Thread Number: 44159  /  Tag: Pre-1950 Vacuum Cleaners
Kirby model 2C help needed
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Post# 459857   1/30/2023 at 08:15 (423 days old) by VacuumHeaven05 (Frederick, MD)        

Hello. If anyone out there can take a look at my other thread Christmas find Kirby Model 2C, you'll see how my Kirby 2c is in desperate need of important parts, most importantly a handle. If anyone can tell the Kirby Collector, Tom Stephine, that I need to talk to him about a potential opportunity to get an original 2C handle, I'd appreciate it. I'm very interested in this opportunity and need to get a response back about him posting the parts on eBay. The Sooner the better. I won't be able to use it until it gets a proper handle. Hey Tom are you ok, are you still interested and available. I really want to talk to you if you can get a chance, Please, Please help me.
Thanks Liam


Post# 459858 , Reply# 1   1/30/2023 at 08:35 (423 days old) by Hoover300 (Kentucky)        

hoover300's profile picture
You can't use it with the replaced metal handle?

Post# 459859 , Reply# 2   1/30/2023 at 09:26 (423 days old) by VacuumHeaven05 (Frederick, MD)        
note

I tried it with a newer replacement metal handle shaft, from a 505-515, but it does not fit into the original handle fork, which is all I have. I hope to get a proper wooden shaft with the angled top and wooden handle grip soon, for my 2C.
Liam


Post# 459870 , Reply# 3   1/30/2023 at 14:38 (422 days old) by Hoover300 (Kentucky)        

hoover300's profile picture
It came with a newer handle fork too(found the sold listing), why not use it and keep the original fork aside until you get a handle pole?

Post# 459872 , Reply# 4   1/30/2023 at 15:22 (422 days old) by VacuumHeaven05 (Frederick, MD)        
note

The newer handle was the one it came with but I had an original handle fork for the 2C. I tried to fit the fork with the newer handle but the tube didn't fit. Besides, the handle I have besides the original fork is not a proper handle. Tom Stepien has a potential sale for me, for an original 2C wooden handle shaft and top.
From Liam


Post# 459873 , Reply# 5   1/30/2023 at 15:22 (422 days old) by repairman (Woodridge, IL)        

Tom Stepian is a good guy to deal with. He sold me a bag for my D80 when it was the last part to complete my D80 restoration. Here's his email:

t.hondmowkirbvac01@gmail.com


Post# 459880 , Reply# 6   1/30/2023 at 16:19 (422 days old) by Hoover300 (Kentucky)        

hoover300's profile picture
Its not the original handle fork no, but it would fit and make it so you could use your machine. I hope your deal with Thom works out.

Post# 459888 , Reply# 7   1/30/2023 at 19:06 (422 days old) by electrolux137 (Los Angeles)        

electrolux137's profile picture


Uh-oh.......


Post# 459897 , Reply# 8   1/31/2023 at 08:03 (422 days old) by bikerray (Middle Earth)        

bikerray's profile picture
Just when you thought it was safe the thread spawns offspring.

Post# 459898 , Reply# 9   1/31/2023 at 08:07 (422 days old) by VacuumHeaven05 (Frederick, MD)        
reply

Do any of you have an estimate of when Thomas the Kirby collector should return, Lesinutah said he was on vacation. I don't know how long he'll be on vacation and or when he will return for me.
From Liam


Post# 459924 , Reply# 10   2/1/2023 at 09:35 (421 days old) by VacuumHeaven05 (Frederick, MD)        
note

Hello again, Does anyone have an idea where to find old vintage Kirby vacuum parts, as far as used vacuum cleaner repair, parts stores. I live in Frederick, MD. I want to know what vacuum cleaner stores, repair shops have vintage or antique vacuum cleaner parts, like for old Kirby's pre 1950's. Are there any Kirby service centers or shops that have spare parts for early Kirby's like my 2C. I want to know if there's anything in PA, West Virginia, Ohio or VA, that have spare parts to vintage, antique vacuum cleaners, Specifically early Kirby's like the C or 2C.
From Liam


Post# 459927 , Reply# 11   2/1/2023 at 12:32 (421 days old) by Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)        
From VL moderator

unimatic1140's profile picture
Liam, please wait now for Thomas to respond to you when he gets back from vacation, you don't need to keep posting in here as everyone has seen what you are looking for.

