Milwaukee M18 Wet/Dry Vacuum Repair

[@599miata]

Very interesting repairs, mate. because I have the same unit at home and I have not and probably will not try to suck liquid with it. I would personally try to replace the bearings because the motor is not working at it's top speed, therefore not sucking like it should. 👍👍

[@BuyitFixit]

Thanks👍, yes the bearings really need to be replaced on this. I've since got the brushless version I repaired 🙂

[@richardtaylor7199]

Mick, when the motor took off, the best Homer Simpson sound alike ever. Great vid🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@BuyitFixit]

Thanks 👍

[@wherami]

Nice repair . Another useful device. Thanks!

[@BuyitFixit]

Thanks j s. Got another broke useful device.. A FLIR thermal camera. Broken of course.. what a rollercoaster ride that one was.... video soon!

[@wherami]

@@BuyitFixit nice! A thermal cam. Now that's a great thing to have ! Looking forward to it

[@nguz5237]

Thanks for the help was spot on with the resistor

[@BuyitFixit]

No problem 👍Glad it helped 🙂

[@MrEwool]

Nice looking vacuum cleaner, but the went with a few to many cheap alternatives, but for only dry it might be a very good choice, but like you said you should consider changing the bearings they cost next to nothing. Hope you have a great week and looking forward to seeing more

[@BuyitFixit]

Thanks Morten. Hope you have a great week too!

[@TheTango1963]

This be very handy for even teardown value i have same one and occasionally when turn on does nothing after a few attempts its bursts into life 😂 thnx buddy love your content btw👌👍

[@BuyitFixit]

Thanks 👍I'd perhaps check the main power switch, battery terminals are clean. I did have a problem with a hand held vacuum but that permanently wouldn't switch on and it turned out to be a faulty transistor on the board which stops it from powering the motor when the battery is too low.

[@Stefan_Van_pellicom]

This is the most appreciated tool in my van …!

[@BuyitFixit]

Nice, I think my most appreciated tool is either the angle grinder or my impact driver, I can't decide 😂😂😂

[@jeromeduffy9270]

Really mine barely has any guts. I always say that this like a toy

[@ArreglandoCosas]

Nice repair! I think your camera lens might me dirty cause the image looked a little foggy on this vid. Keep them coming!

[@BuyitFixit]

Thanks Arreglando! I'll check that. Thanks for letting me know.

[@SuperMurrayb]

You have a lot of skill. The 0880 vacuum was my first Milwaukee tool. It always made the odd chattering sound when winding down just like yours does. That seems to be normal for this model.

[@BuyitFixit]

Thanks Murray! I repaired a hand held version and that one doesn't have the whine. I stand by what I said in the video, these would be fine as a dry vac only. It's the 2nd one I've seen like this. I volunteer at the local repair cafe once a month to help people repair their items, and someone brought one of these in for repair. It was pretty much the same problem as this one motor seized but circuit board was fine in that one.

[@SuperMurrayb]

@@BuyitFixit It is clear from the video that the vacuum is not waterproof but I doubt the water got into the upper chamber from the lower chamber. The impeller draws the air from the lower chamber and exhausts it out the side port. It may also draw a tiny bit of air from the upper chamber through the shield in the bearing. Water should have no path to go from the lower chamber to the upper chamber while the motor is running. What might be happening is that moisture trapped between the upper chamber and the lid is working its way inside the upper chamber and causing corrosion. If that is the case then keeping the area under the lid dry is important even when vacuuming dry debris. This video also has the first example I have seen of a self-desoldering surface mount device used instead of a fuse. 😆

[@BuyitFixit]

@@SuperMurrayb Yes self desoldering! I have seen similar happen on another device on someone else's video, but it's the first time I've came across it myself. Perhaps water was in the lower chamber and was left for some time. This then evaporates through where the impeller is and motor shaft / lower bearing causing corrosion?

