Which carbon brushes do I use for Royal 884?

[superocd]

During a teardown of my Royal 884 a while ago, I discovered that the carbon brushes are less than 1/2" long. Of course Royal parts are hard to come by, so I may have to go with generic carbon brushes that fits the brush holders. The 884's OEM brushes look to be similarly dimensioned to Kirby D50/D80 brushes, though I haven't torn into my D50 and taken one of its brushes out to confirm.

Does anybody know the dimensions of the brushes for a 5.4 amp Royal motor so that I could try to hunt down a generic set of brushes? Likewise, has anybody used or know if Kirby D50 brushes will work with the Royal 5.4 amp motor (or, for that matter, any other brushes made for another common vacuum motor that would be easier to find)?

Failing that, is it possible to take larger brushes and file them down to fit into the brush holder?

 

[lesinutah]

Hmm

I can't remember correctly but 884 is 4.5 or 5.4 amp and d80 is 5.5 amp. If they fit in the housing they work. It could be 505-sanitronic 7 4 amp carbon brushes. They could be the same but if they fit they would work. I know people will give you part number I'd suggest leave working vacuum working and order oem parts. I know you want it to work now. If you wait a week you can have both.
Les

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Lesinutah

Les,

The Royal 884 was rated 5.4 amps.

As his is a 1988 model, it would have had the following motor group parts:
Armature - 1-618001-000 (for 5.4 amp motor)
Field - 1-618002-000 (for 5.4 amp motor)
Motor Plate - 2-188003-000
Fan - 1-620004-000
Drive Shaft - 1-618261-000

The replacement carbon brush assembly he would want to order is 3-672105-000 (two per pack), which is the complete carbon brush group containing these parts:
1-672021-000 - carbon brush assembly
1-672103-000 - carbon brush screw cap
1-801034-000 - carbon brush protector cap
1-801019-000 - carbon brush holder

~Ben

 

[lesinutah]

Right

I just have my 880 4.5 amp 1982&1983 versions. I only have worked on 300 watt, 3 amp, 4.5 amp, 6 amp 7 amp 8.5 amp 10 and 10.5 amp motors. It's why I recommended oem parts. I'm sure Kirby carbon brush fits but I have learned royal vacuums run much better with royal parts.
Les

 

[superocd]

Well, I did a search for 3-72105-000 and lo and behold, eBay has it. It's about 20.00, which seems to be a bit high for carbon brushes and caps, but it's probably my only chance to buy them since Google Shopping literally only turned up just this listing on eBay and nothing else. If I don't bite, I may never find OEM Royal brushes again.

Oh, well, there are hobbies out there that are much more expensive to keep going, lol. I've probably spent about $300-400 in total for the vacuums, parts and supplies, and that includes the cost of the vacuums themselves. Three Kirby (1965 D50, 1988 HII, 2015 Avalir; I gave away my very first find, a 2008 Sentria, to a neighbor), one Royal (1988 884) and two Hoover (1974 JCPenney Convertible, 1975 Convertible). Not a whole lot of $ considering the Avalir alone is easily worth that much (and possibly more) by itself.

 

[lesinutah]

Hey

It's not the brushes it's the caps. I have busted a few. There $12-$15 so it's not too bad. You have nice vacuums with good parts you understand. If you replace housing make sure you do one at a time. The housing of the carbon brush gets a screw from coil penetrating it ever so slightly. It keeps the brush housing in place so when carbom brushes get put in they go in correct and wear correctly.
Les

 

[rowdy141]

I too wondered about filing Carbon Brushes to make them fit.

It can be done. Sand by hand, on flat diamond plates used for sharpening woodwork plane irons & chisels. They're modern equivalents of the old India Sharpening Stones. They remove material quickly and accurately, while keeping everything flat and smooth.

I only removed the slightest of material to ease running in the Brush-holders. But if you gave it more time, they would abrade gently to the dimension you need. Mine weren't fragile or brittle, although I guess some types could be?

Some people have Motor Brushes "dressed" on a Dressing-Stone. A high-speed abrasive wheel which grinds the end to match the curvature of the Commutator. This gives improved contact for new Brushes and reduces initial carbon dust build-up.
Overkill for vacuums, more for precision applications. I did a similar job using my Dremel and the chainsaw sharpening bit. Just to see how it worked. It was easy and fast. Lots of sparks. Eye protection essential.

I wouldn't recommend sawing long Brushes to make shorter ones. They're better-off being dressed down to length.

It can be done, with care and patience.

 

[rowdy141]

I guess that's where the term 'To receive a Dressing Down' comes from? To be reduced in height.

 

[lesinutah]

Hey

I would not recommend altering any carbon brush. This is weird but I do it. I'd take fan off. Put armature in the drill and use a commuter stone to help shape brushes. You have to blow off when done but that way you don't have to worry about motor or spark from carbon brush.
Les