Thread Number: 44862
/ Tag: 80s/90s Vacuum Cleaners
Performing a Royal Upgrade |
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Post# 465787 , Reply# 1   9/3/2023 at 12:34 by KirbyClassicIII ![]() |
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Post# 465814 , Reply# 3   9/4/2023 at 02:37 by hygiene903 (Galion, OH)   |   | |
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I agree with Ben that the Rite-Hite knob is more reliable than the toe-touch system. As for bulbs, look for appliance or sewing machine bulbs at your local discount, hardware, or building supply store. The bulb will have a bayonet base and be available in 15 or 25 watts. A good scrubbing with steel wool and rubbing or polishing compound might bring back the rug guard for you if the rust isn't too bad. However, if that doesn't do the trick, or if you just want to get a new one anyway, the one shown on the link you posted looks right to me. The rug guard, like many other parts on Royals are interchangeable from one model to another.
Your Alva might possibly be older than you think. It looks almost identical to an Electro-Hygiene 880, 890. or 903, also built by Royal and except for cord, bag, and trim color, they are identical to the Royal 880. The EH 880 was built from 1966-68, the 890 from 68-71, and the 903 from 1971 until Electro-Hygiene went out of business in the mid 80's. Here is a pic of one of my Electro-Hygiene 903's and one of my Royal 880. If you post a pic of the data plate (or sticker) Ben or I could probably figure out when it was made, at least within a ballpark figure. Another source you might want to check out for parts is Vac Parts Plus, the online store of the Henry Company, which many of us consider to be our "go to" source for Royal parts. Hope this helps, Jeff |
Post# 465822 , Reply# 5   9/4/2023 at 12:47 by KirbyClassicIII ![]() |
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Stan,
Here's an 880 parts list for you. Yes, your 895 is covered here! The light bulb you want was part no. 1-880629-000, a 120-volt, 10-watt double-contact type. Front wheels were 1-880705-000. ~Ben |
Post# 465830 , Reply# 7   9/4/2023 at 18:38 by Lesinutah (Utah)   |   | |
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Post# 465833 , Reply# 8   9/5/2023 at 02:31 by hygiene903 (Galion, OH)   |   | |
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The bulb pictured looks right to me. As long as the base size and pin location match, the overall length of the bulb doesn't matter much. The one in the package looks pretty much like the ones in most of my Royals and Electro-Hygienes. And I think Les is right about it being a Sylvania 1156 (or equivalent).
Going by the serial number of 67C C 103100 on the data label, your Alva was built in March of 1976 at Royal plant 3. Breaking that down, 67 is the year in reverse, the first C is the month (March), the second C is the plant number, and 103100 is a sequence number. Royal started this date coding system in 1971, with the year in reverse until 1977, which was the same either way, and forward reading date numbers from 1978 on. For example, 82G A 123456 would have been built in July of 1982 at plant 1. Another thing I might mention, is that even though your vac is an Alva, you should always use Royal for your parts searches. That will give you the most results. And almost all parts (with very few exceptions) for Royal built uprights are the same across the board, whether it's a Royal, Stark, Alva, Regal, Good Housekeeper, or Electro-Hygiene. Good luck with your search, Jeff |
Post# 465834 , Reply# 9   9/5/2023 at 07:34 by KirbyClassicIII ![]() |
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Jeff,
It was in late 1978 that Royal changed the date code format by placing the letter for the month first (e.g., L78 for November 1978 instead of 78L). Yes, Stan's machine was built in March 1976. It would have had a 3.0 amp motor (it changed to 4.5 amps in September 1980, at date code J80). Royal did not use "I" to denote the month of September until 1985, when it switched over its serial number system to a computerized format (therefore redesignating J=October, K=November and L=December). ~Ben |
Post# 465848 , Reply# 11   9/5/2023 at 13:38 by KirbyClassicIII ![]() |
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Stan,
Please don't give up yet. As I said, the bulb you need is a 120-volt, double-contact, so the 1156 is not right for your machine. The bulb you need would look more like this: www.acehardware.com/depar... Please let me see the literature you have for the 880 before you decide to part ways with it. ~Ben (KirbyClassicIII) |
Post# 465872 , Reply# 12   9/5/2023 at 22:03 by Lesinutah (Utah)   |   | |
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Post# 465915 , Reply# 14   9/8/2023 at 08:24 by KirbyClassicIII ![]() |
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Post# 465916 , Reply# 15   9/8/2023 at 09:35 by StanL (Florida)   |   | |
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Is there a youtube video on how to do this? It's new to me. |
Post# 465922 , Reply# 16   9/8/2023 at 10:54 by StanL (Florida)   |   | |
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I see a lot of talk of what's right for the motor, especially no detergent. Should this be good? CLICK HERE TO GO TO StanL's LINK |
Post# 465969 , Reply# 17   9/8/2023 at 22:28 by KirbyClassicIII ![]() |
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Post# 466004 , Reply# 18   9/10/2023 at 06:07 by StanL (Florida)   |   | |
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Nice video. Doesn't really answer my question of how often, how much or where to oil. It also doesn't recommend an oil. Still, neat vid. |
Post# 466006 , Reply# 19   9/10/2023 at 09:09 by KirbyClassicIII ![]() |
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Post# 466013 , Reply# 21   9/10/2023 at 16:48 by 2011hoover700 (owosso michigan)   |   | |
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Post# 466022 , Reply# 22   9/10/2023 at 20:19 by Lesinutah (Utah)   |   | |
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Post# 466096 , Reply# 23   9/12/2023 at 09:57 by StanL (Florida)   |   | |
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Aren't 3 in 1 and 5 in 1 20 weight? |
Post# 466122 , Reply# 24   9/12/2023 at 21:28 by Lesinutah (Utah)   |   | |
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Here's a link. This is what I use and alot of people on the oiler royals.
CLICK HERE TO GO TO Lesinutah's LINK |
Post# 466146 , Reply# 25   9/13/2023 at 14:56 by StanL (Florida)   |   | |
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@Lesinutah - I'd be concerned that the 3-in-one on Amazon doesn't give a weight to the oil (like most multi-in-ones). Heck, it's made by WD-40 which is even less encouraging. |
Post# 466159 , Reply# 26   9/13/2023 at 19:56 by Lesinutah (Utah)   |   | |
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It's an sae 20 weight machine lubricant.
I have over 20 royals it doesn't ruin anything. Its what vacuum shop uses when servicing royals. You really think a thick ass 30w oil is any good. It's thick. And won't penetrate and lube everything g well. If you don't believe then maybe you shouldn't ask advicevand when someone gives you sound advice you Question it because it's not a 30w oil. BTW it's #2 selling lubricant on Amazon. Do as you wish put that 30w and watch the bearing seize up because the oil won't break down. |
Post# 466312 , Reply# 28   9/18/2023 at 23:35 by Lesinutah (Utah)   |   | |
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