Sanitaire (Sc886-Sc899)

The new motors are excellent, and definitely not worse, but better than the older pancake motors in my opinion. Have you ever had any bad luck with the newly designed one, or have you even USED one? Doesn't sound like it to me.

Or are you just one of those people that jumps to conclusion when they hear about something new and (literally) goes into an all caps rage?

And, how is re-engineering a motor being lazy? The laziest way for them to operate would be to continue building the same out-dated motor rather than to re-think a better one.

Let me explain why the new motors are NOT inferior to the older ones:

1. The upper bearing is MUCH more protected than the old motor, which used an entirely open-top bearing system that is prone to drying out and getting dust in it. I cannot tell you how many bearings I have seen go bad in the old pancake motors, something that I don't really see on the newer motor. That's why they changed the upper bearing plate that you seem to greatly complain about. Oh, and if you ever need to replace the upper bearing or disassemble the motor, which you will less likely need to do on a newer motor, it is just as simple to do.
2. The carbon brushes are enclosed. Same idea as enclosing the bearing, you know, to keep particles off the armature and carbon brushes.
3. The additional sealing of the parts of the new motor has resulted in much less of a scream than the older motors produced. As a matter of fact, I would say it doesn't scream at all. The new motors have a more pleasant and quieter sound than the older motors, at least in my opinion, and according to my dB meter.
4. 100% compatibility. In other words, these new motors can fit into ANY Sanitaire, Eureka, or look-alike that uses the older pancake motor. Same fan, same pulley, same gasket, and same footprint.
5. The new motors have no loss in performance over the older motor. In fact, both are 7amps and 840W, producing exactly the same cleaning performance.

I have a Sanitaire S661 that I acquired and rebuilt a while back in which I decided to install the newer style motor to replace the older pancake motor, which had screaming bearings and a bent armature shaft. Like you, I was hesitant about the new motors (not quite to your degree, but still hesitant), but I tried it anyways because I found one at a good price at Hesco. When I installed the new motor, I was very pleasantly met with surprise at the quietness and smoothness of it along with the amazing power it had. Over two faithful years and loads of hours of use later, the motor is still going as strongly, smoothly, and powerfully as it was on day one, and I predict it will last as long as I want it to.

Still not convinced? See link below.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO broomvac's LINK


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Post# 165955 1/15/2012 at 14:15 (4,483 days old) by henriquesousa7 (California)
Checkrate/Likes What's Your Favorite EUREKA Sanitaire Model? 1)Sc886 (W/Shakeout- F&G Set Up) 2)Sc887 (W/EZ Dust Cup) 3)Sc888 (W/Headlight) 4)Sc899 (W/Headlight) I'M REALLY MAD THAT ELECTROLUX REPLACED THE ORIGINAL METAL MOTORS AND PLACED PLASTIC MOTOR INSTEAD. FROM MY VIEW I THINK THEY'RE LAZY!!!!!!

Post# 165975 , Reply# 1 1/15/2012 at 18:06 (4,483 days old) by eurekaprince (Montreal, Canada)
Checkrate/Likes I like the third model - the SC888. It's the closest thing to that line-up of basic Eureka Dial-A-Nap uprights of the 1970's that seems to have set the standard for "fan-first" upright vacs of that era. There is a new Sanitaire Dial-A-Nap (SC899) with the flatter hood which is almost identical to the top performing Model 2042 of 1974. Now why doesn't Electrolux put this classic Eureka into every big box store in North America? I should be able to walk into Best Buy or Home Depot and walk away with this classic work-horse of a vac! They'd sell by the hundreds! I would love to own one of these! see link below.... CLICK HERE TO GO TO eurekaprince's LINK

