For those of you who have been around the forum a while, I need to say that I haven't abandoned my love for Kirby vacuums.  However, I moved last year into a home with no "man space" so I can't set up my bench polisher in order to transform someone's old and abused Kirby into a treasured possession.  Until I get something figured out, I've turned my attention to Rainbow vacuums.  I've always liked a vacuum where I can examine the debris after vacuuming and Rainbow provides a new twist on my odd fascination with dirt, lint, and dog hair.  I'm also fascinated with the engineering.  I guess I'm kind of dumb, but I still can't figure out how the separator prevents water from getting sucked into the motor/fan assembly while allowing dirt and debris to be absorbed into the water bath.  I guess I'll need to continue working on them in order to figure it out.  At any rate, I present to you my current D series collection.

I've found the D3 and D4 both to be easy to work on.  However, the D3 has a completely different motor set up than the D4 series and the E2 series.  I was surprised to discover that the D3 has a flow-through motor (I think that's what it's called) that's much like motors found in other canisters.  The separator is attached to the motor itself with the fan assembly on top.  This motor is also a 3 stage motor, which I also was surprised to find.  With the D4 and E2 models, the motor is Rainbow's own version of a bypass motor.  So clean air never goes through the motor.  Instead, it is discharged from vents in the fan assembly.  I think one of the drawbacks to the D3 motor set up is that if the vacuum is tipped over or the separator isn't installed, water will get sucked right into the motor. 

I won an auction on Ebay for a D3 that only cost me $15.  I used it to learn how to work on the motor before I got into this one. I haven't found any online repair manuals for the D3, so I had to carefully document everything I did. This also came with the original attachment holder but I don't have any original attachments.  I'm in the process of scouting some out.   I also just realized that I have the wrong water basin installed in the photo!  LOL!

I'm not clear about all the variations of the D4 series, so I'll have to depend on others to fill in the gaps.  But I think the first D4 had the non-electric hose with the cord strapped to the outside of the hose.  With the D4, the motor was flipped so that the separator is attached to the fan side.  Air then flows out of vents in the top of the fan assembly on the motor rather than in a direct path through the motor.  I need to get an original bumper for the power nozzle.  That bumper looks like one from a Kirby Legend!

I think "PE" stands for Performance Edition.  Besides the updated power nozzle, I think this model also introduced the lock button on the hose.  I also think that Rainbow may have introduced the "trigger" handle on this model too.  But for some reason, mine doesn't have it.  When I got this unit, the motor was fried.  But I was lucky enough to find one for $70 on Ebay.  I think the Ebay seller is a member of the Forum. 

No, the D3 is as old as it gets thus far.  Although, I would like to get one of the D2 Chrome Dome models. 

Thanks for the information!  That doesn't surprise me about the production change.  It seems like every manufacturer makes those kinds of changes at various points along the way.  But that one is pretty major in my opinion!  It sounds like the power nozzle wasn't ready when the D3 went into production, so they just carried over the old Eureka version. 

I was able to find all the major tools except the crevice tool.  So it's beginning to shape up! 

I'm really curious to see how the rug tool performs too.  The only tool that isn't in great shape is the dusting brush. 

I noticed that the D3 in your photo uses a three wire rug nozzle.  Also, do you happen to know what that cap is on the inlet to the water pan? 

Were you able to get the separator nut off the armature shaft?

This is tool caddy you need for your D3.  I think they are pretty hard to find too.  I've bought from this company before.  I think they're very reliable and ship fast too.