Filters on an Atmos duo linked to Speedy 300

[Steve Crawford]

Hi folks,

I'm getting really worried about the amount of life that the filters in an Atmos Duo filtration system last. If I have to replace them every 50 hours or so it will make my services too costly.

I got my Trotec system in early March and about 2 weeks ago it said my filter was at 100% and needed changing! I had done about 45 hours at the time, mostly on development of prototypes for products I mean to sell. I'm mostly working with wood and MDF with some acrylic. I blew out the filter with compressed air and when I put it back into the unit it was reading about 50%. I've now done only another 5 hours and it says it needs changing again!

I'm wondering about pre-filtration? Or adding a filter in the top of the Atmos? Or perhaps I'm doing something wrong! I don't really want to have to spend much more money... I'm worried my products and service prices will be driven up.

[Henri Sallinen]

I myself am using a cylindrical 12€ car filter + some synthetic felt as a prefilter replacing the first filter entirely this way. I only have the HEPA and activated charcoal filter after my self made setup. I found out that the +100 € prefilter was not doing a good enough job to keep my HEPA as dust free as it should.

[Dan Hintz]

MDF is one of the worst materials to work with when it comes to filtration... the resin makes for a nasty bit of gunk that will quickly fill the pores of your filter. You are definitely a candidate for secondary pre-filtration.

[Brian R Cain]

MDF is one of the worst materials to work with when it comes to filtration... the resin makes for a nasty bit of gunk that will quickly fill the pores of your filter. You are definitely a candidate for secondary pre-filtration.

Agree entirely. The filters are only doing their job as they were intended. One thing that can help is to check which grade of pre-filter you have. Some filtration systems offer a range. The standard one is an F6 which will catch particles larger than a micron. Glues and resins can vaporise to particles smaller than this and give grief to the HEPA filter. An F8/F9 filter will generally catch these and extend the life of the more expensive HEPA filter, so if that's an option with the Atmos system, it will help, but still be an on-going cost you'll incur.

[Brian J Rogalny]

Wait until you have to replace the carbon, $300/bag and you need two bags. Just replaced mine after 14 months.

[Jiten Patel]

Brian, you can get activated carbon for wayyyyyyyy less than that from a third party. It's the same stuff too.

[Steve Crawford]

Thanks for the replies guys, today I've blown out the filter again and it dropped down to 55% on 300cfpm and I've put two layers of cooker hood filters in the top section of the Atmos in the hope that this will remove some of the larger particulates before it gets to my main filter. I suppose the answer you guys are suggesting is a pre-filtration system... I'll have to look at the various options. Is it best to ask Trotec?

Jit could you possibly PM me the details on the supplier for carbon you mention please?

[Brian J Rogalny]

Thanks Jit, I waited to long and then didn't have time to start looking. I will next time they are paying about $500 to $800 per ton from the sites I saw it on.

[John Warren]

I personally don't have experience with this particular product or company, but based on Dan Hintz's thread about a DIY filtration system, I requested a quote from General Carbon last week and here's the response I got:

Good morning John,



Thank you for your email. Unfortunately we do not carry the C-30 pellets anymore. For laser engravers we suggest our GC C-40 pelletized activated carbon. This product works very well for your application. Please accept for consideration our price of $2.35/lb. for 55 lbs. of GC C-40 activated carbon. This product is in stock and available for immediate shipment. UPS will be about $45.



Following is its specification sheet:



http://generalcarbon.com/vapor-filtr...ivated-carbon/



...

55 lbs for about $175 shipped (that shipping quote may be based on my zip code in southeast Oklahoma). Same company Dan had referenced in his thread but it seems the price has gone up some and the original pellets he used are no longer in stock there.

[Jiten Patel]

Hi Steve,

I haven't bought it yet as I am just double checking if this will work. Am looking at this stuff. ebay.co.uk/itm/Activated-Carbon-Granulated-2-4mm-Aquarium-Internal-Filter-External-Filter-Media-/190962258244?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&var=&hash=ite m2c763cd144

Maybe others here can tell me if this will work?

[Dan Hintz]

Jit,

That would work, but it's not ideal... with pellet form, you get a consistent size of granule, so no worries about settling, fume hogging, etc. In a pinch, though, I wouldn't hesitate to use it.

On a side note, I couldn't figure out how much you received with that auction... I saw it came in a sealed poly bag, but not how big of one or how heavy. For a pound fifty, I imagine it's a quart or smaller.

BTW, may want to remove the hotlink to eBay before a mod gets it...

[Jiten Patel]

Hey Dan,

Thanks mate - there are loads of pellets on Ebay so will have a look at those. The atmos I have has similar granules as the link I posted, that's why I went for those. They are offering a 25KG bag (approx 55lbs) for £75 which is around $120.

Are you saying something like this ? ebay.co.uk/itm/25KG-ACTIVATED-CARBON-PELLETS-FM028-KOI-FISH-WATER-DECHLORINATOR-PURIFIER-ACTIVE-/400603320374?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item5d45 d19036

[Mark Ward]

Hi Jit,
which suppliers in the UK do you get your filters from? My Atmos is nearly full on the filter (90%+) and 6% on the ActivatedCarbon so although the carbon is fine the filter looks like it will need changing soon.

[Jiten Patel]

If you are talking about the actual main comfort box in the atmos, I get them from Trotec. I am talking to a supplier at the moment, Viledon. They make the thin mats that go in the Atmos and they also seem to be the supplier for the comfort box too as they have similar products to the comfort box on their website (cassette filter - maxipleat). The filter mat is A3/300S. I havn't had much time to actually pursue this and get a quote for both these, so if you do find out, I would appreciate if you could share the costs please.

[Mark Ward]

It was the comfort box, however I do need to sort a pre filter too. I've ordered the comfort box from Trotec for this one as we really needed it, however will look for cheaper alternatives if possible. I have contacted Viledon to ask them the price of the filter mat A3/300S you mentioned and will let you know what they say.
I presume for the interim I'd be OK just sticking in something like this if I cut it down to size or is this not quite going to cut it? http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Produc...er/8421155.htm