Post# 165979 , Reply# 2 1/15/2012 at 19:03 (4,483 days old) by pr-21 (Middletown, OH)
Checkrate/Likes *It also has a two speed motor Eurekaprince.....* This is the one I bought to put the two speed motor in my Eureka 250. Works great. The deal I made was to take the motor and put it in my Eureka 250 with a new power cord and I had a nos switch for the 250. I let the vac shop owner keep the parts for the new model and he did the work for me at no charge. I have to tell you, that is a very nice model and I have since thought about buying another one for my collection. Think Vacuums have them for $219.95. It has the ST bag as well. I also like the quick change cord. I would buy a 25 foot one in black. I don't like 50 ft commercial cords, too bulky. Sincerely, Bud Mattingly

Post# 165981 , Reply# 3 1/15/2012 at 19:15 (4,483 days old) by sanitaireboy99 ()
Checkrate/Likes *Speaking of Sanitaires...* Is it true that the Sanitaire SC886 uses the F&G bags now and that the SC888 is the shake-out bag now??

Post# 165982 , Reply# 4 1/15/2012 at 19:17 (4,483 days old) by sanitaireboy99 ()
Checkrate/Likes PS People that own the Sanitaire SC889 vacuum could u please post a video of it on YouTube?? I'm considiring buying one :)

Post# 165986 , Reply# 5 1/15/2012 at 19:50 (4,483 days old) by broomvac (N/A)
Checkrate/Likes *I disagree* The new motors are excellent, and definitely not worse, but better than the older pancake motors in my opinion. Have you ever had any bad luck with the newly designed one, or have you even USED one? Doesn't sound like it to me. Or are you just one of those people that jumps to conclusion when they hear about something new and (literally) goes into an all caps rage? And, how is re-engineering a motor being lazy? The laziest way for them to operate would be to continue building the same out-dated motor rather than to re-think a better one. Let me explain why the new motors are NOT inferior to the older ones: 1. The upper bearing is MUCH more protected than the old motor, which used an entirely open-top bearing system that is prone to drying out and getting dust in it. I cannot tell you how many bearings I have seen go bad in the old pancake motors, something that I don't really see on the newer motor. That's why they changed the upper bearing plate that you seem to greatly complain about. Oh, and if you ever need to replace the upper bearing or disassemble the motor, which you will less likely need to do on a newer motor, it is just as simple to do. 2. The carbon brushes are enclosed. Same idea as enclosing the bearing, you know, to keep particles off the armature and carbon brushes. 3. The additional sealing of the parts of the new motor has resulted in much less of a scream than the older motors produced. As a matter of fact, I would say it doesn't scream at all. The new motors have a more pleasant and quieter sound than the older motors, at least in my opinion, and according to my dB meter. 4. 100% compatibility. In other words, these new motors can fit into ANY Sanitaire, Eureka, or look-alike that uses the older pancake motor. Same fan, same pulley, same gasket, and same footprint. 5. The new motors have no loss in performance over the older motor. In fact, both are 7amps and 840W, producing exactly the same cleaning performance. I have a Sanitaire S661 that I acquired and rebuilt a while back in which I decided to install the newer style motor to replace the older pancake motor, which had screaming bearings and a bent armature shaft. Like you, I was hesitant about the new motors (not quite to your degree, but still hesitant), but I tried it anyways because I found one at a good price at Hesco. When I installed the new motor, I was very pleasantly met with surprise at the quietness and smoothness of it along with the amazing power it had. Over two faithful years and loads of hours of use later, the motor is still going as strongly, smoothly, and powerfully as it was on day one, and I predict it will last as long as I want it to. Still not convinced? See link below. CLICK HERE TO GO TO broomvac's LINK

Post# 165999 , Reply# 6 1/15/2012 at 21:00 (4,483 days old) by LongLiveKirbys (Minneapolis)
Checkrate/Likes Mine would have to be either the SC886 with the F&G setup or the SC899

Post# 166003 , Reply# 7 1/15/2012 at 21:57 (4,483 days old) by Brandon_W_T ()
Checkrate/Likes 1 I love my S677d. The blue is nice, and the D loop handle with power controls is the best eureka option yet in my mind!

