Oreck XL with Bad Motor

[atrac]

Greetings Gents!

I picked up an Oreck XL Commercial vacuum today on the cheap....and I see why. Although the unit itself is in good condition, the motor is bad. When I first turned it on I got white smoke and very little movement. I opened it up, took the motor out (wires still attached) and (ok here's where I turn layman) saw the cylinder that spins with copper contacts on it was dirty. I also could see the copper wire wrapped all around it was dirty as well. I sprayed (gasp?) contact cleaner on everything. Let it dry. Then I used a flat head to gently clean the black corrosion off of the copper contacts. Now when I plug it in, I heard a little spinning noise, then nothing. And the nothing continues.

Did I kill it? Was it already dead? A waste of time to try to rebuild a vacuum motor?

Advice appreciated! Thanks!

 

[kirbykid63]

Most likely dead

Those motors when they wear out it is best to get it replaced with a new one,or find another Oreck. The motors are not expensive.

 

[kirbykid63]

Check the belt and brush

Sometimes the belt will get stretched out and if the brush roll bearings are seized the belt will smoke.If brush doesn't turn smoothly remove the end caps and try putting a drop of oil on the bearing this will sometimes loosen it up.

 

[atrac]

The belt was already toast when I opened it up. I can spin the motor and it seems to move freely. I feel like it has something to do with the electrical charge spinning the motor (like it's not getting juice). I did see some white flashes coming from inside (which led me to the copper (or is it brass) spindle?

As you can see, I have no idea what I am talking about. Sure, I'll probably end up starting a fire -- is it worth dying over $10? Probably not.

 

[junior1975]

MIght be simple.

Hi Bill,

You might want to ensure that the carbon brushes in the motor are not simply worn out. If they do not make good contact with the commutator then they will produce excessive sparking and may well end up with a loss of power of complete open circuit causing the motor to fail to spin.

The brushes could be either stuck or worn to the quick.

Could be worth a look as suitable carbons should be only a couple of dollars surely.

Hope this helps,

Clark.

 

[atrac]

Thanks for the tip! I see the two brushes on eBay but they seem to sell for $35 or so. If I can find them for the price you say then I'll try it -- but those eBay prices are too high for a "maybe" (if you know what I mean).

If I check a local vac shop do you think they'd be less?