Bringing our Dyson?
 

Would our Dyson vacuum cleaner work in Canada? I'd rather not sell it - we are moving next week and don't have much time to try and get a decent price, plus one attachment is broken (which we don't use so doesn't matter to us but would lower resale value). I love my Dyson! :D
Any thoughts, O Wise Ones?

Re: Bringing our Dyson?
 

well I brought mine..

It just about works on 120v.. sucks!!

However if you run it from the kitchen on 220v then it works fine...

How you wire it up is not exactly the stuff Insurance companies like, and if you’re not sure how to do it, then you really shouldn't consider doing it.

But the trick is knowing that most of the sockets in a N.A. kitchen have two outlets in which the two “lives” are out of phase with each other and the AC voltage across these is approx 220v


But I’ll re-iterate the point… if your not sure then don’t do it

Re: Bringing our Dyson?
 

Also....YOU WILL HAVE TWO "HOT" LINES AND NO GROUND TO PROTECT YOU

Re: Bringing our Dyson?
 

MOH bought a standup Dirt Devil, a big old beastie thing for about equivalent of 130 GBP - the thing rocks, and sucks like a toothless Edmonton streetwalker in deepest December. Has all the attachments, long pokey thing, some funny whirring around thing, flat thing for stairs I think, gets into all the corners, has 4 settings suitable for that funky bright green shag pile which is so popular here, or for wooden floors, and a whopping mega long electric cable too. We have 2 cats and it gobbles up the fur, the bag is being emptied once every hoover at least. Maybe we shouldn't hoover the cats directly tho :rolleyes:

For the price I wouldn't bother shipping it, you'll at least pay half as much in shipping costs if not more. Go find a skip or donate.

Rich.

Re: Bringing our Dyson?
 

Whoa...I haven't seen shag carpet here in Calgary since the mid eighties. New installs that is. You can still find it I'm sure in some older homes.:)

Re: Bringing our Dyson?
 

Thanks - it all sounds a bit scary so I think I'll leave the beloved Dyson behind!

We are trying so hard to avoid ditching things in a skip - it's just so wasteful. The charity shop will hate us, heh!!

Re: Bringing our Dyson?
 

Sadly dear readers, the Canadian electric supply into one`s home is unique even beside the USA. Both are 110volt, but with slightly different cycles.
Some people bring in the USA product, paying the tax where deemed due, then after a while some US products run on CAD electric might not function 100%. Your guarantee claim would be useless as one would be giving a CAD address to a US distributor!

There is also the issue that although many homes here in CAD are "200amp" boards. The wiring to some sockets is so minimal in amp conductivity, that if you try to run a microwave and a radio even from a double socket, the circuit breaker trips out.

To conclude, the standard of domestic wiring in CAD homes is lower than UK homes. Also in CAD there is a culture where if it only needs 2 pins on the plug to operate, then 2 pins is all that is fitted onto the appliance.
In the UK, appliances that would give a very nasty shock are fitted with 3 pins (so as to gain an earth NOT THROUGH YOU), even if they would function on only 2.

Re: Bringing our Dyson?
 

Absolutely NOT true. North America is standard 60 cycle

Once again not true. Virtually all homes in Canada and certainly new ones the circuit breakers are 15 amp or higher.

I am not going to argue whether the standard of UK wiring is better or worse than Canadian because I don't know.

Electricity Standards around the world.

Regards
Steve

Re: Bringing our Dyson?
 

A bit of a cheesy plug, but Dirt Devil ( way cheaper ), does exactly the same thing, and it's bagless as well. Check your local costco and other good stores

Re: Bringing our Dyson?
 

Too right - so good we bought two. I nabbed one of the handy sized ones to vacuum out the car with and it's very good, no hassles.

Rich.

Re: Bringing our Dyson?
 

Just to let you know - Dysons are extorionate over here! I have hardwood floors throughout so didn't bother bringing mine, but if you have carpets in your house then you may wish you had brought it when you see the price of vacuums here!!

Re: Bringing our Dyson?
 

Just a tip, but when I moved to North America, all my stuff (including my Dyson) was placed into storage. It's all been shipped over here now, and so I just bought a heavy duty voltage transformer, and now I plug all my UK stuff in through a UK 6-way extension lead, and everything runs fine with no problems. And comparing the Dirt Devil that I had with the Dyson? Well the Dyson wins hands down.