[@SuperMurrayb]

@@BuyitFixit No matter how the water gets inside it appears to rust the steel ball bearings until they seize. Then the motor's high stall current draw overheats the resistor until it rotates off of the pad. Back in the old days it was common to see control boards with fuses, on less expensive electronics, or with breakers on more expensive items. My preference is a self-resetting breaker over a rotating resistor but I am just a cranky old fart with unreasonably high expectations, or so I've been told.

[@BuyitFixit]

Lol

[@dorsetallsorts]

Another great fix!! Vince recently repaired a vacuum and at the end did a bit of hoovering up with it to show it in operation. Were you not tempted to give us a demo?! Keep up the good work 😊

[@BuyitFixit]

Thanks Nick👍Hoovering...😂😂😂

[@HDXFH]

Milwaukeeing

[@JohnKitterman]

For me, the switch connections came loose. Reseating correct the problem. I hope your problem is as easy as mine!

[@BuyitFixit]

I think it was the motor was seized on this one due to water sitting in it and condensing. Was a while ago when I looked at this one👍

[@JohnKitterman]

@@BuyitFixitSeeing others fix theirs motivated me to take a look. Thanks for that.

[@ralphj4012]

Another product saved from landfill. AEM is Actuator Electric Motor, a Chinese company now owned by General Transmissions, France. Nothing much showing on their website but no harm in asking. Similar motors on AliExpress (775 DC motor shows multiple versions but the ones with threaded shafts look too long).

[@BuyitFixit]

Thanks for that Ralph! I didn't know who made the motors. Great detective work!

[@keithwalden7718]

Nice video, helpful to me .. thanks!

[@BuyitFixit]

Glad to hear that!

[@SlartiMarvinbartfast]

Considering how basic that is inside I'm amazed at the fairly high price of it when new (about £140). Possibly half of that is just for the battery.

[@BuyitFixit]

Yes expensive for what you actually get! I guess a lot of it is in the brand name.

[@davidmitchell7367]

Mine got wet due to some water being left inside and unit went upside down. Funny thing it would not work with Milwaukee battery but did work with converter using makita battery. Then when fully dry was ok with Milwaukee battery again.

[@BuyitFixit]

Sounds like there was some water on the board that was probably confusing the microcontroller. It could have thought that the temperature of the battery was too hot or something like which may have not been connected with the converter.

[@jlmartin2308]

What is the purpose of the Circuit board ? What is the down side of connecting the motor directly to the battery ? Where can I purchase a replacement circuit board ?

[@BuyitFixit]

The circuit board is the battery management. It stops the unit from operating if the pack overheats or if the battery voltage gets low. I doubt you can buy one. Milwaukee might do it as a spare with the motor but it will probably be almost the cost of a replacement vacuum. That's what I've found when looking for spares for other Milwaukee tools anyway.

[@kitty9374]

Thanks​@@BuyitFixit

[@bills6946]

Mick, that motor looked exactly like the one used on the reciprocating saw you fixed. Must be a common motor used by 18v tools

[@BuyitFixit]

It's very similar, although you do get different shaft types / lengths. The reciprocating saw had the shaft with a flat part like a 'D' where this one has a longer threaded shaft with a nut that secures the fan blades.

[@rrs26a]

Nice job

[@BuyitFixit]

Thanks!

[@wherami]

So if you remember how i couldnt figure out what was wrong with my food saver ... well it was the fuse on the mains side. Lol i must have failed to really check it last time. Tonight did a serious continuity test. It sure does seem to be the fuse in so many fixes

[@BuyitFixit]

Great Job j s. Glad you got it working! The amount of times I hear people say "it's probably just a fuse..." usually it's not "just the fuse" :)

[@wherami]

@@BuyitFixit lol true thats usually the start lol

[@BuyitFixit]

Yep.. then finding all the stuff blown that made the fuse blow...

[@HDXFH]

17:25😂😅😅 electroboom moment

[@BuyitFixit]

Yes 😂😂😂😂

[@ChiRat22]

Great video! Do you think I can pull the switch out without opening the first generation vacuum?

[@BuyitFixit]

Not sure as there are plastic clips on the inside which really need pressed. You might damage the switch if you try and pry it out from the top.

[@ChiRat22]

@@BuyitFixit good to know. Thanks for the reply. I was thinking of adding an external switch since my rocker switch went bad.

