Thread Number: 22438
$4 Fantom Lighting with a damaged powerhead motor need some help 		[Down to Last]

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Post# 251317   9/25/2013 at 20:35 (3,864 days old) by Impfac ()        

I picked up this puppy-a Fantom Lightning LC51 02 for just $4.

However, I found that the powerhead is in bad shape-the brush doesn't seem to turn very freely, and the motor itself was damaged. One of the fins on the motors fan was bent and it couldn't turn. I'd hoped after bending it back into place all would be well, but the motor isn't doing anything.

The powerhead light blinks. Nothing happens. I can't find a replacement anywhere...

What can I do with this motor? Is there anything I can replace it with or something I can do to rebuild it? I believe it was reassembled properly and should be cleaned and ready to go if it were in working condition.

Post# 251320 , Reply# 1   9/25/2013 at 21:53 (3,864 days old) by Impfac ()        
pictures of the motor and damage

 The blades struck the copper wire and created at least one break... that's kind of terminal isn't it? Theres also a a flat spot on the armature. Can the exterior with the copper winding be replaced by itself?

Post# 251333 , Reply# 2   9/26/2013 at 03:11 (3,864 days old) by DaveTranter (Central England, U.K.)        
Motor damage

 Whether it's 'terminal' or not probably depends on how much damage there is to the field winding, and how good you (or a friend) are with a soldering iron.

The 'flat' was machined into the armature as part of the balancing process at the factory, and is not 'damage'.

I'm not familiar with the model, but the stator and field winding is 'usually' available separately as a spare part.

All best,
Dave T


Post# 251368 , Reply# 3   9/26/2013 at 11:57 (3,864 days old) by FantomVacuumFan (St.Petersburg, Florida)        
If you cant fix it...

 fantomvacuumfan's profile picture
Check ebay, used powerheads turn up from time to time.

Post# 251369 , Reply# 4   9/26/2013 at 12:04 (3,864 days old) by kirbykid (Horseheads,New York 14845)        

If you have enough money, you could have the motor rewound.
Post# 251377 , Reply# 5   9/26/2013 at 12:50 (3,864 days old) by vacuumman206 ()        
Despite what some may say...

 You will not find another lightning powerhead for parts, or probably one in general. Firstly, you need to get that broken wire soldered before anything has the possibility of working. Once you do that and get it back together I think there is a reset button on those powerheads, it probably reset. hopefully after doing all that and resetting it, it'll work.

Post# 251437 , Reply# 6   9/27/2013 at 09:11 (3,863 days old) by jade_angel (Fort Collins, CO)        

If it doesn't, you have a few options:

You could find a similar motor that would fit and work. This is possibly a dicey proposition.

You might be able to get the stator coil rewound - there are still shops that do this, but I'd have a hard time finding one in my vicinity.

You could use a different power nozzle altogether. I'm not sure if a direct-connect Wessel Werk EBK360 or a Lindhaus PB14 would fit on a Lightning or not - it's been a while since I've seen one. Obviously this isn't an option if you're trying to restore it to stock condition, but if you're just looking for something that works, it could result in better performance.

Also, for anyone with more experience: Is the Lightning power nozzle a custom design, or is it a rebadge of someone else's design? I've used one before, and I vaguely remember it seemed completely different from any other design I've seen. Pretty clearly not a Eureka, Centec, Lindhaus or Sebo design.

If it's fully custom, the odds of finding another one are indeed rather low - the Lightning was never terribly common or popular. Then again, knowing eBay, it's still possible.

Post# 251567 , Reply# 7   9/28/2013 at 22:35 (3,861 days old) by Impfac ()        

"You could use a different power nozzle altogether."

Funny you should mention it, I love Kenmore Progressive type 116 canister vacuums and have a disturbing number of motor bodies and power-heads... so:





The connectors are only off by a quarter inch-a slight bend and its actually snug. Obviously this depends heavily on duct tape-but it does pick up great and if I use it, I wont be going through bags anymore.

The blades struck the winding and severed at least two wires, on both top and bottom, but also left pretty deep groves in other wires that may be severed as well. I think this motor is kaput.

Post# 251571 , Reply# 8   9/28/2013 at 23:27 (3,861 days old) by kirbykid (Horseheads,New York 14845)        

You could still have it rewound.

Post# 251573 , Reply# 9   9/28/2013 at 23:53 (3,861 days old) by rainbowjoel (Dexter NM)        

Nice vacuum! I hope u can fix the power nozzle. What part of New Mexico are u from? I also from NM.


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