[cleanability]

Been running an Alltec Professional Plus for 5 years. First vac motors were lasting about 500-700hrs. But I did have a few mishaps where water/soap got sucked into vac motors. Then I was much more careful. Also I started re-newing vac motor brushes before they actually failed. So I've had a spare vac motor with me ready for over a year now for when my motors burn out. But they just keep running and running. They are upto 1500 hrs now with brushes changed 3 times. I'm astounded. What you think chaps? Is this an unusually long vac life? Or is this normal now that I am treating them better? Do you think  that changing brushes before they die helps?

                                               Chris  

[paulchambers]

I have not looked at the bushes yet on my machine, i have done a domestic appliance repair course and changing the brushes before they fail is a good idea as the carbon holder or spring attached to the end of the brush can permanently damaged the commutator.

[Dynafoam]

Chris,

I have long preached the gospel of the brush.

These are most commonly the cause of failure of vac motors. Changing them before they finally expire not only avoids damage to the commutator by metal components of the brush but also from the increased heat generated when they wear down to <10mm.

John.

[paulchambers]

with washing machines there are two types of brush normal (cheaper) and laminated (dearer) the laminated one cause less carbon dust which will prolong the life of the motor do cc suppliers have laminated brushes.

[Dynafoam]

Paul,

Not AFAIK, but it is posible to get both hard (standard) and soft brushes.

Now switch off and get out marketing.

[paulchambers]

John sorry left pc on ben out delivery leaflets popped back for a cuppa got two messages on the phone got two quotes from todays leaflets one women was actually looking at yp when leaflet went through her door.   Paul

[Ken Wainwright]

Chris

Your experiences mirror mine exactly. It's also beneficial when changing brushes to blow out the motor with compressed air. Carbon dust goes everywhere, so be warned.

Safe and happy servicing:)
Ken

[cleanability]

Ken/John thanks for the replies. By the way, obviously I've changed my vac motors when they actually burn out, but I've also changed them when they start tripping out my earth leakage trip. But making no attempt at fault diagnosis apart from a basic visual check. I'm assuming when the windings break down thats it. I know windings can be re-newed. But have been told best just forget that and get a new motor.


                               Chris

[Ken Wainwright]

Re-winds, as you stated Chris, aren't truly a viable option.

Earlier this year, one of my vacs tripped. I called 'round to my service agent for a new unit. He hadn't got one in stock so he took the old one out, blew compressed air through it and it's still working! That's when he advised me to blow it out at every service.

Safe and happy blow throughs:)
Ken

[Dynafoam]

Chris,

Even the arching from worn brushes, or as Ken has said, partial short-circuiting from carbon dust can cause some circuit breakers to trip.

John.

[paulchambers]

Carbon is very conductive blowing carbon out though a good idea wont get rid of it all and eventually the build up will short circuit , this could take years to happen or could happen in a short time ( a bit like tracking in a distributor cap when cars had them)

[cleanability]

Well thanks chaps. From now on my brush changes will include a visit to a garage for an air line.


                                    Thanks

                                        Chris

[Bryan H]

1500 Hours ??   That is only about 12 months work, give or take!!

One of mine has done at least 6000 - 7000 hrs.   It's twin didn't last long !   only did about 4500

Had a few brush changes of course!

Bryan

ps  Think I under estimated,    more like 8000

[Ken Wainwright]

Bryan

OK, I use various systems, so not always using my extractor, but I only clock up about 350 hours a year on my Alltec Pro Plus. I always turn off the main power switch when not actually extracting, that way the clock stops. This allows the clock to actually record the motors' runing time, not the time spent on site. An important consideration when a 7.2" vac has a recemmended 300 hour service interval and, from memory, a 5.7" vac has a 600 hour(?) service interval.

Safe and happy cleaning:)
Ken

[cleanability]

Hey Bryan!    You saying your vac motors will do 6-7000 hrs until they trip out or burn out??

                                 Chris

[Bryan H]

Chris,

I reckon my vacs are generally 'running' for at least 20 hrs per week,  a lot more if doing some commercial as well.  That is a min
of 1000 hrs per year, multiplied by 6 years.

I once had a 7.2 in.  last 7 years

I have them serviced twice yearly,  time permitting

I'm sure someone will tell me if my maths are wrong !

Bryan

[Bryan H]

Ken,

We don't have clocks on 'Ninjas'  -  not that sophisticated. I appreciate that the motors are not running for the whole time on site  -  particularly when cleaning upholstery,  but I still believe I'm erring on the conservative side, especially taking largish comm' jobs into account if done at weekends.

I'm either very lucky, or him/her up there loves me!

Bryan