[john mathers]

Hi guys,

bought a steempro 2000 double stage vac and think ive been had off.

i bought it about 6 weeks ago but used it the first time time properly today.  I tested it out when i bought it for 5 min, but obviously couldn't start cleaning my whole house.  the double vac on it has gone after 15 mins use, and only 1 single vaccum is working which ins't powerful enough at all.

i this likely to be the pump, the switch, the motor?  i know nothing about this machine to repair it myself, does anyone know what is a reasonable cost to have repaired?  or is there anyone near manchester who could have a go?

Is there anything i could have done wrong for it to go out?
electronics area seems dry
the waste water compartment is not overflowing

any help is appreciated.

[Lewis Newby]

I had one as my first machine, it went through a few motors before I was told to make sure of the following.

Use defoamer.
Run vacs for 5 mins with waste lid open at end of each job and 10 mins end of the day
Store with waste tank lid open in a dry environment
Over winter store in warm and dry to avoid freeze damage

[john mathers]

I had one as my first machine, it went through a few motors before I was told to make sure of the following.

Use defoamer.
Run vacs for 5 mins with waste lid open at end of each job and 10 mins end of the day
Store with waste tank lid open in a dry environment
Over winter store in warm and dry to avoid freeze damage

hi,

i wasn't using a detergent just plain water, and there was no foam in the waste tank and it had only used a quarter tank of space before it cut out.

i dont know if the seller had followed all other rules above.

is it possible that it needs a new switch, as that looks like an easy job.  or is it likley the 2nd motor as the witch was already engaged when the motor stopped.

how much is it for a replacement to be fitted at a carpet cleaner repair shop, or is it an easy job and can anyone guide me how to do it.

gutted i just spent hundreds on this and it lasted 10 mins!

[Adrian Walton]

To rule out the switch swap the one that is working with the one thats not if this works then thats your problem if not then it might be a broken or loose wire or a vac motor gone.

[Raymondo]

It may need some new carbon brushes.

They can be take of the side of the motor and see what length is left.

If you can find a place that fixes washing machines or hoovers they should be able to check.

Where are you in the country?

[Robin Ray]

If one of the motors has gone it is an easy change. You could buy a new 5.7 3 stage Electro motor from restoremate. Give them a call and John kelly will tell you the motor you need. Alternatively you can source a motor from ebay or a direct replacement from Prochem. However you may want to check for loose connections before you buy.

Just take the old one out and put the new one in, in reverse. It will be something like 3 bolts, 2 spade connectors and a earth cable.

You were probibly not had up, as motors can just go.

[Brendan (chem2clean)]

If its the motor is gone,you can change it yourself,3 wires,few bolts.

[john mathers]

Many thanks for the replies feel much more confident in repairing myself.  Gonna switch around the switches, check loose wires & brushes.  If that fails will order a triple vac motor and have a go replacing myself.

Will update how i go!

Cheers

[john mathers]

Hmm.

Ok they are both working again now and i havnt changed anything.

So looks like an intermitent fault which is more annoying than it not working at all.  What could be the reason that it works for 10 mins then just stops as opposed to it being completley dead?

(Edit: lasted 2 mins that time infact)

[Raymondo]

It sound like the carbon brushes they have a safety feature that stop wearing to low so that it damages the comutator.

The cheapest option is a new set of brushes.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LA4505-LAMB-CARBON-BRUSHES-FOR-5-7-VACUUM-MOTORS-IN-CARPET-CLEANING-MACHINE-/221936403107?hash=item33ac70c2a3:g:zHEAAOSwDNdVrfEc

Or stick a new motor on it

[john martin]

Hmm.

Ok they are both working again now and i havnt changed anything.

So looks like an intermitent fault which is more annoying than it not working at all.  What could be the reason that it works for 10 mins then just stops as opposed to it being completley dead?

(Edit: lasted 2 mins that time infact)

another possibility  ... heat build up after 10 or 15mins  causing the thermal fuse on the motor to shut off Check that the motors exhausts are venting to the outside of the machine and not just blasting hot air inside the machine case.

