eureka1998
Well-known member
Just got a new Sc684 today. It's one of the models with the plastic motor. Do they last long with good care like the ones with the metal motors?
New Sanitaire Sc684
- Thread starter eureka1998
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Nice Sanitaire!
The SC684 would be my first pick if I were to buy a new Sanitaire.
It bugs me a bit that years ago, when the new style 7 amp motors were introduced, a select few people made a stink about the new motors without knowing anything about them. Yes, the upper bearing retainer is now plastic just like the rest of the motor, but so what? The previous generation of motor still had a plastic body; the only steel part was the small upper bearing retainer plate, and that's not even a moving part! What advantage does it pose?
The truth is, the new style motor is actually an improvement over the previous one. From their catalog, page 22:
"Extended Motor Life
We have re-engineered our motor to include features like integrated bearings and an enclosed carbon brush system. These enhancements result in a motor life of over double that of our previous long-life version, resulting in reduced maintenance and downtime."
My experience has been in line with this. I repowered my S661 with one of the new style 7 amp motors. Even after 7 years of service, it still runs as well as new. And it's quieter than the old one, too!
I am confident yours will last as long as you want, too, and then some.
Enjoy the new vac.
http://https//www.buysanitaire.com/pdf/2010 Sanitaire Catalog2.pdf
The SC684 would be my first pick if I were to buy a new Sanitaire.
It bugs me a bit that years ago, when the new style 7 amp motors were introduced, a select few people made a stink about the new motors without knowing anything about them. Yes, the upper bearing retainer is now plastic just like the rest of the motor, but so what? The previous generation of motor still had a plastic body; the only steel part was the small upper bearing retainer plate, and that's not even a moving part! What advantage does it pose?
The truth is, the new style motor is actually an improvement over the previous one. From their catalog, page 22:
"Extended Motor Life
We have re-engineered our motor to include features like integrated bearings and an enclosed carbon brush system. These enhancements result in a motor life of over double that of our previous long-life version, resulting in reduced maintenance and downtime."
My experience has been in line with this. I repowered my S661 with one of the new style 7 amp motors. Even after 7 years of service, it still runs as well as new. And it's quieter than the old one, too!
I am confident yours will last as long as you want, too, and then some.
Enjoy the new vac.
http://https//www.buysanitaire.com/pdf/2010 Sanitaire Catalog2.pdf
ultralux88
Well-known member
I gave the new motors a chance, but I did discover something I truly do not like about them, from a servicing of the machine point of view. The plastic the main housing of the motor is made of is softer, and it wears away easier, specifically on the corner of the motor that sticks out farthest, over where the fan housing is about to leave the fan chamber and go to the bag. This is a problem because it wears enough to degrade the lip that holds the gasket that you put around the motor to the point that you can't put on a new gasket without having to glue it on place along that part of the housing! I've seen it on the older motors, but it was rare, I'm seeing it regularly on the new ones after what I think is a very short time period. Its really only on commercial machines.
scooby214
Active member
Old vs New Pancake Motors
I love Sanitaire vacuums! Having had a few of my own that I've used for custodial work and at home, I've not had any issues with the newer style pancake motors. Of course, I'm the only one using my machines so they aren't abused, but the newer style motors seem to hold up well enough for me.
That being said, I actually like the lower power 5 amp blender motor for home use better than the 7 amp pancake motor. Power wise, the 5 amp blender motor does quite well when paired up with an 8 position height selector. The blender motor vacuum doesn't seem to clamp down on my rugs as badly as the 7 amp pancake motor vacuums. My belts last longer with this setup as well. With it's sleeve bearing, I'm not sure how well the blender motor would hold up to commercial custodial work, but I do enjoy using my lightweight s635, with its blender motor, when I occasionally bring it to work with me. A 5 amp pancake motor would be ideal for my uses. It could have the durability of the pancake motor with the power of the blender motor.
I love Sanitaire vacuums! Having had a few of my own that I've used for custodial work and at home, I've not had any issues with the newer style pancake motors. Of course, I'm the only one using my machines so they aren't abused, but the newer style motors seem to hold up well enough for me.
