Electrolux 1205


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Thread Number: 12922
Electrolux 1205

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Post# 137936 5/29/2011 at 14:04 (4,714 days old) by Real1 ()
Checkrate/Likes Is there anything wrong or 'changed' for the worse with this model? Does it have the same motor as the Model G or different? If the motor is different, was it made in-house and is it durable?

Post# 137942 , Reply# 1 5/29/2011 at 14:52 (4,714 days old) by super-sweeper (KSSRC Refurbishment Center)
Checkrate/Likes *the 1205* or "diamond jubile"was the first electrolux to NOT have a mtor made by electrolux. it was really crappy and provided low suctoin compared to the motor of the model G.

Post# 137946 , Reply# 2 5/29/2011 at 15:05 (4,714 days old) by collector2 (Moose Jaw, Sk)
Checkrate/Likes 1 ummmm.......the 1205 and the Diamond Jubilee are two different machines made about 20 years apart.

Post# 137950 , Reply# 3 5/29/2011 at 16:35 (4,714 days old) by vacman117 (Chicago, IL)
Checkrate/Likes As stated above, those are two VERY different machines. And the Diamond Jubilee is nowhere near "crappy" in my opinion. It is a pretty powerful machine if you ask me. The reason you are thinking it has low suction is probably because of the hose... Chase

Post# 137957 , Reply# 4 5/29/2011 at 17:25 (4,714 days old) by henry200 (Saint Paul MN)
Checkrate/Likes When the 1205 debued in 1968 it had the same motor as the model G. The 1205 went through several minor revisions during it's run and towards the end a more powerful (and louder) motor was introduced. The Diamond Jubilee (75th anniversary) came out in 1984. I have owned both a Turquoise Model G and a 1205 ca. 1970 and both were still working perfectly when I gave them away after 25-30 years of use. My Diamond Jubilee is likewise still going strong even after being used to clean a church for ten years! Neil

Post# 137962 , Reply# 5 5/29/2011 at 18:04 (4,714 days old) by eurekaprince (Montreal, Canada)
Checkrate/Likes If I remember correctly, Consumer Reports really liked the 1205 in 1968 or 1969 - maybe even the top rated canister due to the power nozzle. The only thing they had trouble with was that it was not convenient for stair use (body was too long for most stair treads). If someone has the magazine, maybe they could scan the correct page?

Post# 137963 , Reply# 6 5/29/2011 at 18:15 (4,714 days old) by henry200 (Saint Paul MN)
Checkrate/Likes I remember reading that issue of Consumer Reports at the library many years ago. I doubt they kept those old issues so I hope someone here has it. The date must have been '68 or '69 because I remember the 1205 (and the L) were pictured with the telescoping wand. They spoke very highly of the 1205 and I think they even said it performed as well as most uprights at carpet cleaning. At the time I wanted one desperately, and when my godmother got one around '71 or '72 I was seathing with envy! Neil

Post# 138001 , Reply# 7 5/30/2011 at 00:36 (4,714 days old) by Real1 ()
Checkrate/Likes OK, so the 1205 came out with essentially the same motor as the G. During its run an even more powerful motor was used. I wonder what serial number that happened on and was the new motor made in-house? I really want a 1205 since I have the power head and attachments already.....but I want the best one they made.

