Tristar cannister with non-Tristar hoses

[disc2u]

Tristar cannisters are relatively cheap and plentiful but the powerhead is another matter entirely. They break much more often and can be expensive to fix or replace. I thought it might be smart to find an adapter that would allow attaching a non-Tristar hose (whatever is the most common size perhaps) and then you could attach anything you want to that hose. I heard the Kenmore Whispertone that is older than 10 years has quality parts. Its mainly the powerhead that matters of course but even the Tristar hose is outrageously priced. The key is to bypass everything after the cannister with an adapter.

I wonder what the most popular powerhead for a cannister vacuum was a few years ago (that was of reasonable quality). You need something built well but is plentiful on the used market. Also another option would be to search for a model where the cannister tended to break down leaving the user with a bunch of parts they couldn't use.

 

[piano_god]

What TriStar are you referring to that has a powerhead that "breaks much more often"?


 


In my experience, the plastic neck assembly is the most common piece to break on the older models (those machines in my display picture, CXL, EX20), but it shouldn't occur with such frequency to just ditch it and swap it over to another powerhead. That is, if that's the machine you have...


 


Their newer models (EXL and MG-series) are much more repair prone, especially with their hose, wands and powerhead necks. While these machines come with a 1 1/4" adapter, you will not be able to change these over to a different powerhead.

 

[eurekastar]

David, to which model Tristar are you referring? 


 


Scott, nice glamor shot!


 


 

 

[disc2u]

> What TriStar are you referring to that has a powerhead that "breaks much more often"?

If you look for Tristars on the used market you see a lot of cannisters without powerheads. That speaks volumes. They go cheap. Try to find a Tristar powerhead on the used market. Good luck. The hoses are priced into the stratosphere. Often over $120 for a bloody hose. That is insane. Why not also pay $40 for a hamburger?

> In my experience, the plastic neck assembly is the most common piece to break on the older models (those machines in my display picture, CXL, EX20), but it shouldn't occur with such frequency to just ditch it and swap it over to another powerhead.

Yes - I've seen the top crack many times. But that is often easily remedied with epoxy if applied correctly. The trouble is most users don't inspect the rollers of their powerheads and they get clogged with hair that burns out the motors as it restricts the roller from rotating.

> Their newer models (EXL and MG-series) are much more repair prone, especially with their hose, wands and powerhead necks. While these machines come with a 1 1/4" adapter, you will not be able to change these over to a different powerhead.

Yeah - I'm steering away from those plastic things. Plastic and heat/friction....not happy bedfellows. What were they thinking? I wonder what they save by using plastic? 5 bucks? Devalues their whole design. Maybe I'll try using a plastic chain on my bike. Same logic. Its the older, all metal models I'm after and a way of using them with cheap powerheads and attachments.

 

[kirbylux77]

David, if you want a good cheap powerhead that will last a long time, why not buy a Sweep & Groom/Eureka VGIII powerhead for your TriStar? The TriStar PN was based off the original Eureka Rotomatic PN the Compact was supplied with before they changed the name to TriStar. The Sweep & Groom PN is much better, has a much more aggressive brushroll, is very durable, & a bonus is that it has a brushroll on/off switch. Another option, although more expensive, would be to buy a Wessell Werk EBK340 PN, but you would also get a geared belt.

You will have to use Eureka metal wands with the TriStar with either of these PNs. The only thing that will have to be done is the top wand will have to have a 2nd hole drilled in by your local vac shop so the TriStar buttonlocker will work. But otherwise, either the Sweep & Groom will fit, work great, & last a long time.

Rob