Dyson Medic

Although we are mostly about the Dysons here at Dyson Medic, we recently ran an article entitled: Why Are The Bigger Independent Dyson Shops Now Moving Over to Sebo?

Sebo is one of the rising stars among the handful of manufacturers that make “proper” machines. They have been around since the late 70s and are the world’s largest manufacturers of commercial vacuum cleaners, the Sebo BS36 being the one that has sold in the MILLIONS.

They are starting to make significant inroads into the domestic market as well. As any Range Rover driving, Mumsnet-reading, Yummy Mummy from the Shires knows, Sebo is the machine of choice among those who don’t want a cheap and nasty throwaway machine like a Hoover or Vax that will end up in the bin after twelve months.

We highlighted recently about the New EU 900w Vacuum Cleaner Rules in September 2017, and noted thus:

The big names like Sebo, Dyson, Bosch and Miele know this is coming and are planning for it. All should have 900w machines on the market that are quite decent.

So as we like to be first out of the gates with the news here at Medic, we decided to report on the new offering from Sebo.

In order to comply with the new EU rulings that vacuums must be less than 80 decibels and under 900 watts, Sebo have launched the Sebo Automatic X7.

With a super-quiet motor coming in at a shade under the regulations at 890 watts, Sebo have managed to rework the retro design of their iconic X1 and X4 machines into this all-new offering.

The machine was launched at the IFA trade show running from the 1-6th September 2017 in Berlin (this post was written on the 5th September so you are among the first to know).

This all-new Sebo will be hitting British shores very soon.

This is the replacement for the previous generation X1 and X4 models that the EU recently outlawed.

As Sebo aficionados will see, visual differences between the older generation machines and the new Sebo Automatic X7 are minimal at first glance. However, Sebo have never been one to reinvent the wheel every couple of years as Dyson try to. Sebo vacuums have always evolved naturally over time with tried and tested solid German engineering that is constantly being improved upon with every model revision.

The all-new Sebo X7 Automatic is no exception. Functionality remains much the same as the previous X1 and X4 models, but the EU demand for smaller motors and quieter machines means Sebo have reworked their iconic design into something just as efficient as its predecessors. But the new Sebo X7 uses less electricity with the all new 890w motor and is quieter than previous Sebo models.

This new Sebo was only unveiled this week, and we haven’t a firm launch date yet in the UK. But it won’t be long as stocks of the X1 and X4 are running out fast as people scramble to buy more powerful machines that pre-date the EU vacuum ban.

If you want to be the first to know when this new Sebo X7 machine has landed in the UK, you can look >>here<< and send an email to know the moment it lands here in the UK.

Edit: Here is the first floor test published.

Forum discussion and more photos >>here<<.

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This article first appeared at Manchester Vacs.

The new vacuum cleaner energy label, set to come into effect on 1 September 2017, will reduce the maximum wattage from 1600 to 900 watts for any new vacuum cleaner manufactured or sold in the EU.

Despite the UK having voted for Brexit, we are bound by these EU rules until we actually leave the EU. From September the 1st 2017, new vacuum cleaners will be a maximum of 900w. Our friends in places like the US, Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Switzerland, Norway and Russia are not affected by EU rules. They will still have full power vacuum cleaners.

What vacuums are exempt? 

This doesn’t apply to new vacuums bought before September 1st this year, or to reconditioned vacuum cleaners. So a reconditioned 1600w Dyson DC33 is still a great buy and will remain so.  

Certain vacuum cleaners are not covered by the EU regulations. This means products like floor polishers, robot vacuums, mattress cleaners, hand-held and battery operated vacuum cleaners do not fall within the remit of these new rules. Standard upright and cylinder vacuums are covered, however.

The full details of the new EU law can be found >here<.

What will change? 

Many of the machines we know and love will no longer be available in the UK market.

For example, Sebo, the German manufacturer, will be withdrawing the much loved X and BS commercial ranges from the UK. Markets like Australia and Russia will still have them. For the EU, Sebo will be putting out a new range of vacuum cleaners.

Sebo have already put out this warning:

This means if you want one of the much-loved, iconic and very capable Sebo X4 vacuum cleaners, the time to buy is now. After September, they will no longer be available.

