Full Version: Exhaust Blower

From: Awardsguy [#1]
 22 Mar 2006
To: ALL

I am getting my new laser in a couple of weeks and I'm looking at the specs. for the exhaust blower. The selection chart given to me by my sales rep has both indoor and outdoor units. But the separate exhaust requirements sheet says (in bold letters) "the exhaust blower MUST be mounted on the OUTSIDE of the building on the roof or on a cement pad. Neither of these is practical for my building.

My question is: why MUST the blower be mounted outside. It seems to me that if the exhaust pipe vents to the outside, that should be all that is necessary. Also, I spoke with a technician at Penn Industries and he said that they sell the indoor units to both Epilogue and Universal.

From: UncleSteve [#2]
 22 Mar 2006
To: Awardsguy [#1] 22 Mar 2006

Garry or Kris,

Can't opine on the "MUST" but it is better to be pulling the exhaust directly out than pushing into a long pipe which will build up back pressure and reduce the effectiveness of the entire exhaust system.

From: LARRY (CENTURYBADGE) [#3]
 22 Mar 2006
To: Awardsguy [#1] 22 Mar 2006

Hi ,
I originally had an expensive Fumex filter that did not do the job. I took it out and used Penn's blower. Recommended to me by my Hermes rep. It does a great job and very inexpensive. Just make sure your exhust pipe is large enought to carry the air out.
Larry

From: Ken D. (KDEVORY) [#4]
 22 Mar 2006
To: Awardsguy [#1] 22 Mar 2006

My blower is on the floor under the table the laser is on. The duct then goes three feet across the floor and up and out the window. I used the rigid, but flexibile, 4" metal dryer vent hose. Sealed all connections and around the window.

edited to add: do a search. There have been several threads discussing exhaust blowers.

EDITED: 22 Mar 2006 by KDEVORY

From: John (ICTJOHN) [#5]
 22 Mar 2006
To: Awardsguy [#1] 22 Mar 2006

Garry &/or Kris,

Uncle Steve is correct in that it is easier to pull the exhaust air than to push it, so mount the blower (in this case it will be a sucker.... (devil) )as close to the outside wall as possible with as few elbows as possible. In doing so, you will also find there is less chance to exhaust fumes into the room where you and the machine are. Some fumes can be very pungent as well as toxic, plastic is especially bad in both respects.

Also, use as little of the "flexible" tubing as possible, all of the ridges in it cause a restriction which will cut down on your airflow and build up with crud. I am using 10' lengths of the 4" PVC which need fewer couplings and has a smooth inside wall for less air restriction.

From: Awardsguy [#6]
 22 Mar 2006
To: ALL

I thought I could probably mount the blower above the drop ceiling directly above the laser (about 8 - 9 feet straight up) and about 2 feet from the outside wall using rigid pipe to exhaust it out with just flexible PVC between the rigid pipe and the engraver. My concern was why does the blower unit NEED to be outside. It just didn't make sense as long as everything is tightly sealed.

I just want to make sure that I can do what I WANT to do and not have to spend $1,000 when I can meet all of the specifications for about $300.

From: Ken D. (KDEVORY) [#7]
 22 Mar 2006
To: Awardsguy [#6] 22 Mar 2006

I don't know what blower you were looking at, but maybe it needs to be outside because it is too loud to use without ear protection.

From: logojohn [#8]
 22 Mar 2006
To: Awardsguy [#6] 22 Mar 2006

We did that and is has been working for 8 years but we don't do a lot of wood or cutting.

The blower is mounted above the drop ceiling on a platform in the metal roof rafters and then a short distance to outside. We decided it was better to go through the wall even though it is thick masonry to avoid future roof leaking problems.

We had to have electrical work done, build the platform and have the hole bored in the wall which ran close to $2000 without the blower. Back then they were not automatic so we had it wired with a timer with auto shut off. I am sure if you did most or all of it yourself or didn't have a masonry wall or need electrical work it would be much less.

It is worth doing it that way as the blower is very loud by the laser but hardly noticeable above the ceiling.

Since the blower has an intake and outake I doubt a few feet of pipe connected to the outtake would hurt much.

.

From: bobkat [#9]
 22 Mar 2006
To: Awardsguy [#1] 24 Mar 2006

The main reason to have the blower mounted outside or at the end of the run, is that any leaks in your piping system will then be sucking in room air instead of blowing exhaust into the room.

From: Paul (JACKPETTY) [#10]
 22 Mar 2006
To: ALL

I'm not happy about it but mine is in the same room as my laser (for now anyway). I'm careful to check for leaks but thankfully, my room is old and not airtight anyway.
Looking into getting it outside but I didn't even know they made outdoor units.

From: Boz (CHEDDARHEAD) [#11]
 23 Mar 2006
To: ALL

Depending on what laser engraving system you are purchasing, there are a number of manufactures selling inexpensive dust collection units which can be used for exhausting laser systems. You can buy almost any of the dust collection systems for less than $ 200 and they are relatively quiet. Just throw away the bag and pipe it outside. Harbor Feight, Grizzly Industrial, Delta Industrial, all sell these blowers. If you need about 400 CFM at 6" of static pressure, the 1 hp. models will do fine. I think some of the units can be run with a remote control. Kinda nice when that phone rings and you want to hear what is going on.

If you want to spend a bunch, you can always buy one from Grainger.

From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#12]
 23 Mar 2006
To: Boz (CHEDDARHEAD) [#11] 23 Mar 2006

Woodcrafters sells a 'Long Ranger' in a 120v and 240v model. It is a remote control that is made for high power blowers. I have used one for about 4 years and recently had to replace the remote battery. It is velcroed to the laser. Works they way it should.

Message 3265.13 was deleted

From: Awardsguy [#14]
 25 Mar 2006
To: ALL

Thanks, everyone for the help. I ordered the blower yesterday. Also, thanks for the tip about the remote control. Now I don't have to run conduit and a separate switch!

From: bobkat [#15]
 25 Mar 2006
To: Awardsguy [#14] 25 Mar 2006

Here's another tip for you. The blower does not have to be weatherproof to go outside. How is that possible you ask? Buy a plastic "deck box" at your local home depot. It will keep the rain out, looks nice, assembles with no tools in about 5 minutes and costs about $80.00. Cut holes in the sides for your piping and wires, caulk any gaps. The electrical connection (Remote control receiver)for your blower should also be made in the box to keep it dry.

From: Paul (JACKPETTY) [#16]
 26 Mar 2006
To: bobkat [#15] 28 Mar 2006

Great idea but is the air going thru the blower enough to keep it cool for those long jobs? I worry about the heat build up or, am I worrying about nothing?
Thanks for the great idea!

From: bobkat [#17]
 28 Mar 2006
To: Paul (JACKPETTY) [#16] 28 Mar 2006

I used mine for a year and never had a problem. You could also vent the box if you are worried about it.

From: Paul (JACKPETTY) [#18]
 28 Mar 2006
To: bobkat [#17] 28 Mar 2006

Thanks, I've already started the 'mental' process of doing this. Gotta put out a few fires first.
I appreciate the info.

From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#19]
 28 Mar 2006
To: Paul (JACKPETTY) [#18] 28 Mar 2006

does the room have a window? A panel with a vent hole in it then the window shut on the panel will vent it outside.

From: Paul (JACKPETTY) [#20]
 28 Mar 2006
To: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#19] 28 Mar 2006

I already have my system set up with a hole in the window panel so it exhausts outside. It's the noise I don't like. I am glad I have options.

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