Kenmore Canister Vac: Powermate floor brush model compatibility?

[heather2662]

I have a Kenmore Canister Vacuum Cleaner (Yellow) model number on the canister is 116.27814701 and the model number on the powermate is 116.57814702

The powermate roller brush is not rotating. When I turn on the power for carpet, the lights come on, the dirt sensor lights up, and I have suction power. The belt was recently replaced. I tried resetting the power trip button and it did not work. I took off the cover and checked for debris and it is clean.

I think the motor might be dead. Not sure that I want to mess with replacing it.

I would like to just get another powermate and have found some used ones locally and I don't care if the color matches. Which power mates from other models/colors will be compatible?

Thank you,
Heather B.

 

[blknblu]

I have a used motor that should fit and work properly.


Used power nozzles for them can get expensive.


I had the terrible two piece PowerMate that the elbow broke.


I have all the internals for it.


I will look to see if I have a pic of it. 

 

[heather2662]

I worry about trying to tackle the motor. There is rust in some areas inside the Powermate and could end up buying piece by piece to fix it and the cost wouldn't be worth it. Before I would try to tackle the motor I'd like to find a used Powermate if I can.

I've seen inexpensive used models that look like mine in different colors but don't know it they will work with my model. See here for example:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/301960334351?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

My model has the dirt sensor, but will the models without it still work with mine? See here for example:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KENMORE-POW...883563?hash=item3d1aef1e6b:g:QC8AAOSw41xXPd3J

 

[kirbyvertibles]

They should work just fine. THey are the same power nozzle just some have different features such as the dirt sensor

 

[kirbylux77]

Heather, let me ask you this....When you turn your hose handle switch to Carpet to turn on the Power Mate, do you hear ANY noise coming from the powerhead at all? If so, that is an indication that it's either the brushroll or belt at fault. If there is no noise at all, it could also be the overload reset switch is faulty. Below I have linked the correct part # from a vac shop supplier website, bring that in & the part # & they can order a new one. Very inexpensive part, so worth a shot, & even if it doesn't work then you have a new spare part for a good used powerhead, should the overload reset fail on that one.

If the brushroll is shot, it can likely be saved. Usually the plastic endcaps are what fails on these Kenmore & Panasonic powerheads, carpet fibers, pet hair & long women's hair get wrapped around the brushroll & friction & heat causes the endcaps to melt. Just remove the debris from around the bearing, put the new endcap on, re install & you're all set to go vacuuming again.

Should your powerhead truly be unsalvageable, the key to determining compatibility with another Kenmore or Panasonic powerhead is the neck. That electric telescopic wand is made specifically for the long powerhead neck, like yours in your picture & the 2 powerheads you linked to on Ebay. Whatever you do, be sure you save all the parts you can, such as the brushroll, belt, & powerhead neck & wiring, if they are in good shape. Particularly the powerhead neck & brushroll. The powerhead neck on those Kenmores, the hole that the button on the wand fits into over time will warp & enlarge a little bit, from normal use inserting & removing the wand, that will cause some play in the fitting & arcing in the receptacle on the wand & plug in the powerhead neck & cause them to fail. And the brushroll has also been problematic on these, particularly the ones that are black around the edge cleaning brushes on the belt side, if it is natural wood in that area then you know the brushroll is recently replaced or it is a newer powerhead. Also, remember, if you buy a powerhead off of Ebay or locally, you don't know how this vacuum was used (or abused), so it doesn't hurt to be prepared & have parts on hand if you encounter problems in the future.

Good luck in either getting your powerhead fixed or finding a good used one.

Rob

Overload reset: http://www.tiptopparts.ca/product.htm?pid=201178&cat=15785

Brushroll endcaps: http://www.tiptopparts.ca/product.htm?pid=201157&cat=15767

 

[blknblu]

As mentioned, have all the internals including the brushroll, and reset switch, just the plastic shell was tossed.

 

[durango159]

If you're interested in a replacement power nozzle, you can search eBay for any Kenmore/ Panasonic power nozzles which match one of these styles below. The key is that it has to has to have the quick disconnect foot pedal as seen in these photos. That quick disconnect set up will fit your telescoping wand set with wiring in the wand.

Your replacement nozzle does not need to be a dirt sensor model! But if you find a dirt sensor one at good price, in good shape and want it, it will work too.

