What's new

Monorail Vac Electrical Question

cdreed06

Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2011
Messages
278
Reaction score
1
Points
16
Location
Missouri
We have a 3 motor Monorail vac that trips the motor #2 breaker all the time. I have replaced the motors (they were weak), replaced the breaker, and now the coin switch. Where should I go next? Thanks in advance.
 

MEP001

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 30, 2007
Messages
16,665
Reaction score
3,948
Points
113
Location
Texas
It might be a weak connection or wire. You could try swapping the motor and breaker to different positions in case one or both of the new parts was bad.
 

Earl Weiss

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 31, 2007
Messages
6,393
Reaction score
951
Points
113
We have a 3 motor Monorail vac that trips the motor #2 breaker all the time. I have replaced the motors (they were weak), replaced the breaker, and now the coin switch. Where should I go next? Thanks in advance.
I would first like to know why was a motor week? Typicaly they either work or they don't. Now, I have not looked inside a monorail in a long time . Is it a type where each motor has it's own filter? Screen below the motor which can catch debris. If there is something impeding air flow to that one motor it could overheat and trip a breaker. Replacing the motor with curing this issue won't solve the problem.
 

wash4me

Member
Joined
May 15, 2012
Messages
481
Reaction score
3
Points
18
Location
Kansas City
Yeah, the motors don't normally get "weak". They may squeal from a bad bearing or not start but as long as they run they put out the horsepower rated. Anything that keeps them from running full speed full power will create enough heat to fry the motor then you are smelling burnt and it's not going. Check amperage and voltage at the motor peckerhead while the motor is running. This might be a good time to call an electrician or car wash service company.
 

cantbreak80

Maybe I need new clubs
Joined
Feb 10, 2008
Messages
1,131
Reaction score
585
Points
113
Location
CO
IIRC...there's a 3-pole relay that might have a burned contact. Swap the relay with a working vac and see if the problem follows.

If it's a round Monorail, the relay is soldered to the timer circuit board...the Molex plug might have a melted connector.
 

cdreed06

Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2011
Messages
278
Reaction score
1
Points
16
Location
Missouri
Thank you everybody. The "weak" motors had fins wore, had previously had brushes replaced and bearing were going bad. I usually knock down the filter bags once a week and replace them with clean ones when I have to. It is a more square Monorail and a pain to change the bags. I'll keep checking things. Thanks for the feedback
 
Top