Thread Number: 15795
Electrolux Tango Information Wanted!
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Post# 168210   2/4/2012 at 07:18 (4,436 days old) by jmurray01 (Scotland)        

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Well I went to my local Recycling Store (Goodwill equivalent) and guess what I found and couldn't resist for £7.50/$12 ? An Electrolux Tango of course!

Before I even picked it up at the store I opened the bag door to find a brand new Genuine Electrolux bag fitted with only a tiny amount of dirt in it (probably used for testing the cleaner), but no Pre-Motor filter!

That didn't scare a mad collector like me though, so I handed over the cash and went home happy as could be.

Here is what I've done since getting home an hour ago:

Emptied the small amount of dirt out of bag
Took Exhaust Filter out to find it was CAKED in dirt due to being used without the Pre-Motor filter!
Cleaned Exhaust Filter
Put an Electro-Static filter in to replace the missing Pre-Motor filter (I'll buy a proper Electrolux filter soon, but the Electro-Static one will do fine for now)
Vacuumed out the bag compartment and vents with my Numatic Henry
Washed the exterior with soapy water (looked as if it had never seen a cloth in its poor life)
Dried the exterior and liberally sprayed furniture polish all over it and wiped off with a duster, then buffed it up to an excellent shine (the plastic now looks brand new if I do say so myself, the only thing showing it's age/wear is the Electrolux logo has faded slightly)
Replaced the Exhaust Filter after drying on top of the radiator.

And doesn't she look fine (see pictures I'll post below)

So, as always, any information you have on this cleaner, prices, manufacture dates (I especially want those), flaws, anything! I'm interested in hearing it all, good and bad.

I await your knowledgeable replies :)


Post# 168212 , Reply# 1   2/4/2012 at 07:20 (4,436 days old) by jmurray01 (Scotland)        

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Second picture:

Post# 168213 , Reply# 2   2/4/2012 at 07:22 (4,436 days old) by jmurray01 (Scotland)        

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Third picture, which shows the wattage control.

Curtains - 250W
Chair - 500W
Economy - 650W
Carpet - 750W
Hard Flooring - 1400W (MAX)


Post# 168214 , Reply# 3   2/4/2012 at 07:25 (4,436 days old) by jmurray01 (Scotland)        

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It has just occurred to me that it looks a bit like the older Miele cylinder Vacuum Cleaners...

Post# 168215 , Reply# 4   2/4/2012 at 07:28 (4,436 days old) by jmurray01 (Scotland)        

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Fifth picture, see the brand new bag and "make do" Electro-Static filter.

Post# 168216 , Reply# 5   2/4/2012 at 07:29 (4,436 days old) by jmurray01 (Scotland)        

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Sixth picture, showing the hose and stainless steel adjustable tube.

Post# 168217 , Reply# 6   2/4/2012 at 07:31 (4,436 days old) by jmurray01 (Scotland)        

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Now - I haven't even tried it out yet. I just turned it on for a few seconds while I was cleaning the filter to check it ran, and the wattage adjusted via the knob, which it did, so I think I'll give it a test vacuum in a minute!

Post# 168218 , Reply# 7   2/4/2012 at 07:34 (4,436 days old) by jmurray01 (Scotland)        

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Oh, and the model number is 5001.

Post# 168220 , Reply# 8   2/4/2012 at 08:19 (4,436 days old) by jmurray01 (Scotland)        

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Well I just tested it out on a mix of fixed carpet, rugs (both thick and thin pile) and laminate flooring.

It did fantastically! The suction is immense, and it doesn't scream at you, even on the full 1400W.

It may have been used without a Pre-Motor filter for a while, but no harm has been done it seems. It was made in Germany, so I suppose it was made tough!

I can truthfully say that I'm very pleased with my latest addition to "Vacuum Village"


Post# 168226 , Reply# 9   2/4/2012 at 09:21 (4,436 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2)        

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Good find! I recall my neighbour had this one but in black and red with red dial. I have a feeling the original was either made by Rowenta in Germany, or even Philips. The reason it is so powerful is because of the tiny dust bag - I had to buy the same ones for my Boss Microlite when they sold them here in the 1990s briefly.

The Tango and Samba were Curry exclusive models - I think but don't quote me!





Post# 168229 , Reply# 10   2/4/2012 at 09:32 (4,436 days old) by jmurray01 (Scotland)        

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Thank you for your reply!

I wouldn't call the bag "tiny", as it is actually quite large (I'd estimate about 4 litres), and compared to the 2 litre bag in my JMB SC1056, it is massive! Ha ha!

I love my Electrolux though. I'm so pleased I found it and gave it good home!

If I hadn't bought it, somebody who didn't know anything about Vacuum Cleaners may have bought it and used it without the Pre-Motor filter and with the clogged up Exhaust Filter, which would mean dirt would have gotten into the motor, and it would have overheated due to the clogged Exhaust Filter.