Post# 138004 , Reply# 8 5/30/2011 at 01:47 (4,714 days old) by mercuryman ()
Checkrate/Likes *Re: the 1205* I would say that any "iteration" of the 1205 is a good one. In 1968, when the 1205 FIRST came out, it was still a few months before the Consolidated Foods takeover. It had the 535 watt Model G motor, and it came with a pigtail connector for the power nozzle (before the introduction of the fully electric hose). The 535 watt motor is essentially the same motor that the Model G, Model L, Model F Automatic, Model R, Model S, and Model E had. (Actually, some of you may not know this...but the Model L was LABELLED as having a 535 watt motor, however, both my '67 and '74 Ls both draw around 590 watts as registered on my Kill-A-Watt power usage meter). I'm not sure exactly when the motor in the 1205 was upgraded after the Consolidated takeover...but all 1205s had very reliable motors. Additionally, since the later models (the Super J, Olympia, and Silverado) had the same body dimensions, the motors for all these machines were interchangeable. I would say that if you find any 1205 in really nice shape, it would be worth the investment. I would like to have a 1205 myself; however, it's a bigger machine than I think I could easily navigate around my tiny apartment. I like the smaller economy models for cleaning here...they're easier to maneuver and use on the carpeted stairs I have that lead up here (and need to be vacuumed once a week). The Model 1205 was certainly a popular model, and although they still are a dime-a-dozen after almost 40 years, many of them are in very poor shape from years of use and abuse. But every so often, I will see one on eBay that looks like it was hardly ever used. Oftentimes these pristine ones are found at estate sales, where the wealthy inhabitants of the estate had housekeepers who likely used their own vacuums for cleaning, leaving the owner's vacuum in the closet.

Post# 138009 , Reply# 9 5/30/2011 at 06:08 (4,714 days old) by constellation86 (Roy, UT)
Checkrate/Likes Consumer Reports 1971 CLICK HERE TO GO TO constellation86's LINK

Post# 138015 , Reply# 10 5/30/2011 at 09:57 (4,714 days old) by Real1 ()
Checkrate/Likes Absolutely awesome link...thank you! And thanks mercury man for the 1205 motor explanations! ebay is always problematic;fantastic selection, but caveats abound. Even having good pics are often woefully deceptive. Let's face it, if you want to cheat someone, ebay's the place to do it. And this of course, shrouds the honest seller who really does have something of interest and describes it accurately. Much to the seller's chagrin, when ebay changed their rules, it's now very easy to get a refund through PayPal. Before, it was often like the Middle Ages and the feedback 'wars' were incredibly tiring. I'll just keep looking then for a pristine 1205. Can you tell anything about the model run by color changes? They started out turquoise and then what?

Post# 138022 , Reply# 11 5/30/2011 at 11:41 (4,713 days old) by henry200 (Saint Paul MN)
Checkrate/Likes One of our members, the amazing electrolux-137 has an excellent cronological overview on his website. He has pages and pages of descriptions with photos of the various models from day one up through the G, 1205 and beyond. http://www.1377731.com/lux/

Post# 138064 , Reply# 12 5/30/2011 at 20:33 (4,713 days old) by mercuryman ()
Checkrate/Likes *Re: The 1205 [More Info]:* The 1205 was always turquoise in color. In 1972, the only appearance detail which changed was the fact that the body, rather than being smooth metal, became a sort of "textured" metal which continued to be used on all the rest of the metal square tank models made by Electrolux through the mid-late 1980s. The early 1205 ('68-'72) came with the optional PN-1 with telescoping wand. In 1972, a redesigned power nozzle called the PN-2 was introduced (which had a shiny aluminum housing and sported a more square-ish shape). The major difference between the PN-1 and the PN-2 was the type of motor in which they were equipped. Apparently, the newer PN-2 came with a sturdier motor that would last for twice as long as the motor in the PN-1. Even though the PN-1 and PN-2 sound similar when in use, there are slight (yet distinct) differences that I can hear when using one versus the other. I think the PN-2 motor sounds as though it runs smoother than the motor in the PN-1, which sounds (at least to me) as though it runs a little rough. In 1974, to commemorate Electrolux' 50th anniversary of manufacturing vacuum cleaners in America, the Model 1205J was introduced (known as the Golden Jubilee). It had a redesigned carrying handle, was painted in gold, had a slightly different power switch, a slightly different cleaning selector, yet came with the PN-2 (if the customer decided to purchase the power nozzle). This machine had the same motor as the late-model turquoise 1205. In 1976, the Super J was introduced, which looked almost identical to the Golden Jubilee, except it bore the model # 1401 (instead of 1205J). The Super J came with a more powerful motor than the 1205/1205J. This was the cleaner introduced alongside the PN-4, designed to be an effective power nozzle to be used on shag carpets which were popular at the time. I think the true allure of the Model 1205 is that it was the first of the square-tank canisters that had a long run up until "fairly" recently. It was drastically different from the earlier "deluxe" models that Electrolux offered (the Automatic Models G and F). It also came in that lovely turquoise color and sounded smooth and quiet when it ran. A 1205 in pristine shape is truly a beautiful vacuum cleaner.

