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Author Topic: Dyson Terminology Explained  (Read 20946 times)

Offline MVacs

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Dyson Terminology Explained
« on: May 12, 2011, 09:13:55 pm »
We intend to build this topic over time to explain the Dyson lingo you can hear.

What is a Zorbster?
Is an "all floors" different to a "multi floor"?
What are the "wood and wool" models?

Feel free to ask a questions.  :thumbsup:

Offline MVacs

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Re: Dyson Terminology Explained
« Reply #1 on: May 22, 2011, 03:16:04 pm »
HEPA Filters.



HEPA stands for "high efficiency particulate air" - in other words, its an air filter. On a Dyson, it is located after the motor, before the air is expelled back out into the room. It is more commonly referred to as a post motor filter in this instance.

Many Dysons use HEPA filters as part of the filtration system. This is beneficial for asthma and allergy sufferers, because the HEPA filter traps the fine particles (such as pollen and dust mite faeces) which trigger allergy and asthma symptoms.

Dyson tend to market them as a "lifetime" filter. The lifetime of what they didn't mention. In reality, they are not "lifetime" filters. They do catch debris, and as such eventually block up. A blocked HEPA filter reduces the efficiency of the machine and puts stress on the motor, thus shortening its life.

They are generally not washable; although some claim success at washing them. We don't recommend washing them. Nor do Dyson.

Good practice suggests you might replace them every year or two. Its never a bad idea to change them when you fit a new motor as well. The one you had may have hastened the decline of the old motor.

Offline MV Claire

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Re: Dyson Terminology Explained
« Reply #2 on: June 13, 2011, 03:12:48 pm »
Dyson Wood and Wool Models.

The moniker "wood + wool" has been discontinued by Dyson; presumably because people found it confusing. There cannot be too many wool floors around after all can there?

They are now called once more "multi floor". All that means is a vacuum cleaner for use on every floor type - carpet, ceramic, vinyl and wood.

Offline DavidP

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Re: Dyson Terminology Explained
« Reply #3 on: June 26, 2011, 12:31:17 am »
So is there a difference between a multi floor and an all floors? If so, how do we tell the difference?

Offline MVacs

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Re: Dyson Terminology Explained
« Reply #4 on: June 30, 2012, 11:46:05 pm »
So is there a difference between a multi floor and an all floors? If so, how do we tell the difference?

Multi floor and all floors mean the same thing. Dyson do seem to adopt confusing marketing at times.

Offline MVacs

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Re: Dyson Terminology Explained
« Reply #5 on: June 30, 2012, 11:57:01 pm »
Zorbster:

The Dyson Zorbster was a particular model of DC04 - grey and lavender in colour - that was designed to also dry clean carpets.

The Dyson DC04 Zorbster was a grey and lavender Dyson that also doubled up as a carpet cleaner by the addition of a front mounted hopper that dispensed Dyson "Zorb" carpet dry cleaning crystals. Technically, they are quite similar to a standard "all floors" Dyson except for a few technical differences that allow the operation of the carpet cleaning hopper. They were never terribly popular as a carpet dry cleaning machine in our opinion; most people tended to use them as a regular vacuum.

When we recondition these machines today, we tend convert them to a regular "all floors" machine, removing the carpet cleaning facility altogether.

If you encounter an original one, it looks like this. Here is the machine with the hopper close by:



To attach the hopper, you depress the lever with your foot like so:



This allows you to fit the hopper to the front of the machine:



Then you grab yourself a bag of Zorb powder:



And after opening the front,  insert it into your hopper like so:



However, I have yet to meet anyone that uses their Zorbster as a carpet dry cleaning machine. Most tend to use it as a regular vacuum cleaner because the hopper has long since vanished and/or they didn't know what the extra bits and pieces were for. We still have some brand new hoppers in though. You can get one from >>this page<<.

Dyson no longer sell Zorbster machines.

Offline MVacs

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Re: Dyson Terminology Explained
« Reply #6 on: July 01, 2012, 12:33:15 am »
Lifetime Filters Explained:

Many Dysons were marketed with 'lifetime filters'. In my opinion (and it must be understood this is 'my' opinion for legal reasons), this is typical marketing babble that was never properly quantified by Dyson. Who's lifetime? The lifetime of what? (Really, the ASA or trading standards could have had a field day here).

Your lifetime?
The machines lifetime? (At Manchester Vacs they never die so go figure.....)
The lifetime of the motor?

We typically have two filters on a Dyson. The pre-motor washable filter and the post motor filter (Which might or might not be a HEPA filter).

HEPA filters cannot be washed and still work properly (ignore what those who tell you otherwise say). When they are clogged, they are clogged and need replacing. That usually means plaster dust.

Post motor filter pads can be washed, but often don't survive washing and are cheap enough to replace anyway.

Washable pre motor filters are not usually washed properly by people (following Dyson's instructions). They tell you some waffle about rinsing them under the tap. For a badly clogged filter that will be totally ineffective. The filters we refit to machines are cleaned with a steam cleaner (pressure washer) first and then put through a washing machine (which Dyson also does not recommend  :-\ ). Ours are like new - most people find it easier to buy a new one.

If the motor has died, you need to replace both filters really. Most after-market motor suppliers will not honour a guarantee on a motor unless proof of filter purchase is supplied also.

So what is a lifetime filter? Marketing waffle really........ (in my opinion)

If you have used your Dyson for plaster dust, it needs both filters - guaranteed!

If you swapped your motor, it needs both filters replacing. The machine is old enough that the motor dies, so yes, it needs new filters too.

Clean filters stop the motor over heating. Motors that overheat cut out and/or die.  :dead-dyson:

Dyson filters are NOT lifetime by any definition (in my opinion). That's why people sell them......

Offline MVacs

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Re: Dyson Terminology Explained
« Reply #7 on: October 31, 2012, 06:44:25 pm »
Animal:

An 'Animal' machine is just the same as a non Animal machine, except it has a HEPA filter. When new, some machines marketed as Animal come with a few extra bits like a turbo brush, or some kind of cleaning kit, but the basic machine remains the same.

To make any Dyson into an Animal, simply add a HEPA filter.

Many people imagine there is some extra engineering trickery or upgraded mechanicals in there. There isn't. The colour of the plastics may differ, but same motor, same brushroll, same clutch, same cyclone, same design. Think of it like a car manufacturer adding a stripe down the side and a spoiler and then calling the car a 'sport'. Add a HEPA filter and maybe a turbo tool, and charge some extra money. Cute marketing huh?

Any Dyson is perfectly suitable for animal hair.

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