Dyson discontinued the purple stair tools some time ago. They reverted to making only grey/silver ones that were compatible for any machine. However, now they have the cheek to charge you a whopping £10 for one of their stair tools. And as you are checking out, adding a further £3 for shipping. An eye-watering £13… Read More »
For some time, Dyson customers have been wondering why the mini turbine tool that Dyson sell costs an agonizingly expensive £45 to buy from them. It seems a little over-priced at £45 doesn’t it? “Forty five quid?” I hear you gasp in disbelief. For sure, Dyson have never been shy in selling an item at the very top end of what they… Read More »
The Dyson DC01 YDK type motor (designated YV-940) has been unavailable for some time. The DC01 was Dyson’s first vacuum cleaner in the UK and they are now almost two decades old. We wrote about the fact that Dyson has abandoned all parts supply and support for its first born here: The Slow Demise of the DC01 and the DC02. The fact that… Read More »
A few months ago, Dyson UK pulled all support for their first flagship models – the Dyson DC01 and the DC02. The DC01 was the first model that Dyson produced in the UK. Launched in 1993, that makes early models now nineteen years old. That’s pretty old for a vacuum cleaner, but there are still untold thousands… Read More »
How many Dysons are there? Dyson makes so many different models of vacuum cleaner, and are always introducing new ones onto the market, that people find the model numbers very confusing. Was the DC01 the first? No it wasn’t actually. The first widely-available vacuum cleaner James Dyson made was called the ‘G-Force’ . It was the first vacuum cleaner to use… Read More »
Today, the DC01 is discontinued, but the model still appears on after-market Dyson websites as a reconditioned buy. The basic model is grey and yellow, while occasionally the limited edition grey and blue Antarctica models will be found. Some feature higher rated filter systems such as the “Absolute Plus” and the famous multicoloured “De Stijl” model celebrating the neoplasticism movement.
The question is, after so many years, is a refurbished Dyson DC01 better than the current line up of cheaper cyclonic uprights, or against newer Dyson models? They may be a bargain if priced between £60 and £80. As ever, I would avoid the allegedly reconditioned examples to be found on eBay for circa £20–£30. You get what you pay for. Buy from a Dyson specialist if you are buying one; not from a fly-by-night faceless internet-only vendor.
The DC01 Design
There is a lot to be said of the DC01. It serves its purpose well if all you need is an upright vacuum cleaner that can handle removing dirt from carpets. On laminate floors, the DC01 will never be terribly efficient due to the always-spinning roller brush that cannot be switched off with a brush control knob as on later models.
A series of three tools were originally with the DC01, a long crevice tool, a round upholstery brush and a flat stair tool useful for cleaning the stairs, the car, mattresses and curtains. An adaptor is supplied for using the tools with the back telescopic hose.
The tools on the DC01 are stored at the bottom, two on each side, but in common usage they can fall out and this storage idea remains a bad design idea. Dyson improved this on later models.
Performance
Noise is something that if you are the owner of a DC01 you have to get used to. Then again, the DC01 always had a 1200 watt motor, which when compared with today’s cheapest bagless upright, is very humble, but watts do not directly equate to airwatts and suction. Vacs that can maintain suction are different, and vacs these days that cannot suck up 100% of the time, will need a higher wattage motor to fill the void of losing power by maintaining the power.
Over carpets, the DC01 is comparable to similar specification uprights that use bags, it is quite adequate in performance still.
Filtration
Most Dyson DC01’s have a multi-stage filtration system that is predominantly S-Class or HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter to provide cleaner air than air and dust sucked into the machine (Dyson call it S-level). Changing the filters on a DC01 is easy, there is an article right here on Dyson medic about this: Changing Dyson DC01 Filters.
The amount of dirt that was trapped by the filters on my DC01, after the first three months of ownership, was incredible. The basic rule of thumb is, if the filters are black, replace them! Filter replacements are available from >>here<< for just £5 for a pack of eight.
Your Dyson DC01, regardless of variant, is fitted with two filters. One is located in a cage slotted into the body of the machine and the other is located under a flap below the cyclone unit.
It is important to pay regular attention to your filters as they allow your Dyson to breathe. Depending on usage, they should be checked every three to six months. You should pay particular attention to your filters if you have had building work carried out. Your Dyson does not like plaster dust.
Most Dyson DC01’s were originally fitted with disposable fibre filters (a few very late machines had washable filters). They are quite inexpensive to buy. You can pick up a pack of eight standard filters (enough for 4 filter changes) for less than £5 here: Dyson DC01 filters
It only takes literally moments to change your filters. It is not necessary to take it to a vacuum cleaner repair shop. Anyone can do this at home with no expertise and no tools.
Click the title “How To Change Dyson DC01 Filters” above to go to the full article with how-to photos.
If you are seeking to replace the motor on your Dyson DC01, be aware there are two types. One is called a “YDK” motor and will have the code “YV940” on the side. The alternative is slightly larger, and is made by an Italian company called Ametek. Predictably, this has “Ametek” on the side of it.
The DC01 motors are quite sturdy units. They were used in the Dyson DC01’s back when Dysons were still made in England in the late 1990’s. However, fifteen years or so later, the odd one is starting to fail now.
They are still available new, but are quite expensive compared to the value of your Dyson DC01 machine now. Many of the ones available are cheap Chinese knock-offs that will last nothing like the period of time your old one did.
As the originals were so well built, consider buying a quality used one. Not only is it green as you are recycling, but life expectancy should be just fine as long as the one you buy is properly tested and not sparking near the armature when in use.
The picture below shows you the two different types. Make sure you know which one your machine uses. The one on the left is a YDK YV-940, the one on the right is an Ametek.
Looking for an original Dyson instruction and operating manual for your Dyson DC01? You have come to the right place.
When you buy a used or a reconditioned Dyson, unless you have acquired it from a meticulous old lady who had it from new, you are unlikely to have got the original user manual.
Many people are confused with Dysons when it comes to using the back hose, using the tools, taking the wand off, emptying the vacuum cleaner, and simple maintenance of the filters. However, these things are not very hard if you know how. To know how, you need an original manufacturers user manual.
Dyson UK will happily sell you one for two or three pounds, but you are an internet surfer; you want one free don’t you? C’mon, admit it! You know it’s true.
OK, we’ll put you out of your misery. Click the link below to go through to the Dyson Forums where there are links to download all the Dyson user/operating/instruction manuals in PDF format. Completely free of charge.
Here is the link: Free Dyson Instruction Operating User Manuals