HELP! Hoover DAM not turning on

[ctvacman]

So went to turn on my NOS DAM this afternoon after changing the belt and the light bulb comes on but nothing from the motor. What could cause this?

 

[eurekaprince]

Oh no. Sorry to hear that.

I always fantasize about buying a NOS vacuum off Ebay - especially a never-used Eureka from the 60’s or 70’s. But I have often wondered if a motor that has not been turned on in 30 or 40 years could actually come alive again. I am no electrical engineer, but maybe these motors can’t be revived after 40 years of non-use?

 

[bnsd60m9200]

does the motor spin freely if turned by hand? try that and get back to me

 

[madman]

Try some percussive maintenance.

ie, smack it.

 

[ctvacman]

Got it back on

Motor spun freely, I left the switch on and spun the motor backwards and it came to life. First instinct was to smack it which didn’t do anything lol.

 

[bnsd60m9200]

sounds like most nos vacuums. carbons were probably stuck on the commutator. needed help to get it going

 

[madman]

If it wasn't nos, I would've said the motor has a dead spot. But I second the brushes being stuck.

 

[huskyvacs]

Humidity can wreak havoc on lots of things depending on where the seller(s) kept it. 50-60 years in a box, the grease or lubrication oil will have gummed up, and like what happened here, the carbon blocks bonded to the motor as well from being damp so much. It's kind of like a barn find car - it may be barely used and low miles, but being stored that long without touching it will ruin it.

I have a jukebox in my basement from the 1970's and it broke down in the early 2000's and haven't found anyone to professionally overhaul it on-site since then. After 20 years of disuse, the grease is really sticky and tacky and all the mechanical parts are off-sync and it squeaks like crazy.

 

[ctvacman]

I’m glad that it’s not a total loss. I can deal with having to occasionally spin the brush roll before starting.

 

[eurekaprince]

Interesting to learn that humidity can affect the workings of a NOS vacuum cleaner in a never-opened box. It does make sense.

I guess vintage cleaners from a dry arid climate like Arizona might survive better after several decades of storage. Good news for collectors in the southwest USA!