Nilfisk Attix vacs

Like that you're going with the 44.  The smaller 33 better suits my intended use but I'm disappointed that the fleece bags are really designed for the 44 and crumple up too much in the 33.

Yes you can run without the HEPA.  I've verified with 'Nilfisk' USA.  (although I don't put much stock in their representation here, if you have anything that requires a definitive answer I would field it to Nilfisk Euro).
I run my 33 without the HEPA.  The motor and windings are cooled from a different path.  The impeller (?) sees the filtered air from the hose. 
I run mine with the fleece bags added. A low tech way to verify how well the PFTE is doing it's job just run some drywall dust through the vac then open the back hatch to inspect any dust getting through on black plastic.

Yes they intend for you to wash the PFTE pleated when needed - follow manual.  I asked if I could use a soft paint brush during rinse and they said that's fine. 

Good question about knowing when HEPA should be replaced.  Other than loss of suction I'm unsure, maybe send off an email to Nilfisk - I like to know the answer myself.  
 

Hi, I just joined, and have been searching eeeverywhere for reliable, nonvertisment (TM, I just made that up) information about the Nilfisk and Mafell (Starmix) vacuums, and so I'm so happy to have found this site.

I'm in the US, and I want an RRP vacuum, that's really stinking good, but also "reasonable". I'm no stranger to spending tons on the right tool, but I don't really want to spend more than I "should".
Thus, the competition between the Mafell S35 and the Nilfisk (both sold on Timberwolf's site, as they seem to be the only ones that have these specific models).

Does anyone know if the Mafell S35 is RRP certified explicitly? I realize it's got an H14 filter (niiice!), and it appears to be the same filters as the Starmix iPulse H-Class's filter chain (bag+H14 filter), but I cannot find if the Mafell one is RRP certified ANYWHERE. Like other rebranded vacuums (Milwaukee and Metabo rebrand state theirs are not for Lead cleanup, I don't want to end up with a vacuum that the MFR states it's not when spending that many bones). I'm pretty dang sure that I've got lead paint in my old house, and would rather not spew it everywhere on my kid if I need to mount a TV or redo an outlet box while redoing the electric/miscellaneous stuff.

The other downside to the Mafell vs the Nilfisk is that for people starting out, it doesn't come with a wand/tools. This wouldn't matter if I had one already, but I unfortunately don't. That said, has anyone noticed an actual difference in filtration between the Mafell unit and the Nilfisk Attix 44?

They both seem to have excellent record, and are held in high regard, so I'm trying to figure out if the suction + filtration is really worth the extra 20%+ premium vs the Nilfisk if I also have to get a wand for cleaning up, since I'll mostly be using it in my shop / house renovations. Plus, the Nilfisk is explicitly RRP certified (and also apparently certified for lead cleanup & asbestos, so I don't have to lose my mind while drilling small holes/cleanup). Not talking full scale demo/remediation, I'mma leave that to the pros.

While I’m on the subject I have an update for anyone following my FLEX vacuum remote control build. I have made tremendous progress (I should never be left alone too long - lol). I really went down the rabbit hole on this one and with all the recent downtime I was able to bring in and tap a team to meet the challenges.

I now have a finished working design that I am very proud of. The only steps needed to complete before I can offer them is the fabrication of the elastic hose sleeve that holds the remote, figuring out payment methods if there is any demand, and then gauging that demand for better parts pricing or to know if I go ahead at all.

Below is some ‘draft’ boilerplate that I’m working on that should also explain function and capabilities. I’m currently deciding on whether to supply 1 or 2 remotes (leaning towards two remotes so that one stays permanently on 32mm hose end and the other could be used either as a spare or with a chop saw or on another hose).

The unit, a very small module, is installed inside the FLEX VCE 33/44 LAC vacuum and plugs straight onto the circuit board. Because I have only vetted function on the FLEX VCE 33/44 LAC vacuums I can only offer it for this particular brand and model(s) at this time. Perhaps more Nilfisk rebrands in the future, we’ll see.



Rough Draft:


Vacuum Smart Remote for Flex VCE 33/44 LAC vacuums.


Smart Module is different:

It does not use mains power or rely on mains power switching relays.
Aftermarket line voltage remote relays (wall plug dongles) have wattage/amperage limitations, arcing on break-contact longevity issues, as well as temperature considerations (when run for long periods). Essentially these relays are asking high amperage motor current to flow through a single arcing contact point on a relay. As relay contacts wear they tend to build resistance and degrade the connection.

