The Ametek Lamb 117500-12 is a three-stage 7.2-inch tangential bypass motor for 120-volt machines, and it is one of the highest-lift motors you can fit on a standard household circuit. Sealed vacuum of 145.9 inches of water with 102.5 CFM of airflow and 530 peak air watts is the combination car wash operators and central vacuum installers reach for when the hose runs are long and the debris is heavy. Three stages keep suction alive when a two-stage motor would have already stalled out against the restriction.
Use cases
- Self-serve car wash vacuum domes where sand, gravel and pet hair choke the hose all day.
- Central vacuum power units serving long pipe runs or larger homes and small commercial spaces.
- Commercial canister and utility vacuums that need lift more than open-hose airflow.
- Sprayers, foggers and material-transfer equipment built around a 120-volt supply.
Specifications
- Ametek Lamb part number 117500-12
- Three stage, single speed
- 7.2-inch (183 mm) diameter, approximately 8.75 inches overall height
- 120 volts, 14 amps maximum
- Tangential bypass discharge, open enclosure
- Double ball bearings, permanently lubricated
- Maximum sealed vacuum 145.9 inches of water
- Maximum airflow 102.5 CFM
- Maximum output 530 air watts
- 19,930 RPM
- Average carbon brush life around 700 hours for the 7.2-inch frame
- All-position mounting, intermittent duty
- UL recognized and CSA certified
Choosing and fitting
At 14 amps this motor wants a circuit of its own. Check what the machine and its wiring were designed for before stepping up from a smaller motor, and remember that a 15-amp branch circuit shared with other loads will nuisance-trip. On the mechanical side, confirm the 7.2-inch fan diameter, the overall height of roughly 8.75 inches, the bracket style and the bolt pattern against the motor coming out. Fit a new mounting gasket while the housing is apart.
Frequently asked questions
Is a three-stage motor always better than a two-stage?
Not automatically. Three stages hold sealed lift better under restriction, which is why they suit long hose runs and heavy debris. A strong two-stage motor can move more air on an open hose. Technicians generally look at where airflow and lift cross on the performance curve and at the amp draw needed to get there.
What circuit does the 117500-12 need?
It draws up to 14 amps at 120 volts, so it should not share a lightly loaded 15-amp circuit with much else. Confirm the branch circuit and the machine's own wiring and switchgear are rated for it before fitting.
How long do the brushes last?
Ametek publishes an average of roughly 700 hours for 7.2-inch motors in normal intermittent duty. Car wash vacuums that run most of the day get there far sooner, so operators commonly stock a spare brush set.
Will it fit where a 5.7-inch motor was?
Only if the housing has the room. A 7.2-inch frame is physically larger in diameter and taller, and the mounting pattern differs. Measure the bay and check the bolt pattern before planning an upgrade.
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.
