A question about TriStar different years ...and

Alexolux · Feb 2, 2012

HI,

I am considering buying a TriStar and want to know the performance of the different years . the CLl or DXL was recommended . BUT ...... what about earlier vintages like the C6 or others ? Do they perform nearly as well? should I wait for a CXL and pass on an earlier one ? I like the paint ( color ) on the early ones better .

eurekastar · Feb 2, 2012

Do you want a power nozzle with it? If so, you can't go wrong with a CXL or DXL. They're powerful vacuums.

danemodsandy · Feb 3, 2012

For Best Daily Driving:

Get a CXL or DXL.

They are incredibly good vacs, and they don't have the parts problems that some of the earlier ones can have. You'd have a hard time replacing a wheel on a C-4, for instance, or getting parts for some of the earlier PNs.

And almost every change that late machines have is for the better, unlike most machines. More filtration, better wand and tool system, more maneuverability due to better wheels, bumpers that protect furniture better.

You have to get what you like, but the late machines are really great.

twocvbloke · Feb 3, 2012

Make sure you get one with the black-base PN, that one can be adapted with a 4-row VGII brushroll, as mine was by it's previous owner, a brilliant modification over the standard brushroll, although even with the standard brushroll it's a superb cleaner...

floor-a-matic · Feb 5, 2012

Any Compact/TriStar vac is super powerful; they'll OUTCLEAN any of today's "plasti-vacs"

kirbyclassiciii · Feb 8, 2012

I wonder how good the first TriStar CXL of 1982 would be, compared to its predecessor, the Compact C9 of 1979? And, would the Eureka-made "Turbo Brush" power nozzle of both periods be good by today's standards?

Also, in regards to the Compact C9, how many colors did its PN come in, besides the cleaner unit itself?

~Ben

floor-a-matic · Feb 24, 2012

I think the very first TriStar CXL happens to be the most powerful TriStar ever; & only the red ones had two speeds.

kloveland · Feb 29, 2012

Tristar DXL

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Just wanted to add another factor, either the DXL or CXL has a geared belt setup similar to the Electrolux power nozzles. I would prefer to have the flat belt as my power nozzle with the geared belt seems to be rather noisy. Although, I don’t have to worry about changing belts, which is nice!

Just as everyone has said above: "Tristars are great performers" however, I tend use my UltraLux more often. I have a generic vinyl electric hose for it, which makes it a real powerhouse. The UltraLux seems to compare with the Tristar in terms of suction on an empty bag. My grandmother had the 1205 growing up, which is why I tend to favor using the Lux more than the Tristar. Before I joined the club, I had never heard of Compact or Tristar.

Both are keepers and wonderful vacuums. In all honesty, the Tristar will probably outperform the Lux. I really love the “MADE IN U.S.A tag on my Tristar” glad it’s still intact.

kloveland · Feb 29, 2012

Bottom picture of the power nozzles

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As Sandy mentioned:

the Tristar power nozzle cleans fine with the original brushroll. It really sweeps the carpet and leaves nice carpet lines. Can’t speak on the Eureka vibragroomer, because I’ve never attempted that, it won’t work for me since I have a geared belt. The original is just fine for me.

<p class="MsoNormal">However, I did upgrade the brush roll in Electrolux PN, and it makes quite a difference. It does seem to run slower with the extra turn of bristles.</p>

danemodsandy · Feb 29, 2012

Kenny:

I have a Lux Diamond Jubilee in addition to my TriStar; the Diamond Jubilee was basically the same machine as your Ultralux.

You are correct that suction - on an empty bag - is pretty much equal on both machines. But later Luxes gained that suction at the expense of motor durability; motor failures from Diamond Jubilee through Ultralux are dishearteningly more frequent than one would like to hear.

A TriStar CXL/DXL/EX-20 has a motor that does its job without any undue stress; this was a huge plus on machines all the way back to the Compact days. My mom, who is extremely rough on appliances (we call her The Appliance Killer) actually got 30 years out of a Compact C-2 that never EVER saw the inside of a vac repair shop for any maintenance whatsoever. She never used a paper bag in the machine, only the cloth one, vacuuming up Georgia's vac-killing mix of sand and red clay. And still got 30 years out of it!

