Thread Number: 5667
TRI STAR 		[Down to Last]

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Post# 62924   3/17/2009 at 11:44 (5,511 days old) by filterqueen83 ()        

I got a tri star, I finally broke down and bought a tri star. I am super stoked to have this extra long hose.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO filterqueen83's LINK on eBay


Post# 62929 , Reply# 1   3/17/2009 at 13:40 (5,511 days old) by animasinsulin ()        
AWESOME

 That is TOO cool Matthew!!!! How long is that hose?? Never saw one that long. Now you can vacuum your place without even moving the machine.ENJOY!!!!.....Bill in Az....

Post# 62964 , Reply# 2   3/17/2009 at 19:02 (5,511 days old) by filterqueen83 ()        
yay

 that was the goal with the hose. And the buy it now was reasonable in my opinion for two hoses and all of that.

Post# 62988 , Reply# 3   3/17/2009 at 23:34 (5,511 days old) by camelotshadow (Valley Village)        

Hope you enjoy it
I just bought some bags for my Compact 4
I have an old cloth bag & I'm going to make a sponge motor filter as the one the guy wanted to seel me was no better than a thin piece of foam filter.

It will be fun to gove it a spin after the 6 mo's shes been waiting for me to splurge on her parts

Luv filter queens
looking foward to giving this 50 plus year old vac a spin....

Post# 63063 , Reply# 4   3/18/2009 at 20:27 (5,510 days old) by filterqueen83 ()        
cant wait

 It should be here on friday I am soooo excited I cant sleep sometimes lol.

Post# 63072 , Reply# 5   3/18/2009 at 20:48 (5,510 days old) by methodistbill ()        

I've had a ball fixing up my Ebay Tristar that I got a couple of weeks ago. It is an impressive cleaner! And very easy for a novice like me to work on.

Post# 63102 , Reply# 6   3/18/2009 at 22:19 (5,510 days old) by ttuee2006 ()        

My TriStar is my daily-driver. I still haven't found anything that I own that will outclean it yet! It's hard for me to believe that it's 17 years old and still runs like the day it left the factory.

Post# 63104 , Reply# 7   3/18/2009 at 22:49 (5,510 days old) by hoovercelebrity (Germany)        

I have one of the last of the Compact-type Tri-Stars, before they were sold to Electrolux...
I got it off eBay NIB about two years ago. I've only used it a handful of times, but love it!

The floor tool is Amazing!

Post# 63109 , Reply# 8   3/18/2009 at 22:57 (5,510 days old) by ttuee2006 ()        
Floor Tool

 I agree totally about the floor tool! It's on par or better than the one that came with my Lux LX. My only complaint about it is that there is so much air being sucked through it that it's deafening to use it in a small room!

Post# 63113 , Reply# 9   3/18/2009 at 23:41 (5,510 days old) by filterqueen83 ()        
really

 I had one years ago and never used to floor tool lol. I just used it on the carpet. which was almost wall to wall in a 5700 sqft house that I grew up in so it was fun cleaning there was always plenty to vacuum.

Post# 63138 , Reply# 10   3/19/2009 at 07:56 (5,510 days old) by luxg ()        

I agree with all of you. There is nothing like the Compact floor tool. I use it even with my Beam central and man you should hear the noise it makes. You know you are cleaning that is for sure!

Post# 63716 , Reply# 11   3/24/2009 at 01:06 (5,505 days old) by mark40511 (Lexington, KY)        

mark40511's profile picture
These Tristar vacs. How many different filters do you have to buy for it? Are they easy to change/clean etc? Are they convenient to use? I've never used or seen one in person but they look like they are VERY durable.

Post# 63719 , Reply# 12   3/24/2009 at 01:23 (5,505 days old) by ttuee2006 ()        
Filters

 The only real filters are the bags and the post-filter. The filtration system consists of the paper bags (which are usually micro-lined), the cloth filter-fabric bag, the pre-motor filter (which is generally foam, although HEPA filters are available), and then the post-filter which either consists of a screw-on foam cap, or a complete HEPA filter.

