How to Change Carbon Brushes in a Central Vacuum Motor

Central vacuum motors are typically an item that needs little to no maintenance. However, you can extend the life of your central vacuum motor by replacing the carbon brushes every five years.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Screw Driver
• Carbon Brushes
• Torx(possibly)

1. 
   Remove the Lid

   Disconnect the central vacuum power unit from electrical power. To remove the motor from your central vacuum first remove the cover from the motor compartment. You can take the power unit off the wall if it makes it easier to work on. Remove fasteners from the motor. Many of them use hex style heads. Vacuflo older models have large slot style heads. With these, you may need to apply a little WD-40 on the threads where they enter the motor mounting plate. Beam units have three spring loaded clamps called motor hold-down springs. Push down on the spring above the motor mount holes. This clears the wire hook from the receiving bracket. You fasten the new replacement motor in the same way grabbing the receiver with that hook. If you are having trouble working on the central vacuum unit with it still on the wall, you can take it down.

2. 
   Central Vacuum Motor with Motor Number on Sticker

   Locate the motor number on your central vacuum motor. This is usually visible.

3. Purchase the correct carbon brushes for your central vacuum motor. Your local central vacuum dealer or internet central vacuum dealer can help you find the correct carbon brushes. Some sites even have a central vacuum motor carbon brush finder with carbon brushes listed by motor number.

4. 
   Remove the Carbon Brush Connector

   Central vacuum carbon brushes are held in place by a variety of means. Some carbon brushes are held in place with a spring locking mechanism, others are held in place with a u-shaped clamp, and there are several other methods to secure the brushes. However they are held, it will be very apparent. Determine what one your motor is holding the carbon brushed in place and remove the brushes.

5. 
   New Central Vacuum Carbon Brush Being Installed

   Once the old brushes are out, install the new central vacuum carbon brushes. Keep in mind the carbon brushes have springs inside the assembly. When you put them in place, make sure the carbon brushes go in straight and are all the way in. It is normal to need to hold them in until the connector is re-secured.

6. Put the central vacuum motor back into the power unit. Attach the motor the same way it was connected before.

7. 

   Replace the central vacuum lid. If you took the unit off the wall to work on it. Mount the central vacuum unit on the wall and reconnect the pipes.

Tips & Warnings

• Always be sure to disconnect the power before you begin working on the motor.

Resources

• Online Carbon Brush Finder