Tristar CS Filtration and Performance

[fairfaxclass]

Everyone,


 


     I just wanted to share a little test I did with my Tristar.  I took a HEPA Silverking filter and cut out a section to fit under the foam pre-motor filter on my Tristar and ran it for a little over a bag (the tail end of a bag and then a whole bag).  It is actually pretty clean I think!  Of course, I did go for the HEPA exhaust filter for my uses.


 


     This vacuum is high pitched!  I have read that the other other "new" Tristars (like the MG series) were fairly quiet but this is not!  That single stage motor is spinning quite fast.  Based upon my other reading, I think people might be a little wrong when they say the motor is weaker than the one on the old Tristar models.  I would ned to fully test this, but I believe that this motor traded some water lift for CFM.  so it comes down to the debate of Suction vs. airflow. 


 


     What are your thoughts on these machines?  Have any allergy sufferers used them?  I will say that the customer service at https://www.tristarvacuumscausa.com/ for answering questions and ordering supplies is very good!  I even informed them (via email) that the HEPA filters were actually hidden and you had to go through a specific way to find them.  They called me right away and thanked me for the information.

 

[compactc9guy]

i would only use tristar fitlers i only use compact tristar fitler but seem it caught alot of the dirt. Keep me posted i have a c9[this post was last edited: 1/1/2019-21:24]

 

[broomvac]

That Tristar looks sharp. There's just something I find interesting about the vacuums which use a miniature "bag" as a post-motor HEPA filter. Sebo does the same thing with their latest E-series canisters and, I believe, the new X7.

It's funny how two people can look at the same thing and have draw two opposite conclusions. I hope this doesn't bother you, but I was actually quite surprised by the visible dust on your makeshift filter! I don't have a Tristar, and maybe if I did, this wouldn't surprise me. That level of filtration may be "par for the course." Nevertheless, I am not used to seeing a bag let dust pass right on through.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[fairfaxclass]

compactc9guy

Well, I have no warranty anyway!  It was an experiment to see what would happen.  I placed it under the sponge filter, so all other filters were still in place.


 


broomvac


 


Everyone is different and comes from a different perspective.  For reference, the attached picture is of a Thermax electrostatic filter after a single use (with the filter tube and everything put in place properly).

 

[compactc9guy]

ooooh you had the other fitlers well that worked goood then.

 

[lesinutah]

Hey

I have a c9. I seen the exhaust filters but not being an allergy suffer. I wonder if the old motor could be swapped in yours. It's pretty close to same body design. The motors are high efficiency motor. I have cloth bag TriStar bags. I have 6 month HEPA filter. I have a small exhaust filter it's a small pad fits inside the cap.
If you want a beast get old motor get the $30 dollar post exhaust HEPA and this will perform better than any vaccuum.
I believe yours probably has a dual speed motor for power nozzle. Even a little less power than older versions are still beasts. I'd get HEPA filter for breathing as it's a concern.
I have kirbys almost 80 years old royals close to $100. I sold blackhart his 1030z royal. I have a 8 amp backpack vacuum. I had Dyson shark shop vacs sanitairres Hoover etc.
The compact c9 is direct air. It's strongest hose cfm I've tested. It sucks everything up and there is no fan to chew upor get ruined. It just flat out cleans.
I also used air compressor to blow out vacuums. This is just as good as air compressor. I clean vacuum some vacuum shops have central vacs they use . I use in similar fashion. Use dusting tool cleans it up.
I'm just saying I have a 505 all original Kirby, I have a dual sanatronic 80 best suction on brush roll any vacuum period. I have supper sweep 180, tradition, heritage 2 g6 sentria. I have 880 royal 6 amp and a 7 amp royal. I have a 12 amp riccar, I have sanitairre commercial line eureka imperial. I have royal backpack vacuum. I have 3 shark rocket duo cleans . I got way too many vacuums.
The versatility of compact from power nozzle deep cleaning carpet. The cyclonic nozzle cleaning floors turbo brush for pet hair.
Then I can use it like a shop vac pick up metal items etc in a shop. The vacuum does it all. I'm not being a Homer but I loved it so much I bought a second.
Les

 

[compactc9guy]

Thats why i have a compact c9 my self its a jack of all trades i agreea add hepa filter you gota beast.

