How is your AirVac central vacuum maintained? Generally, the only thing required is emptying the debris and cleaning or changing the filtration. Beyond that, there are some upkeep and preventative options given below.
Basic Maintenance for AirVac
All central vacuums have transitioned to an all-in-one control board. They no longer use (and rarely supply) replacement individual relays, transformers, and mini breakers. If your AirVac Central Vacuum needs a new relay, transformer, mini breaker, or even a new control board or circuit board, use one of these powerful, durable, cost-saving central vacuum circuit boards. The reality is, a central vacuum really only requires a motor and one circuit board. Some models have a couple of boards or fuses and multiple components that appear to be important, but they can usually all be removed and replaced with a single circuit board. It is not terribly difficult to retrofit a circuit board. An electrician can do it in under an hour.
To find the circuit board you need, verify the number of motors in your unit and the amperage requirements. The most common board replacement for AirVac Vacuums is the Vacuum Motor Circuit Board for Single Motor Units 110 Volt and it may need to be retrofitted. For other voltages and motor configurations choose one of these Durable Generic Circuit Boards made by the industry leading manufacturer. Or, use your model number and the Motor Replacement Parts Chart for AirVac to see our recommended circuit board. Print and use the large photograph of the board as the wiring guide.
Much like a regular portable vacuum, the basic maintenance of a AirVac Central Vacuum System is changing the bag, or, in most cases, emptying the dirt receptacle on the main unit. To do this, remove the base of the unit with a twist or by unlatching, then dump the debris and put a plastic bag over the bottom and shake the center-weighted cloth filter. On top emptying models simply open the top and remove the bag. On bottom models without a cloth filter, reach up and remove the mesh filter or clean the debris screen. Some models may have a foam filter that can be removed and washed and completely air dried.
Sign up for Free Quarterly Email Reminders to remind you to dispose of your central vacuum debris. Operating your unit with a full filter can reduce suction, making the unit run hotter and clean less efficiently. Your email will not be used for any other purpose, or be sold or borrowed. We simply want to help you remember to keep your AirVac Central Vacuum working at its top performance.
All AirVac units used permanently sealed motors in their main collection unit. They require no lubrication or oiling. Routine maintenance for typical residential usage should include checking the motor brushes approximately every five years. While checking the motor brushes, make sure the center motor shaft is solid and has no play or wobble. If it does, the bearings are going out and the motor will need to be replaced. If the motor brushes are worn to 3/16 inch long, replace the motor brushes.
If the unit does not have any paper or cloth bag filtration, then a certain volume of debris may accumulate on the motor's internal fan blades. This is not easy to remove and any attempt to remove it has the high possibility of offsetting the balance of the fans. An imbalanced fan causes premature motor failure on the motor bearings.
Here are instructions for checking and replacing vacuum motor brushes. Motor brushes conduct electricity into the motor while touching the center shaft. Over time, they wear down. If they wear all the way down, they can damage the motor.
Click on the image above to understand how a vacuum motor works.
You have a couple of options when it comes time to replace the motor on your AirVac Central Vacuum. Contact a local dealer for service, or consider doing it yourself. Motors on the AirVac vacuum have a few fasteners and wires that need to be unattached, then reattached on the new motor. It should take less than one hour to change your motor(s). Here is a quick "how-to" change your motor:
Note that a motor may have many numbers on it, but typically the complete motor number starts with "11" followed by 4 more numbers and maybe a dash with two more numbers (e.g. 115334-00). Years ago, they didn't put the complete part number on the motor.
The AirVac motor has two carbon brushes in each motor that wear down but can be replaced before they damage the motor. AirVac motor brushes should be checked every five years in typical residential applications and should be replaced if the 3/4 inch-long solid carbon "brush" is worn down to anywhere near 3/16 inch. Here are instructions for Checking and replacing vacuum motor brushes. Motor brushes conduct electricity into the motor while touching the center shaft. To find the replacement motor brush for your AirVac Central Vacuum, type the motor replacement number (not brand model number) in the search box and the motor brush will come up in the search result; instructions are on the motor brush page.
Know that the AirVac motor may go bad for other reasons, such as bad bearings or dust build-up in the motor (both are not repairable). If your motor brush doesn't show up under your original motor model number, replace the motor, not the motor brush.
