Air compressor intake & filter questions

[olds70supreme]

Hello,

My Castair compressor has an intake air filter housing that wraps around the filter. The only way for air to get to the filter is to get past a 1/8" gap around the back of the ~6" dia. housing. Is there a reason why the housing blocks direct access to the filter?

Also, since I am doing a lot of sanding lately and don't want/need all the dust to be sucked into the compressor, I would like to install a remote intake to the filter. I can penetrate the wall near the compressor easily enough, but am wondering how to finish the penetration. Would it be a bad idea to simply install a dryer vent hood on the outside?

Thanks.

 

[tcianci]

Your filter housing has plenty of openening area for its intended purpose and it's not uncommon to see the covers designed in such a way to keep large debris out of the filter housing.
You can install a dryer vent hood and route the intake air from there, just be sure to remove the damper.

 

[Steve in Mi]

Lots of ways to do this. One way is to use PVC intake pipe, bore thru the wall (etc.) and caulk around pipe for a seal. If you use say 2" PVC you could then transition to maybe 4" and use a couple of cut pieces of COBRA VENT or similar to keep the bees and big stuff from entering the intake.

 

[olds70supreme]

Okay, slightly old post but I have more questions. I've decided that I am going to use a dryer/intake vent to bring in fresh outside air to my compressor to keep the sanding dust from clogging the filter and/or wrecking the compressor. This will also serve the purpose of reducing the sound level in the garage while the compressor is running. My intake is a 1" NPT connection, so my intake assembly is as follows (from compressor to wall):

90 degree galvanized 1" NPT elbow
PVC 1" to 1-1/2" threaded adapter
PVC 1-1/2" to 3" adapter
PVC 3" 90 degree elbow
18" long x 3" dia. PVC pipe
Dryer vent

The problem is, what can I use for an inline filter? I was planning on using an automotive style inline filter but cannot find one that is rated for 5 microns or better. It is looking like I may have to scrap this idea unless somebody can come up with an alternative or a filter that would work.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

 

[Steve in Mi]

Dryer vent

The problem is, what can I use for an inline filter? I was planning on using an automotive style inline filter but cannot find one that is rated for 5 microns or better. It is looking like I may have to scrap this idea unless somebody can come up with an alternative or a filter that would work.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

I picture such a setup ending up tucked up under a sofet/overhang and the cobravent bug guard being adequate. 5 microns, really? Don't starve the compressor - so be concerned about total open area.

I wonder if one of the options in this link might not work, although I didn't see anything about particle size in the descriptions.
http://www.lowes.com/SearchCatalogD...=10051&N=0&newSearch=true&Ntt=shop+vac+filter

 

[olds70supreme]

5 microns, really?

Actually, my mistake. I was looking at the wrong section of the OEM's website (http://www.castair.net/air-compressor-filters.html). I clicked on "air filters" and didn't pay enough attention to the fact that they were meant for the compressed air. So, now it appears I only need to find a 3" dia. automotive style inline filter.

Thanks.

 

[SgtRauksauff]

just go to your local auto parts store. 3" inlet cone filters are abundant...

--sarge

 

[olds70supreme]

One other thing that thought of is including a removable rubber hose section in the center of the straight PVC run. This will serve the dual purpose of allowing access to change the filter and to isolate the compressor vibration from the wall.

 

[Steve in Mi]

One other thing that thought of is including a removable rubber hose section in the center of the straight PVC run. This will serve the dual purpose of allowing access to change the filter and to isolate the compressor vibration from the wall.

I did similar thing on a vacuum system I built for a dog grooming bath. Wanted to isolate the PVC piping from the external vac system so that vibration wouldn't be spooking the dogs etc. Modified a coupling (little lathe work) to have a loose fit on one end and cut an "O" ring groove in it. Installed an "O" ring and some vasoline on the pipe that is captured by it. I tried a radiator hose first but the hose I had was old and stiff and made no noticable difference, the sliding fit works great.

 

[Motofixxer]

There is also some plumbing drain, black rubber clamp on fittings of various sizes. Could be an option. Not likely to have a lot of isolation, but removal is easy.

 

[rockchucker]

I would use PVC Pipe and couple it to the existing Intake without a Filter. Then on the outside of the building use an Automotive Cone Filter with some reducers to fit the PVC. Or bag the fresh air deal and just stick an Automotive Cone Filter on the Intake. Put a dry cut off sleeve of a T-shirt around the Oiled Filter to stop large Particles clogging the Filter and just change the Sock every once in a while.

An "In-line" Air Filter is going to be a little bit of a challenge to find I would think. They are not made to be in-line really.

 

[rodm1]

here are some filter adapters.

addaptor
http://catalog.makewavesinstrumentcorp.com/catalog10.htm

4 inch filter
http://www.sfxperformance.com/parts/SPT4809.htm

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MRG-1489A/