Thank you.


Post# 459930 , Reply# 12   2/1/2023 at 13:13 (420 days old) by VacuumHeaven05 (Frederick, MD)        
reply

I also have the original box of a full set of attachments for my Kirby 2C. Pictures will come soon.
From Liam


Post# 459950 , Reply# 13   2/1/2023 at 17:53 (420 days old) by bikerray (Middle Earth)        
when he will return for me.

bikerray's profile picture
Wow if that isn't self centered.

The man is on vacation.


Post# 459951 , Reply# 14   2/1/2023 at 18:20 (420 days old) by VacuumHeaven05 (Frederick, MD)        
an apology

Sorry about that. I didn't mean to sound rude or be disrespectful and just hope everything is okay. I'm just worried that things may not work out as I had thought they would be. In the mean time I'll try to make myself a wooden handle from scratch. Lesinutah gave me specific instructions on what I'll need and what I'll need to do. But that's just a back up plan. In the meantime I'll wait until he returns. Hope everything is okay. I apologize for my attitude and the trouble I brought. God bless.
From sorry Liam


Post# 459956 , Reply# 15   2/1/2023 at 21:22 (420 days old) by huskyvacs (Gnaw Bone, Indiana)        

huskyvacs's profile picture
He's just a kid guys and he's excited about his find, no need to be so harsh.

Post# 459959 , Reply# 16   2/1/2023 at 21:44 (420 days old) by luxlife (Under a Pecan Tree)        
He’s almost 18. Not quite a kid, but he is new here.

I guess it would have been kinder if someone had corrected him before he posted a second thread on the same topic and his incessant messages started coming in.

I’d like for him to know that restoration cannot be done very well under a time constraint. It takes as long as it takes to do a restoration well- and if certain parts aren’t available, then it takes even longer.


Post# 459960 , Reply# 17   2/1/2023 at 23:55 (420 days old) by huskyvacs (Gnaw Bone, Indiana)        

huskyvacs's profile picture
Well, that is true. It took a few years to even find parts for some of my vacuums. If it's even possible to get excited by spare parts I have achieved that. lol

Post# 459962 , Reply# 18   2/2/2023 at 08:11 (420 days old) by VacuumHeaven05 (Frederick, MD)        
reply

Thank you huskyvacs, I appreciate it. I have a 1923 GE upright vacuum that I restored a few weeks ago. All original and accurate looking. But after all that elbow grease and sweat, it took me more than half a year to fully repair, restore it and get all the replacement, original parts for it, like the cord, plug and connections and all wiring. I took me 7 to almost 8 months to fully resurect to its former glory. Antique vacuum restorations can take sometimes a long time, months to years to complete.
From Liam


Post# 459964 , Reply# 19   2/2/2023 at 08:15 (420 days old) by luxlife (Under a Pecan Tree)        

I’ve been working on an old Canadian Lux for about 5 years now. It’s always been an amazing long shot when I find a particularly piece, at curbside or on eBay. About 10 years ago when I had more time, I personally think that it’s best not to put all of your emotional energy into one machine. I used to keep multiple resto projects going at once as a way to keep my interest up. Nothing is more depressing than having one vintage vacuum that’s not running because it’s missing parts that are hard to find. I’m not one to get manic or start pining away over a singular vacuum.