Post# 138066 , Reply# 13 5/30/2011 at 21:05 (4,713 days old) by eurekaprince (Montreal, Canada)
Checkrate/Likes Thank you Nicholas for the wonderful link to Consumer Reports of 1971! Once again, Vacuumland has helped me to trust my memory and prevent me from thinking I was imagining things! It's amazing how much detail I remember about the secret fascination I had with vacuum cleaners as a toddler/child and teenager. How I remembered that Consumer Reports ranked the 1205 as one of their top canisters is beyond me...I can hardly remember what I had for lunch a week ago!!!! Great to also see that the Eureka 2070 was top-rated.....this was the more bare bones version of the top of the line 2080 Vanguard. Interesting to note that the Eureka 1800 series canister was not acceptable due to a design flaw in the bag compartment!!!

Post# 138089 , Reply# 14 5/31/2011 at 00:29 (4,713 days old) by Real1 ()
Checkrate/Likes Amazing...Lester's site was like going to the well thirsty.;-) I really love the G and especially the funky turquoise 'Jetson' color scheme. Soooo....I'm looking at adding another...to make three. And then after that, a 1205 to match the 1205 accessories set I already have. I'm going to go for condition first, rather than seek out the later, stronger motor. I can always put the stronger motor in from a wrecked/donor unit. I've rebuilt hundreds and hundreds of electric motors over the yrs. Thanks again mercuryman, for the insight to the 1205 variants. I like your plausible theory about the maids using their own vacuums, while the home owner's Electrolux sat in the closet. My ex had a maid come in and use the Diamond J I bought in '84. She claims the maid ruined the vacuum and she bought a later variant not that long ago. I know I want a 1205, but it has to be 'cherry' in condition at least. What I see are pretty beat-up. With three G's in use, I can afford to wait it out for a fine 1205 to come along. This site is so cool....guys unabashedly talking about old vacuum cleaners. I mentored two boys until they aged out and they would hide information from me if there was a garage sale going on with old vacuums. They knew I would put the car into 4wheel drift if I saw old vacuums for sale.;-) I don't understand how guys grow out of vacuums....most boys I knew growing up where fascinated with vacuums. Not always running them as in cleaning ALL the rooms in a house, but how they worked, the attachments and the power involved. Guys talk about shop vacs, but not about house vacuums. I only came into Electrolux later in life, because my mom always insisted on having a 'Rexair' for a canister model-if you could call it that. R2D2 looking things that sat on what looked like a hospital bedpan with wheels. Turn the thing on out of the water and it looked like the spinning disc would be happy to remove most of your hand. I was much more interested in taking apart her Hoover than the Rexair.;-)

Post# 138098 , Reply# 15 5/31/2011 at 07:51 (4,713 days old) by Electrolux-Dude (Canyon, TX)
Checkrate/Likes *Maybe I can help* Hi, Real 1, This is Nathan, Electrolux-Dude. I have several 1205's, if you are still looking for one. Here's a picture of one that I have, I will be glad to service and clean it and check its motor over to make sure it's in top shape. Let me know if I can help! Sincerely, Nathan Electrolux-Dude

Post# 138100 , Reply# 16 5/31/2011 at 08:44 (4,713 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs)
Checkrate/Likes *Here's My 1205* Along with some of the rest of the line. Smart looking machine.

