Lighthouse Vacuum Motor

[Jerome]

Here is a quick rundown on the lighthouse motor I bought to replace one I had burned up in my Fein Turbo III

Ward said he wasn't sure the motor would work but we chose one that looked like the fein motor. It was $69 shipped and I got it in 3 days. The motor is about 1/2 inch shorter than the original but that didn't create a problem. It works as well and maybe better than the original. It isn't any louder.

I would recommend these motors to anyone needing a new motor for a Fein. With free shipping and no sales tax Lighthouse is about half price of grainger.

[dlcw]

Jerome,

Thanks for the update. Great news!

I will be calling Ward on Monday and getting a new motor for my burned out Fein vac.

[knight_toolworks]

thats pretty cheap what are the specs? the granger one is slightly better. for that price I cna't think it is a better motor or more powerful.

[Jerome]

Steve

Here is the web address for Lighthouse.

http://www.centralvacuummotor.com/lighthouse.htm

They have the specs for each motor. The one I ordered was the LH6336-01

These are Lighthouse brand motors. The one on Grainger sells is the Ametek brand that comes as original equipment on the Fein. For half price I thought I would take a chance.

[knight_toolworks]

looks like you loose almost 20 cfms. that's a fair loss. the grainger motor is actually specked out higher then the fien original motor.

[dlcw]

I use 4 of the Lighthouse 220vac motors for my vacuum table and they have worked great. With this in mind, using a Lighthouse for a replacement on my Fein sounds like a pretty good bet.

[knight_toolworks]

I bought two ametek lamb 220 motors they were about the same cost as the lighthouse and at 120.00 each a better by then fixing the feins. too bad I had the feins going already. but I will get them setup when I remember too.
(https://www.grainger.com/Grainger/vacuum-motors/definite-purpose-motors/motors/ecatalog/N-9xhZ1z11zry?op=search&sst=subset)

[Gary Campbell]

Steve...
If you look, both Grainger and Lighthouse have models in varying voltages, cfm and vacuum specs. What is important is to get the right motor for the job.

The Fein is a great option when a quiet vac source is needed, but they are definitely underpowered when compared to many other options. Just like a car, its hard to get horsepower without some noise.

When I am shopping vac motors, I prefer to look at the vacuum levels held at 50 and 75 cfm. This is a good average that replicates real world cutting conditions. The charts show that when flowing 50 cfm, the LH 7123 motors like Don and I have, pull 10% more vac than the Fein holds at 0. Thats why we like em.

No matter what the specs, very few of these motors have a rated lifespan of more then 500 hrs. Even tho many of us get much longer life from them, its good to have a source for low cost replacement parts that get delivered fast.

[knight_toolworks]

I bought these guys only slightly more then the lighthouse brand
http://www.blowermotorsplus.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=117123-00
wish I found this site sooner they are less then grainger. 139.00 though grainger to me my motor the next day.
plus I rather not buy from someone that bombards me with their beliefs. that's very unprofessional.

[dlcw]

Had my first LH 7123 table vacuum motor burn out last Thursday. It was installed September 2009 so I think I got my moneys worth.

Just ordered a new one along with the LH6336-01 to fix my dead Fein Turbo III vac. Looking forward to getting it back to operational state.

[Rob Gunn]

I have my 4 zone plenum cut and near ready to start putting the vac table together. I think I have decided to go with the Ligthhouse LH7123-13. Does anyone see a issue with me using one of these for a 4 zone? I will control the 4 zones on my 4'x8' table with 2" ball vales. Any input from the experts? Thanks, Rob Gunn

[knight_toolworks]

I would use gate valves over the balls they are far nicer to use. like these
http://www.ebay.com/itm/PVC-Knife-Gate-Valve-2-slip-/360102106393?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item53d7c21519

[waterwheelman]

I use ball valves for my vac system. Gate valves are notorious for leakage.
With a vaccuum hold down system you want to avoid having leaks in the plumbing. You will get enough leaks through and around your matterial. You don't want to add to the problem.

[CNYDWW]

My machine actually came with two actuated ball valves for the vacuum table. I haven't played with them yet but i plan to soon.

[Gary Campbell]

David....
When you say, "Gate valves are notorious for leakage" are you referring to a Stainless/PVC knife valve like this? https://www.westpacsupply.com/product.php?id=60212

These valves have an O ring seal on both sides of the paddle that are replaceable. I recommend and have installed them on a number of systems that pull over 10 inHg with no known leaks or problems. They are easier to operate under vacuum than ball valves. Also, they do not seem to get harder to operate when in a dusty environment like ball valves do.

They do cost more, but this is one of those cases where you can get what you pay for. I post this because there are many lurkers out there that do not post, and I wouldnt want them to get the wrong idea about a product that it appears you may not have used.

[knight_toolworks]

I have no leakage anymore. my system performs I like should have now. but I redid the plumbing and put my feins in a box. the knife valves are great and reparable.

[waterwheelman]

I agree that the high end knife valves are better. What I have seen most people try to use is the valves you would get for a dust collection system. They are cheaper and more readily available.