It’s a DeWalt 887. It doesn’t get much tougher looking than that. Yellow housing equal toughness.
Brand name equals durability; this thing will last on the job site, right? It rests on the shelf alongside less expensive competition, but cost you a little more because it does more then simply suck up some air. It is a wet/dry shop vac that can stands up to the carnage your tools leave in their wake, not choke, and keep running.
You pick it up but it doesn’t work. Or you use it for ten minutes and it quits. How fast can frustration mount when something that should makes cleaning easy now needs to be cleaned and repaired?
Frustration sets in quickly when a tool that is supposed to make cleaning easier become the thing you have to clean and repair. And neither is DeWalt 887. A filter, seal, motor, and other mechanical component are subject to becoming clogged or wearing out.
Fixing it requires knowing how it breaks. There are only three possible culprits for most of these problems on this particular model: The thermal protection has kicked in; there’s something blocking airflow; or it’s not getting power. While all these is common issues, they also feel like total disasters when you’re looking at a heap of drywall dust.
The best news is that you typically don’t have to replace the vacuum itself. Generally speaking, you simply locate what’s not working and fix it. Where does it commonly go wrong?
Fixing Common DeWalt 887 Problems Quickly
Common Causes of DeWalt 887 Malfunctions
Of course, there’s also the matter of power. No sound? No humming?
No spinning whatsoever? The first step here is to inspect your power cord… The problem is usually upstream, like cuts or kinks in wire.
These vacuums gets dropped by contractors. They are rolled over by carts. An almost invisible tear in the wire prevents electricity from reaching the motor.
Inspect the cord; if that seems okay, then inspect the outlet. It sounds silly, but a dead extension cord or a tripped breaker is often cause rather than a bad motor. Make sure it’s connected before assuming the worst.
Troubleshooting Power Supply Issues
Check the filter, Is there a loss of suction? Do you notice the motor running but not getting enough suction? The DeWalt 887 creates its own vacuum pressure with airflow.
Dust, sawdust, and water trap the pleats in the filter. As the filter gets filled up it chokes off the air intake. The motor has to work harder to suck more air through the filter.
Suction is greatly reduced. This also heats the motor up too much. After using it a few times, you need to take the filter out and clean it.
Otherwise, you’re just begging for the motor to burn out prematurly. That’s a really easy maintenance step which will save you some bucks. The unit have a thermal overload.
Resolving Loss of Suction Problems
It does not work occasionally, but sometimes the motor will run fine. It’s a thermal overload condition. The safety switch on the motor tripped due to overheating.
Why does it overheat? Airflow is restricted. Either the dust cup is full, the hose is blocked, or the filter is clogged.
Let it cool down and reset in about 20 minutes. Then look for any restrictions. You’ll fry the windings if you don’t listen to the heat.
That’s when your repair bill goes through the roof. Another common mistake involves the hose and wand. The narrow tubing may get clogged with debris.
Handling Thermal Overload and Heating
You might have good suction where you are holding the nozzle, but not as much near the base. Remove the hose and check it out. Use a flashlight and look down into the tube.
More times than not, there’s something blocking flow, some kind of wad of wet sawdust, perhaps, or a rock, or even a nut. Clear that obstruction, and your airflow will be restored. No tool is required for this fast fix.
Simply mind your kinked hose position while in use. The wet and dry are prone to water damage. While both are rated for use with liquids, especially the DeWalt 887, neither was designed for standing water within the motor housing.
Clearing Hose and Wand Obstructions
Tipping it over while emptying it will cause water to enter electrical section of the unit. This results in short circuits and corrosion. Keep the unit upright at all times.
In case of spillage, unplug it right away and allow it to fully dry before plugging it back in. Electricity and moisture don’t mix. This is non-negotiable for longevity.
Preventing Water Damage and Short Circuits
Lastly inspect the base and wheels. Is it difficult for you to move? Does it tip over or seem to wobble?
It’s hard on the body and even the cord. Wheels that come loose can be replaced or tightened up. A crack in the base allows dust to get into the motor.
These things are wear items. Check them when you clean the filters. Little maintenance equals no big headaches.
Inspecting Base and Wheel Condition
Be gentle with it and it will be your new best friend. Neglect it and it will bite back. Clean the filter.
Clear out any clogs. Monitor the temperature. Do that and you’ll have many years of good service from the DeWalt 887, which can take some serious beating in a job site environment.
But it’s still a work horse; so treat it as such. The vacuum works hard for you, so just give it a little something back.