Is 900w enough? 

There are some very capable vacuum cleaners out there that already adhere to the new rules. The Sebo Felix is such an example.

For those that prefer a cordless vacuum cleaner, the Dyson V8 – being exempt from the rules – is probably the best you can buy. That said, it will leave a V8 size hole in your pocket to buy one. The V8 range currently cost between £370 and £550 on Dyson’s website.

The 900w rule will though remove some much-loved vacuum cleaners from the UK market. The range topping Sebo X4 Automatic Pet Boost will be just a memory in the UK after September.

Stock that is already here will still be able to be sold. In reality, this means come early 2018 any new high wattage machines that remain will go up in price as people search out higher wattage machines against a backdrop of retailer’s declining hoarded stock bought now.

The future. 

Until the UK actually leaves the EU, and assuming the government rescinds their rules, we are stuck with this. This means the very earliest the UK is out of these rules is 2019 but more likely a year or two after that until the trickle down takes effect.

From September, if you are buying a new vacuum cleaner over 900w, it will be pre September 2017 bought stock. As stock diminishes into early 2018, we expect people will once again look at reconditioned machines that are not restricted by EU rules.

The big names like Sebo, Dyson, Bosch and Miele know this is coming and are planning for it. All should have 900w machines on the market that are quite decent. However, as any petrol-head knows, a large six or eight cylinder engine will always be infinitely better than a three or four cylinder eco engine. Yes, your Prius will get you from A-B, but wouldn’t you rather arrive in a Jag?

If you are planning to buy a new vacuum in the next year or so now is the time to do it before the 900w rule comes in and before prices go up. And whatever you buy, please avoid the budget lemons like Hoover, Gtech, Vax, Electrolux, Zanussi, etc. Buy Dyson, Sebo or something else German.

Can you use your older Dyson tools with your new Dyson V7, V8 or V10?

It has traditionally been a source of confusion to the public as to what Dyson tools fit what machines, and what tool adaptors can be used. Indeed, we have an older article on this very subject.

However, the latest source of confusion has been that Dyson have yet again released a new tool socket design with the V7, V8 or V10 cordless handheld models. If you have one of these, your tools all have a red button on there and your previous Dyson tools won’t fit.

Dyson CY22, CY23, Light Ball, Small Ball and Big Ball Cinetic owners read >>this article instead<<.

The after-market are usually quite fast to respond to conundrums such as this, and indeed first to market is one type of adaptor that we were given to test. It is only suitable for very early type Dyson tools that are pre-DC14 so is limited in usability.

However, it did not test very well.

Both the ones we got to look at were very shoddily made and fell to bits during testing.

There is a large spares seller out there still selling these, so we say caveat emptor.

A better solution has since arrived to market though, a pair of adaptors that when used together are considerably more versatile.

The red button adaptor on the left fits into your V7, V8 or V10 and allows most tools from the DC16-DC75 to be used (excepting certain cylinder tools).

The second adaptor fits into the first like so:

This allows usage of your V7, V8 or V10 with vacuum storage bags, Dyson tools from models DC01-DC14 and general 32mm tools from other machines.

This adaptor also fits previous generation Dyson cordless models such as the V6, the DC35, etc.

Please note: These adaptors do NOT fit tools from Dyson models DC11, DC15, DC19, DC20 or DC21 or cylinder model floor heads.

Newer Dyson Cinetic upright and cylinder machines also use a red button fitting similar looking to the one on the V7, V8 or V10, and Dyson do supply an adaptor for that with the product. However, despite looking similar, the new generation Cinetic, Big Ball, Small Ball, etc. adaptor will not fit your Dyson V7, V8 or V10.

If you have tools from your previous Dyson cordless vacuum or another Dyson with the tool fitting that looks like a Euro symbol, you just use the red button adaptor with your Dyson V7, V8 or V10 like so:

With these two adaptors, you are able to use the tools from most older Dysons (not DC11, DC15, DC19, DC20 or DC21) with your new Dyson V7, V8 or V10.

Very handy indeed, especially if you have previous generation extra tools and accessories like dusting brushes or mattress tools.