Post# 459971 , Reply# 20   2/2/2023 at 12:15 (420 days old) by VacuumHeaven05 (Frederick, MD)        
question

Does anyone have spare factory original Kirby 505 parts like the black headlight hood trim and black bumper. I'm interested into getting it for my Kirby 2C, it badly need it. It has a bumper, but it's from a Kirby 508 or even a 509-515 model, since it's gray, could always spray paint it black, to make it look accurate. If anyone has spare trim they are willing to give to me, trade or sell, please let me know some time soon.
Thanks Liam


Post# 460260 , Reply# 21   2/13/2023 at 08:15 (409 days old) by VacuumHeaven05 (Frederick, MD)        
good news

Hi again. Some extremely good news happened for me personally. A blessing. well, I was able to get tom Stephine's email and we amazingly started to become distant friends. He said he had a spare Kirby 1C or 2C handle, a complete handle with the top angled piece and wooden grip. I was very successful in talking to him about selling the part on eBay, he did. I told him to sell it at a fair price of $60.00 and it worked out perfectly, I was able to buy it immediately. It's been over a week and I'm expecting it to arrive any day now. I'm very excited to see it and attach it to my Kirby 2C, when it arrives in the mail. Finally, I will be able to use it, vacuum with it, once it arrives. Once I get it, I will take pictures and or a video of myself using it for the first time and upload it here soon.
From Liam


Post# 460288 , Reply# 22   2/13/2023 at 16:57 (408 days old) by electrolux137 (Los Angeles)        

electrolux137's profile picture

Good news, Liam! I'm looking forward to photos & videos! :)

Here are some photos of a Model C and Model 505 that I used to have but sold a few years ago.


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Post# 460335 , Reply# 23   2/15/2023 at 18:24 (406 days old) by Lesinutah (Utah)        
Charles

lesinutah's profile picture
I have a 4c floor polisher in a box very similar to the one you have pictured. I believe the polisher just used the regular floor nozzle with a bigger belt mounting on the floor nozzle. Is this how the floor polisher was used?8

Post# 460356 , Reply# 24   2/16/2023 at 12:15 (406 days old) by VacuumHeaven05 (Frederick, MD)        
side note

Quick question, does anyone have a spare factory original Kirby 508 headlight hood trim. They were identical to ones off of a 505 but colored gray instead of black. I can easily spray paint it black and do a very nice paint job. If you look at my other post, at my photos, you will notice that my 2C nozzle has a gray bumper, which is likely from a Kirby 508, because of the light gray color. I can also just spray paint that bumper black, to make it look accurate for my Kirby 2C.
From Liam


Post# 460376 , Reply# 25   2/16/2023 at 19:58 (405 days old) by Lesinutah (Utah)        
Do

lesinutah's profile picture
You think maybe in 75 years what t appears grey was once black and the color is faded.

Post# 460488 , Reply# 26   2/20/2023 at 18:23 (401 days old) by VacuumHeaven05 (Frederick, MD)        
kirby note

Quick question to anyone, What type of Bearing fits a Kirby 2C. Could a 505 bearing fit a 2C? And did they also have washers and spacers? Just curious. I recently polished my entire 2C. It looks beautiful, photos will come soon. However, when I put everything back together and tested it, The light turns on and motor runs but it runs very slow and doesn't have any airflow. I did replace the old headlight hood harness wiring with a new one since the old one was dry rotten. I don't know why my 2C motor runs so slow, it cant be the bearings since they spin freely without any bad play. Could it be something with the electrical like the field or could it be bad windings in the armature. It was working fine when I first tested it, before I took it apart for polishing. I don't know what the deal is with it. One more thing, The bearings in my 2C do not have any washers, are they suppose to have washers and spacers?
From Liam


Post# 460498 , Reply# 27   2/21/2023 at 07:30 (401 days old) by bikerray (Middle Earth)        

bikerray's profile picture
Front and rear bearing are New Departure 8008 which translates to an 87008 bearing.

Post# 460500 , Reply# 28   2/21/2023 at 09:43 (401 days old) by VacuumHeaven05 (Frederick, MD)        
question

Is a 87008 Bearing the same as a 505 bearing and will a 505 bearing fit a 1C or 2C?
From Liam


Post# 460510 , Reply# 29   2/21/2023 at 15:19 (400 days old) by bikerray (Middle Earth)        
Answer

bikerray's profile picture
NO

A 505 front bearing is an 87500

Also, when you put the 2C back together did you lift up on the projection from the handle fork yoke?

If you didn't the bearing plate will not screw down evenly, which would cause the armature to bind. The projection rests on the edge of the bearing plate.


