Craftsman 338179210, 338179200 Owner’s Manual

II IIIIIII

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Owner's

Manual

MODEL NO.

338.17920

338.17921

II

338.17922

338.17929

Model Number
The model number may be found
on the nameplate. You should

record the model number in a safe

place for future use.

_lb CAUTION: Before using this

vacuum, read this manual and
follow all its Safety Rules and

Operating Instructions.

ICR.FTS...I

WET/DRY VACUUM

• Safety

• Assembly

• Operating

• Repair parts

• EspaSol p. 6

87523-67 www.sears.com/craftsman Printed in USA

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, IL. 60179 U.S.A.

Item Page

Warranty Information........................... 2

Safety Instructions ............................ 2,3

UnpackingCarton Contents ..................... 3

Assembly ................................... 3

Operation ................................... 4

Storage ..................................... 5

Troubleshooting .............................. 5

Repair Parts ........................... See Insert

FULL ONE YEAR WARRANTY ON

CRAFTSMAN WET/DRY VACUUM
IfthisCraftsman Wet/Dry Vacuum failsdue to a defect in materi-
als or workmanship withinone year from the date of purchase,

Sears will repair or replace it, at Sears option, free ofcharge. For
warranty service, retum the Wet/Dry Vacuum to your nearest
Sears Service Center or Sears Store in the United States.

ff this Craftsman Wet/Dry Vacuum is used for commercial enter-
prise of any sod, including rental use, this warranty coverage
applies for only 90 days from the date of purchase.

This warranty applies only while thisproduct is used in the United

States.

This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also
have other rights which vary from state to state.
Seam, Roebuck and Co., Dept. 817WA, Hoffman Estates,

IL 60179

When using an electrical appliance, basic precautions
should always be followed, including the following:
Read all instructions before using this product,

_, WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire, electric

shock or injury.

• Do not leave appliance when plugged in. Unplug from

outlet when not in use and before servicing. Connect to a
properly grounded outlet only. See Grounding

Instructions.

• Do not expose to rain - store indoors.

• Do not allow to be used as a toy. Close attention is nec-

essary when used by or near children.

• Use only as described in this manual. Use only
Craftsman attachments.

• Do not use with damaged cord or plug. If appliance is not

working as it should, has been dropped, damaged, left

outdoors or dropped into water, return it to a Sears

service center.

• Do not pull or carry by cord, use cord as a handle, close
a door on cord or pull cord around sharp edges or cor-
ners. Do not run appliance over cord. Keep cord away
from heated surfaces.

• Do not unplug by pulling on cord. To unplug, grasp the
plug, not the cord.

• Do not handle plug or appliance with wet hands.

• Do not put any object into openings. Do not use withany
openings blocked; keep free of dust, lint, hair and any-
thing that may reduce air flow.

• Keep hair, loose clothing, fingers and all parts of body
away from openings and moving parts.

• Do not pick up anything that isburning or smoking, such
as cigarettes, matches or hot ashes.

• Do not use without dust bag and/or filters in place.

• Turn off all controls before unplugging.

• Use extra care when cleaning on stairs.

• Do not use to pick up flammable or combustible liquids

such as gasoline or use in areas where they may be pres-
ent.

• Do not use your cleaner as a sprayer of flammable liquids

such as oil base paints, lacquers, household cleaners,
etc.

• Do notvacuum toxic, carcinogenic, combustible or other

hazardous materials such as asbestos, arsenic, barium,
beryllium, lead, pesticides or other health endangering

materials.

• Do not pick up soot, cement, plaster or drywall dust with-

out cartridge filter and collection filter bag in place. These
are very fine padicles that may pass through the foam

and affect the performance of the motor or be exhausted
back into the air. Additional collection filter bags are avail-

able from Sears.

• Do not leave the cord lying on the floor once you have fin-
ishedthe cleaning job. It can become a tripping hazard.

• Use special care when emptying heavily loaded tanks.

• To avoid spontaneous combustion, empty tank after each
use.

• The operation of a utility vac can result in foreign objects
being blown into eyes, which can result in eye damage.

Always wear safety goggles when operating vacuum.

