Found a Sentria I...want to turn it into a "Hentria" -- metal fan OK?

[superocd]

I found a Sentria I in the dumpster area of an apartment complex I was working in, installing mini splits. The brushroll is shot, the bag is worn but the base machine is fine. I seen a video a while ago on YouTube of a modified Sentria I with a Heritage I orange bag and a metal fan. I was thinking, this could have been Kirby's commercial offering since it looks so professional with the Heritage bag (the grey and orange looks very professional/commercial-ish) and the metal fan allegedly gives the Generation platform increased CFM (though it's high enough as is w/ the OE Amodel fan). Now that I have a Sentria, I'd like to modify it. The question is...can the motor/bearings support a metal fan? Is there enough clearance in the fancase for a metal fan? Or should I just put in a new Amodel fan (the existing one is serviceable but a bit pitted -- I figure since I'll be tearing into this to clean/inspect/sanitize, might as well put a new fan in)?

Also, with the Heritage bag, obviously it doesn't attach to the bag hanger as-is, so do I cut the clip off from the OEM Sentria bag and transfer it to the Heritage bag via sewing?

 

[vaccollector21]

I heard from a few people including two vacuum collector YouTubers I watch sometimes that you pull the brass ring off of the bearing plate to make the metal fan fit on it. I haven’t tried it yet but want to. I know the metal fan makes a difference by comparing them. The difference was unbelievable. For some reason there’s controversy about metal fans in g series but I think it’s a great idea and that it will improve the performance. I also remember one of the vacuum YouTubers made a good point that if an older Kirby with a smaller motor could handle a metal fan so could a newer one with a larger motor. Just my 2 cents.

 

[huskyvacs]

My only concern with swapping in another brand or vintage Kirby metal fan in is, will the motor support it? If it doesn't overload the motor or throw the armature off balance. Maybe take the OEM plastic fan and get a machinist to make a metal cast of it?

 

[KirbyCollector01]

Here’s my experience regarding Metal Fans in G Series.

I have been using a Metal Fan in a G5 for the past five years now. It has had absolutely no issue at all. It runs just fine and sounds smooth. The performance is a lot better than when it had the Nylon Fan.
And yes VacCollector21, you do have to remove the brass ring to make the fan fit. But I think it’s worth it. The Metal Fan gives it more airflow, as well as make it sound a lot like an older Kirby. Which sounds awesome by the way.
The only thing is you just have to be more careful with what you pick up. The Metal Fans aren’t as durable as the Nylon Fans.
Oh by the way, I’m one of those YouTube channels you mentioned.
superocd, The Hentria is a very cool machine my best friend built. I am getting it this year, and that will be very cool! You do have to snip the clip off the old Sentria bag and sew it onto a Heritage bag. Then just put it on the Sentria’s emtor.
I hope this helps a bit.

 

[panasonicvac]

I'd love to put a metal fan in one of my Kirby G4s' someday. I was sold on them of how much more power they actually have like this video for example.

 

[KirbyCollector01]

Huskyvacs
I can assure you the motor supports the fan just fine. My G5 has been supporting it for five years, as I mentioned above.

Here’s a video of that G5 running.

 

[tolivac]

The metal fans have better erosion resistance than plastic fans-good if you are picking up sandy type dirt.I have seen metal fans eat things that would destroy plastic fans.Coins,nails,even screws!But these are not a good diet for any direct air vacuum.Not only fans-but fancases,too.The metal fancases hold up better than the plastic ones.