Kenmore Twin Fan upright help

[kirbylux77]

Hey there Vacuumlanders

I have a Kenmore Twin Fan upright back from the 1980's that I really do like a LOT....besides my Royal, Hoover Elite & my Kirby's, this seems to be one of the best uprights I have used! Naturally, I would like to keep it going for a long time, as I don't consider this "collectible"....it has a bag that has been repaired & missing the bumper....so I use this as a daily driver.

What I am wondering is, are carbon brushes still available for the motor?? As well as replacement power switches? And if carbon brushes aren't available anymore, can carbons from another vacuum be modified & substituted to work instead? Another thing too....I have found someone who has a NOS motor for the Twin Fan, but he says it's a 3 wire motor....will this work in a Twin Fan with a 2 prong cord?

Thanks in advance for any information you can supply....Rob

 

[vintagekitchen]

Love those twin fans!

These are one of my favorites, but parts are getting hard to find. I havent had to replace brushes in one yet, but in most vacs, carbon brushes are just generic brushes like the ones available at the hardware store. I beleive the power switches can still be found online, at least they could when I last looked a few months ago.

 

[vacu-finder]

i have a singer twin fan........same diff. Different name is all. As far as the brushes not sure i will investigate and get back to you.
For the switch try Rona, they seem to have a good selection in their electical aisle.

 

[vacu-finder]

"Rob"

don't think you can get those brushes anymore. take down the old one to a Vac shop they may be able to match them up with something.
sometimes by improvising you can make another brand fit in the holder.

 

[kirbylux77]

Dean, thanks for your help! I have looked around, & the only brushes that seem similar enough are from the Ametek single-stage motors that Panasonic used in up till the late 1990's. Otherwise, these brushes are too unique to find something to match up. Unless someone here chimes in otherwise, I'm gonna assume it's a lost cause.

Having said that, though, I am gonna take apart the Twin Fan & examine the motor & see whether it IS a 3-wire motor or not. If it is, I will be ordering the new motor for it.

ROb

 

[thevacuumguy96]

I have some Singer Twin Fan brushes, not sure if they would work. The motor in mine is two prong though.