Post# 460516 , Reply# 30   2/21/2023 at 17:44 (400 days old) by VacuumHeaven05 (Frederick, MD)        
kirby note

I did test it twice but the motor runs very slow, not normal and even the fan and armature spins slowly in the opposite direction, when I turn the motor on. The bearings are fine as there's no bad play, everything spins freely and everything is properly aligned and assembled. I really think it's something with the electrical, but the thing is, it was working fine before it took it apart to polish, when I tested it. Maybe I didn't connect all the electrical wiring, like to the foot switch and the brush holders, to the proper sport. If so, I must correct it. I think hooking up the copper u clips for the rear wires, to the field is easy to me, but which way or orientation should I connect the wiring to the foot switch. How should I connect the foot switch wiring correctly for a Kirby 2C. The only thing is there's no indication of any black or white wiring, since I know white goes with white and black goes with black, for a proper electrical connection.
From Liam


Post# 460517 , Reply# 31   2/21/2023 at 18:14 (400 days old) by bikerray (Middle Earth)        

bikerray's profile picture
If the fan is spinning in the opposite direction then you have the wires to the carbon brushes reversed.

Post# 460531 , Reply# 32   2/22/2023 at 08:18 (400 days old) by VacuumHeaven05 (Frederick, MD)        
reply

I was right. The wiring to both carbon brush holders was positioned in the opposite direction, which caused the motor to run in reverse and not normal. So I changed the position again by rotating the field around by 90 degrees. I rotated the field around and switched the position of the wiring that goes to the carbon brushes. So hopefully they are in the proper orientation and I hope that I fixed the issue and that my Kirby 2C motor will run in the proper direction. The armature is supposed to spin in the same direction as the angle of the fan blades. That should fix the issue.
From Liam


Post# 460534 , Reply# 33   2/22/2023 at 09:52 (400 days old) by VacuumHeaven05 (Frederick, MD)        
quick question

Are Kirby 2C bearings supposed to have washers and spacers? My 2C bearings, front and rear, do not have any washers on the rear side. Was there a washer that fitted into the groove of the rear side of each bearing, For a Kirby 2C?
From Liam


Post# 460535 , Reply# 34   2/22/2023 at 12:17 (400 days old) by VacuumHeaven05 (Frederick, MD)        
note

Does anyone have spare original Kirby 2C rear wheels, they were thinner than 505 rear wheels. I think the front wheels to my 2C are original, since they were similar to the front wheels of a Kirby 505, but the rear ones are not original and are from a 505-515. Just curious.
From Liam


Post# 460547 , Reply# 35   2/22/2023 at 20:21 (399 days old) by Lesinutah (Utah)        
Ask

lesinutah's profile picture
Thomas to ask Mike for wheels for you. I'm pretty sure he does but you and Thomas seem to get along and please don't email me asking . Thomas can likely help you out. Tell him I told you to ask him.


Post# 460570 , Reply# 36   2/23/2023 at 08:01 (399 days old) by VacuumHeaven05 (Frederick, MD)        
reply

Thanks, will do, have a great day.
From Liam


Post# 460571 , Reply# 37   2/23/2023 at 08:16 (399 days old) by VacuumHeaven05 (Frederick, MD)        
note

Oh one last thing to bikerray, I rotated the field around clockwise and switched the carbon brush wires around. However, once I reassembled everything and tested the motor, the same thing happened, where the motor ran extremely slow and in reverse. I need to know what orientation is the field supposed to be placed in, so that the armature and fan can spin in the proper direction. Which way are the wires for the carbon brush holders supposed to go? Do they both go where the wires face up, one face up and the other faces down, vise versa, or do they both face down? Which wire goes to what carbon brush holder? How is the wiring supposed to be positioned to make the motor run in the proper direction? I Do Not Know?
From Liam


Post# 460573 , Reply# 38   2/23/2023 at 08:36 (399 days old) by VacMadMan (Pueblo Co.)        
Kirby 2C wheels

vacmadman's profile picture
The 2C did not come with 2 different size wheels they were set up the same as the Kirby C with all 4 thinner wheels. You can buy new wheels that are a very close match to the original wheels. Pictured is my 2C with two of the new wheels and two original. Picture #3 shows the original wheels. You can buy the new wheels on eBay. In picture #4 shows the new and original wheels the axle of the new wheels did need to be ground down to fit properly.