Re: Bringing our Dyson?
 

Gotta agree with every word you have said! We have a voltage transformer for all our UK stuff and it all works fine. And how can anyone compare a Dyson to a Dirty Devil ......... no that is just swearing!!

Re: Bringing our Dyson?
 

Dyson really does make a huge difference doesn't it...

and getting one over here, pretty cheap, well there's plenty of places that sell refurbed ones which are well cheap...only 90 warranty on them though...other thing with dysons over here, less power and it ain't a dyson motor, it's a licensed Mitsubishi....still a lot better than dirt devil/electrolux/eureka...

Re: Bringing our Dyson?
 

Well I guess if you think over $500 for a vacuum cleaner is cheap then you have too much money :D .

Dyson Vacuums

Re: Bringing our Dyson?
 

And why can't you get cannisters over here? What's the obsession with the upright anyway? My little DC02 is so easy to vacuum under beds and tables, and I don't develop an overly-muscled right arm in the process...for that, I turn to the internet. :D

Re: Bringing our Dyson?
 

Me neither.....I have delightful cleaning ladies :D .

Re: Bringing our Dyson?
 

$100 for a refurb that'll last a lifetime and doesn't require extra expanses like hepa filter replacements...yeah, I think that's pretty cheap...and unless you have pets, you don't need to get the top end one with all the attachments, which you can get seperately anyway...though that new one they have with the ball, or the newer replacement to the DC 07, which is a big improvement, is a tad overly expensive :)

Re: Bringing our Dyson?
 

Anyone know what the built in central vac systems are like? Seems to be pretty standard in most new builds.
(I can't believe I'm talking about vacume cleaners, must be getting old :D )

Re: Bringing our Dyson?
 

... but that where its that much safer than the UK...in theory

As its a centre tapped system the only way you can experience full load is direct contact with both hot leads, any one on its own it’s only 110v to earth.. a significantly lower risk that 240 to earth.

It all comes down to the transformer wiring circuit, in the UK the earths is tapped at one end, in N.A. its centre tapped giving two possible phases that can be used individually or in combination.

Also every socket has an earth circuit and if the appliance needs it, it should be used, in the case of a dyson it’s classed as double insulated and doesn’t have an earth.

Re: Bringing our Dyson?
 

Matter of opinion. Volts Jolts, Mils Kills (mAmps)

In canada the gerry rigged 240V is actually two alternating 120V circuits out of phase...while one is at +120, the other is at -120. Grap either of the hot lines and you ARE the path to earth for 120VAC.

In the UK the hot line is AC 240V, the return neutral is common with ground.
if you grab the neutral nothing much happens, grab the hot and you get 240VAC.

Your UK device is designed for a neutral neutral, not a hot one.

It may work, but one level of safety is effectively removed, and besides, personal safety aside, you are totaly invalidating your home insurance if you have an electrical fire. Those companies dont get rich by paying out when they have any reason at all not to.

Re: Bringing our Dyson?
 

I'm utterley stunned to read this thread. I contacted Dyson UK last year who wouldn't answer my simple question and directed me to the USA site. When I asked them the same question I couldn't get a reply from them either. I only wanted to know if there were any plans to sell them in Canada. Sadly I got the warranty lecture if I bought it in the US.

As it's that old dog hair issue that even now needs attending to can I just ask where you can buy a Dyson from in Canada?

Re: Bringing our Dyson?
 

If you live near the border, pop over and get it from Target, Sears, Best Buy etc...plenty of places online will ship it too...get a refurb and then it doesn't matter about the warranty...there sturdy machines and unless you drop it down a flight of stairs, there's not much to go wrong, the rubber seals at the bottom might ware with age, but there only pennies to replace...and the filter, if you knacker it can find it cheap in a lot of places online, though how anyone would knacker it I don't know *l*

Re: Bringing our Dyson?
 

Don't see what all the fuss is about this dyson anyway, why go through all that palaver to bring over to canada, or nipping over the border to get one, when you are only going to end up being taxed on it?

Just get a dirt devil, it works just as good, and is cheaper. Why would you want to spend more :confused:

Re: Bringing our Dyson?
 