Post# 138101 , Reply# 17 5/31/2011 at 09:22 (4,713 days old) by Real1 ()
Checkrate/Likes Hi Nathan! Yes, I would be interested. I will email you and we can go over details and pics. For now, I'm just interested in the canister itself, not the accessories. Thanks! NICE collection of vacuums, compactelectra. Very smart looking 1205! Kevin

Post# 138510 , Reply# 18 6/4/2011 at 16:36 (4,708 days old) by floor-a-matic (somewhere)
Checkrate/Likes *PN connector on hose* A nice innovation to plug the PN cord (has 2 outlets; 1 in front; 2nd in rear) CLICK HERE TO GO TO floor-a-matic's LINK

Post# 138526 , Reply# 19 6/4/2011 at 17:51 (4,708 days old) by Crevicetool (GA )
Checkrate/Likes Unless I missed it somewhere within the thread, hasn't Electrolux always made their own motors? I've got an Electrolux News magazine announcing the debut of the Super J (Sept. 1975) It goes to great lengths about how they had to re-tool all of production lines to accommodate the manufacture of the larger motor. At great expense too. Fred - every time I see your trio of blue machines, I have to say WOW!

Post# 138548 , Reply# 20 6/5/2011 at 00:31 (4,708 days old) by Real1 ()
Checkrate/Likes Well, I bought Nathan's 1205 he offered me and another 1205 on ebay. I'm gonna use the best body with the best motor...even if it means swapping parts. The same guy on ebay had a really nice looking turquoise G, but I already have two. Part of me says I can never have enough G's and another part of me say, "You're a chump." Soon I'll post pics of my meager collection, including the shop vacs and the two Dirt Devils I rebuilt. I've been polishing the metal bits with; Luster Pad Metal Polish. We clean motorcycle chrome exhaust pipes with a product called Blue Job....yeah I know, bad choice of words, but I think it might work great on metal vacuum, non-painted parts..;-) Nobody understands the addiction of this hobby but you guys.;-) Thanks for being here! Kevin

Post# 138549 , Reply# 21 6/5/2011 at 00:41 (4,708 days old) by Real1 ()
Checkrate/Likes Crevicetool....I've been told that when the Diamond Jubilee came out, it was the first use of a non in-house motor. Floor-a-matic....I'm not following you on the hose (two plug-ins)?.....even after going to the link. This however, is one thing I deviate from with traditionalists. I buy the newest hose I can find with the most features. I paid like $80 for the hose I use on the G. Very modern with the pistol grip....I would have even gone with the one that had the on/off switch on the pistol grip if it had been listed for the G. Those cloth/fabric hoses in time with a lot of use, just fail. I can see collecting them with their original hoses for display, but not for hard use. When I replaced the last cloth/fabric hose, my suction went up about a third I'm guessing. Kevin

Post# 138558 , Reply# 22 6/5/2011 at 07:57 (4,708 days old) by Crevicetool (GA )
Checkrate/Likes OH oh, we have yet another one that has a thing for shiny metal. You may want to post pics of your motorcycles too! Nothin' better than getting blinded by the reflection of the sun by a Harley crossing your path. I take my vacuum parts to a motorcycle chrome/polishing shop when I'm restoring one of my machines. I was surprised just how interested they are in these old vacuums. If you look on reply #19 in that link, floor-a-matic is speaking of that blue hose. The plug from the power nozzle can be inserted in from either the front or rear of that square junction block just above the hose handle. Interestingly enough, the early 1205's also came with two connectors on the machine itself. The automatic connection through the hose coupling, and an additional one at the bottom of the bag/front cover. This would accommodate a pig-tail type hose. When repairing, that front cover is a nightmare of wires and connections. I don't know if we have ever solved the mystery why Lux did that. I completely agree with you on hoses. The original hoses were beautiful both the fabric and some of the later saran covered examples. They really put a lot of effort into making them part of the "decor". I think my favorite is the Lux XXX hose in shades of gray, black and white. However I find them stiff, not so easy to use, heavy - and they broke down readily. Take a look at how the weave is splitting and breaking in that same picture(reply#19). Give me a good vinyl hose anytime. Rick

Post# 138559 , Reply# 23 6/5/2011 at 08:18 (4,708 days old) by Crevicetool (GA )
Checkrate/Likes Not to get off-topic here, but you gotta get one of these! A Lux model LX. This is a machine I restored. I polished the aluminium, but the side rails and the cordwinder were re-chromed at the bike shop.