Thank goodness it went to somebody who knew how to get it running well again!

The only problem with it is that the cable rewind doesn't work. It pulls the cord in about 3 inches, then stops. I've tried pulling it out and rewinding it numerous times but it only goes in 3 inches. Oh well - I don't care! It is a brilliant cleaner which more than makes up for it.


Post# 168242 , Reply# 11   2/4/2012 at 10:00 (4,436 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2)        

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The cable might just be stiff, spray some furniture polish into as far as it will go and then press the rewind pedal. Then pull out as hard as you can. The furniture polish acts as a lubricant - far less slippery than WD40 or 3 in 1 oil. Then when you get all of the cord out, give the whole cord a decent clean with a duster and furniture spray.

Post# 168243 , Reply# 12   2/4/2012 at 10:15 (4,436 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2)        

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Also I totally forgot - Electrolux's last model of this variant was called Electrolux Mega Power ZCE2000
It was sold as far back as 2005. That model has a 4 litre capacity but Electrolux had a knack for building medium to small dust capacity areas, so there's a reason to why my Microlite bag capacity was small - the bin cavity was smaller to accept the bag but often didn't fill it up completely!


Post# 168244 , Reply# 13   2/4/2012 at 10:19 (4,436 days old) by jmurray01 (Scotland)        

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I tried spraying furniture polish on the flex, but that didn't work. It still just comes out 3 inches and goes back in 3 inches when the pedal is pressed.

It isn't stuck half way out or anything, it is fully out, but just won't go back in.

Thank you for the extra information.

Do you know when the Tango was made ?


Post# 168246 , Reply# 14   2/4/2012 at 10:29 (4,436 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2)        

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I can't think off hand - I think 1998 or even 2003.

Post# 168247 , Reply# 15   2/4/2012 at 10:32 (4,436 days old) by jmurray01 (Scotland)        

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So between 1998 and 2003 roughly ?

Post# 168248 , Reply# 16   2/4/2012 at 10:35 (4,436 days old) by danemodsandy ()        
That Logo:

Brings up one of my pet peeves with today's designers and manufacturers:

It seems to me that the brand name and manufacturer's info should be a PERMANENT part of an appliance. Today's penchant for cutting costs with cheaply silk-screened logos and other info means that stuff important to both consumer and manufacturer can get rubbed off. If a model number is lost this way, it might mean that an appliance being recalled can't be correctly identified by a consumer who could then be endangered by it. Markings necessary to the correct operation of an appliance can be lost this way, too.

And if an appliance gives good service, why the heck wouldn't a manufacturer want his name still on it, to remind the consumer of what brand to replace it with?

Is a puzzlement!


Post# 168249 , Reply# 17   2/4/2012 at 10:41 (4,436 days old) by jmurray01 (Scotland)        

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So Vacuum Cleaners shouldn't have the brand name and wattage printed on them ?

That's like buying a BMW without any badges to say what brand it is!

I know what you mean about the logos rubbing off tough, as that has happened with my Electrolux Tango and is starting to happen to my JMB SC1056.

The model number and wattage is on the ID sticker though, so even if the logos came off the sticker would still display the information needed for repairs.


Post# 168250 , Reply# 18   2/4/2012 at 10:48 (4,436 days old) by danemodsandy ()        
Jamie:

What I mean to say is that logos and other info on an appliance should be permanently molded (moulded) into the appliance, so that they cannot POSSIBLY be worn away. That sort of information should be legible for the life of the appliance, as it is on every vintage item I own.

People had common sense once. No more.


Post# 168251 , Reply# 19   2/4/2012 at 10:50 (4,436 days old) by jmurray01 (Scotland)        

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Ah I see what you mean.

I agree, they should be moulded into the body of the cleaner, but that would cost too much money for the profit sucking manufacturers these days.


Post# 168260 , Reply# 20   2/4/2012 at 12:08 (4,436 days old) by danemodsandy ()        
I Don't See Why.....

....It should cost much - if anything - extra to have the lettering molded in. After all, one is having lines and shapes and cooling slots molded in, and Chinese manufacturers are notably generous with tooling costs; they typically charge very little or nothing for tooling, in order to get one's business. Since most everything is made in China nowadays (including one of the U.K.'s best exports in former years, the Kenwood mixer), I just think manufacturers are failing to take proper advantage of what is available to them.

Post# 168268 , Reply# 21   2/4/2012 at 13:33 (4,436 days old) by jmurray01 (Scotland)        

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Perhaps you're right Sandy.

They don't make them like they used to, that's for sure.


Post# 168281 , Reply# 22   2/4/2012 at 16:08 (4,436 days old) by vintagerepairer (England)        

This was actually Electrolux's 2nd Tango cleaner. The original -which as someone already suggested might have been Currys exclusive- were variants of what was then known as the Microlite.