[Lewis Newby]

If I remember correctly there were some cheap motors going around a while back which had the thermal cut offs which were not suitable for this job. They were a bargain on ebay but they did cut out every few mins.
Another problem with them is over tightening the motors when fitting but I'm not sure it would cause this problem.

[Adrian Walton]

not sure if these machines have a fan on them if so check to see if thats working sometimes they get blocked with fluff.

[CleanerCarpets]

Agree with Lewis - some of the cheap Ametek motors sold on ebay just over heat within minutes. I tried one to see how they would cope - it shut itself off after about 5 mins like yours is.

You may find the person who you bought it off has gone cheap and put in one of those motors

[john mathers]

just seen your posts about ebay now, but i bought this a few days ago waiting to be delivered

have i been ripped off?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/311344566928?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_sacat%3D0%26_nkw%3D311344566928%26_rdc%3D1

 

[john martin]

i wouldn't say ripped off  ...  you could have gotten a better motor for around 100 but i ran those in my last booster . One is still going , one died .  I did remove the thermal fuse though , but i didnt even see if that was necessary so try them , they might be fine . If the thermal fuse is shutting off , spares2go might take them back or if u want to see how to remove the fuse il send u a pic .

[CleanerCarpets]

A genuine USA made Lamb Ametek will last you years with the right care - not a few months.

You also wont have to take out a thermal fuse - which is actually there as if you take it out the motor will expire quickly like John's has in his booster.

Those motors have that thermal cut out as they can't deal with anymore heat than that, so are no good for our purpose. Send it back without fiddling and voiding your guarantee and get one of these (or one with a flange if you need it.)

http://www.carpetcleanersstore.co.uk/product/vacmotor

A while back John told me to do the same thing with one of those motors off ebay - i made a post saying i bought one and they were no good and just cut out after a few minutes, he kept telling me the reason it kept cutting out was because it was in a Scorpion machine and got too hot because Scorpions have no cooling fans. Funny, as i had motors in it that lasted 4 years that were genuine Lamb Ametek and i can see from the above post John actually had to take the thermal fuse out of his to get them to run in his booster and even then it gave up the ghost prematurely!

A casing point really - some great info on here from some great cleaners but take nothing as gospel until you try it yourself.

[john martin]

A genuine USA made Lamb Ametek will last you years with the right care - not a few months.

You also wont have to take out a thermal fuse - which is actually there as if you take it out the motor will expire quickly like John's has in his booster.

Those motors have that thermal cut out as they can't deal with anymore heat than that, so are no good for our purpose. Send it back without fiddling and voiding your guarantee and get one of these (or one with a flange if you need it.)

http://www.carpetcleanersstore.co.uk/product/vacmotor

A while back John told me to do the same thing with one of those motors off ebay - i made a post saying i bought one and they were no good and just cut out after a few minutes, he kept telling me the reason it kept cutting out was because it was in a Scorpion machine and got too hot because Scorpions have no cooling fans. Funny, as i had motors in it that lasted 4 years that were genuine Lamb Ametek and i can see from the above post John actually had to take the thermal fuse out of his to get them to run in his booster and even then it gave up the ghost prematurely!

A casing point really - some great info on here from some great cleaners but take nothing as gospel until you try it yourself.

I totally agree , take nothing as gospel . the likes of me are often in the process of trying various things ourselves .
I wouldnt come to the conclusion that the motor in the booster gave up because it was not fit for purpose .  It was before i had good ventilation and fan cooling . Since then i have no issues with premature failure .

[john mathers]

so i give it a try without removing the fuse, then remove the fuse if any issues

or is it just to remove the fuse straight away before putting it in?.

a picture would be good mate.  if you can post here or johnmathers121@gmail.com

[john martin]

so i give it a try without removing the fuse, then remove the fuse if any issues

or is it just to remove the fuse straight away before putting it in?.

a picture would be good mate.  if you can post here or johnmathers121@gmail.com

Ha ha , il really get killed here for recommending removing the fuse . I really didnt care about the motors as such so i did it . But if u have another option perhaps send it back ... or try it as is first . If it comes to it il message u .