• STAYALERT. Watch what you are doing and use com-

mon sense. Do not use vacuum cleaner when you are

tired, distracted or under the influence of drugs, alcohol or

medication causing diminished control.

GROUNDING INSTRUCTIONS

This vacuum cleaner is equipped with a cord having an

equipment-grounding conductor and grounding plug. If vac-
uum cleaner should malfunction or breakdown, grounding
provides a path of least resistance for electric current to
reduce the risk of electric shock. The plug must be inseded
into an appropriate outlet that is properly installed and

grounded in accordance with all local codes and ordinances.

,_ WARNING: Improper connection of the equip-

ment-grounding conductor and grounding plug can
result in a risk of electric shock. Check with a quali-
fied electrician or service person if you are in doubt
as to whether the outlet is properly grounded. Do not

modify the plug provided with the vacuum cleaner -
if it will not fit the outlet, have a proper outlet
installed by a qualified electrician.

This appliance is for use on a nominal 120-volt circuit, and
has a grounded plug that looks like the plug illustrated in

sketch A. A temporary adapter that looks like the adapter
illustrated in sketches B and C may be used to connect this

plug to a 2-pole receptacle as shown in sketch B if a proper-
ly grounded outlet is not available. The temporary adapter

should be used only until a properly grounded outlet

(sketch A) can be installed by a qualified electrician. The
green colored rigid ear, lug or the like extending from the
adapter must be connected to a permanent ground such as

a properly grounded outlet box cover. Whenever the
adapter is used, it must be held in place by a metal screw.

NOTE; in Canada, the use of a temporary adapter is not
permitted by the Canadian Electrical code.

GROUNDING METHODS

GROUNDED ADAPTER

OUTLET FOR_

GROU;_NG _'_--_GROUNDED L_ GROUNDING SCREW

PIN OUTLET BOX

(A) (B) (C)

SCREW

TAB

EXTENSION CORDS

When using the vacuum cleaner at a distance where an
extension cord becomes necessary, a 3-conductor ground-

ing cord of adequate size must be used for safety, and to
prevent loss of power and overheating. Use the table below

to determine A.W.G. wire size required. To determine

ampere rating of your vacuum, refer to nameplate located
on rear of motor cover.

Before using vacuum cleaner, inspect power cord for loose
or exposed wires and damaged insulation. Make any need-

ed repairs or replacements before using your vacuum
cleaner. Use only three-wire outdoor extension cords which

have three-prong grounding-type plugs and three-pole
receptacles which accept the extension cord's plug. When

vacuuming liquids, be sure the extension cord connection

does not come in contact with the liquid.

Volts Total length of cord in feet

120V 25 50 1100 1150

Ampere Rating

More Not More AWG
Than Than

O..................... 6 18 16 16 14

6................... 10 18 16 14 12

10 ................. 12 16 16 14 12

12................. 16 14 12 Not recommended

NOTE: Static shocks are common in dry areas or when
the relativehumidityof the air is low.This is only tempo-
rary and does not affect the use ofthe appliance. To

reducethe frequency of static shocks in your home, the
best remedy is to add moisture tothe air with a console or
installedhumidifier.

1. Pull tank cover latches in an
outward motion and remove
tank cover and any acces-
sories which may have been

shipped in the tank. (Figure 1)

2. Before replacing tank cover,
refer to Dry Pick-Up or Wet
Pick-Up Operation in this manual to ensure you have

the proper filters installed and inlet deflector is posi-

tioned correctly for your cleaning operation.

3. Your vacuum comes with the
filters already installed for dry

pick-up. For filters recom-
mended for wet pick-up refer

to wet pick-up operation.

4. Be sure inlet deflector
(Figure 2) isin proper

position. Opening up for wet, down for dry vacuuming.

5. You will find four casters, four caster supportsand four
screws with your weVdry
vacuum. Model 17920

includesfour casters only.

6. With tank cover removed,
inverttank so that the bottom

is facing up.

7. Insert caster supports into
slots and secure with screws. (Figure 3)

8. Insert caster stems intosupports by applying pressure
untilyou feel the castersare firmly in place.

9. On model 17920, insertcast-
ers directly intoholes provided

in the bottom of the tank.

