Electrolux AP280 motor brushes

[k15]

Hello, I had a few questions about my AP280 vacuum. It's a Canadian model, plastic body. Basically the same as the American plastic body Electroluxes.

For awhile when I start it, it stinks like ozone/electrical burning. It gets better after it runs for a couple minutes. I swear I could hear arcing and the motor speed surging up and down a bit.

Anyway I figured maybe worn carbon brushes, so I took it apart. There seemed to be a fair bit of material left on the brushes, but there was a whole lot of carbon dust caked in and around the commutator. I cleaned the holders and commutator as best I could, but the dust is kind of sticky/oily, so it was hard to get it all. I'm not convinced there isn't still some conductive crud between commutator segments. All the windings look fine.

Anyway I'll jump to my questions;

1. Is there any safe solvent I can use on the commutator?
2. Where can I get NOS or generic brush replacements? When I look online everywhere is out of stock, and the local repair place says he can't get them anymore either.
3. From my pics do the brushes look OK?


After reassembling it seems a bit better, but I'd like to install new brushes if I can find them. Worst case I may be able to buy a used (but good) motor from the local repair shop and either swap the whole motor or steal the brushes from it.

 

[mjhoshaw]

Your motor brushes have plenty of life in them. From your description of your symptoms, the brushes are sticking in the brush holders, which causes them to make poor contact with the commutator. I recommend your using CRC QD Electronics Cleaner on the whole motor, especially on the brush holders. It will do a fantastic job of cleaning the motor without any damage to the insulation on the motor windings. I recently acquired an Electrolux model L that ran poorly until I cleaned the motor with the above. One of the brushes was sticking in its holder. The motor now runs as new.

 

[k15]

Thank you! I took it apart again and this time I used electrical contact cleaner and toothbrushes to clean the holders and commutator much better. I checked the brushes after and they slide really easily now. Even on the first startup I didn't get any ozone smell.

 

[k15]

I should have said q tips not toothbrushes.