Where to buy:

You can buy on Amazon >here<, eBay >here< or from Manchester Vacs direct >here<.

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If you have one of the range of Dyson air purifier fans, or the hot + cool heater fan combination, they are fitted with a circular HEPA filter.

It is located behind the gauze with the little holes in it.

Three variants are currently available: The tower purifying fan, the desk purifying fan and the “hot+cool” which is also a heater that purifies the air.

When used via the app (recommended) the machine runs a timer and the app tells you when the filter is ready to be changed.

However, the filters are rather expensive at the moment, so the question we are often asked is “Do I really need to change the filter?”.

Disclaimer: We should of course say that if you want to follow Dyson’s recommendations to the letter, do not hesitate, buy a new filter and change it. The same might be said for asthmatics, those with allergies, etc. The advice in this article may or may not invalidate your warranty, blah blah…….et al.

This article is for those who dont feel like buying another filter so soon, and think there may be a little life left in the old one yet.

You will be surprised how much dust actually builds up in there. So let’s take a look……..

I like to start by vacuuming around the vents where the air comes from. You tend to get a streaky build up of dust there solidified a little by water vapour in the air. I find a Dyson stubborn dirt brush (being used here with a Sebo vacuum cleaner rather than a Dyson) is ideal for our purposes here.

Next, there are two buttons on the side one depresses simultaneously to remove the top of the unit.

Having done that, the filter and its shroud are easily removed.

Now here’s the bit you wasn’t expecting: slide the outer shroud off and look at that dust! 

That is testament to how much dust and other detritus these Dyson air purifiers really pull out of the air when left 24/7 on automatic mode as mine are.

Take your brush tool and get rid of that with your vacuum cleaner.

Usually, you can also carefully remove the outer filter gauze in order that the bristles from your brush tool can get right into the pleats of the filter and get as much out as possible.

Take care doing this though, as the pleats are quite delicate here being made of paper. Gentle stroking up and down (ooh er missus!) is the way here. Don’t go at it like a bull in a china shop.

Having cleaned the filter up, replace the gauze, vacuum up what is now all over the floor that look like little grey worms, the inside of the shroud and the internal bits of the fan you can see and refit it all together again.

You may wish to reset the timer on the Dyson app to tell it you have had a “new” filter. Scroll down on the app and expand the options, go into “settings”, and click “filter life”.

Then hit the “reset” button.

Yes, you’re sure.

And Bob’s your uncle, you’re all set (as our friends over the pond say).

I have three connected Dyson “Pure Cool Link” air purifiers at home, one of each type, and find them a great thing to have (if somewhat overpriced).

I tend to leave them on automatic 24/7 and they really do respond to the air quality going on where they are. See here how the air quality dips into the orange at peak times of day when traffic levels are higher on the street (with the windows open).

So yes, they do their job and are a good product, but I think the filters a tad expensive. So I like to get two cycles out of mine before I change them. And having three machines, doing what you have read above saves me about £125 a year.

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If you have a grey and lime green Dyson DC04 (called a “silver lime”), it was originally fitted with what is known as an Ametek motor.

Most other Dyson DC04 vacuum cleaners were fitted with what was known as the “YDK” motor.

While broadly similar, the two motors are different. And the problem for Silver Lime DC04 owners is that Ametek motors have been unavailable new for some time. And nobody makes them after-market any more.

This is a DC04 Silver Lime.

And this is the Ametek motor that is usually fitted.

Yes, that’s the one you can no longer buy new.

However, if you want to replace the motor in this DC04 variant, it can be done.

In order to retrofit the more popular YDK type motor, you need this adaptor kit.

Which is used with a YDK motor.

This adaptor kit when used with a YDK type motor allows you to replace the motor on your Silver Lime DC04.

So where to buy? 

You can buy cheapest >>here<<. You can buy on Amazon >>here<< and on eBay >>here<<. 

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There are plenty of Dyson DC04 vacuum cleaners left in Australia and New Zealand, despite them being a model dating from the mid 90s.

What isnt always abundant in Australia and New Zealand however is DC04 spare parts.

And for that matter, the people with Dyson DC04 vacuums in places like France, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Holland and other European countries also have some issues buying DC04 spares.