That being said, I actually like the lower power 5 amp blender motor for home use better than the 7 amp pancake motor. Power wise, the 5 amp blender motor does quite well when paired up with an 8 position height selector. The blender motor vacuum doesn't seem to clamp down on my rugs as badly as the 7 amp pancake motor vacuums. My belts last longer with this setup as well. With it's sleeve bearing, I'm not sure how well the blender motor would hold up to commercial custodial work, but I do enjoy using my lightweight s635, with its blender motor, when I occasionally bring it to work with me. A 5 amp pancake motor would be ideal for my uses. It could have the durability of the pancake motor with the power of the blender motor.
eureka1998
Well-known member
Tried it out for the firs time tonight on the master bedroom's rug. Worked wonders and was smooth on the carpet. To be honest I was surprised that the new motor was not that much louder than the older. I used to have a cheaper OR101 Oreck but didnt use it much because I always smelt the belt and it was annoying. I believe it is also a cheap knockoff of the Sanitaire. I was also wondering because I am not sure, can a sanitaire be used on hard floors?
Scooby
I haven't tried the 5 amp "blender" motor yet, but I would really like to get a vacuum with one. I've heard great things about it.
Much like the 7 amp motor, the 5 amp was also re-done a couple of years ago. I know less about it, but my understanding is that despite the new design, the appearance is very similar. However, the new one sounds much different (higher pitch sound).
If you have the new style, it looks like that it has a ball bearing rather than a sleeve bearing--at least for the upper bearing.
http://www.sanitairecommercialvacuum.com/Sanitaire-Vacuum-Motor-50-Amp-OEM-15943-1_p_138.html
I haven't tried the 5 amp "blender" motor yet, but I would really like to get a vacuum with one. I've heard great things about it.
Much like the 7 amp motor, the 5 amp was also re-done a couple of years ago. I know less about it, but my understanding is that despite the new design, the appearance is very similar. However, the new one sounds much different (higher pitch sound).
If you have the new style, it looks like that it has a ball bearing rather than a sleeve bearing--at least for the upper bearing.
http://www.sanitairecommercialvacuum.com/Sanitaire-Vacuum-Motor-50-Amp-OEM-15943-1_p_138.html
scooby214
Active member
Upper Bearing in Blender Motor
I do have the newer style blender motor in my 5 amp Sanitaire. The potential for it to have a ball bearing is encouraging! Thanks for sharing.
I do have the newer style blender motor in my 5 amp Sanitaire. The potential for it to have a ball bearing is encouraging! Thanks for sharing.
vacuumdevil
Well-known member
Are you a little concerned about the amount of Dust coming out of the bag?
I would definitely recommend upgrading to an ST HEPA bag .you'll probably need an adapter thing or to drill holes in the base.
I would definitely recommend upgrading to an ST HEPA bag .you'll probably need an adapter thing or to drill holes in the base.
scooby214
Active member
ST Bags
I do like the Sanitaire ST bag system. I have the "dirt tube and overmold assembly" for three of my Sanitaire vacuums at home. For blue line Sanitaires and Eurekas, the dirt tube simply installs over the flexible F&G tube at the bottom of the vacuum bag. My F&G work vacuum, with the latch style coupling between the vacuum base and the bag, won't accept the dirt tube with out replacing the outer bag. It is similar to the OP's sc684. To change it over to the ST system, he would need to install a different outer bag with the screw down flange to attach it to the base of the vacuum. It's a pretty simple task.
For my work vacuum, a sc679 with a black base, I simply use a latch coupling style black F&G bag assembly with cheap F&G bags. It's still cleaner than a shakeout bag. I get 20 Eureka brand F&G bags for $15 at Amazon, so it doesn't cost me much to replace partially filled bags at the end of the day. That vacuum doesn't need the superior filtration or airflow of the ST bags. With a clean F&G bag, it still does quite well on business carpet.
My s635, a 5 amp blue line Sanitaire, works very well with ST bags. I love using that vacuum at home with ST bags.
I do like the Sanitaire ST bag system. I have the "dirt tube and overmold assembly" for three of my Sanitaire vacuums at home. For blue line Sanitaires and Eurekas, the dirt tube simply installs over the flexible F&G tube at the bottom of the vacuum bag. My F&G work vacuum, with the latch style coupling between the vacuum base and the bag, won't accept the dirt tube with out replacing the outer bag. It is similar to the OP's sc684. To change it over to the ST system, he would need to install a different outer bag with the screw down flange to attach it to the base of the vacuum. It's a pretty simple task.
For my work vacuum, a sc679 with a black base, I simply use a latch coupling style black F&G bag assembly with cheap F&G bags. It's still cleaner than a shakeout bag. I get 20 Eureka brand F&G bags for $15 at Amazon, so it doesn't cost me much to replace partially filled bags at the end of the day. That vacuum doesn't need the superior filtration or airflow of the ST bags. With a clean F&G bag, it still does quite well on business carpet.
My s635, a 5 amp blue line Sanitaire, works very well with ST bags. I love using that vacuum at home with ST bags.