Instead the Smart Module works in harmony & passively with how the vacuums own internal microprocessor already controls the vacuum. This allows the Smart Module to give you additional features & benefits beyond the basic on/off functionality that exterior dongles are limited to.

By taking the exterior dongle out of the picture you now have one less item to carry, misplace, worry about, or impede motor power - all while gaining added automation & benefits.


Plug n Play:

The Smart Module plugs into existing contacts. No splicing wires. No soldering. No modifications. Simply push connectors together.
Should you ever decide to remove module there are no permanent alterations, just unplug conncetions and no one can tell anything was ever installed.


To operate: (Normal Mode)

Switch vacuum dial clockwise to either ‘suction’ or ‘suction+Auto-Clean’. The vacuum will start. Next, press remote fob once to initiate and the vacuum is now in your control.


Intelligent monitoring: (Tool Mode)

Knows when vacuums main dial is set to either ‘tool socket’ or ‘tool socket+Auto-Clean’ and locks out remote so that only the power tool can turn vacuum on/off. This avoids any switching confusion and respects safety for relying on the power tool to run the show to automatically turn vacuum on and off as intended.


Smart Auto-Clean:

When using the extractor in ‘tool mode’ with ‘Automatic Filter Cleaning (Auto-Clean)’ the Smart Module gives you control over Auto-Clean activation or de-activation. You decided when filter cleaning runs - Always on / Remote on & off / Always off.   Just by pressing the remote button once.

Now you can stay with the tool instead of having to go back to the vacuum to select filter cleaning function.  Automatic Filter Cleaning is a great feature but depending on the project you may not want or need it running constantly in the background.

Example: Turn main dial counter-clockwise to ‘tool activation’ (Tool Auto-On/Off) + ‘drill symbol’(Auto-Clean). Plug a tool into vacuum tool socket and run tool to start vacuum and begin work. Press the remote button to toggle between turning Auto-Clean on or off without interrupting suction. You determine the function and duration of filter cleaning by simply listening if Auto-Clean is active or not.


Dual Mode:

When you need both tool socket (Tool Auto-On/Off) functionality and the remote key fob to not ‘lock out’, say for the purpose of quick work area clean up after stopping a power tool, you can activate vacuum suction using the remote fob by following these steps.

> Turn main dial clockwise, to ‘suction only’. Vacuum will start.
> Next, Press remote fob once to stop vacuum.
> Plug a tool into extractor tool socket and run the tool to start vacuum and begin work. (Smart Module will recognize power tool even though main dial is not turned counter-clockwise) (It’s fine if power tool was already plugged in to tool socket before steps 1 & 2, there is no need to unplug and plug back in).
> When done for the moment using the power tool (vac turns itself off as usual in 10 seconds) you can now disconnect the hose from the power tool and then press the remote fob once to start vacuum for clean up. After clean up, press remote button again to turn off vacuum. Reconnect hose to tool, and run power tool to turn vacuum back on (i.e. do not press remote to turn on). Vacuum will automatically slave back to tool for on / off control.


Default Mode:

Should the battery in the remote need replacing, the Smart Module returns control back to the vacuum until a new battery can be installed.
If for any reason the Smart Module itself ever stops working, control is also returned back to the vacuum.
There is no downtime. Simply continue using vacuum with front control dials as before.

If you ever wish to bypass the Smart Module & Remote during daily use simply reset main control dial back to its off position for a full second and continue using front control dials to operate vacuum. As long as you don’t activate the remote button the vacuum functions as original.

*Only the external remote key fob requires a battery (included).

*Comes with two remotes (batteries included).

From the photo in the link you posted I see that model adds a 'hose diameter dial' and a 'filter flow alarm indicator'.

As to whether the filter flow alarm is really necessary for personal use as opposed to less aware employees or some job/material collection equipment requirement to pass certification I couldn't say.

I also have no experience with using a hose selection dial.  I'd be curious to know what that really does since the basic model that Acme is selling already comes with motor speed control.  I imagine it could manually improve calibration if the filter flow alarm sounds or doesn't sound, which could be why those two features come together(?).