This post applies not only to those in Australia and New Zealand, but to anyone who is not in the UK.

Dyson will tell you DC04 wand handles are no longer available.

What they mean is DC04 wand handles are no longer available from them. Not the same thing.

Yes indeed, you can still buy new ones.

The new ones are standard grey with generic silver fittings like this.

They replace these colour variants:

And fit these machines:

However, when you are not in the UK, what is usually a killer is the shipping cost to overseas for oversize boxes – in this case about a metre long.

The Post Office and most couriers begin to penalise parcels that are over 700mm in length and the price ramps up.

However, there is a cheaper way to do it – utilise the eBay “Global Shipping Programme”.

The Global Shipping Program (or “GSP”) provides a safe and easy way for sellers to “sell internationally and ship domestically.” The details are taken care of—from helping identify which types of items can be sold where, to completing customs forms, to calculating and providing international shipping with tracking.

All international shipping and import charges are calculated automatically and paid for by the buyer upon checkout. Once an item is sold, the seller sends it to the Global Shipping Center using the shipping method of their choice. After the purchased item arrives at the Shipping Center, the seller’s job is done.

How this benefits you with something like a wand handle is that despite the package being long, eBay’s clout with the couriers mean no size penalties.

You can buy a new Dyson DC04 wand handle >>right here on UK eBay for £29.99 including UK delivery<<. eBay will then charge you a further £11 for the onward shipping of the handle from the UK shipping centre to your door down under.

That is £41 in total which is currently around AUD$66. Including customs clearance and tracking. Nothing else to pay.

Some time ago Dyson discontinued all support and spare parts supply for the DC04 as we mentioned here: Dyson Are Ending Parts & Service Support for the DC04 Range.

While the supply of parts hasn’t yet diminished terribly due to the aftermarket, some spares are starting to become elusive to obtain new.

For this reason, it’s always pleasing when new DC04 spares become available as it means even more Dyson DC04s will continue to be repaired and fewer of them will end up in landfill.

We mentioned recently that DC04 wand handles will be available shortly, and already two parts from the wand are already available in advance of that.

The wand release catch:

And the wand cap:

The release catches and the wand cap being made available in silver solve the problem of colour matching between variants.

The release catches fit all models:

As do the top swivelling wand caps.

It is worth noting that there are two variants on the original wand caps, one had a spring fitted, and one did not.

This new version fits both variants.

Where to buy? 

Dyson DC04 Wand Release Catches

You can buy the wand release catches on eBay >>here<<, on Amazon >>here<< or from Manchester Vacs >>here<<.

Dyson DC04 Wand Handle Top Caps

You can buy the wand caps on eBay >>here<<, on Amazon >>here<< or from Manchester Vacs >>here<<.

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This article first appeared at Manchester Vacs. 

Some may have noticed already that the cost of genuine Dyson spares has just massively increased.

Some parts have gone up over 100%.

It seems to be right across the board. It won’t have filtered through to every sales platform as yet, because people are sat on stock they bought at the old prices. But it will in the near future.

We are adjusting prices each day at the moment as we go to restock an item and find it has shot up.

Here is an example:

Standard Dyson clutches on eSpares are now £32.99.

Ours are currently up to £22.50. A tenner cheaper from us as I bulk bought some as soon as I saw this happening. But in time, ours will creep up too.

This is going to have a knock on effect on the folks who service, repair and recondition Dyson machines.

I can’t see this having much to do with the $/£ values (there are fewer dollars to the pound than is typical right now) as it has happened too quickly for it to have permeated through to the trade if that were the cause. And in any event, the £/$ weakness is something like 15-20% off typical levels, not 100%. So nobody can credibly blame Brexit.

So the only reason I can see is that Dyson have simply decided they want more money for the stuff if they are going to supply it. Because they can. Which is their right, I suppose. People can buy the stuff or not; I expect they don’t really care either way about people repairing machines out of warranty.

It does create an opportunity for the aftermarket to make some spares that might not have otherwise been financially viable, but on the other hand, it may also serve to put some people off repairing machines if the cost becomes prohibitive to do so.

Worth a discussion I thought. As ever, you heard it here first.