10. Replace tank cover and apply
pressurewith thumbs to

each latch untilitsnaps tightly

in place. Make sure both lid
latches are clamped securely.(Figure 4)

11. Insert hose end with locking-nutinto inlet of tank and
tightennut.Do not over-tighten.

12. Attach the extension wands to
the accessoryend of the hose.

13. Attach one ofthe cleaning
accessories (dependingon

your cleaningrequirements)

ontothe extension wands.

14.Align toolholderwiththe lugs near bottom of tank. Slide
toolholder down untilit snaps into place (Figure 5)
Yourvacuum is now equipped
for toolstorage (Figure 6).

15. Plug the cord intothe wall
outlet. Your cleaner is ready

for use. I=ON, O=OFF

DRY PICK-UP OPERATION

With the tank cover in an upside down position, slide the

cartridge filter down over the lid cage, pushing until the filter
seals against cover (Figure 7). Foam sleeve will remain in

place. Place filter retainer intothe top of the cartridge filter,

and holding the tank cover with one hand, turn the handle
on the filter retainer clockwise to tighten, locking the filter

into place (Figures 8 & 9). To remove the filter for cleaning,

again hold the tank cover and turn the filter retainer coun-
terclockwise to loosen and remove, then slide the cartridge

filter off the lid cage (Figures 10 & 11). TOclean the car-
tridge filter, shake or brush off excess dirt (Figure 12) or

rinse (from the inside of the filter) with water (Figure 13).

Dry completely and re-install.
Your vac filter is color coded with a black stripe. When

replacing, just match the color.

INSTALLING THE
DISPOSABLE FILTER BAG

(Not standard with all models)

1. Use for dry pick-up only. Use only when cartridge filter is
installed on wet/dry vacuum.

2. With cord disconnected from receptacle, pull latches in
an outward motion and remove tank cover.

3. Unscrew hose locking-nut and remove hose from inlet.
(Figure 14)

4. Remove inlet deflector from deflector guide. (Figure 14a)
NOTE: Hose must be removed before inlet deflector can

be taken out.

5. With the opening of the inlet deflector facing the bottom

of the filter bag, slide collection bag collar over deflector,

matching notches of bag collar to tabs on inlet deflector.
Bag will only fit properly one way. (Figure 14b)

6. Slide deflector with collection bag attached into deflector
guide (Figure 14c)

7. Reinsert hose into inlet and tighten locking-nut. (Figure
14d)

WET PICK-UP OPERATION

For best results for wet pick-up remove cartridge filter and
utilize the foam sleeve (already in place over the lid cage).

For wet pick-up remove inlet deflector from deflector guide
sliding in an upward motion. Invert and insert into guide

with opening facing up. NOTE: Hose must be removed

before inlet deflector can be taken out. Be sure the opening
of the inlet deflector is facing the top of the tank (Figure

15).
Mistingmay occur if inlet deflectoris not inserted properly.

Mistingin exhaust air may also occur if the foam sleeve

becomes saturated duringwet pick-up.If misting occurs,
remove and dry the saturatedfoam sleeve or replace with

another dry foam sleeve to eliminate the mistingand possi-
ble dripping of liquidaround the lid.

Turn the unit off immediately upon completinga wet pick-up
job or when tank isfull and ready to be emptied, and raise

the hose to drain any excess liquidintothe tank. The interi-

or of the tank should be periodicallycleaned. The foam

sleeve should be cleaned periodicallyas describedinthe
following steps:

1.Always disconnect the plug from the wall receptacle
before removingthe tank cover.Remove foam sleeve by

sliding it up and offthe lidcage.

2. Shake excess dust offfoam

sleeve with a rapid up and
down movement.

3. Hold sleeve under running
water, rinsingfrom the inside.

Awater wash is not always

required, depending on the
condition of the sleeve.

4. Gently wring out excess water, and blot sleeve with a
clean towel. The foam sleeve is now ready to be rein-
stalled on the lid cage. NOTE: Bottom of sleeve should
be TUCKED in groove between lid cage and tank lid.

(Figure 16)