Moving up into a larger tent, and with that move, adding a new 6" iPower 440 CFM fan and filter combo.
I read an article that suggests that a fan and filter should not be coupled directly together since the fan’s vibration could settle the charcoal in the filter and cause air pockets reducing the filtration effectiveness. To make the install simpler, I originally considered getting a foam padded collar to connect the filter and fan together instead of using flexible dryer ducting to connect.
Another use I had in mind was to use the fan/filter near my cook surface when I make MBO and reduce the tinctures on low heat. If the fan/filter was rigid, I could simply stand it up on the counter to reduce cooking odors which are pretty obvious. This dual purpose is leading me to consider hooking the components in a rigid configuration.
Has anyone direct mounted these components together with a rigid collar as I was originally thinking and been successful?
If the filter is mounted horizontally you should not have to worry. A quality filter should not settle significantly as it is originally packed with significant vibration.
People mount it all sorts of ways rigid and not so much, one issue with a rigid mount is that it can creat more noise.
I like the soul purpose idea but I’m having trouble picturing it in my head because unless your taking apart your tent after each grow and dry in order to use for your secondary usage then how do you expect to draw the cooking fumes in? Are you going to attach a line from your intake outlet on your tent and run that to your cooking area?
Carbon filters and fans are generally mounted inside the tent at the roof and the filter is ducted to the fan which is on the roof to draw hot air out,leaving you a warm blowing smelles exhaust.
Now since the tents are not air tight the intake doesn’t have the suction you might think it has, you might be able to use it as a vent hood over your cooking area but then your drawing that stuff into where your new plants are…
I usually do one indoor grow in the fall/winter that typically gets me by since the summer is mainly outdoor growing time. The tent is sort of in the way, so my plan is to dissemble the tent and store it so the fan/filter would be available as a free standing unit anywhere I need it while the tent is not in use.
However, breaking down a tent isn’t my idea of fun, so I may leave it up as is even tho its in the way. I have a spare 4" fan and filter I can rig up with a rigid collar for a portable system although a 6" will be much more effective.
I ran mine that way for quite a while without any problems. I just slid the filter over the end of the fan outlet and duct taped it up. Not quite as rigid as a collar, but same idea.
That’s probably the way I’ll run mine unless I can find a neoprene lined collar clamp locally. I found them online and they are inexpensive @ $3 each. Problem is the shipping is $25 which takes them off my list simply because that’s ridiculous. I’ll duct tape the connection and hope the vibration and noise is minimal.