[CleanerCarpets]

Any one ever changed the motor brushes in a Lamb Vacuum motor?

Suppose to be easy & looks ok but any advice/pictures would be great

Jase

www.newlookclean.com

[Dennis]

Disconnect machine from mains.
Unclip black fan cover clips
Remove the metal spring clips
Undo 2 screws holding brush clamp
Ease brush out (remember orientation of brush or take a digital picture)
Carefully insert small flat bladed screwdriver where the spade connector is to "un-hook" it and ease it out
Put spade connector fully into new brush be careful with these these the wire breaks easily
Fit new brush making sure the bump on the brush fits in the slot
Refit clamp
Refit spring clip
Repeat for other brush
While the brushes are out I always clean the armature with very fine emery and then with a pin remove the carbon from the slots and wipe clean
Put the fan cover back on, plug in  and test

[Ken Wainwright]

A comprehensive guide from Dennis.

If you have access to a transformer, run the motors afterwards at 110 volts for 30 minutes. This will help the brushes bed in gently and lead to a longer life for brushes and armature.

Safe and happy serviceing
Ken

[CleanerCarpets]

thanks for that - had been advised you had to watch for something that breaks easily & now i know which bit it is & how to get round it

my machines done 500 hours & has 2xLamb 5.7 3 stage motors. I always look out for foam etc in the waste tank as i know foam & moisture in the vacuum motors will kill them prematurely. What sort of lifespans are you guys getting from these types of motors when they are looked after & not drowned in foam on every use!!!

i was just wondering if its worth changing the brushes or if the motors will be nearing the end of life at 500 hours any way??

[Ken Wainwright]

If you have series vacs, the front one is always running flat out, will wear out quicker and wear the brushes quicker.  Parallel mounts are even wearing.

Always replace the brushes when worn.

On 500 hours for the number 2 vac or for parallel vacs, you should reasonably expect much more life from your motors. For No1 on a series set up it could go at anytime within the next 2 years 

Safe and happy cleaning
Ken

[CleanerCarpets]

thanks Ken, they are parallel i think so i'll do the brushes & hope for many more hours!!

[murky]

The water pump went on my Alltec porty on Friday, its not the fuse, tried that, so I spose its bushes (if they have them).

Is it worth changing them or is it best to just cough and get a new one, do I go to Altech or are there cheaper ones around?

Murky

[Ken Wainwright]

Murky

I'm presuming a Flojet or Shureflo.

Your problem could be in the switch,wiring or on the law of averages could be within the motor.

For a demand pump, it could be the pressure switch (DO NOT by pass this for running, but you could briefly for a dry test.

If it's gone suddenly without any signs beforehand, my suspicion would be the rectifier if it's Flojet or Shureflo. Could be the brushes. Either way, a new Bell End assembly contains bush/bearing, brushes and rectifier all in one assembly. Disconnect wiring from pump (mains disconnected first)Two bolts and it's off. Reverse for re-assembly.  Easy. I would make a guess at about £30 to £40 for a Bell End assenbly.

If it's not any of the above, then it could be within the motor itself.

Safe and happy cleaning
Ken

[Paul Redden Countryfresh]

I have found a bradawl better for easing the brass spade out of the brush housing as they can be very tight.

Cheers paul

[JandS]

Spoke with the engineer who does my machines.
He basically said once there in just keep running them.
Asked him if it was worth having them serviced every so often and he said no.
He reckoned a machine being used 5 days a week full time would need vaccuum and water pump changing once a year.

John

[CleanerCarpets]

thing is - when you say he is doing your machines - does that mean he is replacing things like pumps/motors when they blow?

 if so its in his interest to not replace bushes etc - the brushes for a Lamb motor are about £1.50 each - 2 motors=4 brushes which=£6 if you fit them yourself.

Now its a better earner for him to just fit new motors & pumps at about probably £200 a throw than to keep your bits & bobs running longer with servicing. 2 vac's & one pump replaced by someone like that could be costing you around £600 per year - my machine has been in full time use now for over 18 months on original items & i reckon the motors & pump have plenty more to go

Jase

[Ian Gourlay]

 a few weeks ago I posted Web site of  Williamson pumps

Off top of head  I think its

www.williamsonpumps.co.uk.

[JandS]

It would probably also be worth his while servicing them I suppose.
He runs the local Prochem supply shop and repairs carpet cleaning machines, vaccuum cleaners and all things cleaning related.

John

[Paul Redden Countryfresh]

Fit & forget vacuums  I don't think so! I change my brushes every eight months.
If not when the brushes get low they will arc on the armature and you will fill your custys house with a lovely burning smell. You will probably blow the house fuses as well. One well known  carpet machine shop near me would automatically replace the vac unit when a new set of brushes would have possibly rescued the unit.

So unless you don't mind forking out £250 x 2 a year change the brushes I have a ninja and do them in - situ. 

Paul