Shop Vac Motor On Switch Fails - Where To Buy?

randylsmith · Jul 9, 2013

Does anyone happen to know who makes the Shop Vac motors?

Shop Vac wants me to buy a new Power Unit Assembly (#1944233) for $67.55 when all that is wrong is the on switch is failing (doesn't stay clicked on).

I can replace that if I can find an on switch replacement part.

Teikas Dad · Jul 9, 2013

Subscribed! I've got the same problem with mine. All of a sudden when you push the on switch it goes on momentarily then shuts off. I have to push the button three to five times to get it to work.

randylsmith · Jul 9, 2013

Teikas Dad said:
Subscribed! I've got the same problem with mine. All of a sudden when you push the on switch it goes on momentarily then shuts off. I have to push the button three to five times to get it to work.

I dug in a little deeper and located the switch part numbers. Googling found a company (DigiKey?) Who sells replacements for $6 each. Seems high. Also seems unlikely both went as well but metering them proved inconclusive. Hope replacing those is the solution.

paulwestski · Jul 9, 2013

It happens at work all of the time. We buy the Lowes Shop Vacs and the cheap rocker switches wear out over time.
In the past I've just replaced them with a heavy duty rubberized toggle switch. Just drill a hole in the shroud install and wire up.

randylsmith · Jul 9, 2013

Here is the link to the exact replacement switch that I found. PaulWestSki, where do you get the heavy duty rubberized toggle switch?

DigiKey V7-1C29D7 Switch

paulwestski · Jul 9, 2013

randylsmith said:
Here is the link to the exact replacement switch that I found. PaulWestSki, where do you get the heavy duty rubberized toggle switch?

DigiKey V7-1C29D7 Switch

The digiKey link is broken?

Any good electrical house or hardware store. Just a heavy duty toggle on off with the rubberized boot.

Toggle Switch Boot Seal

randylsmith · Jul 10, 2013

PaulWestSki, thanks for the suggestion. Visited other forums and searched DigiKey.

Decided to not buy the exact replacement as I was not confident that would fix it (where exactly does the problem lie? I don't know - is the switch not clicking and staying on, and why did both go out at once? Too many questions).

I Looked over the items you suggested and was tempted, but another forum (Shop vac QPL625 on off - Fixya) provided me with a switch that looked good to me and was echoed by others on the forum as a good replacement due to its amperage to voltage rating, so I searched for and ordered the 1091-1062-ND from DigiKey (DigiKey Rocker Switch) although it will be harder to install nicely than your solution (so I am second guessing myself).

Yet another forum recommended this switch from Radio Shack, said it worked well for them (16A 125V or 10A 250V DPST AC On/Off Round Rocker Switch : Rocker Switches | RadioShack.com), also looks easier to mount nicely (round hole) and has the convenience of being at a local Radio Shack.

Sigh. Decisions, decisions. Thanks for your input!