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Thread Number: 11398
Riccar vacuums |
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Post# 123157 1/27/2011 at 15:50 (4,834 days old) by jfalberti  (Visalia, CA) |
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| Post# 123159 , Reply# 1 1/27/2011 at 16:31 (4,834 days old) by joshdonnell () | ||
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riccar i think there ok but a miele is deff better | ||
| Post# 123166 , Reply# 2 1/27/2011 at 16:51 (4,834 days old) by vac_whisperer () | ||
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They can definitely compete with Kirby. Ive never used one, though. VW | ||
| Post# 123175 , Reply# 3 1/27/2011 at 18:47 (4,834 days old) by Kirbylux77 (London, Ontario, Canada) | ||
Riccar uprights are good, but their canisters are Chinese-ma
Their uprights look to be really good quality- perhaps a bit pricey, but very good quality nonetheless. I would take a Riccar anyday over a Panasonic upright, considering that Panasonic has reduced the quality of their vacuums considerably. Now, back in the 80's & up to mid 90's, when Riccar vacuums were still made in Taiwan, I would have said to go with Panasonic, but nowadays even the Chinese-made Fuller Brush & Carpet Pro vacuums that Tacony makes are better quality. I would even take one of those over the Panasonic. And thats a real shame in my books....
However, the canisters, such as the 1500P, Pristine, Impeccable & Immaculate, are nothing more than overpriced, Chinese-made garbage. Now they do claim the Immaculate & Impeccable are made in America, BUT they clearly state on the box "Made in America with globally sourced components." Anybody with a brain knows that means they mold the body & assemble the vacuum in America, with Chinese-made motors & electronics, & import the hose, wand & powerhead from China. So who cares if it was an American or Chinese worker who molded the body & assembled it if it still has crappy Chinese-made parts in it? I don't care HOW LONG they make the warranty-they WON'T last as long as a Miele! As far as the 1500M & 1500P are concerned, the 1500P is made in Korea by Daewoo for Riccar; they also make the 1500M for another company under a different name, called "The Bank Vacuum". The Pristine is made in China. The real damning part too, is that these Riccar canisters share components with other vacuums. The wand on the Riccars is the same as found on the Eureka Complete Clean, Shark Infinity canister vacuum, Shark Professional canister vacuum, Verilux canister vacuum with germicidal UV light, The Bank Vacuum, Royal Lexon S20 & Hoover Windtunnel Anniversary Edition. The wand is obviously outsourced; all they have done is change the plastic ends at the bottom where it meets the powerhead & at the top where it meets the hose handle to accomodate each manufacturer's specifications. The 1500P & 1500M use the same hose handle as The Bank Vacuum, Eureka Complete Clean, Shark Professional canister vacuum, Shark Infinity canister vacuum & Verilux canister vacuum with germicidal UV light; again, all they have done is change the tube coming out of the handle to 1 3/8" European standard & changed the receptacle to each manufacturers specifications (with the exception of The Bank Vacuum, as it is identical to the 1500P & 1500M). If Riccar is going to make their vacuums with cheap, outsourced Chinese components, I don't give a damn if they assemble them & mold the body in America! I would much rather take a Miele with good German engineering & components ANYDAY over a Riccar if I'm gonna pay near $1,000 dollars for a vacuum! Even if I was going to buy a Miele copycat, I would take a Shark Professional canister vacuum over the Riccar. It may be made in China & may have a couple of shortcomings, such as not having True HEPA on the exhaust & not having a closing system on the cloth HEPA bags, but considering they have the same cleaning performance as a Riccar at less than 1/2 the price, I would jump all over it. Rob | ||
| Post# 123237 , Reply# 5 1/28/2011 at 08:16 (4,833 days old) by kirbykid63 (Wilmington Delaware) | ||
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Riccar vacuums I have worked on several Riccar uprights and I have found then easy to disassemble.the all metal brush does a great job on carpet, and the motors are good quality.I have to say I like Riccar uprights. | ||
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Post# 123243 , Reply# 6 1/28/2011 at 10:27 (4,833 days old) by jfalberti (Visalia, CA) |
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I bought one at the thrift shop yesterday
for $25.00. It doesn't have any attachments, but it is in really nice shape. It is a model 4508A upright. I went to the local vacuum store and bought bags, belts, and filters for it. I put in a bag, and took it for a test spin, and the motor sounds great. It is a lot quieter than I expected. When I ran it, it didn't seem to pick up very well. Took a few passes to pick up surface litter. I'm gonna change the belt today, and the filter too, as well as check for clogs, although it doesn't have that sound most machines have when there is a clog. I'll take some pictures of it when I get my camera recharged and post them if anyone is interested in seeing them. I'm also gonna search the web and see if I can find a manual for it.