A quick question though: With the power nozzle turned off, and belt installed can you rotate the brush roll with your hand easily?? Sometimes belts can get stuck during the reinstall or brush roll end caps may not seat properly. The brush roll should turn with only slight resistance but great smooth ease with your hand. Turn the brush so that it would be sweeping the dirt towards the air flow channel.

If your brush turns fine and still reset button again continues to not work your local vac shop may have a refurbished power nozzle or motor or otherwise for you as well! I'd probably check your vac store first before an eBay purchase but you can start searching eBay at any time and see what is available!

 

[heather2662]

Sorry for the late reply:

So here is the back story. I needed a belt driven vacuum to clean a few carpet runners we have by the back doors. We live in FL and our dogs track in a lot of sand. I bought the vacuum secondhand for $30. When I purchased it I did the whole "does in turn on, are the parts working" test. I got it home and worked on giving it a good cleaning and changing all the filters I bought. (I'm pretty sure they where NEVER ever changed or shaken off - Eww gross) I took the cover off the Powermate and quickly noticed the amount of rust it had. OK - so that's my fault, that's what I get for buying a vacuum from a lady who lives on a house boat off the Gulf. So I gave it a gentle cleaning, put it all back together, and all the lights on the Powermate come on but the brush roll would not spin.

So I really don't want to throw a lot of money into this. I don't want to end up buying part by part trying to figure out what it is, not to mention tearing out one part could end up being a domino effect with all this rust. I think it may be more worthwhile to just get a used Powermate for about $20-$30.

Thank you everyone for the helpful replies.

Rob kirbylux77: All the lights on the Powermate come on and there is suction but the brush roll is not moving. The belt had just been replaced. The brush roll is clear of any obstruction. The end caps are in perfect condition. Thanks for all the tips. Hopefully I can find a replacement before I have to call this whole thing a loss.

Durango159: Yes the brush roll can be turned by hand. I even took the brush roll and belt off and on, still no rotation when turned on.

 

[suckolux]

Yikes

 

[delaneymeegan]

OMG .

 

[kirbylux77]

Heather, if I was you, I wouldn't give up on your PowerMate yet. If you say you're getting power to the dirt sensor lights, the wand light & powerhead light, then that tells me FOR SURE it's the overload reset button that's gone bad. If you don't want to put any money into it, here's what to do. Go ahead, take the overload reset button out, cut off the terminals, strip the wires a little bit, then take a wire nutcap for connecting electrical wires & combine both wires together so they form a circuit. This bypasses the need for the overload reset switch. If that works & the brushroll motor turns on & turns the brushroll, problem solved & it's fixed!

Just be warned, though, you will no longer have overload protection for the motor, so if you happen to pick up a sock or something else that jams the powerhead, be VERY QUICK to use your hose switch to shut the vacuum off & remove the obstruction before it can cause damage.

Rob

 

[durango159]

Well you can try playing "Electrician" above as KirbyLux77 said.


Personally I don't like all the rust collecting in there and think that heavy moisture exposed it at some point is drastically shortening its overall life.

I don't know how close your local vacuum shops are but hopefully there are a few within a 30 minute or so radius of you. You could show up with your power head or call and see if they have any refurbed or replacement direct connect quick release neck equipped Kenmore power nozzles to fit a bagged Progressive canister. You may even be able to text or email over a photo to them and they could do the same with their selection!

It definitely sounds like you know what you're doing with a vacuum. Don't blame yourself for this, if it was gonna die, it was gonna die! There are many things that can go wrong on a Kenmore canister!! Brand new this series canister would have sold new for around $450!! So I don't know what you spent, but it probably wasn't near $400. After all your unit had the telescoping wand, 2 headlights, dirt sensor, variable speed. It was a TOL Kenmore just below their Intuition series and the Intuition although feature packed was not a very durable unit.

I used eBay's advanced search option for checking description and title. I searched several variations of Kenmore and Panasonic for WhisperBelt, Whispertone, Power head, Powerhead, PowerNozzle, Power Nozzle, carpet vacuum head. Nothing currently was below the $40 range with shipping. Most came in around $50-$70 excluding shipping!! Even with that limited selection I found some with missing height adjuster wheels, worn brush roll bristles, missing rear wheels, non locking elbow-- so it won't lock into the upright position, broken clip so that the height adjuster wheels flop down when the power head is lifted off the rug. So I guess the question is: In how good of condition you are willing to deal with if doing eBay? For some of them with some work you could swap your height adjuster wheels, height adjuster assembly or brush roll or headlight unit from current unit. With some others you'll be limited on part switching.