[@BuyitFixit]

Are you sure it's the switch? If so it doesn't really matter if you break it getting it out. You can measure the hole or switch and just buy a standard rocker switch that will fit.

[@ChiRat22]

@@BuyitFixitit was working fine then the switch started getting sticky then it got stuck in the on position. Had to remove the battery. Eventually I pushed the switch hard and now it shut off but it’s loose and won’t make contact anymore. 95% sure it’s the switch

[@BuyitFixit]

Yeah sounds like it 👍

[@maddawglodbrock1380]

Hi have one of these and it has 16 v on the out let to the motor but all I get is a humming noise from the motor when I pit a 12 v battery direct to the motor it spins no problem any ideas would be appreciated

[@BuyitFixit]

Interesting, 16v is a little low. The board disconnects the motor from the battery if it thinks the battery voltage is too low. It sounds like the board has a fault. I can't remember if this has a similar board to the other hand held vacuum which was faulty. Does anything on the board get warm / hot?

[@maddawglodbrock1380]

I will have a feel about and get back to you when the moor is connected to the board there’s no voltage but when it’s not ther is 16v will get back to you soon as thanks for your time

[@maddawglodbrock1380]

Nothing seems to be warm

[@Shockedbywater]

The company I work for has dozens of this model and all of them sound rough quickly. They work well and the form factor is great for keeping in a truck but the bearings are junk.

[@BuyitFixit]

I agree, I don't think it's worth the money that they are asking for these. It's pretty much a box with a fan.

[@Shockedbywater]

@@BuyitFixit Yes it is a lot for a what it is.

[@grahamcousins795]

What about the ferrite ring and the cable ties - I’ve got a few shares in a cable tie company!

[@BuyitFixit]

Do you realise how much cable ties cost these days! Inflation!! 😂😂😂😂👍

[@grahamcousins795]

OK - you’re forgiven especially as you exacted a fantastic repair of the electronic treadmill - what a gasser!

[@BuyitFixit]

Thanks 😂😂😂 not sure if you checked the RGB laser video or the Flir thermal camera, or solar inverter. I thought they were some of my better work 🙂

[@waynetaylor2784]

Rusty screws you'd think with a wer n dry vac they'd use stainless steel screws!

[@BuyitFixit]

Absolutely! I had been thinking the exact same thing!

[@waynetaylor2784]

@@BuyitFixit below be bargain buy for spairs n repairs ain't cheap new or 2nd hand might take 200 quid ?

[@karlthompson9730]

Can't be a milwaukee motor they don't make them I've been looking at paslode fan motors for years for a alternative as there fan motor is 90 on quid for a motor surely there's a equivalent out there

[@BuyitFixit]

I think it's the motor shaft that was the issue. The motors are very similar to the motors you can get on Aliexpress, but I've not seen one with the same type of shaft.

[@DaftOldMan]

I repair and fix stuff on youtube but do not have your electrical knowledge. I have opened a few of those type of motors and given the bearings some grease or oil depending on the type of bearing. They usually respond well. I recently replaced one brush in a motor. I am not sure how long that will last.😁

[@BuyitFixit]

Good on you 👍I'm no expert at anything, I've just picked stuff up over time, at least you're having a go and I have no doubt you will learn things you never knew along the way 👍

[@kevinisaac9139]

just watched your video you say these are not up to the job I am a plumber and use mine all the time for wet jobs no problem at all had the machine for one 4 yrs

[@BuyitFixit]

Interesting. This is actually the 2nd one I've came across with a corrosion problem. Someone brought one into the repair cafe where I volunteer at, and all of the screws were rusted and the motor seized. Perhaps people are leaving them with water sat inside for long periods? and maybe you empty yours after each use? That's the only thing I can think of.

[@Zach-tm7ob]

Ive got the same model used for 3 months and it just cut out on me and wont turn back on even with a full battery! Any ideas where to start

[@BuyitFixit]

Yes, check the motor is actually turning (try a screwdriver and see if the part behind where the ball is turns). If it turns ok, its probably a fault on the board inside which disconnects the battery if it thinks it's going flat.