Have a good day all. | ||
| Post# 123252 , Reply# 7 1/28/2011 at 12:15 (4,833 days old) by Kirbylux77 (London, Ontario, Canada) | ||
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Joe, thats a great deal for a Riccar....
It probably is something simple such as a belt change. If it's still picking up though, it isn't likely to be clogged. One thing you may not have thought of....perhaps it needs a new brushroll or new brush strips? If it's an older model, chances are the bristles are substantially worn down.
Please, do post a pic later for all of us. Would be nice to see your new find.... Rob | ||
| Post# 123255 , Reply# 8 1/28/2011 at 12:41 (4,833 days old) by Kirbylux77 (London, Ontario, Canada) | ||
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This is the Shark Professional canister vacuum that I was saying I would buy over a Riccar. I personally own one of these & the cleaning performance is AWESOME! The suction power is just as strong as Miele & Riccar- it pulls 100" waterlift when put on a gauge. It does have a few shortcomings, though-
1. The HEPA filter on the exhaust is not True HEPA. 2. The cloth HEPA bags have no sealing tab on them, like Miele. 3. The hose's electrical connection isn't direct-connect, like most others. 4. The powerhead uses a flat belt, not cog or V-belt like Riccar or Miele. This vacuum does have the same problem all these canisters have with the direct-connect wand & powernozzle connector failing. But if you buy a spare wand for the floorbrush & don't touch the wand in the powerhead, problem solved. One really nice feature on this canister- it has a bellows system, same as Panasonic uprights, which makes sure the motor still gets airflow if there is a clog inside the hose or wands. Considering this vacuum retails for only $260 CDN at Canadian Tire here in Canada, I would gladly take one of these again over the Riccar. I am willing to bet if one takes some care with the wand & powerhead, it would last at least 7-8 years with average use. Rob 
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Post# 123299 , Reply# 9 1/29/2011 at 00:05 (4,833 days old) by jfalberti (Visalia, CA) |
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Hey Rob
Thanks for the input. I checked the belt and it was deffinately worn out. The filter was fine. Just on a whim, I checked the nozzle hose. It was totally blocked from the top where it enters the bag chamber. I cleaned it out and what a difference. I am so stupid for not checking it sooner. Good news is it is working like it should now. I can't believe that the people who originally owned it before dumped it and didn't check for clogs. They must have more money than me and can afford to dump such a machine.
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| Post# 123303 , Reply# 10 1/29/2011 at 01:38 (4,833 days old) by Kirbylux77 (London, Ontario, Canada) | ||
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Glad to hear you got the Riccar working great, Joe. I thought for sure the belt would need changing, but never thought for a minute it would be clogged since you said it still picked up a bit. Wonders never cease, eh?
Joe, people that dump really good vacs like that fall into the "rich & stupid" category! People like that who buy an expensive vac, abuse it & pitch it when they can't figure out whats wrong with it (or have it serviced) & won't maintain it afterwards, deserve to have $70 Bissell or Dirt Devil bagless garbage than good quality vacs like a Riccar. You did that vacuum a favor & will give it a MUCH better life than it had previously.... In the town, I live, people routinely donate expensive vacs to the Goodwill or Sally Ann, or give them to the local vacshop owner. Just this past summer, there was a Rainbow D4 Performance Edition with the PN2 belt-in-the-middle powerhead in the Sally Ann, for only $40 bucks. I am kicking myself now for not picking that up! Now, show us some pics of the Riccar, please.... Rob | ||
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Post# 123308 , Reply# 12 1/29/2011 at 02:30 (4,833 days old) by jfalberti (Visalia, CA) |
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I will post some pictures this week-end.
