The Ametek Lamb 117123 is the motor you order when the machine in front of you runs on 240 volts and the old motor has finally given up. It is a three-stage, 5.7-inch tangential bypass motor built for 240-volt equipment, and it turns up most often in self-serve car wash vacuums, export-market commercial canisters and 240-volt central vacuum power units. Three stages stacked on one armature means it holds sealed lift better than a comparable two-stage motor when a hose is choked with sand, pet hair or shop debris, which is exactly the condition a coin-op vacuum lives in all day.
Use cases
- Rebuilding a 240-volt self-serve car wash vacuum dome that has lost suction at the wand.
- Replacing a failed motor in a 240-volt commercial canister or utility vacuum.
- Servicing a 240-volt central vacuum power unit where the original motor is no longer offered.
- OEM builds of sprayers, foggers and material-transfer equipment that need high sealed lift on a 240-volt supply.
Specifications
- Ametek Lamb part number 117123, catalogued as 117123-00
- Three stage
- 5.7-inch (145 mm) diameter
- 240 volts, single speed
- Tangential bypass discharge
- Double ball bearings, permanently lubricated
- Maximum sealed vacuum 137.1 inches of water
- Maximum airflow 95.1 CFM
- Maximum output 448 air watts
- Approximately 1550 watts input
- 20,400 RPM maximum
- Open enclosure, all-position mounting
- Intermittent duty, 40 C maximum ambient
- Average carbon brush life around 500 hours for the 5.7-inch frame
- Shipping weight approximately 6.8 pounds
- UL recognized and CSA certified
Choosing and fitting
Technicians on cleaning and central vacuum forums make the same point over and over: stage count alone does not decide the winner. What matters is where airflow and water lift cross on the performance curve and what the motor draws to get there. A three-stage motor like this one earns its keep on restricted, high-lift work rather than open-hose airflow. Before you order, confirm the voltage on the data plate, the fan diameter, the bracket style and the bolt pattern against your existing motor, and plan on a new mounting gasket at the same time. A tired gasket gives back more sealed lift than most people expect.
Frequently asked questions
Will the 117123 run on 120 volts?
No. This is a 240-volt motor and it must be supplied at 240 volts. Running it on 120 volts will not damage it immediately but it will never make rated suction. For a 120-volt machine, look at the 120-volt motors in the same Lamb family instead.
What does tangential bypass mean in practice?
Bypass construction routes cooling air around the motor rather than through the working airstream, and the tangential outlet discharges that cooling air out of the side of the fan case. It keeps dirt and moisture out of the windings, which is why bypass motors are used in machines that see damp or dusty pickup. Always follow your machine maker's guidance on wet use.
How long should the carbon brushes last?
Ametek publishes an average of roughly 500 hours of brush life for 5.7-inch motors under normal intermittent duty. Coin-op car wash vacuums that run nearly continuously will reach that figure much sooner, so many operators keep a brush set on the shelf.
How do I confirm this is the right replacement?
Match the number printed on the motor casting first. Older units are sometimes stamped with a short form such as 7123 rather than the full part number. Then check voltage, the 5.7-inch fan diameter, overall height, bracket material and the three-bolt mounting pattern against the motor you are removing.
Discount Cleaning Products is an authorized dealer for Ametek Lamb vacuum motors and stocks the brushes, gaskets and service parts that go with them. Our US-based team can help you match a replacement motor to the machine you already own.