The bags are hands-down the easiest to change of any vacuum I own. The cloth bag doesn't need any maintenance until it gets dusty, which then it's just toss it in the wash. The pre-motor filter I have never had to service. It's never gotten dirty in my machine. The entire inside of my machine is SPOTLESS. A massive tribute to the effectiveness of the filtering of the bags. If the motor filter ever does need cleaning, it's a simple task of removing the bag (lifts out) and pulling it off the front of the motor. No tools required! The post-filter is one I usually operate without since I don't have allergies, and it DRASTICALLY cuts down on the suction of the cleaner. To replace it, it just twists off. Toss it out, and twist on a new one.

DIRT simple vacuum. By far my favorite.

Post# 63748 , Reply# 13   3/24/2009 at 08:00 (5,505 days old) by methodistbill ()        
Airflow

 ttuee2206 is right that the cloth and paper bags are THE most necessary filters. The way the air flows through the bag and drops the debris to the bottom helps to ensure that very little dust flows through the motor. Tristar recommends replacing the motor filter once a year, while periodically hand washing it. For the exhaust filter, you do have options. The more simple exhaust cap filter, which allows for maximum suction/airflow or the Filter Fresh which has three stages -- a urethane foam filter first, then a paper filter element that looks like a car intake filter, and a final filter that's impregnated with activated carbon. Those three things are sandwiched together in the Filter Fresh housing. Tristar recommends replacing those twice a year. I use the Filter Fresh. ttuee2006 is right that it does cut down suction; however, there's still a lot!

Post# 63750 , Reply# 14   3/24/2009 at 09:35 (5,505 days old) by danemodsandy ()        
TriStar Filter System:

 As others have pointed out here, TriStars have several filters, including the filtration capability of the bags. Each filter in the quadruple filtration system serves a different purpose:

- CLOTH BAG: This is the main dirt collection element, capable of filtering on its own. TriStar's instruction manual states that the cloth bag can be used by itself, without a paper bag inside it. I personally do not recommend that practise; I find that the inside of the canister gets dirty when the cloth bag is used without a paper bag. The cloth bag should be replaced periodically; if it gets a hole in it, or if the rubber sealing gasket around the top gets hard, it's time for a new one. It should be washed or vacuumed periodically, at least every six months.

- PAPER BAG: This goes inside the cloth bag. Should be replaced when it's full, or sooner.

- MOTOR FILTER: This is a washable, easily replaced foam filter element that snaps onto the motor's housing. To access it, open the bag door, remove both bags, and look towards the rear of the machine. I have two of these filters, which I alternate. When I change the paper bag, I swap the filter in the machine for the other one. Then I wash and dry the filter I removed from the machine, and put it away for the next swap. If you have an older Compact with the fibreglass filter, you really really repeat really need to replace the fibreglass filter with the new type. Fifty-year-old fibreglass sheds glass particles, and the older machines do not have an afterfilter to keep those particles out of your lungs. The fibreglass filter should be kept for display purposes only.

-AFTERFILTER: There are two different ones available. There is the standard afterfilter, which is a simple foam element held by a plastic frame. It does a fine job if you have no allergies. It should be washed every bag change. There is also the Filter-Fresh, which Bill has kindly described above. It is essentially equal to HEPA filtration.

I can tell you that it is definitely worth keeping up with all the filters in a TriStar. If all the filters are present and in good, clean condition, a TriStar does not have any "vacuum cleaner" odour when used, and dust does not reappear quickly after you finish vacuuming. A room that has been vacuumed with a TriStar actually smells fresher and better after you're through. I didn't believe that claim when I first read it, but my own experience is that it's true.

Post# 63781 , Reply# 15   3/24/2009 at 15:50 (5,504 days old) by ttuee2006 ()        

I personally never even use the standard post-filter on my TriStar. When it's installed, it makes the most irritating wind noise.

I wish they still made the elements for the original Filter Fresh (the gigantic mushroom looking abortion) since it worked great, but didn't choke the vacuum power down.

It looks like an engine air filter would fit it....has anyone tried this?

Post# 63784 , Reply# 16   3/24/2009 at 16:56 (5,504 days old) by kirbysthebest (Midwest)        

I always giggled at my neighbors Compact with the filter in the back. It looked like a gold pig with something stuck up it's butt.

That thing was so quiet though, and she swore by it.



Post# 63786 , Reply# 17   3/24/2009 at 17:20 (5,504 days old) by brandon_w_t ()        
Lol.

 I want a compact with a pn real bad.

I just have this itch.... I NEED ONE!