The Microlite was developed around the original 'Lite' range but was of considerably poorer quality, featuring (or more to the point not featuring) no dusting tool, no all-round bumper, smaller motor, and cheaper tool kits. Originally made as a basic 800w model, as time progresed it went to 1000w and was avaliable ina choice of three models (stanadrd, autoflex, and autoflex electronic), whilst the 'Lite' carried on in quality as the 'Chic' and the 'Classic'. The microlite range was soon whittled back down to just one model (standard) which ran as late as 1997 and by then had a 1100w motor. But as well as this there was the Tango and Samba. Essentially they were the 'old' microlite autoflex and autoflex electronic cleaners respectivly. One was deep blue, one was bright orange. Both were horrid.

This Tango you have here, I first saw this in 2001, but as a cleaner which had a dust-box in place of a bag. It wasn't called Tango either. It was one of the first bagless cylinders Electrolux graced us with. It had Electrolux's own hose, with tool storage unit which clipped to hose handle. I later saw bagged versions with the AEG name. I'm sure yours is around the 2002+ era, if not later still, as the hose & extention tube on your cleaner is generic in style, like other cleaners have which are not Electrolux.


Post# 168282 , Reply# 23   2/4/2012 at 16:18 (4,436 days old) by vintagerepairer (England)        

"the profit sucking manufacturers"...hmm...

Some kind person on this forum recently posted me some pictures of old vacuum cleaners, and the prices were there for all to see. I checked the prices on-line. Let me tell you that the most basic Electrolux in the late 1960's would have cost around £400 in todays money. Not that I don't remember how much things used to cost, but our memories are selective, so it didn't hurt to remind myself.

I am not saying it is right or wrong, but what I am saying is that for what a vacuum cleaner costs today, can we expect any more than what we get for our money? Even Dyson cleaners -described by several people on here as 'overpriced'- are cheaper than 15 years ago, AND have a guarentee which is 3 years longer.


Post# 168288 , Reply# 24   2/4/2012 at 16:50 (4,436 days old) by jmurray01 (Scotland)        

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Thank you for the wealth of information as always Benny! Much appreciated :)

Post# 168413 , Reply# 25   2/5/2012 at 15:44 (4,435 days old) by jmurray01 (Scotland)        

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So just to confirm, nobody can give me an exact margin of the years the Tango was in production ?

Post# 168416 , Reply# 26   2/5/2012 at 15:49 (4,435 days old) by vintagerepairer (England)        

The one that you have...no, I can't. You're gonna have to make do with a guestimate of 2002-2003 for now. What you need to keep in mind is that Electrolux and others have flooded the market with random re-branded cleaners in the last 10+ years.

Post# 168421 , Reply# 27   2/5/2012 at 16:03 (4,435 days old) by jmurray01 (Scotland)        

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I understand. Thank you for at least giving me an approximate year, that is better than nothing!

I'll just say 2002 for now, and maybe I'll find the exact year some day!


Post# 168443 , Reply# 28   2/5/2012 at 17:07 (4,435 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2)        

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Yep, take for example Proaction - they have several brands' offerings but the one model that stands out is a budget cylinder vacuum that Argos used to sell and now under a Russell Hobbs brand - the original model is the U.S Eureka Maxima (Electrolux).

Post# 168444 , Reply# 29   2/5/2012 at 17:07 (4,435 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2)        

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Here's the Russell Hobbs 2200 Powerclean..

Post# 168507 , Reply# 30   2/6/2012 at 01:33 (4,435 days old) by markus79 (Finland)        
Aeg

This same vacuum sold with Aeg Vampyr label in Europe since 1995. Very popular vacuum here.

Markus


Post# 168508 , Reply# 31   2/6/2012 at 02:31 (4,435 days old) by jmurray01 (Scotland)        

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One thing I just noticed yesterday is that the hose is kind of stretchable!

It isn't really stretchy, but it does have some flexibility to it, unlike the really hard plastic hoses that cheap modern cylinders have.

I really do love my Electrolux! For its size it is very light too. My 2004 Panasonic MC-E8011 Twin Cyclonic Bagless cylinder which is actually a tiny bit smaller than the Tango weighs more than double!

My only qualm about it is that it doesn't have a handle on the top, so you have to lift it either with two hands (one at the front and one at the rear), or lift it vertically using the main handle at the end.


Post# 168513 , Reply# 32   2/6/2012 at 03:23 (4,435 days old) by vintagerepairer (England)        

Not sure what the problem might be in lifting it vertically. Do tell. It tends only to be the very small cleaners which have handles on the top, and of course cyclonic cleaners, but that's because the cyclonic types ideally need to be kept level so that the dirt doesnt fall towards the filter (as it would if tipped up to carry by a handle at the front).

