Windsor Sensation

[Sanifan]

Hi!

Well, lucky me. I finally found a great deal on a vacuum I've always wanted: a Windsor XP12. Only it isn't an XP12. It's a Windsor Sensation.

Now, I have never seen an XP12 in person. Only in pictures and video. But the Sensation looks almost identical save for an oval on/off rocker switch and a teal color instead of the regular Windsor blue.

I don't have it in front of me, but it says something like Windsor Home on the front. It has a two prong power cord. Could this be Windsor's attempt at penetrating the home market before the inception of Sebo? I did a search on the forum but could find no discussion of it.

I've included a link to a video comparing an X4 to a Sensation. I haven't actually had a chance to view it since I am at work.

It's in great shape. Ready to go when I bought it and has a brand new bag in it to boot. I paid $20 for it, incidentally.

Anyone know anything about it?

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?desktop_uri=/watch?v=mFjGWHAUqfY&v=mFjGWHAUqfY&gl=US

 

[Ipreferkirby]

It seems to be

A household model. I did some research and found it was trying to insert Windsor into the residential market before Sebo or the other brands that licensed Sebo's designs.

 

[Sanifan]

A better YouTube link...

I discovered the link I provided leads to a mobile YouTube port. Here's a better link.

 

[Sanifan]

Service Manual...

And here's the link to a service manual I found online.

I discovered that there is a little bit of clog in the power head. It's probably why the previous owner sold it. I think it will be easy enough to clear out.

I'm excited to use it!

http://www.tcclean.com/manuals/Windsor/SensationSX2_UR_Old.pdf

 

[Ipreferkirby]

Excitment

I would be very excited as well. I will review the material you posted and come back with more info.

 

[Sanifan]

Some Specs...

Here are some specs from the manual:

Vacuum motor: 850 watts
Water lift: 69"
Air flow: 44 CFM

Some of the comments on the YouTube video seem to suggest that the Sensation may be equivalent to a Sebo X1.

Could the Sensation be from the 80's? That teal color certainly reminds me of that era. It really is not my cup of tea. Give me the standard Windsor blue any day!

 

[Ipreferkirby]

It seems to be from the 199x years, according to the manual. It will clean well, but the airflow number seems low.

 

[Sanifan]

Yes, holy cow! Those CFM numbers are really low.

Initially I thought that at 44 CFM it was very close to what my Sanitaires move. But then I realized the Sanitaires are rated at 145 CFM. That's 101 CFM difference!

Interesting, isn't it? These machines were (are) considered great cleaners even with those low numbers.

Here's another interesting tidbit. The bottom sticker says that the machine is made in Germany by Sebo, but that the motor is made in the USA.

Is this the case for later Windsors or Sebos? Any idea of who made the motor?

 

[sebo_fan]

This could well be the equivalent to the Sebo X1 Automatic white model, the first to come out from Sebo in the UK that had the 850 watt motor because according to the user manual it has around 89 CFM. The grey and light grey sebo X1 Automatic (one that I have) model has a 1000 watt motor, thus better suction power around 103cfm.


 


The machines are well known because of their design, not just the auto sensor head - the whole design of the front metal plate for example pulls dirt in - better seen when you try and clean hard floors with the machine.


 


In the U.S the motor was raised to 1200 watts and has 105CFM for both the Windsor S12, SR12, XP12 and XP15. 


 


In terms of motors, it was usually Lamb Ametek that were used, but also Sebo used Domel. 


 


The video link from You Tube showing off the clear body Sebo X4 is a U.S made product - Sebo in Germany don't make a clear model as the plastic construction is thinner than their machines.

 

[vacuumfreeeke]

Congrats... I'm sure you saw my recent thread about my newest machine, the Windsor Sensor S12... such well designed work horses... I completely love mine! Congrats on an awesome find. I'm really jealous that you got the one with automatic height adjust!

 

[Sanifan]

The teal lives on...

Well, that teal color lives on in the Essential-G. It looks just like the Sensation but the specs are much upgraded:

1300 watts
92" water lift
103.8 CFM

These specs are identical to those of the Automatic X series (X4, X5).

I've included a link to specs on the Sebo vacs.

I've had a chance to use the Sensation a few times now and I have to say, I like it a lot. It's easier to handle than my Windsor Versamatic. This is especially true when using the hose to vacuum carpeted staircases. The pullout handle and wand are especially easy to use - much easier than the little collar at the end of the Versamatic's hose. And, the Sensation is lighter than the Versamatic which makes it easier to stabilize as it perches on the stairs. One advantage of the Versamatic over the Sensation is that the brushroll shuts off when the vac is clicked upright, so no worries about having to dangle the brushroll off the edge of the stair when using the hose.

Of note, however, the Versamatic Plus (Sebo Electronic 370) does have the same pullout handle and wand as the Sensation/X series, so kudos to that.

I personally like the auto-height adjustment feature but mostly because it allows me to go from carpet to hard floor without flipping the knob. I can see, though, how having a manual knob will give you ultimate control over the height - less finicky results. That can be a good thing.

So all-in-all I like the Sensation a lot. I wish it had a more powerful motor, though, like that in the Sebo X1.1 or X4, or the Windsor Sensor SP12 or XP12. Does anyone know if the more powerful motor will drop right into the Sensation or X1 body directly?

http://www.sebo.us/technical_specifications.aspx

 

[sebo_fan]

Well, the Essential-G is pretty much a tarted up version of what Sebo have sold before, and very much the blue print for Hoover's copied Insight. I wish Sebo UK still sold them - the Dart is in no way a good replacement IMHO.


 


However, bear in mind that obviously with the bigger floor head of the Versamatic and the Essential G, the motor may be different. You should check out the specs and/or spare parts list on Sebo.de (remember to click English though!) and see if the motors are the same for the X4. 



http://www.sebo.de/39.39.eng.html

 

[Sanifan]

Hi, Sebo_fan

Thanks for the links to the parts sheets. Very helpful.

I doubt that I will actually change out the motor, though the thought excites the tinkerer in me.

I notice that the motor described in the red X4 parts sheet is a 1000 watt motor. I understand X4s should have a 1300 watt motor. I wonder if this is an old spec sheet that Sebo didn't change out? Or do the European X4s have 1000 watt motors (there's a disclaimer on the parts sheet that says it's for european vacs only, not US models. I found that interesting)?

Anyway, good info!

 

[sebo_fan]

Glad I could help.


 


There is a red X1.1 in the UK (and a white one, also) that has an 1150 watt motor. 


 


Then there's the usual X4's which have the 1300 watt motor.


 


Having had both, I'd say there's very little difference in the power. I've said this before in other posts though - and I suspect if your Sensation is a relatively old model, or based on the X1 Automatic, it will stop the suction completely if you use a mini turbo brush on the end of the hose. The more modern Sebo vacuums have a stepped motor to compensate for the additional turbo brush attachment and won't stop the suction from flowing if the brush is used. I only use the turbo brush on my Felix or K, or D canisters anyway as I use my X1 for carpet cleaning only and suction only through the hose and tools on board.