Dude,

Ours is roughed-in with all the plastic tubing and power supply rigged up ready but we figured for $260 versus $500-600 minimum for c/vac we'd go for the vacuum. Twice the expenditure for the same thing really, but can't honestly compare as we've never used /seen the central vac thingy.

Still needs the dirt-bag emptying eh ? That dust and hair and skin cells minging grey stuff doesn't just disappear into thin air just cos ya have a central vac. Urk, that's a nasty job emptying the dirt-bag ;)

[Old - I'm getting to be too well informed regarding the minutae of domestic arrangements for my own liking. Must find work, very soon].

Rich.

Re: Bringing our Dyson?
 

Because a Dyson cleans so much better...once you've actually used one for some time, you'll notice...and I've used a few since being here and they were all shite compared to the Dyson..also it's a lot lighter that the eureka that lasted the longest...and also a lot quieter...doesn't freak the pet out as much...and if it's an old vac, it wouldn't get taxed...and even if you do go over the border, be a bit of bad luck to get caught out and then taxed...

Re: Bringing our Dyson?
 

We did have a dyson in the UK, but didnt see the need to lump that over with us. To be honest, can't really say I noticed a difference really, and can't be arsed to spend all that money just a brand name now.

If a non brand name does the job, why bother, each to their own I guess.

Re: Bringing our Dyson?
 

I have a Bissell, which I bought from Costco. I think it cost about $120, and is an excellent vaccum cleaner. What's the point in getting a dyson?

Re: Bringing our Dyson?
 

The great British inventor of household goods Mr Dyson sold out and had his products made in the far east with far east manufactured bits and pieces.

The ongoing decline in quality will show it up for what it is.....The same old crap making even more profit for it's inventor with declining quality.

Rich.

Re: Bringing our Dyson?
 

I thought the ones here were made in Ohio? Or is it just assembled there?

Re: Bringing our Dyson?
 

Not sure, probably assembled, like most stuff. Mr Dyson certainly isn't as popular back in the UK as he once was, which was the point I was making. I recall 'sellout argh burn the traitorous witch at the stake' kind of rants in the tabloid mind-control-of-the-masses rags.

Dirt Devil got my $'s.

Rich.

Re: Bringing our Dyson?
 

Might as well ask why drive an upmarket car?

Dyson came up with a better mousetrap, it works in a more efficient and effective way and is arguably a better / more interesting design. Probably last longer and does the job in a less stressful way. Is it worth the extra money? Personal choice I suppose. Werent available here when I was shopping about.

After realising our cheapo Hoover sucked (or really didnt suck :confused: ) we bought a nice $600 Kenmore canister, and I can honestly say the design is crap. The thing drives me nuts. Its nice and quiet and does a nice job cleaning hardwood or carpet, but it snags on every bit of furniture we have and is too heavy and total non steerable. Drives me nuts, and has increased my daughters burgeoning vocabulary!

Re: Bringing our Dyson?
 

Exactly my point ! Bisell is another decent one just like you said

Re: Bringing our Dyson?
 

I'd like to add that I forked out UKP 160 for a Miele in the UK. It was also a very good vaccum cleaner, and did the job admirably. Cheap UK vaccum cleaners aren't very good in the UK. My make is used by some friends of mine who own a store, so it has to be good at what it does.

I can't believe that there are people out there who care what their vaccum cleaner looks like. Most of the time it sits in a closet....

Re: Bringing our Dyson?
 

As far as I am aware - Canada STILL does not sell them. You have to buy from the US and loose your warranty. Does anyone know if you can get them here yet?

Re: Bringing our Dyson?
 

We got ours as a refurb, for a bargain price, must cheaper in the long run too without need for new hefa filters which are really expesnsive...

Re: Bringing our Dyson?
 

There assembled here...and has a mitsubishi licensed motor instead of a dyson motor too....

dyson ain't a popular guy, but then he's out to make money, he was given the shaft the first time around when he tried the vac over here by Amway and almost went broke...and so what if he gets to the far east to get things made...be cheaper in the long run I say..

Re: Bringing our Dyson?
 

Excellent.

The hose is very light and you just plug it in.

Re: Bringing our Dyson?
 

I don't find the hose to be light. I find it to be sufficiently a bother that I use a Panasonic upright on the flat bits and a ShopVac in the corners instead.

Re: Bringing our Dyson?
 

So it's you who pops in and does our hoovering then?

Thanks alot :)