[@Zach-tm7ob]

@BuyitFixit well my misses just took it all apart, give it a good clean with a brush, pushed on the wires to make sure none had come loose, and its started working again LOL, hopefully it lasts!!

[@BuyitFixit]

Great news 👍

[@garageliving3658]

Milwaukee has 5 year warranty

[@trappn]

There were comments left here and there about how this model sometimes dies when the battery runs out of juice. Read the same thing in the reviews on Milwaukee's web site. Left a negative review when the same thing happened to me. Milwaukee monitors the comments and replied by saying someone would reach out to me. Of course, no one did. Will pop the hood for a looksee sometime soon. Enjoyed the video.

[@waynetaylor2784]

Literally 100s 18v size motors on aliexpress, rs550 close but has teeth but many others , just have to measure few things

[@BuyitFixit]

Thanks Wayne. I did look but couldn't see anything with a threaded shaft. As you said I did see quite a few with a cog on the end. I wonder who makes these motors...

[@user-te1le7ck6b]

Nice repair , least you was able to repair the motor had a Phillips vacuum with dead motor , suspect windings but press fit so no go , sadly only good for spares and have to bin most parts 🙄 good old made in china

[@BuyitFixit]

Thanks G!

[@HDXFH]

Good thing those 775 motors are chrap

[@davidmitchell7367]

Mine leaked because rings don’t seal. Rebuilt with waterproof switch and sealed all joints with LX sealant. Poor design for something designed for liquids.

[@BuyitFixit]

Good tips👍, and yes totally agree I wouldn't recommend it, especially for liquids.

[@kennybacchus1488]

Milwaukee. M18. Wet. Dry. Vacuum repair

[@paulmcgeoch2603]

Cable ties holding the ferrite choke is an absolute disgrace. Milwaukee should be ashamed of the build quality of some of there machines for a company that would have you believe they are one of the best in the world. Ridiculous. Once again perfect example of designed to fail

[@BuyitFixit]

Yeah it's definitely not one of the better quality things of theirs I've looked at...

[@HDXFH]

Overrated junk

[@petergondolier4088]

I always advise people once you find out the manufacturer is using custom chips, parts et., that they refuse to make available for repair, STOP BUYING THEIR PRODUCTS!! They will get the message, once their sales drop like rock!

[@BuyitFixit]

I think we wouldn't be buying any electronics at all in that case. Most devices these days if they don't use a custom chip, they would use a microcontroller that contains firmware. If the chip fails, then even if you replace the chip it won't work without the firmware. I had that problem with the Peak test meter I just repaired but the manufacturer was kind enough to send me a replacement IC free of charge.

[@jeromeduffy9270]

If thiseinterals got wet. So did electronics

[@JoeBob79569]

It's pretty embarrassing that this thing costs about £100-150 new, for basically just a few bits of plastic and a motor. And probably the same again for a battery and charger if you didn't have them. Definitely doesn't seem like a top of the range product, given the rusty screws on the inside. The £40 you paid for it should probably be the original price! 🤣

[@BuyitFixit]

Yes, I agree with that! With it being advertised as a wet and dry unit I would have thought they would use stainless steel screws for corrosion. I think it would be fine used dry, but not suitable for wet / liquids.

[@jeromeduffy9270]

Thats really a small motor. Like a toy

[@jeromeduffy9270]

It even sounds weak. Momey wasted

[@policewitnesspoplar4865]

nice fix on a highly priced, badly designed, very poor quality tool.

[@BuyitFixit]

Thanks! My thoughts exactly!

[@steph55293]

What would be a better alternative? I'm looking for a new one after this one I have broke and is not salvageable

[@BuyitFixit]

I'm not sure on that one Steph. I haven't really looked at any other makes. I did do a repair on a different Milwaukee and that one seemed ok, depends if you need to suck up wet stuff, and also be battery powered.

[@steph55293]

@@BuyitFixit hmm thanks I'll have to look into it

[@jeromeduffy9270]

Hate like heck to admit. You are correct Sir