Dyson, in the last week or two have just began drastically increasing their spare part prices.

Some spares have doubled in price, some more than doubled.

Is this Dyson trying to squeeze the after-market for more money or something more mundane like the poor dollar to pound exchange rate putting prices in sterling up? We dont know.

What we do know is that Dyson clutches as fitted to DC03, DC04, DC07, DC14, DC27 and DC33 have doubled in price.

This may not have made its way through to the retail channels yet as many will be holding stock bought at old prices, but trust us, genuine Dyson spare parts are set to increase in price across the board.

This makes the prospect of stripping and rebuilding Dyson clutches more appealing to the DIY enthusiast.

There isn’t typically that much that goes wrong with Dyson clutches. The belts stretch and snap over time and/or the white nylon clutch wheel melts like this.

If you are thinking of rebuilding a clutch, clutch belts are no issue to find, but the white wheel (cog) that melts has always been unavailable (unless you had some old units to cannibalise).

Until now that is.

Yes, the after-market has ridden over the hill to the rescue again! 

Just to put these parts in context, here is where they go.

You can find Dyson clutch strip down and rebuild topics >>here<< and >>here<<. It isn’t really an amateur job, but for the experienced technician it isn’t terribly painful either. Especially once you have done a few.

You can buy the wheel (and little circlip) on its own >>here<<.

For those of you who prefer to buy on Fleabay, you can buy the wheel together with the belts on the UK site >>here<<, the US site >>here<< and the Australian site >>here<<.

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The Dyson DC04 is one of the classic Dyson models of vacuum cleaner dating from the late-nineties that is what we call the Ford Transit of Dysons: It does everything you want it to, and doesn’t break down very often if you do simple maintenance.

It does what it says on the tin. Decade after decade.

The Dyson DC04 is a SUPER vacuum cleaner. One of the best there ever was.

The vacuum monolith that is Dyson, that controls over 50% of the UK vacuum cleaner market, was built from the profits of machines like the DC04. And many thousands of DC04s are still in use today.

Quite rightly so.

However, a couple of years ago, Dyson discontinued all parts support for the DC04 and basically hoped to relegate them to history.

Of course, Dyson don’t really want you using a twenty year old vacuum cleaner, they want you to spend £300+ on a new one.

For them, this is perfectly logical. They now reckon we all need “Cinetic” machines with no filter, a robot or a cordless machine that can be over £400.

These machines are all mostly capable for their intended use. If you have a few hundred quid spare, why not buy one?

But what of the people who are quite happy with the old DC04 they already have?

What of the people who simply want to fix it or buy a spare part when it breaks?

Is “Sorry, that part is no longer available” a satisfactory answer?

Not really.

Enter what is known as the “after-market”.

As with cars, a couple of years after they come out, you can buy a “genuine” oil filter for £20 or an “Aftermarket” one for £8. They both do the same thing (often made in the same factory) but one costs less and comes in a different box.

We see the same with vacuum parts. When the original manufacturer stops making them, very often an after-market manufacturer will make them instead. This is why you can still buy parts for 1970s Hoover Juniors. Or spares for the Dyson DC01.

So what about DC04 wand handles? 

Over a decade or two, we saw weaknesses in the DC04 wand handle. The tool holder on the back breaks. Sometimes they snap altogether halfway down. This isn’t bad design, this simply aged plastics doing what they do beyond their expected service life. Dyson offer a five year warranty. Your wand handle broke after ten years, so it happens. Time to buy a new one.

But Dyson won’t sell you one because they are now “obsolete”.

But they are not obsolete if someone in the aftermarket decides to pump the money in to make that part again.

That is what has happened with DC04 wand handles.

Today, we at Dyson Medic got some aftermarket prototype DC04 wand handles to test for a UK manufacturer. We tried them on range of clutched machines (they dont fit the green/grey or Constant Max variants unless you change the hose) and they work just fine. Here are the photos.

These are now in manufacture since we gave them the green light.

I will update the topic here when they become available in the UK in a couple of months.

Edit: These are now available. You can find them cheapest >>here<<, but for those who prefer to use third party platforms, they are >>here on eBay<< and >>here on Amazon<<. Trade can buy in 5s >>here<<.

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