Post# 138560 , Reply# 24 6/5/2011 at 08:19 (4,708 days old) by Crevicetool (GA )
Checkrate/Likes Rear view.

Post# 138563 , Reply# 25 6/5/2011 at 09:43 (4,708 days old) by electrolux~137 ()
Checkrate/Likes That's a beautiful LX. Was the metal shop able to re-chrome the cord winder without removing the cord? Just wondering how that was done.

Post# 138595 , Reply# 26 6/5/2011 at 15:00 (4,707 days old) by Crevicetool (GA )
Checkrate/Likes Nope. I disassembled the whole unit and took in only the two steel outer halves.

Post# 138600 , Reply# 27 6/5/2011 at 16:10 (4,707 days old) by Real1 ()
Checkrate/Likes Now that's what I'm talking about, metalwise....LOL! That XXX is incredible-you should be proud. I'm just not that interested in models that far back....but I can certainly appreciate those of you that are! I think the G is as far back as I'd like to go, again, very subjective. Certainly....I have a long way to go on my polishing efforts. Just a matter of elbow grease, but not to exceed the factory luster. My MC BTW, is not a Harley. I looked at everything made back in '95 and decided on a Suzuki. The fit & finish on comparable Harley's at the time were indifferent-pre Evo motor. It was a good choice; still have the bike and it still 'blinds you' when it goes by;-) Cervicetool; I went through that whole thread again and understand now about the two plug arrangement, thanks. Like we both agree, give us a modern hose to actually use, anytime! Kevin

Post# 140131 , Reply# 28 6/18/2011 at 16:28 (4,694 days old) by floor-a-matic (somewhere)
Checkrate/Likes *Electrolux LX* Nice Lux LX there. The LX is one of my dream vacs; so are the XXX, AE, 1956 Thrift T & G.

Post# 327208 , Reply# 29 6/19/2015 at 08:37 (3,233 days old) by kirbyezee1914 (Rochester, N.Y.)
Checkrate/Likes *Dating* Does anyone know how to date these. I just got one, and wanted to know. Thanks!

Post# 327219 , Reply# 30 6/19/2015 at 11:57 (3,232 days old) by human (Pines of Carolina)
Checkrate/Likes *1205 design changes* Here's what I recall from a thread earlier this year. You should be able to roughly determine your unit's year of manufacture by comparing its features to the list below: 1968--the earliest 1205's have a pigtail connector for the power nozzle below the hose port in addition to electrical connections integrated into the hose port. The earliest examples have the lettering for the control panel lithographed onto a metal plate. 1969-1970--No pigtail connector. The only electrical connector for the power nozzle is the one integrated into the hose port. The front panel around the hose port is the same light teal (color matches the side panels) as the 1968 version. Lettering for the control panel is now molded into the plastic bezel. FWIW, this is the version of the 1205 that I have. 1971--The front panel around the hose port is now a darker teal/jade color to match the control panel above it. 1972--textured metal side panels introduced. This will be a feature of all subsequent Electrolux metal canisters. 1974--1205-J (aka the Golden J) introduced with gaudy gold paint scheme, redesigned control panel and handle. Others may correct me if I'm off a bit. I won't be offended.

Post# 327231 , Reply# 31 6/19/2015 at 17:34 (3,232 days old) by kirbyezee1914 (Rochester, N.Y.)
Checkrate/Likes *Thanks!* Do you know how to date the 1401-b's?