Post# 166004 , Reply# 8 1/15/2012 at 22:42 (4,483 days old) by broomvac (N/A)
Checkrate/Likes Oh And describing the two motors as "Plastic" or "Metal" to differentiate them is pretty inaccurate, seeing as how they both are almost entirely plastic and use plastic housing. The "metal" motor has a small metal disk with a hole in it to hold the top bearing on, but that seems to be the only "metal" thing about it, outside of the armature and wiring, but both motors (obviously) have metal armatures and wiring. Now, as far as my favorite Sanitaire, I would say that my favorite would be my (modded) S661.

Post# 166120 , Reply# 9 1/17/2012 at 04:54 (4,482 days old) by tolivac (Greenville,NC)
Checkrate/Likes I don't know what the model# of the one I have-its the Contractor version-uses the ST bags.It has the vibragroom brushroll-this one is a beast.It can do almost as well as the Kirbys and Royals.Leaves the F&G bagged machines--in the DUST!

Post# 166308 , Reply# 10 1/18/2012 at 20:30 (4,480 days old) by broomvac (N/A)
Checkrate/Likes 1 A seven amp Sanitaire will outclean a Kirby.

Post# 166332 , Reply# 11 1/18/2012 at 23:48 (4,480 days old) by Sanifan ()
Checkrate/Likes I have a Sanitaire sc688 (red line, grey plastic domed top, VG II), s670 (blue line, chrome top, VG II), and s677d (blue line, chrome top, loop handle, VG I). I love them all! All have 7 amp motors (newer plastic case) and ST style bags with the Arm and Hammer logo. I have to say, the cord clips and slip-on handgrip of the red sc688 feel a lot cheaper than those on my blue line vacs. I don't know if it's a difference between the red and blue vacs, or because the sc688 is midway in the line while my blue ones are near the top. They all perform fantastically, though. I love the ST bags. The 50' cord on the sc688 is a boon for the kind of use I put it to. Great extra reach for cleaning hallways and stairway landings. If I found a good deal on one, I would certainly spring for a TOL red line sc888 with chrome top, 50' cord, and ST bag. That would be a sweet vacuum! May I also advocate for the Sanitaire Mighty Mite canister vac. A great, versatile detail cleaner, and all around dry pickup utility vac. Fantastic, if somewhat loud. What does the "d" in s677d mean, btw? Does anybody know? Sanitaires are great machines, IMO!

Post# 166334 , Reply# 12 1/19/2012 at 00:41 (4,480 days old) by tolivac (Greenville,NC)
Checkrate/Likes the 50' cord on my Contractor Sanitaire can be replaced-and with any length cord you want--the machine has a 3 wire pigtail connector-so you can use any 3 wire extension cord.Great idea.Some Royals do this.I will still prefer my Kirbys over the Sanitaire.though-the Kirby just has better deep cleaning.when I open bags on both machines-see more grit and fines in the Kirby bag then the Sanitaire.

Post# 166534 , Reply# 13 1/20/2012 at 21:44 (4,478 days old) by JHGVac ()
Checkrate/Likes *Hey Sanifan...* Is this a good deal on a SC888? CLICK HERE TO GO TO JHGVac's LINK

Post# 166560 , Reply# 14 1/21/2012 at 09:31 (4,478 days old) by Sanifan ()
Checkrate/Likes *Looks like a good deal...* Thanks for the link! It's a good deal on a new one. Unfortunately, I only really shop for used vacs these days. It's a combination of already owning enough quality vacs to outlast me, and belt tightening because of the economy. You know how it is. If I were at the beginning stages of building my fleet I would spring for this deal right away. For now, though, it's combing through all the normal used gear outlets for me. Thanks for the heads up, anyhow!

Post# 166887 , Reply# 15 1/23/2012 at 19:52 (4,475 days old) by broomvac (N/A)
Checkrate/Likes *Sanifan* I agree with the idea that the Blue line vacuums are a bit better quality than the red line ones. Things like the handle grip and the cord hooks (top one turns on my Sanitaire) seem to be better than on the Red line vacuums.