The flexibility in the hose is usually a sign that the hose is quite thin. Do you find that your machine likes to flip onto its side when being pulled along? Only the bagless model of this cleaner was terrible for toppling over.


Post# 168521 , Reply# 33   2/6/2012 at 05:25 (4,435 days old) by jmurray01 (Scotland)        

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I just like lifting my Cylinders vertically - That's all...

As for stability, it is very stable! I think because it is very wide and long it stays put easily.

I haven't had it topple over at all.


Post# 168914 , Reply# 34   2/8/2012 at 22:59 (4,432 days old) by tazcatsdad (Buffalo, NY)        
@vintagerepairer ...

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I think that I have in my collection the very Electrolux bagless cylinder that you referred to.  Please see my video and tell me if this was it.



CLICK HERE TO GO TO tazcatsdad's LINK

Post# 168931 , Reply# 35   2/9/2012 at 02:44 (4,432 days old) by vintagerepairer (England)        

Yes, that is the one. Thank you. I did not have time to watch all of your video, sorry, but yes, that is the cleaner. I know someone who had one which she bought (in the UK) in 2002. The lady was using it one day whilst I was at her home and like yours, I noticed how it tipped from side to side when being pulled by the hose.

Post# 168947 , Reply# 36   2/9/2012 at 07:05 (4,431 days old) by jmurray01 (Scotland)        

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Is that hose nozzle you have on your bagless Electrolux the same as the one I should have on my Tango ? Or is my hose nozzle original ?

The reason I ask is because I can't find a way to store the crevice tool and upholstery tool, just one or the other on the holder attached to the tube.


Post# 168955 , Reply# 37   2/9/2012 at 09:52 (4,431 days old) by markus79 (Finland)        
Tango

Your telescopic wand is not original but floornozzle maybe. There shoud be a toolbox for creative and upholstery tool inside the machine just where the dustbag is.

Markus


Post# 168956 , Reply# 38   2/9/2012 at 10:43 (4,431 days old) by tazcatsdad (Buffalo, NY)        
@jmurray01

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All of the attachments you see on my Electrolux in the video are the original ones that came with the machine when I purchased it.  It was purchased, incidentally, as a "graded" machine -- a customer return, apparently, that was refurbished by Electrolux and then resold.  As stated in the video, I picked it up on eBay from a seller who was most willing to ship it directly to me here in the 'States (thank goodness!).


Post# 168957 , Reply# 39   2/9/2012 at 11:04 (4,431 days old) by jmurray01 (Scotland)        

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A tool box inside the bag chamber... You know, I think I did see a bulge on the bag door but never checked it. I'll go and see!

Post# 168964 , Reply# 40   2/9/2012 at 11:32 (4,431 days old) by jmurray01 (Scotland)        

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You were right! There is a little box to store the tools in - Brilliant :)

And also, on the dating subject, on the bag door I found the little clock style date dial.

The dial is pointing at the number 2 and in the middle of the clock are the two numbers - 00. So am I right in thinking it was made in February of 2000 ?


Post# 168974 , Reply# 41   2/9/2012 at 13:00 (4,431 days old) by vintagerepairer (England)        

That will be an indication that the machine is not older that the year 2000, yes. So that's something. However, sometimes parts are made for a lot longer that the age the whole machine. I've found that a lot over the years. As Markus has already said, your cleaner was made for other countries in one form or another. Keep looking and see what other date stamps turn up on it.

Post# 168975 , Reply# 42   2/9/2012 at 13:07 (4,431 days old) by vintagerepairer (England)        

I don't think i made that last point clear for everyone. So, if a part is dated year 2000, then that means the cleaner as a whole is not any older than 2000. But it does not mean that the cleaner is as old as the year 2000 as the part in question could have been made and never used up for a period of time. I once had a very late grey Hoover Aquamaster which must have been from around 1993 or so as it had the moulded plug. Yet the recovery bucket was date stamped 1990.

Check your cleaner (the tango) and see what other date stamps you can find. The cleaner will be no older than the part with the most recent date stamp. Unless of course that part has been replaced :)

As for the telescopic tube being unoriginal for the cleaner, I have my doubts that the hose is too. I am sure that in the period where this cleaner was built, Electrolux were still using their own hoses. This hose on yours does look like a generic hose. The floor tool may or may not belong to the cleaner, but it is certainly a genuine Electrolux part.


Post# 169177 , Reply# 43   2/11/2012 at 01:56 (4,430 days old) by jmurray01 (Scotland)        

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This has nothing to do with anything (well it does I guess), but I can't find the upholstery tool for the life of me!

It was always there, but just as I found out about the tool storage, and went to put it in, I couldn't find the damn thing!

So frustrating.



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