Post# 63788 , Reply# 18   3/24/2009 at 17:48 (5,504 days old) by animasinsulin ()        
Glade

 In my TS, I put those Glade plug ins in the bottom of the TS. It is gell filled, so nothing will get sucked out into the motor. Friends that borrow it are shocked how AWESOME it smells.....Bill in Az.... Ps. I buy micro filtration bags, Eureka F&G bags and cut them in half and trim them to size.....

Post# 63789 , Reply# 19   3/24/2009 at 17:53 (5,504 days old) by danemodsandy ()        
Eric:

 "I personally never even use the standard post-filter on my TriStar. When it's installed, it makes the most irritating wind noise."

It shouldn't do that; perhaps something is going on with the afterfilter you have. If you're ever around another TriStar owner, borrow theirs and swap it for yours, to see if that fixes the problem. I've known a bad filter to cause whistling noises.

Also check the black plastic piece that the filter mounts to, to see if it is cracked or has any broken mounting tabs. It's called a filter basket; the part number is 70014. It installs with two 3/16" pop rivets; you also need to run a bead of black RTV silicone sealant around the opening in the canister body where the filter basket mounts, before you pop-rivet the filter basket into place. This will seal the filter basket to the canister body so that no air leakage will occur from that source. I had to replace the filter basket in my CXL, and once I did - quelle difference! More suction, less noise.

Both these things can cause excessive exhaust noise and whistling.

Post# 63791 , Reply# 20   3/24/2009 at 18:41 (5,504 days old) by methodistbill ()        
HEPA Motor Filter

 Has anyone used the HEPA motor filter that Eric mentioned? I've seen it offered on some sites. If so, what did you think? Is it better than the standard foam filter? Does it restrict airflow? Is it really HEPA?

Post# 63805 , Reply# 21   3/24/2009 at 20:44 (5,504 days old) by ttuee2006 ()        
Danemodsandy....

 I know my TriStar pretty well.....I don't need an education lesson on the vacuum, but thanks.

It is definitely the little standard filter-disk thing making the noise. It has a foam insert in it, and the vacuum moves SO MUCH AIR that it causes the foam to try to push through the grating on the plastic retainer. When it does that, it starts making this loud hissing/hacking sound.

By the way.....replacing the filter basket has absolutely nothing to do with improving the suction on the TriStar. In fact, if it were broken or missing altogether, the suction would be MUCH stronger. Mine was busted when I got it, and believe me.....with it out of there the suction goes from insane to downright comical.

Bill.....I have not used the HEPA motor filter, and honestly I don't see the need to. It seems like it would cut down on the efficiency of the machine, not to mention it wouldn't be as effective as the post-filter at filtering.

By the way....bags for the TriStars are CHEAP! If you get the Enviro-Care ones, they by far work and filter the best out of 4 brands I've tried. I literally have NO dust get through to the cloth bag, and they seem to maintain full suction until absolutely full. There is NO EXCUSE to hack together a pathetic Eureka bag to use in such a great cleaner as a TriStar! Do yourself a favor and get the real thing. Your vacuum and your sinuses will thank you.

Post# 63807 , Reply# 22   3/24/2009 at 21:11 (5,504 days old) by brandon_w_t ()        
who needs filters?

 I dont have allergies, so I can use the old old hoovers and kirbys without bags.

If I had a tristar or compact, I would run it on full possible power always. No filters.

Post# 63814 , Reply# 23   3/24/2009 at 21:42 (5,504 days old) by danemodsandy ()        
Eric:

 "I know my TriStar pretty well.....I don't need an education lesson on the vacuum, but thanks."

Sorry to try to help you. I'm outta here.

Thanks to all the nice people on this site.

Post# 63816 , Reply# 24   3/24/2009 at 21:52 (5,504 days old) by swingette ()        

Eric!...(shaking head)

Post# 63822 , Reply# 25   3/24/2009 at 22:05 (5,504 days old) by ttuee2006 ()        
Sandy...

 I wasn't trying to make you leave or insult you in ANY way! I just know that machine inside and out, and it seemed a bit trivial to be hearing the obvious stated. In no way was any offense expressed or implied.

Not in any way.

Post# 63980 , Reply# 26   3/26/2009 at 16:16 (5,502 days old) by kirbykid1 ()        

Yes Eric does know the whole compact inside and out!


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