Signs of wearing Vacuum Brushes

[DiamondWash]

As I have 13 vac motors in operation, what signs when running would indicate that it's time to replace? In the dark I can see some motors have more sparking then others. I hate having to tear into these and find decent brushes on some and other needing to be replaced.

 

[I.B. Washincars]

The way I know is that the motor stops running, sometimes melting the top fan cover, maybe some wires as well. When I see that, I know that if I had changed them about a year earlier I could have gotten some extra life out of the motor. That being said, I have about 80 motors in service and haven't changed a brush in my 44 years associated with this biz.

 

[MEP001]

As I have 13 vac motors in operation, what signs when running would indicate that it's time to replace? In the dark I can see some motors have more sparking then others. I hate having to tear into these and find decent brushes on some and other needing to be replaced.

There are no signs. They just quit, and by that time the motor commutator usually gets burned from the arcing and new brushes won't fix it. You can either change them all on a schedule and not worry about the few cents you're wasting on not-completely-worn-out brushes or just replace motors as they fail.

 

[Randy]

I normally change my brushes every 20 – 24 months. I change twice then replace the motor. I’ve found that the replacement brushes don’t seem to last as long as the brushes in a new motor, there pretty short when I get around to changing them.

 

[Earl Weiss]

The way I know is that the motor stops running, ....................... I have about 80 motors in service and haven't changed a brush in my 44 years associated with this biz.

Ditto on this - BUT if there is a loss of suction not caused by poor gasket or clog in the hose, or unusual noise, check them . You may find a filter bag had a hole clogging the motor. Catching it son enough could save the motor(s).

 

[bigleo48]

No sign till it quits. I check them every six months and replace if less than a third of the brush is left. The cheap KR motors come with a little depth gauge to quickly check.

 

[PaulLovesJamie]

I hate having to tear into these and find decent brushes on some and other needing to be replaced.

I understand your comment, but I suggest a different mindset.

At my wash, vacs are a very important contributor to revenues. As such I do routine/preventive maintenance on them, including replacing all the brushes every 12-18 months. It takes a total of an hour and costs me $49.50. ($1.77 per brush * 28 brushes when I ordered them 2 weeks ago.)
In most cases the brushes are 1/2 to 3/4 worn out, and I replace ALL of them anyway. Most of my motors last 5 years or more, some have gone 10 years. The motors I use are $45-50.

IMO it is worth spending $50 to virtually eliminate customer "this vac has no suction" phone calls + a service trip to the wash, not to mention saving $ on motor replacement. Bottom line: except for that 1 hour once a year or so, vac motors are a non-issue for me.

 

[bigleo48]

What I tell my employees is that "Vacuums are our biggest margin (99%+) revenue center and need to be treated as such. So the area needs to be clean and the vacuums need to be operating properly". It must be inviting to customers to use them.

To that end, motor maintenance, nozzle/hose replacements, decals freshened up, etc help.

 

[Earl Weiss]

By the time my vac motors die they are usualy so corroded I can't see any point in tryng to extend the life by having repllaced brushes.

Maybe it's a climate or demographic issue with either moister climates or people vacuuming up moisture.

 

[pitzerwm]

Has anyone tried using an amp meter, to determine the condition of a motor? Logically, the draw would increase with age.

 

[MEP001]

Has anyone tried using an amp meter, to determine the condition of a motor? Logically, the draw would increase with age.

I'll try to remember and test that tomorrow - I'll try the same motor with worn brushes and with new ones. I don't think it will be an accurate gauge of anything because even the length of the vac hose will change the amp draw of the motors.