Side note: These are aftermarket parts but these are as close as you will find to the original wheels, until you can get originals ones just something to consider.


CLICK HERE TO GO TO VacMadMan's LINK on eBay


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This post was last edited 02/23/2023 at 09:04
Post# 460574 , Reply# 39   2/23/2023 at 08:49 (399 days old) by repairman (Woodridge, IL)        
VacMadMan

I never thought of using the inner side of those wheels. They're aftermarket and I can still get them from a vac supplier. They would've replaced the rear wheels of the Classic 1CR, Omega, & Classic III.

Post# 460575 , Reply# 40   2/23/2023 at 09:11 (399 days old) by Lesinutah (Utah)        
You

lesinutah's profile picture
Have to cut the inner lip flush with the width of the tire or the wheels won't fit.
I told Thomas you'd be getting a hold of hi.



Post# 460578 , Reply# 41   2/23/2023 at 09:48 (399 days old) by VacuumHeaven05 (Frederick, MD)        
note

I did recently contact Thomas today, about me needing 2C wheels. I'm now waiting for a reply.
Liam


Post# 460585 , Reply# 42   2/23/2023 at 12:27 (399 days old) by VacuumHeaven05 (Frederick, MD)        
side note

If anyone can look at the previous post I did, before post 41, I mentioned how I'm not sure on which way the wiring for the carbon brush holders are supposed to go as well as the position of the field. I need to know which way the wiring goes in order for my Kirby 2C motor to run in the proper direction and not in reverse. I had everything reversed and I'm trying to correct the issue, but unsure on which position, orientation the field and wires to the carbon brushes are supposed to go, for my motor to spin in the right direction. I need some help, please. If bikerray or someone can help tell me what I need to do and how to position the field, in the right way, that would be great.
From Liam


Post# 460605 , Reply# 43   2/23/2023 at 17:35 (398 days old) by Lesinutah (Utah)        
Rotate

lesinutah's profile picture
The field 180 degrees. Make sure the wires are connected to the carbon brush inserts. It's hard to give directions with no pictures.

Post# 460607 , Reply# 44   2/23/2023 at 18:33 (398 days old) by VacuumHeaven05 (Frederick, MD)        
kirby note

Here are the photos of my 2C motor currently, they are for reference. Now you can see and give me more help.
Thanks From Liam


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Post# 460611 , Reply# 45   2/23/2023 at 20:31 (398 days old) by bikerray (Middle Earth)        

bikerray's profile picture
Ok, the field is in correctly

Looking at it from the front

The lead from the bottom field goes to the right carbon brush holder
The lead from the top field goes to the left carbon brush holder


Post# 460621 , Reply# 46   2/24/2023 at 11:29 (398 days old) by bikerray (Middle Earth)        
Question

bikerray's profile picture
If you did rotate the field 90 degrees as you stated.
How did you cram it back into the housing?
The field coils would have hit the carbon brush holders.


Post# 460627 , Reply# 47   2/24/2023 at 12:14 (398 days old) by VacuumHeaven05 (Frederick, MD)        
note

I was wrong, when I first reassembled my Kirby 2C, a made a mistake and put the field in upside down, which I reversed the wiring connections to the carbon brush holders. That's why the motor ran so slow and in reverse when I tested it, before I took it apart again to fix the issue. As a side note, I wrote down which lead from the field goes to which carbon brush holder. Bottom goes with right and top goes with left. Just one last question, What way should the field itself be inserted into the motor housing? I took it out again to reposition yesterday, but haven't put it back in yet. I now know how to properly connect the wiring to the carbon brush holders.
From Liam


Post# 460650 , Reply# 48   2/24/2023 at 20:09 (397 days old) by Lesinutah (Utah)        
If

lesinutah's profile picture
Your 90 degrees is referring to my directions surely you misread. I said 180 degrees. If you rotate 180 degrees changing the location the bottom of the coil connector to the carbon brushes.
Liam the side that has the coil where the wires are on the bottom of the coil.


