SweepScrub

In this video, the customer purchased a Viper AS5160 several years ago, with the wet battery configuration. They called us for service because they could not get their machine to power on. After further investigation, we found out the issue: they have never watered their batteries ONE time since they bought it.

Wait? What do you mean "watered their batteries"?

Wet batteries, or flooded lead-acid batteries are the most common variety of lead-acid batteries found in battery powered commercial floor scrubbers and sweepers. You’ll need to have the right amount of water (distilled water) in these batteries to keep them functioning correctly. This means periodic maintenance (every 1-2 weeks depending on usage) is required which also means you'll need to have dedicated employee(s) assigned to this task in order to minimize damage to the batteries due to operator misuse and neglect.

Flooded lead-acid batteries generally last 2 to 5 years, but with improper training, the life cycle can be much shorter.

Pros
Since these are the most common kind of batteries, they’re also the most readily available and cheapest upfront to replace when the time comes. These also provide end users with the longest possible runtime on a single charge.

Cons
Because these batteries need a specific amount of fluid in them to operate properly, you’ll need to be comfortable maintaining your battery system every 1-2 weeks depending on your usage. They can also be damaged by extreme hot and cold temperatures.

Happy 4th of July to those that keep the United States clean!

Why is the vacuum motor on my floor scrubber making a strange noise?

In most cases, that sound is an indicator of metal-on-metal friction inside the motor assembly. Whether you are dealing with a floor scrubber, floor sweeper, carpet extractor or upright vacuum, that noise boils down to 3 wearable parts failing inside your vacuum motor:

1. Worn bearings (most common)- Bearings move at an incredible rate of speed, and they allow the motor shaft to spin smoothly. Over time, moisture and fine debris manage to bypass your machine's filters , the grease inside these bearings dries out and/or becomes compromised, when the bearing's fail, the friction causes a high-pitched squeal. The only solution is to replace your vacuum motor.

2. Carbon brush wear- Carbon brushes transfer electricity to the spinning commutator, eventually they wear down over time. When they have worn down completely to their metal housing or retaining spring, the raw metal will drag directly on the spinning commutator. If left untreated, the entire motor can burn out. Most suppliers sell replacement carbon brushes for vacuum motors which are usually a fraction of the cost compared to buying an entire vacuum motor.

3. Damaged impeller (fan blades)- If a hard piece of debris manages to bypass the vacuum filter and gets sucked into the motor housing, it can bend, chip, or shatter the impeller fins. When the fan becomes unbalanced at high speeds, it will scrape against the inner metal housing, creating a loud, screeching grind. In most cases, a new vacuum motor replacement is the only fix.