Dyson Advice > Vacuum and Appliance Chat
Full Dyson Vacuum Model Numbers & Product List. With Photos. Better than Wikipedia.
MVacs:
Dyson vacuum cleaner model numbers can be a confusing array of numbers and letters.
We publish this Dyson model range glossary in order that the Dyson vacuum cleaner model codes might be demystified somewhat.
The first Dysons: The Kleeneze Rotork Cyclon and the Apex G-Force.
To the untrained eye, the Rotork Cyclon and the G-Force are one and the same.
Left and centre are Rotorks; the G-Force is on the right.
Kleeneze Rotork Cyclon
A Kleeneze Rotork Cyclon
The first vacuum cleaner by James Dyson was called the Kleeneze Rotork Cyclon; the first production vacuum cleaner created by James Dyson.
It was not sold under the Dyson name.
They were sold through Kleeneze’s distribution network and at the Ideal Home Exhibition through 1983 & 1984.
These (and the visually similar later Japanese G-Force machines - see below) are usually regarded as prototype Dysons, and are VERY rare. Very seldom do they come up for sale.
Around 550 Rotorks were made, for the UK market only. Nowadays they are very rare. Dyson Malmesbury has one. The Zanussi museum in Italy has one (Zanussi built them). The design museum in London has one. The Frenchay museum in Bristol has one. One of the spare parts distributors we deal with has one. A member here called Heidi has one. A shop called Killis in Sheffield has one. A couple of guys in the US and a collector in the UK we know of also have one. We have one which you can see working below and read the restoration topic >>here<<.
//www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gNS03OTI6M
There may be a few more out there.
We guestimate there are perhaps 20-30 in total remain worldwide. All in the hands of collectors, enthusiasts and museums, so very few people have seen one of these as this machine is a piece of Dyson history.
Interest in this initial model lead to licensing agreements in Japan where a slightly modified version of the “Cyclon” was sold by Apex inc. as the “G-Force”.
The Dyson G Force
The G Force was the very first Dyson that Dyson really admitted to (they never talk much about the Rotork above). It was only sold to the Japanese market. It cost around $2000 in 1991 and won a design award.
James Dyson with a G-Force.
It also was not sold under the Dyson name. James Dyson later used the money he earned from the G-Force to start up the UK Dyson company we all know.
James Dyson eventually licensed his design in Japan, the home of high-tech (like taking coals to Newcastle, no?). The Japanese loved the over-priced pink G-Force and, in 1993, the royalties allowed James to manufacture a Dyson machine under his own name, the DC01 was born. A multi-millionaire and world-wide success story was also born!
We have one of these in our Dyson Museum, believed to be the only one in the UK apart from the one at Dyson HQ.
Comments, corrections, submissions, clarifications, new information, etc. can be submitted on >this topic<
MVacs:
The Dyson DA001 and DC01.
The first vacuum cleaner sold under the Dyson name was the DA001, launched in 1993. It was a domestic upright model that used the patented "Dual Cyclone" technology and was mostly made in Chippenham (although some very early ones are badged as being made in Bath). After a short period, it was renamed the DC01 and production later moved to Malmesbury, at the company's new factory/research centre (now only an R&D centre since production moved abroad).
The DA001/DC01 had a single motor (two variants were used: YDK and Ametek) which provided the suction and also drove the brushroll directly via a single rubber toothless belt, so was mainly designed to use on carpeted floors. It stored its hose on the back of the housing as part of the handle wand, and removing the handle wand enabled this stretch hose to be used. Dyson has retained this basic idea on their upright models to date.
This was the only Dyson upright before Cinetic machines not to use washable pre-motor filters; the filters had to be purchased and replaced every 3 months (washable ones were later sold though). It also had a choice of post motor filtration – standard or HEPA (High Efficiency Particle Arrest) according to the model purchased.
They look like this:
They are becoming a bit retro now. Typically grey/yellow, occasionally grey/blue and on rare occasions available in the red, purple and yellow "De Stijl" colours you see above in the centre. They are not as sophisticated as later models, but they are built like a tank and last for years. They sold very well in Scotland as the Scottish Electricity Board sold them. Many are still in daily use, not only in Scotland, but all over the world today. They were never sold in the USA, but collectors have since imported some to there.
There are slight differences between standard DC01's and the early DA001 machines:
* All DA001s are yellow and grey (no grey/blue or yellow/purple/red De Stijl made yet)
* The cleaner head and front bumper differs a little in design - one doesn't easily fit the other
* Original back hoses on the DA001 were about an inch shorter (but after-market ones fit either)
* Wands on the DA001 had a white plastic collar on the end of the aluminium tube and were a tad shorter on the tube (hence the shorter hose)
* The DA001 had a fixed soleplate and most DC01s had a revised version with a tilting cradle within the soleplate (a better explanation of that >>here<<.)