Post# 460657 , Reply# 49   2/25/2023 at 09:21 (397 days old) by VacuumHeaven05 (Frederick, MD)        
note

I did connect the field wires to the carbon brush holders correctly. The bottom wire of the bottom field coil, goes to the right carbon brush holder and the top wire of the top field coil, goes to the left carbon brush holder. I did take the motor to a expert vacuum repairman at a local vacuum store. He reassembled everything, except for the wiring connections to the foot witch assembly, that has yet to be looked at since I was the one who connected them myself, before I took it in for a look. The foot switch was already assembled by me, before I took the motor to the vacuum store. He then tested the vacuum and the same thing happened, the motor ran very slow, slower than normal. He and I decided that the issue with the running of the motor is now not the field wiring to the carbon brushes, which has been corrected, but rather the electrical connections and wiring hook ups to the foot switch assembly. Does anyone think that maybe the real cause of the issue, is the wiring connections of the foot switch. Are the wiring connections to the foot switch hooked up in the wrong way, in reverse? If so, how should I properly connect the wires to the foot switch. All I know is 2 wires go to the headlight harness and the other 2 go to both field coils, but one of them goes into the safety switch assembly. How should I connect the wires properly, since there are no black and white colors of wiring, all wires are just black.
From Liam, I will post pictures as soon as possible.


Post# 460658 , Reply# 50   2/25/2023 at 10:38 (397 days old) by Lesinutah (Utah)        
The

lesinutah's profile picture
The safety wires have positive and negative. The headlight has positive and negative. The coil has positive and negative. Connect the positives together and connect the negatives together. When you turn the power on if the headlight comes on, brush roll spins and everything that powered up powers off when you flip the switch its wired correctly.

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Post# 460659 , Reply# 51   2/25/2023 at 10:41 (397 days old) by VacuumHeaven05 (Frederick, MD)        
update

Here are photos of what could be at fault. I need help on how to correctly connect all wiring to the foot switch assembly.
From Liam


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Post# 460660 , Reply# 52   2/25/2023 at 11:21 (397 days old) by Lesinutah (Utah)        
The last picture

lesinutah's profile picture
The wires on the left with copper probably go on the terminal opposite the power prongs. The right 2 wires in pic for connect to the connection closest to the power prongs.
When you turn it on un hook the belt and the brush roll. This will make the motor spin faster.


Post# 460697 , Reply# 53   2/26/2023 at 06:04 (396 days old) by VacuumHeaven05 (Frederick, MD)        
reply

Are you saying that the two copper wires for the headlight harness actually go together and connect to the terminal opposite of the power prongs and the other two wires with silver looking copper, the one safety switch wire and the one field wire, also go together and connect at the terminal, closest to the power prongs. If I am correct, than that is the entire reason why my Kirby 2C motor was running so slow, because of the wiring being hooked up the wrong way to the foot switch assembly.
From Liam


Post# 460701 , Reply# 54   2/26/2023 at 10:26 (396 days old) by VacuumHeaven05 (Frederick, MD)        
idea

If I were to put the two headlight wires together and connect them to the bottom terminal, opposite to the power prongs and the other wires, the silvery looking copper wires, one goes to the field and the other to the safety switch, connect them to the top terminal closest to the power prongs, will this make my motor run properly and a lot faster than it did? Is this the proper way to connect the wiring to the foot switch, so that the motor will run a lot faster than it was?
From Liam


Post# 460703 , Reply# 55   2/26/2023 at 11:35 (396 days old) by Lesinutah (Utah)        
Im

lesinutah's profile picture
Lost at what your saying.
The two headlight wires are one positive one negative. The wires cannot connect together. The safety switch has a positive and a negative and cannot be connected together. The field coil I believe is positive and negative.
You have to connect all the positive wires together on one side of the switch. The other side connect all the negative wires. If you unhook the safety switch wires altogether they are not required for the machine to run. They safety wires are when the power is on you have to engage the safety switch for the vacuum to power on.
You had to have it wired correctly when the coil spun backwards. The only thing different you had to do is rotate the coil and switch what carbon brush the coils connected to that's it. I don't know what the local vac shop vacuum guy said but without doing specific things he couldn't tell for a fact it was going slower.
The vacuum is 90 years old .
Hook it up how it was working and leave it. If it turns on its wired right. With positive and negative wires if it's wired wrong it won't power on period.
If it turns on and spins it's wired right. It's simple don't overthink it.


