Damage from using it as a blower

[rivstg1]

Here are some pics & an explanation of what can happen to your kirby fan when using the machine as a blower with the supplies nozzle guard from a kirby technician of 40 years.
“ This is the result of using the air intake nozzle on the sentrie and later kirby when in the blower mode.
Completely restricted air flow due to stupid design.
Shame on kirby!
The heat buildup was so extreme, look at the angle of the fan blades.
This all happened in less then 5min.”

Recommended action: 1, use an earlier model nozzle guard which has more airflow
2. Drill many more holes in the factory nozzle guard ( Sentria1 & newer) to increase airflow

Pics: G5 nozzle cover, sentria 2 cover, & Legend 2 covers....notice the opening sizes

 

[kirby519]

That is just WOW!!!!. When I use them in blower mode. I just raise the head to it's highest setting.

Do you know how long the machine was used in blower mode to heat up the motor enough to damage/warp the fan?

 

[vacuumdevil]

Wow this is the first time I've seen photos of that actually happening.
I've heard of it for years. Thanks for sharing!

 

[mmcphee]

Diamond Edition

I have a Kirby Ultimate G Diamond Edition and it has the same air intake guard as the G5 except in a different color. Is the air intake guard that was supplied with my Kirby sufficient or does it require modification?

 

[kirbyg6]

Wow that’s really bad iv heard that this tool can cause problems if used in the blower mode for too long

 

[rivstg1]

@mmcphee. if its like the G5. no problem . Its only the Sentria I and II and avalir styles that are too restrictive.

one can just use a drill bit and make the opening much better for airflow.

@kirby519. it was stated that under 10 minutes did that. I kinda wonder about that though....sounds too quick. I've used mine while having the Hand butler tool 2 attached to a Sentria nozzle cover but noticed no issues....I sold it before I could check it out again ( inspect the fan)

 

[huskyvacs]

The reason for this is that the method was still kept the same even though the Kirby's construction changed. Once the switch to a plastic fan was made, there was greater risk of heat exposure and melting, and the airflow was less, compared to the metal fan era.

Also I never at all used those novelty tools. I think once I used it to blow the dust out of a PC but that is not good because the tools generate static which can kill your PC.

You will get a lot better results and more airflow using a real inflatable blower. No reason to modify or ruin the tools.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

Although Kirby is not my thing

(and, I have 2 to part with), I'm sorry and surprised that an expensive machine like that would do that.

 

[madman]

It does seem kind of dumb to even waste your time putting an extra piece on the machine, when you could just leave it open or lift the nozzle off the carpet.

 

[lesinutah]

Nozzle

You don't have to use the intake. You only have to unhook entor for exhaust air. It's not as strong.

 

[ridgidwd0670]

I use that nozzle ONLY with my Ridgid 6 gallon WD0670 shop vac, which is the only other vac besides my Compact C9 I use for blowing

 

[kirby519]

So far I have been lucky with mine. I do use it for air cleaning operations. Thankfully none last more than 10 minutes.

I have used my Sentria to inflate a kids pool a few times. I may very well rethink that operation.

 

[kirby519]

The other thing that is amazing is the fan blades warped in the in the direction the fan spins.

I would think they would warp in the other direction. Meaning the blades folding over bending against the direction of the spinning fan.

Rather than folding back which would relate to the actual direction the fan is spinning.

 

[kirbyg6]

I hope Kirby sorts out this problem on there next machine or on a future model

 

[ultralux88]

It’s not common, but have have seen both a Kirby fan and a couple others deform like that. I wasn’t able to tell on the Kirby but I got the sense they used it heavily with the hose, the other machines I saw this in were run clogged for an extended period of time. I had no idea using the blower function would also do it!

 

[kirby519]

Restricted air flow will do that. Not enough cool air going across the fan to keep the fan cool.

Same thing happened with the Kirby with the additional speed switch. the motors don't turn fast enough for the motor cooling fan to draw enough air across the motor to keep the motor from over heating. Is why that option was discontinued.

To many in the general public didn't understand that was only to be used for just a few minutes to vacuum a scatter rug that you couldn't do with full cleaning power.

 

[vaclab]

The Kirby Diamond Edition Overheating Myth Busted!

The Kirby Diamond Edition Overheating Myth


Electric motors run cooler when running slower, not hotter. Therefore, less cooling is required. While I'm sure that there are plenty of ways to break a two speed Diamond Edition, running on low speed isn't one of them.

Bill

 

[human]

Yet another reason to use my Kirbys strictly as uprights and leave the other tools to my canisters.

 

[ultralux88]

I only really use my Kirby’s as uprights, mostly because I am just so much more inclined to use an upright, then just use a suction only hose on the central for all the tool use rather than bothering with the upright tools.

As to the Kirby burning out, I was under the impression it wasn’t the motor burning out so much as the circuit board. These have a simple board with a resistor or multiple that actually do the reduction in current. It’s mounted to the bottom of the Bakelite motor housing. Since the resistance is what cuts the speed, the more one runs that machine, especially if they run it with the nozzle all the way down too low, it loads that motor up. The motor itself won’t get too hot, but as it tries to draw more current that board is going to get HOT HOT HOT! I believe this was the issue, but could be wrong.

 

[vacuumdevil]

@ultralux88 I've seen my fair share of those boards go bad that sit under the motor.

 

[vaclab]

The Diamond Edition Circuit Board

consists of one component, which is a barrel diode. This diode (when activated) creates a small voltage drop which adds resistance to the coil windings. This diode will get hot and could fail over time if the Kirby is used in an abusive manner. This diode essentially receives no direct cooling.

For example, if a user decides to vacuum a very resistive carpet (tall, thick, etc.) in low RPM mode for an extended period of time (say 20 minutes non-stop or longer) in a high ambient temperature environment (say 90F), the diode will begin to break down and then eventually fail. When diodes fail, they smell very bad.

This failure could easily get interpreted as a motor failure, which it isn't. It should be categorized as a specific component failure or switching assembly failure.

Bill

 

[lesinutah]

Nozzle

If you keep floor nozzle on it it runs at a lower speed/amps. I imagine having the belt engaging the brush roll would slow the rpms but would increase temperature.
The brush roll on with belt isn't engaged with a hose on exhaust would be the best operating condition for the blower.

 

[madman]

Good thing diodes are cheaper than gumballs.

 

[huskyvacs]

I just bought a Diamond Edition Kirby too, I hope the one I bought wasn't abused like this. I finally found one I could afford, as the entire upper floor of my house is a myriad of medium to large area rugs.

 

[lesinutah]

Doubtful

I never used the crystalizer/intake on older Kirby's and never use the intake on any kirby. I use my compact or my shop vac. Imo you can tell the intake causes back pressure and wears on the motor.
The diamond/ultimate g is an awesome vacuum. It's the intake that you shouldn't use.

 

[tolivac]

A Kirby salesman told me NOT to use the low speed on the Ultimate G when using the carpet shampooer,floor buffer,or carpet fluffer.Those overheated the dropping diode and motor.Those items should be used at HIGH only.With all of the problems associated with the hi-low switch just as well it was dropped.I NEVER used mine.

 

[madman]

So low speed is accomplished only by using a diode? That seems kinda cheesy to me.

 

[vaclab]

Using A Diode To Control Speed

is quite common. Oreck uses them in their handle assemblies. Since all they wanted was a single power drop and not a circuit to create continuously variable motor speed, this method is cheap and effective.

Bill

 

[kloveland]

Diode

So did Regina with the later housekeepers and others. Sounds cheaper than having a motor with two fields for high and low.