose handle, electric wands, and Sidekick II), and the blue and white Ambassador III. In fact, I often think its a pity the company didn't bring out the Lux 4000/6000 redesigned upright at the same time, name it "Renaissance", and color it in the same beautiful dark grey.