I really like the machine, and the belt definitely needed replaced. It looked like it was the original belt. It was so stretched out, it still turned the brush roll, but it was weak. I didn't think about a clog, because it didn't sound like it had one. I guess that's because it has relief valves that open to prevent motor damage. It is a nice machine, and since I smarted up (with suggestions from friends here) I know it will be a great addition to my collection. Thank you for your help. Again, I appreciate everyone's help here. I hope that someday I can help someone else out too.
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Post# 123310 , Reply# 13 1/29/2011 at 02:56 (4,833 days old) by jfalberti (Visalia, CA) |
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Rob, pictures are on the way | ||
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Post# 123343 , Reply# 14 1/29/2011 at 12:59 (4,832 days old) by jfalberti (Visalia, CA) |
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As promised, here are some pictures | ||
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Post# 123344 , Reply# 15 1/29/2011 at 13:01 (4,832 days old) by jfalberti (Visalia, CA) |
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A closeup of the nozzle. | ||
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Post# 123345 , Reply# 16 1/29/2011 at 13:03 (4,832 days old) by jfalberti (Visalia, CA) |
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Pic #3 | ||
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Post# 123346 , Reply# 17 1/29/2011 at 13:05 (4,832 days old) by jfalberti (Visalia, CA) |
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Next ... | ||
| Post# 123347 , Reply# 18 1/29/2011 at 13:07 (4,832 days old) by vac_whisperer () | ||
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Ive never seen older riccars. What year(s) is it from? VW | ||
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Post# 123348 , Reply# 19 1/29/2011 at 13:08 (4,832 days old) by jfalberti (Visalia, CA) |
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And another one | ||
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Post# 123349 , Reply# 20 1/29/2011 at 13:12 (4,832 days old) by jfalberti (Visalia, CA) |
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Getting bored yet?
The back of the machine. This is where I found the clog. It was at the top of the hose where it enters the body of the vacuum. I normally find clogs where the hose enters the nozzle, and never thought to look at the top. The reason it didn't sound clogged is because the suction relief valve was open.
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Post# 123350 , Reply# 21 1/29/2011 at 13:14 (4,832 days old) by jfalberti (Visalia, CA) |
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Is he ever gona quit? :-) | ||
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Post# 123351 , Reply# 22 1/29/2011 at 13:16 (4,832 days old) by jfalberti (Visalia, CA) |
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Just two more ... | ||
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Post# 123352 , Reply# 23 1/29/2011 at 13:18 (4,832 days old) by jfalberti (Visalia, CA) |
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And finally ... | ||
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Post# 123354 , Reply# 24 1/29/2011 at 13:24 (4,832 days old) by jfalberti (Visalia, CA) |
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Hey VW | ||
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Post# 123355 , Reply# 25 1/29/2011 at 13:34 (4,832 days old) by jfalberti (Visalia, CA) |
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I just found this on YouTube | ||
| Post# 123383 , Reply# 26 1/29/2011 at 20:53 (4,832 days old) by Kirbylux77 (London, Ontario, Canada) | ||
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Joe, thats a very nice basic early model Riccar Vibrance you have there (thats what they are called now when you look on the website). Good find, for sure....
