I had a previous B&D pivot vac prior to buying this one.  It worked okay until the battery started to lose charge time.  This is expected with a NiCad.  This has a Li-Ion battery and short life is not to be expected.  It runs for about 4 minutes before the battery fades and stops.  I can hear it start to run down after about 2 minutes.  Battery can not be replaced. The vac is relatively new, now it's worthless.  It won't even make a good boat anchor.