The DA001 and DC01 are essentially the same machine, the DC01 is basically a facelift of the DA001. Most parts are interchangeable, most new after-market parts fit both variants (but after-market bumpers do not fit DA001's), but if sourcing original used soleplates, cleaner heads, bottom motor housings, hoses or a wand, better to ask the question here to see if what you intend to buy will fit, or take pot luck. Because chances are the seller (unless a Dyson guru like some folk here) won't have a clue and you will be left wondering why the £5 used hose from eBay wont fit your DC01/DA001.
We have plenty of further reading and DIY repair topics on the DA001 and the DC01 in >our DA001/DC01 room<.
Dyson have long since abandoned spares supply and service for these machines, but independent specialists have most of the spares still.
Comments, corrections, submissions, clarifications, new information, etc. can be submitted on >this topic<
MVacs:
The Dyson DC02
The DC02 was the first cylinder (canister) model sold by Dyson. It was smaller and easier to carry than the preceding DC01. Its shape allowed it to sit on stairs and this design was named "stair-hugging" by Dyson. The cleaner features an extendable hose designed to work around corners and objects. To the rear of the machine, there is a pedal which retracts the cable back into the cleaner.
The Dyson DC02 De Stijl
The Dyson DC02 Recyclone
It uses the cyclone system. This model is commonly duplicated by other manufacturers, presumably because the more complicated Dyson models (Root cyclone models etc.) have better protected patents.
Typically grey with yellow fittings, some were made in white with blue fittings and a few other rarer variants existed - see below.
The model is also available in a special edition called the 'DC02 Recyclone' (see above), named such because it was the first vacuum cleaner to be made out of recycled plastic.
Dyson have long since abandoned spares supply and service for these DC02 machines, but independent specialists have most of the spares still. Our DC02 spares section is >>here<<.
We have plenty of further reading and DIY repair topics on the DC02 in >our Cylinder Dyson room<.
Comments, corrections, submissions, clarifications, new information, etc. can be submitted on >this topic<
MVacs:
The Dyson DC03
The DC03 was a lightweight, low profile upright cleaner. The only Dyson able to recline absolutely flat to go under furniture (as machines like Sebo do) They are twin cylinder machines that contain one normal cylinder and a second which contained a pair of HEPA filters.
Its suction power was much lower than other Dyson uprights due to the very small motor and narrow cyclone fitted. Their heavy-duty filtration system allowed it to survive for many years after the rest of the original Cyclone cleaners were discontinued.
Dyson DC03 models in 'Standard' and 'Absolute' colours.
Most models were grey in colour with yellow and/or yellow and purple fittings.
They were the first slim Dyson. They only weigh about 15 pounds and when reclined. Being able to be folded flat allows them to be stored on two hooks, hung on the back of a door.
The downsides are that the filters are often not washable (some later ones are), the dust collection cylinder isn't big, and the motor (and thus the suction) is less powerful than other Dysons (although adequate for most people).
Dyson DC03 'Clear' and 'Independent' models.
The two models above are the rather rare blue 'Clear' (which you can read the rebuild topic of >>here<<), and the silver 'Independent' (which you can read the rebuild topic on >>here<<.)
Despite the fact that these machines did not have blistering performance, they were a stylish machine and still have a small but enthusiastic following.
Dyson have long since abandoned spares supply and service for these machines, but independent specialists have most of the spares still. We sell DC03 spares >>here<<.
We have plenty of further reading and DIY repair topics on the DC03 in >our DC03 room<.
Comments, corrections, submissions, clarifications, new information, etc. can be submitted on >this topic<
MVacs:
The Dyson DC04
The DC04 was the successor to the DC01 above. These models are one of the all-time best-sellers for Dyson - with good reason.
Archive shots of our original online shop photos circa 2011
James Dyson's innovative telescopic hose design made the DC04 ideal for your stairs, your car, high up places in your home and of course your carpet and laminate floors. Look at the photos above – where our model demonstrates the various included accessories – to see how truly versatile this model is.
A selection of DC04s from our museum display.
The DC04 was the successor to the original DC01. It had improved washable filters fitted as standard. Whilst the design is quite similar to the earlier DC01, they corrected a few minor design flaws. The DC04 is what we call the "Ford Transit" of Dysons - it does exactly what you want it to do without fuss. A DC04 is easier to empty, easier to use with the tools, the tools are stored on-board in a more sensible way, and it is just a nicer machine to use than the earlier models. We used to sell a lot of DC04's.
Reconditioned DC04s - Manchester Vacs circa 2012
More on model colours and variants >here< and plenty of DIY repair advice and chat in >our DC04 room<.
Dyson have long since abandoned spares supply and service for these machines, but independent specialists have most of the spares still. We sell DC04 spares >>here<<.
Comments, corrections, submissions, clarifications, new information, etc. can be submitted on >this topic<
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
Go to full version