BTW, just so you know, the Panasonic u/u3/u6 bags will work in this vacuum, as it is a Panasonic copycat, as well as the Kenmore 5068 bags will too. The Panasonic bags should be very easy to find in dollar stores & mass merchants. If you want the better filtration, the Kenmore & Panasonic Filtrete HEPA bags will work as well too. Being an allergy sufferer, it's what I prefer to use. Also, if you want cleaning tools for it, take it into your local vac shop & see if Panasonic cleaning tools from a Jet-Flo would work. I would imagine they would, considering they have the door at the top of the powerhead hose. But then again, Riccar may also make their own tool set too.... Well, thanks for posting the pics & enjoy your latest find! Rob PS- The Bissell Style 7/Panasonic Upright belts should also work on this Riccar too, being it's identical, and again a bit cheaper & easier to find at mass merchants. | ||
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Post# 123402 , Reply# 27 1/30/2011 at 03:41 (4,832 days old) by jfalberti (Visalia, CA) |
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Thanks Rob | ||
| Post# 123426 , Reply# 28 1/30/2011 at 14:04 (4,831 days old) by Kirbylux77 (London, Ontario, Canada) | ||
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Joe, I don't blame you one bit for wanting to keep that permanently in your collection. I have a Panasonic Quickdraw upright, Panasonic Performance Plus Platinum, & a Sanyo Performax- they all work great, & don't think I would part with them either.
And I feel the same way as you- I prefer to use a canister for the tools, as they have better suction & airflow & not as awkward as using an upright. Not that I never use the tools on my uprights though, especially if it's just a quick cleaning.... Ya know what, I think you have inspired me to haul out the Sanyo & take some pics & post them here. Here in Canada, they are EXTREMELY rare, as there weren't many chains that sold them. It will be interesting to see what you guys think.... Rob | ||
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Post# 123441 , Reply# 29 1/30/2011 at 16:11 (4,831 days old) by jfalberti (Visalia, CA) |
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Thanks, Rob. | ||
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Post# 123467 , Reply# 30 1/31/2011 at 01:22 (4,831 days old) by jfalberti (Visalia, CA) |
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I have a Kenmore upright made by Panasonic. | ||
| Post# 123601 , Reply# 32 2/1/2011 at 12:26 (4,829 days old) by kenmore81 (Warwick, RI) | ||
I likey
That is an awsome find. It appears to have been manufactured April of 2003. I have yet to get my hands on a Riccar but I hope to find one soon!
My ex boss is one of those that buys a vac and dumps it cause the bag is full (kidding, belt mabe). He had/has money and gets TOL or close to it when he buys things like appliances. He had a Jet-flo sitting in his basement for like 12 years because he didn't want to throw it out but it didnt pick up(belt).So he bought a Sharp Twin Energy. Must be nice, he was talking about having central put in so he wouldnt have to buy another vacuum. | ||
| Post# 123713 , Reply# 33 2/1/2011 at 22:27 (4,829 days old) by ro9beam2002 () | ||
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Hey Kirby...I personally like my simplicity s38 and the 2.5amp nozzle. I would put it up against any miele that you have. | ||
| Post# 123714 , Reply# 34 2/1/2011 at 22:51 (4,829 days old) by HenryDreyfuss (Ohio) | ||
Serial number 1D0309820...
"1D" (the first parts of the serial number) means that the vacuums was made in the 4th quarter of 2001. If it were "5B," it would mean that it was made in the second quarter of 2005. The numbers afterward are the number of the model off the assembly line, which makes it number 309,820. That's a nice vacuum!
I like Riccar/Simplicity vacuums. I worked on them for years, and find them very user friendly, and for the most part well designed. When Riccar's tandem air vacuums first came out, they had issues, but Riccar noted and corrected them. One thing I love about the company is they are quick to update and fix any quirks their vacs have. Other companies just ignore the problems, or take years and years to address obvious flaws. I find the tandem air vacs very easy to work on, but there's lots of screws (at least they're all the same size!). The dirt path is very short, and goes straight to the bag. There's a dial that diverts the suction to the hose for tool use, so all the dirt isn't going through a mile of tubing before it reaches the damn good HEPA bag (they redesigned the HEPA bags and they're probably the nicest vacuum bags I've ever seen). I would say they're one of the world's finest vacuum companies today! | ||
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