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Old 10th Sep 2021, 1:50 pm   #1
Manx Nick
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Default Vintage Hoovers and "Suppressors"

Hi I have watched a few videos on so called "suppressors" going bang on older vacuum cleaners.

I have a 1967 Hoover 417g Cylinder Vacuum that is working ok now I have cleaned it up and lubricated bits and pieces. However I am worried about the suppressor going bang.

People have said I ought to remove it entirely or bypass it but do they mean just bypass the capacitor with suitable wires? Or do I need a modern capacitor to replace it with?

Thanks,

Nick
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Old 10th Sep 2021, 2:07 pm   #2
G6Tanuki
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Default Re: Vintage Hoovers and "Suppressors"

Removing the suppression capacitor will stop it going bang.... But your cleaner may then cause bad interference to local radio reception on mw/lw/sw.

Replacement of the suppression capacitors with Class X or Class Y depending on where they are fitted will keep your cleaner safe and your neighbours still able to listen to the radio uninterrupted.
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Old 10th Sep 2021, 4:03 pm   #3
Manx Nick
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Default Re: Vintage Hoovers and "Suppressors"

Ok thanks for the advice, I will take a picture of the motor end and if you could tell me where the capacitor is please? I have an idea its the 2" long silver thing on one side of the motor.

Thanks

Nick
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Old 10th Sep 2021, 4:24 pm   #4
paulsherwin
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Default Re: Vintage Hoovers and "Suppressors"

Given you seem to have limited electrical skills, I'd encourage you to leave this alone. The suppressor caps haven't failed in over 50 years, and if they do fail in the future they won't 'go bang'. They will start to emit smelly smoke and perhaps make a sizzling noise. Given that you don't leave a vacuum cleaner running unattended by definition, this is very unlikely to be dangerous.
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Old 10th Sep 2021, 6:50 pm   #5
PaulR
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Default Re: Vintage Hoovers and "Suppressors"

Hoover uprights use cylindrical capacitors rather than the Rifa ones favoured by Electrolux. I have two Hoover Seniors in regular use dating from the early 1960s and the capacitors are fine so on the assumption that similar ones are used in cylinder models I would agree with Paul to leave them alone.
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Old 12th Sep 2021, 4:54 pm   #6
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Default Re: Vintage Hoovers and "Suppressors"

Hoover junior suppressors certainly do go bang, I speak from experience. In fact mine more or less set fire to the carpet leaving a trail of black smoking embers I had to stamp out. It was a sort of oval-section cylinder with the earth formed by a strap and mounting hole.

I dont have the hoover any more (nor the scorched carpet) but I just removed the filter from the circuit.

As the junior is a double insulated appliance with the filter earth connected to the motor body I would make sure you know what you're doing before fitting any replacement assuming yours has a similar arrangement.
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Old 12th Sep 2021, 7:02 pm   #7
duncanlowe
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Default Re: Vintage Hoovers and "Suppressors"

Many years ago, back in the mid eighties, I bought a small vaccum cleaner from a jumble sale. Boxed with all accessories, and at a guess from the sixties. I wish I could remember the make but have vague memories of it being probably moulinex or maybe goblin. Anyhow I do remember using it to clean my room at uni, when the capacitor went bang. Took the plug fuse out. I think I just replaced the fuse and carried on, though couldn't have used it many times after that.

I have had something much more modern do similar. Bosch percussion (SDS) drill. I had been using it to put in a hole that it was clearly struggling with when there was a bang and the MCB tripped. New capacitor and it's fine, the old one had blown the end off.

EDIT: doing a bit of searching, it seems mine was a Moulinex No1.
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Old 28th Sep 2021, 2:16 pm   #8
Manx Nick
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Default Re: Vintage Hoovers and "Suppressors"

Thanks for all the replies and advice guys. I will leave it alone!

Nick
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