 

[tolivac]

I replaced the paper bag in my later model TriStar-was the deep black-blue color like the one shown.The motor in those is indeed powerful--it sucked the dust thru the paper bag into the outer cloth one.TriStar needs to abandon those outdated single layer paper bags in favor of the cloth spun weave bags.May have to try cutting a Kirby bag to fit in the TriStar.Then your other filters won't clog.As for allergy folks-think they would prefer a vacuum with a closed top bag.I used to know an allergic friend whose allergies were so bad I could not open my TriStar or Filter Queen vacuums when he was at my house.The weird thing is that fellow smoked like an incinerator!

 

[compactc9guy]

Thats why i prefer to use the enviro care paper bag whit the cloth bag and motor filter seems to do well in my vintage Compact C9.

 

[blackheart]

Older vs newer

The model you have as far as I know uses the New JEI motor. I've never tested one of those. I have tested a MG2 model which used the electrolux VM3 motor. The older models definitely had better flow than the VM3 motor models (mg1/mg2).

 

[fairfaxclass]

Blackheart


I think that must be the case.  It is quite loud but performs really well.


 


tolivac


I think even a well made multi layer paper bag would be an improvement too.  If they wanted to keep the current bags, they could revise the pre-motor filter a bit.  Make a HEPA dome filter with the sponge filter on top.  I know there are aftermarket ones for the old designs. 


 


Compactc9guy


Yes, I just added my filter into the mix as a test.  I believe in keeping the motor as clean as possible, so I would like to see Tristar add in some sort of hepa filter (be it a bag, dome filter, or otherwise) before the motor.  Then, with the hepa exhaust filter, they could market it as a double-hepa system.  Maybe even a sealed system if the added a rubber gasket to the after filter.


 


 

 

[compactc9guy]

fairfaxclass

you can find some on ebay hep motor filter for the cxl series not sure bout the mg series il look for you

 

[fairfaxclass]

compactc9guy

I did an exhaustive search before and even contact Tristar.  None exist for the newer models.

 

[compactc9guy]

Well that is just as anoying as running out of bags.....
i ask tristar fora manual nothing only cxl nothing for compacts darn hope it works out for ya

 

[ridgidwd0670]

I just bought a brand new tristar cs for $800.00 it includes the ministar. I use envirocare micro-lined paper bags & hepa motor filter

The new style wands take a while getting used to bcuz the hose & wands are reverse-fit (tool gos inside wand/hose instead of tool outside hose/wand)

Why dont tristar vacs include two-stage ametek motors?

 

[vacuumdevil]

2019

@fairfaxclass
This machine has plenty of power and cleans well. The newer motor is a much lower quality than previous generations you can expect a lot shorter life from this motor.
It's unfortunate to see such a classic go out this way. Tristars are still some of my favorite machines.

I personally would not recommend this to allergy sufferers.
The machine has no way of using a sealed exhaust filter.
From my knowledge There is no OEM or aftermarket HEPA filter .
The bag design tends to let a lot of dust back into the air once you open it.
Patriot Vacuums has solved the filtration & bag issue but is even more awkward to use.

 

[n0oxy]

tristar

I don't think the tristar vacuums are nearly as good ever since Aerus bought them. If you like the tristar style machine you might try to get a Miracle Mate or Patriot, I have a Miracle Mate and it has a nice two stage motor.
Mike

 

[tolivac]

AGREED!!!!!The Interstate Engineering Compacts-TriStars are BETTER than the 'Lux versions!Wish someone would buy TriStar from 'Lux and GO BACK to the orig design!The TriStar division is up for sale-has been for many years.Also outfit the TriStar Compacts with Filtrete bags instead of the single layer paper ones-too outdated and inadequate.

 

[fairfaxclass]

@vacuumdevil

vacuumdevil:


 


     See the last picture.  They do make an OEM HEPA filter, though I do see how it does not seal perfectly.  If they made sure the rest of the body was sealed and added a rubber gasket to the existing filter designs, it would be a simple but great improvement.  I have not tested it with my particle counter yet to see how well it does.