Central Vac electrical problem

11 years ago

The first problem was that the on/off switch on the hose wouldn't turn the system off and we had to control the thing by flipping the circuit breaker. Annoying but manageable.

Now, flipping the circuit breaker won't turn the thing on. I learned that I have to flip it on and off several times before the thing catches - sort of like pulling the cord on a lawn mower. Sometimes the motor starts on the first switch, other times it take 2-3-4.

In any event I think that I need a new motor (pressure has dropped) but I can't imagine that's where the electrical problem lies.

Anyone have ideas? Thanks.

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Comments (2)

toxcrusadr
11 years ago
What voltage is on the switch on the hose? Often those are low voltage 12V signals that control a relay. It may be the power relay on the machine is getting sticky, contacts gunked up with carbon, etc. It may be as simple as replacing that.

As for the reduced suction, have you checked whether this happens on every outlet or do you have a clogged one? Or a partial clog in your hose? Or a leak somewhere letting air in? Is there an outlet on the machine itself? If so you can test the vacuum there.
dmax6
Original Author
11 years ago
It's a low voltage circuit but I checked and the system will turn on at the circuit breaker with the hose switch in either position. The reduced suction is the same at each outlet though I haven't checked the one in the garage that's just 2 feet from the central unit.
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