Post# 327240 , Reply# 32 6/19/2015 at 22:35 (3,232 days old) by human (Pines of Carolina)
Checkrate/Likes The model 1401 was introduced in 1975 as the "Super J". It is slightly longer than the 1205 to accommodate a more powerful motor. Like the "Golden J"(model 1210) introduced the year before, it has a garish gold paint scheme. The 1401b is better known as the "Olympia One". It's basically the same machine as the Super J except for its chocolate brown paint scheme. The Olympia One ran from 1978-1982. Earlier models were identical to the Super J except for the color, while later ones. had thicker rear wheels and an updated handle design like the Silverado, which succeeded it. Silverado model 1505 (1982-1984) featured a gray paint scheme but was otherwise essentially the same machine as its immediate predecessors. It is interesting to note that the 1205 is the only one of the metal square canister Electrolux vacuums manufactured between 1968 and 1994 that was known only by its model number. All subsequent models--Golden J, Super J, Olympia, Silverado, Diamond Jubilee, Marquise and Grand Marquise--are better known by their names than their numbers. Information for this post was gleaned from: blog.evacuumstore.com/post/2012/0... and www.1377731.com/lux/luxlall.html...

Post# 327242 , Reply# 33 6/19/2015 at 23:31 (3,232 days old) by ronni (USA)
Checkrate/Likes Good information, Edgar. Here is some additional information and a few corrections: 1) "Golden J" is a nick. The official name in company literature is simply 'Jubilee'. Its model designation was also 1205, but service manuals tacked on a 'J' for reference purposes. 2) The Olympia Ones, according to Tig21er (John), a longtime friendly Aerus (Electrolux) man since the '60s (having his start with his dad in the '50s), debuted in April 1979; which makes sense since it was closer to the 1980 Winter Olympics which was the reason for its namesake. '1978' must have been given in error at one point and after a while myth became fact. It actually had 3 model designations: 1401 (the same as the Super J except for the main body color); 1401-B (with 2 handles, wider wheels, and fins on the bumpers; and 1505 (short-lived; so named because it had the new Model PN-4A power nozzle with the shorter motor housing for getting under low furniture without scratching the hood). 3) There was a short-lived iteration of the Silverado that had the Olympia One horizontal handle (the Super J's was longer) & a finger grip and thinner wheels(?). These cleaners had the S_A serial affixes and were likely only sold for 6 months--one wonders if they'd found some overstock and decided to use it up. They were brought back awhile after the introduction of the Diamond Jubilee because of motor problems, so its full run was 1982-85. Some have mentioned that the last ones had a different motor, so perhaps they were field testing the new DJ motors and used the Silverado to keep the DJ from getting the 'black eye' if it failed. Jimmy Martin or others would know for sure. _____ As for dating the Model 1401-Bs here is a rough timeline for the Olympia One: Model 1401: 1979 (April-September) Model 1401-B: 1979-82 Model 1505: 1982

Post# 327267 , Reply# 34 6/20/2015 at 12:22 (3,231 days old) by human (Pines of Carolina)
Checkrate/Likes Ronni, Thanks for the clarification.

Post# 328256 , Reply# 35 6/28/2015 at 07:48 (3,224 days old) by DJub85 (Virginia)
Checkrate/Likes I've never heard of nor seen a Silverado with skinny wheels. Pics for proof? lol. I've seen Electrolux refurbish various different machines and paint them up to look like a Silverado, but I've never seen a purchased-new Silverado look like you've described. How interesting.

Post# 328776 , Reply# 36 7/7/2015 at 18:02 (3,214 days old) by floor-a-matic (somewhere)
Checkrate/Likes The 1205 my parents bought has a textured finish, PN1, non-telescoping metal wand with turquoise sheath & electrified hose with curved metal handle. Could it have been a clearance sale before the PN2 came?

Post# 329895 , Reply# 37 7/22/2015 at 22:16 (3,199 days old) by DJub85 (Virginia)
Checkrate/Likes They probably wound up with extra PN-1s and shipped some textured 1205s with the old PN. That's certainly the exception, not the rule though. I'd say 99.9% of textured 1205s came with the PN-2. Until your post, I would have said 100%. I've never heard of it before. I wonder if your parents could have possibly traded their smooth-body machine for a textured machine for some reason without swapping tools? That seems just as likely.

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