Seem like nice features but are they needed?  I do know that the both vacs are otherwise the same except for perhaps the gauge of wire used on electrical cord which affects power rating given to tool socket.  And by the same I mean that both the 'hose diameter dial' and a 'filter flow alarm indicator' are just extra parts that plug into the same circuit board with spaces waiting for them in the basic models. Behind the FLEX face plate you will see area for the dial(s) to mount (sans dial printing on faceplate sticker) and the see-through window for the led's are there as well (see previous images posted here shining flashlight from behind panel). 

When I have swapped the supplied 32mm hose for a 50mm that tapers to a 38mm end I have noticed greatly improved suction.

As for FLEX/Nilfisk fleece bags (I use them exclusively sans HEPA) I notice they are on par with my favorite bags (not used in NilFlex) which are the WunderBag .5 micron fleece for shop-vac style vacs.  

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I’ll just add this edit for what it’s worth:

These photos below are from my copy of the Nilfisk Attix repair manual. (All red arrows/lines are theirs / All Yellow #ers & Green outlines mine).

#1 shows both the flow sensor drop-in location and a simple buzzer clipped in. Both molded areas / housings common to all models.

#2 shows a single led light & its cord. There is another led space available for what could be notification of HEPA needing to be changed that doesn't appear in the link photo you sent.

#3 & #4 shows front panel symbols for both led options. #4 left side symbol looks like the round Hepa filter (?).

A couple of thoughts come to mind here. The first is if at the end of the day you want all the bells and whistles you might want to first check if Timberwolf or if Nilfisk has even more feature rich models available for North America.  Or if that main photo they are using is wrong and the 44-21 IC HEPA they offer does come with the 2nd led information light/feature.

The other thing is service. More things = more things to go wrong or maintain. Shipping a vacuum for repair is sometimes cost prohibitive if there isn’t any local drop off. However everything on these vacuums, if you buy the part, is easily replaceable by yourself. Except any malfunction of the flow sensor will require a calibration be performed for the vacuum to function properly (though you could always just unplug sensor and not worry about it too).
That calibration information for the sensor is stored on the main PCB, so if the PCB goes for any reason you would again need to recalibrate the existing flow sensor after replacing the PCB. You need 3 parts to perform this - 1. Manometer setting tool P/N 40434, 2. Air restrictor setting tool P/N 62480, Callibration switch P/N 107416579

Noticed in one of Timberwolf's sequential Nilfisk stock photos that one image does show the second led indicator. I assume this is the maxed out version (#4 photo above in this thread). So a call to them should clarify. But maybe that second indicator is only a redundant Eruo feature/requirement.

I've never read about any durability/reliability issues with Nilfisk (attix) vacs, and being designed for constant pro/commercial/industrial use I doubt we will, so just playing devils advocate about extra features. Simple is nice but so are features that give peace of mind or assurance.

Since I'm the only one chiming in here for the moment I should point out many on these forums have mentioned they prefer the Starmix (rebrands) dual filter cleaning over Nilfisk fwiw. (might partially have to do with Starmix only auto-cleaning when it senses the need to vs Nilfisk running all the time if set to that feature).

From everything I've ever heard or read the only manual way to know when a HEPA needs replacing is visual inspection. Looking for dirt build up, holding up to bright light as you might an automotive filter, inspecting for punctures (unlikely with the pre-filer in place) or tears. It's always going to be working, and if no air is bypassing it then possibly better than when new (with all the extra crud helping to filter - lol) except at the cost of suction performance.

That, particular, shop vac is a beast. I've gutted anything o.e.m. that would impede suction and carry a short 10' 2.5" to 2.5" end to end hose so I'm spoiled. It's a black hole and rarely do I need to attach a nozzle or crevice tool as I only have to get the hose end 'sorta' near something to pick up the most stubborn stuff. You'll also go deaf. Comparing the Flex with a larger tapered hose to my ShopVac also using the same, long, tapered hose I would say that the Nilfisk doesn't embarrass itself and anyone would be confident in its capability for effectively picking up the big stuff. It's just after trying the shopvac you go - "oh".

Been meaning to order an inlet plug for my Flex, it never came with one (screw hole is there though). Been shoving in foam stress balls to seal inlet in case vac tips over in transit. Sometimes I forget to remove the ball and they get sucked into bag.
Rummaged around and found a couple coax escutcheons, a Ron Burgundy velcro strap - done.