Post# 460705 , Reply# 56   2/26/2023 at 11:45 (396 days old) by bikerray (Middle Earth)        

bikerray's profile picture
Before you create Armature Flambe

If it's running slow it's either mechanical or electrical resistance

Have you thought about systematically finding the problem?

Does the motor spin free (meaning is something binding)?

Have you tried connecting just the motor (without the safety switch, light etc.)?

If the motor is OK then the problem is elsewhere in the electrical system.

Did you wire the motor in series with the light?

Is the problem in the safety switch?


Post# 460706 , Reply# 57   2/26/2023 at 11:52 (396 days old) by VacuumHeaven05 (Frederick, MD)        
reply

All wiring to the foot switch and carbon brush holders was wired up correctly by me as recent as yesterday, before I took it apart again and the vacuum did turn on with the headlight, however the motor ran very slow and I even noticed a burning electrical smell, when I tested it for 5 seconds. Everything was wired up correctly but still the motor ran very slow. It was not like this and the vacuum ran much faster when I first got it, before I took it apart for polishing. I think the cause the whole time is either the field or armature has gotten shot. If the field has gotten shot and has bad windings in it, it should be replaced immediately, fortunately I do have a spare field for a 2C. Do you think the reason for this could likely be a field with shot windings or is it the armature? If it's the field, I will replace it.
Thanks From Liam


Post# 460707 , Reply# 58   2/26/2023 at 11:58 (396 days old) by VacuumHeaven05 (Frederick, MD)        
note

Everything is in right, the armature and fan does spin freely when the vacuum is off, but when I turn it on, the vacuum runs very slow. I think it could be an electrical issue, either with the safety switch or the field or armature is shot, has bad windings. What do you think the issue is with the running of my Kirby 2C motor?
From Liam


Post# 460708 , Reply# 59   2/26/2023 at 12:30 (396 days old) by Lesinutah (Utah)        
Idk

lesinutah's profile picture
The field coil could be wearing out. The safety switch wiring has no effect on anything. Take it to your vac shop buddy have him test it.
I'm betting it's running fine its in your head.


Post# 460710 , Reply# 60   2/26/2023 at 14:43 (395 days old) by VacuumHeaven05 (Frederick, MD)        
reply

I like the last comment. I actually did take my Kirby 2C motor to the local vacuum shop and I did tell the person who looked at it about what is wrong with it. He checked the field, all of the wiring and made sure everything was connected properly and in alignment. But when he tested it, the same thing happened, the motor ran very slow even though it actually ran in the proper direction. I think the field has bad windings in it, it got shot and it just needs to be replaced. Do you think the issue could likely be bad windings in the field? If so, I will replace it with a spare field that I have.
From Liam


Post# 460729 , Reply# 61   2/27/2023 at 08:07 (395 days old) by VacuumHeaven05 (Frederick, MD)        
side note

Should I replace the field with another one that I have , or should I test the field instead without the safety switch and headlight wiring connected? Do you think the reason why my motor is running not at normal speed is because of bad field windings or is it a bad armature. Could it even be bad bearings? Whatever you suspect the issue with my Kirby 2C motor is, please let me know. The sooner the better.
From Liam


Post# 460730 , Reply# 62   2/27/2023 at 09:13 (395 days old) by VacuumHeaven05 (Frederick, MD)        
question

Will a health mor sanitation system vacuum field, which is similar to early Kirby, Scott Fetzer and Royal fields fit in a Kirby 2C? It has four screw holes and looks very similar to the field in a Kirby 2C. Will it fit in a Kirby 2C, or is it a different size? I'm just curious.
From Liam



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