Friday, September 13, 2019

Nate’s Spokane House Central Vacuum Failure


Problem - Central vacuum motor failed to start. It did start a couple times while fiddling but stopped on its own after a few seconds. It is a VacuMaid model P-128.

Discovery - Opened the lid and observed the motor relay was fried. One electrical stud was melted out of position and the contacts barley touching each other.

The motor is rated at 11.5 amps which is 1.66 hp. The failed relay is no longer available. I finally found a relay that should work just fine from a good company called Digikey. (Item Z11070) Cost would be $17.08 shipped to our home in 3 days. Now to decide if Nate wants this system fixed as all since the hoses and attachments did not come with the new house.

Another option would be to get a new Transformer & Relay Assembly sku P12595A from VacuMaid at a cost of $38.10 with shipping.

I did jumper around the relay and found the motor ran fine. I also checked the brushes and found they have lots of life left.

Relay on right with melted post on a lean. 


Relay with case removed



I ordered the relay and Nate had it with the motor assembly. At the end of October 2020 we were over at Nate and Deann's so Nate and I installed the relay and all works as designed. 😊😊😊