I won't say a Lux couldn't do that, but I think luck or very good maintenance would have to be involved. I see too many later metal-bodied Luxes in vac shops' "parts machine" piles to think otherwise.

danemodsandy · Feb 29, 2012

P.S., Kenny:

I think one factor in the motor life of TriStar/Compact vs. Electrolux is that Lux only has one-stage filtration. Everything depends on that single bag.

Even in that abused Compact C-2 of my mom's, there was a motor pre-filter. In those days, it was a round metal frame holding a fiberglas mat, not today's foam. And my mom never bought a new one; she kept knocking the dust out of the original. Even so, having two levels of filtration in that Compact made a difference, I feel. And it would have been three had she ever used the paper bags. Years after the Compact went to the dump, I found the original sales papers for it in her garage - along with a "starter" supply of paper bags, still pristine after all those years.

Three levels of filtration before the airflow ever gets to the motor HAS to make a difference in motor life, seems to me.

kloveland · Feb 29, 2012

I agree

I've heard (from this forum) the same thing about the failure of later Electrolux motors. But I have yet to experience a failure. You are correct.

One of our members just recently burned out the motor in his Tristar. He was running it with a partially full bag, while cleaning out a Kirby Classic III bag. Your are so right about changing bags frequently. More airflow equals cooler motor.

I have a Compact C6 as well. But it doesn't seem to have as much power as the Tristar.

Enjoy reading your posts. Your information seems logical and factual.

kloveland · Feb 29, 2012

filtration

I've opened some Electrolux canisters to find their motors very dusty. There is no way of knowing if the previous owner used genuine bags or not. I've only opened up two Tristars to find their motor compartment dust free.

I know I'm contradicting myself. But I do agree with you on the filtration of the Tristar. The Electrolux just seems to be more user friendly to me with it's cord winder, flip over tool and such. The Tristar is very user friendly as well. It's very difficult for me to decided on one vacuum. Guess that's why I'm a collector, LOL!

danemodsandy · Feb 29, 2012

Kenny:

It's funny - when I'm using one of my Luxes, I use the cordwinder without thinking about it.

When I use the TriStar, I wind the cord around the machine without thinking about it.

Each machine has its advantages and disadvantages. After vacuuming with a Lux, I see dust in the room again much sooner than I do with the TriStar. And that's an inconvenience of a sort, right there.

twocvbloke · Mar 1, 2012

The two in-hose built Tristar PNs can be differentiated easily, the flat belt models have a black base, and the geared belt, which come with motor overload protection circuitry, have a beige/off-white base...

The flat-belt models, like mine, can be upgraded with some skill required, turning it into what is essentially a VGIII PN, though it uses a 4-row VGII brushroll fitted with VGIII bristle strips, turns that PN into quite the cleaning beast...

You do need a donor VGII brushroll from a Eureka PN, and something to grind away the parts of the end-caps that prevent a 4-row (or even a true VGIII) from fitting them, just make sure to wear eye protection cos I nearly blinded myself grinding back the end caps on my Eureka Rotomatic PN's brushroll... :S

I would post a pic, but, I'm on the wrong computer for it...

kloveland · Mar 1, 2012

geared belt

My Tristar has the black base and the geared belt. My knowledge of Tristar/Compacts is very limited, but I know mine has the geared belt. Can’t argue with you on the filtration of Tristar, Sandy.

twocvbloke · Mar 1, 2012

Now that is intriguing, unless someone upgraded that one with the parts that normally go into the beige one... :&#92

That said, the black base does have the screw positions for the geared belt setup, so not exactly hard to change the guts I guess...

floor-a-matic · Mar 1, 2012

I'm going to change the motor/belt/roller on my red TriStar PN.

Is there a way to change just the pulley on a Eureka VGII brush roller? I prefer the VGII better than the wood bristles-only roller; the VGs REALLY beat the dirt out of even the deepest/thickest pile carpet.

kloveland · Mar 1, 2012

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David,

I know my Tristar power nozzle is all original. My model number is: 2-101 and it was manufactured to have a geared belt. Below is a link to an eBay auction for a geared belt. My model number is listed.

Thanks for your input.

Alex - I think you will be very happy with either the CXL or DXL. They are wonderful vacuums! I was really excited when I first got mine. Sorry for hijacking your thread on the Lux/Tristar comparison.

[this post was last edited: 3/1/2012-20:53]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tristar-Com...519?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item45fd8a5bb7

A question about TriStar different years ...and

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