Here is a better one of the batch, but with shipping it still claims $65. For about $30 more you start seeing entire canister vacuums with hose, suction unit and power head on eBay-- but you'd have to look into individual condition of those too!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/KENMORE-Pow...aa19ecb&pid=100005&rk=1&rkt=6&sd=191865198931


I would try calling the repair shops for a refurb! You may be pleasantly surprised by their prices which you wouldn't have to worry about paying shipping and the units would be fully cleaned and serviced coming from a repair shop with decent or new brush rolls and belts!!

I hope this is helpful. Keep us posted and maybe over or after the weekend we can peruse eBay again for newer, better listings?

 

[mr_mom]

i dont know if this would help you just looking on ebay found this

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KENMORE-Whi...334351?hash=item464e3d0c0f:g:5cMAAOSwADNXPLPg

 

[durango159]

This one is in fairly good cosmetic and clean shape. Seller doesn't list any issues with it. $50 and free shipping. But still possible your local vac shop may have better!

With this style, any parts from yours would be completely interchangeable! You could even swap the yellow top housing from your current unit to run on this. Just remember that the lights on the dirt finder wouldn't exist!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KENMORE-Vac...62bb96bb9eef9dfdf73&pid=100005&rk=1&rkt=6&sd=

 

[heather2662]

kirbylux77:
I'll give that a try. But I'll have my husband help me test the reset switch. He's better with the electrical stuff. If it is the reset switch that would actually be great because it's an easy fix. And that part is cheap so I would go ahead and replace it.

Durango159:
I bought it on Craigslist for $30. Needed a belt driven vacuum to do just some runner rugs that pick up the sand from outside. Always had good experience with Kenmore so I took a gamble on getting a used one. Found some Powermates local and online in a decent $20-$30 range.

Thanks for the Ebay tips everybody I've been keeping an eye out on too.

 

[durango159]

Heather2662:

Every vacuum I own has a belt driven spinning brush roll for agitating carpets. For me whether it's wall to wall carpet or just a door mat I always go for an agitation equipped machine. Straight suction just doesn't do it unless it's hard flooring.

$30 with that machine was a great price. You have a decent machine with variable suction control, a telescoping wand, headlight on that wand, lots of attachment versatility.

The hose handle on your machine is also a universal fit hose. Basically your vacuum has the capability to fit a wide host of attachments from various other vacuum manufacturers especially central vacuums. So if there is ever a cleaning job you encounter with your Kenmore where you'd prefer a different styled attachment-- believe it's out there and would fit your unit. YOur local vacuum store would be the most helpful with this!

I'm glad you found $20-30 refurbs from your local vacuum shop. I did the same for a house cleaning client of mine whose power nozzle died. I took her old head to the vacuum shop and they had a better deal on a working, refurbed model than it would have been to repair my clients original. The great thing about your local vac shop is that there is no shipping, you know it works cause it was serviced and cleaned by them and you can try it out as well prior to buying!

 

[heather2662]

UPDATE:

Over the last weekend we tied the suggestion from kirbylux77 to bypasses the circuit for the overload reset switch. It was a no go. Still no power to the brush roll.

But... yesterday I saw an add on Craigslist for a free Kenmore Powermate and Powermate Jr. The man said it's practically brand new, he thinks it may have only been used a few times at most. He didn't say how he ended up with it but put the add online because he hoped he could find someone who could use it. He hates to just see things end up in landfills.

I have to say this thing is BEAUTIFUL! This clearly has never been used more than a couple times if at all. The rollers on the height adjustment don't even have the tiniest scratch or scuff. The bristles on the rollers are bright white and not a spec of dirt to be found. As soon at I got home I connected it and fired it up. Wow this thing has great power and kicks some serious butt! LOL As suggested I will hang onto the original if I need any parts that can be used, but I have a feeling I never will.


So I would like to say THANK YOU to everyone for all the help. I really appreciate it!

 

[durango159]

FANTASTIC!!!

Can't beat that deal!