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Dust

Yahoo Message Number: 80407
I'm going to be on-site for a project for a week and the conditions will be harsh. There will be short dust storms that send a very fine powder like dust into the air quite often. I was there once before and was amazed at how this powder got into everything. I'm looking for solutions.
I plan to use blue painters tape over the slide gasket seals and the weep holes at the bottom of the windows.
I have two fantastic fans with plastic shrouds and I'm looking for a material I can wrap them with that will filter the dust but still allow air to pass so I can try to maintain positive air pressure within the coach. Any suggestions?
The generator will run about 4 hours a day to recharge the batteries and cool the coach during the heat of the afternoon. How can I protect the air intake?

Thanks,

Jim

2005 Inspire 55110

Re: Dust

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 80413
Jim,

I've not been in quite as severe dust as you describe but have been through dusty conditions. Here's one solution that may help you. Our bus is pretty tight but not perfectly tight. In commercial buildings filtered air plus keeping the interior at a slight positive pressure keeps dust out. Using that principle, I modified the kitchen Fantastic vent to help keep dust out. I did this modification about 4 years ago and it's worked reasonably well.

1) I purchased a plastic vent cover and drilled out the pattern using four different sized hole saws. That removed as much plastic as possible, preserved cosmetics, allowed good air flow and retained structural integrity.

2) I installed a reversing switch in the fan to control the direction of air flow. You'll need a DPDT center off switch.

3) I purchased 1" high quality polyester filter material and cut that into squares that are slightly bigger than the fan opening. Did this to ensure a tight fit.

4) Install clips that come with the vent cover. Place some stick on Velcro dots on the fan side of the vent cover. Place filter material on vent cover. Install vent cover over fan with filter material facing the fan.
Make sure filter material is oriented in the proper direction. Air should flow from coarse to fine.
You'll want to set the fan to bring in fresh air. That air will blow over the filter which will remove most dust particles. In the process, it will slightly pressurize the interior of your bus. Filtered air thus leaks out leaks in the bus helping to prevent dust from entering there. I've had good luck with this approach. In your case you may want to do mods on both fans (kitchen and bathroom) to increase the effects to handle more severe dust.
Something else you need to know. Fantastic DOES NOT recommend using any filters with its fan products. Here's why I think they make that statement. My 3 speed fans use a resistive element (not a pulse width modulated) speed control. On speeds 1 and 2 this element generates heat. Some of the air flow is used to blow over this element to dissipate heat. My guess is that if people put filters over their fans which become clogged, due to irresponsible usage, cooling air may be lost to the resistive element. That could lead to excessive heating and perhaps a fire. Also the heating element can collect dust balls which are perhaps flammable. So I'm not recommending my filter solution to the great unwashed as a general hedge against dust. There will always be that idiot that will use it inappropriately. So today's solutions must take into account the dumbest user.
That said, I've not had any problems with what I've presented. I make sure to keep the filter clean and air flowing properly. On fan speed 3 (fast), the heating element is out of the circuit. That removes only one source of heating, however. One should consider the fan motor itself and the required air flow over its casing which creates cooling.
The switch allows the fan to be returned to an exhaust (default) as required when cooking, for example. When exhausting, you'll want to remove the filter which is an easy task. The center off allows you to stop the blade before reversing its direction thus avoiding excessive current draw from the motor as it fights the direction change. I've got a BIG roll of filter material if you want some. If there is interest, let me know and I'll get some pictures out there for you (and others) to digest. Again be advised that Fantastic DOES NOT recommend using any filters with its fan products.

At 10:42 AM 6/23/2012, you wrote:

Re: Dust

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 80416
Jim,

My coach lives in a desert environment for about six months/year that is often similar to the conditions you describe. I have not found a way to prevent some airborne particulate matter (dust) infiltration during high winds.
IMHO, trying to maintain positive internal air pressure is a noble idea but, probably not effective. The turbulence above your vent fans will make it counter productive as they will allow dust to pass even with filters. Better to keep it sealed shut. The windows tracks are fitted with internal baffles but some dust will enter these tracks. Covering the weep holes may help some but some dust will penetrate around the sliders anyway. There is probably a very remote chance of rain but, if it does rain, you must remember to remove the tape from the weep holes so that the tracks do not flood.
I usually close my slide (I only have one) when conditions get severe but, this may not be practical or desirable for your coach. I usually wait for the wind to stop. Then, I vacuum everything inside including the window tracks in and out. I use the brush head and the narrow wand. The windows on the leeward side collect more dust than the windward side. Of course, If you have a choice, face the windshield of the coach into the prevailing wind.
I do not know how to protect your generator air intake without causing it to eventually choke. Perhaps the mfr. has a "severe duty" air filter available.

Daron Hairabedian, 98 Allure, 30226

Re: Dust

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 80493
Scott,

I like your solution and yes I'm interested in seeing some pictures and in buying some of your material.
I know the bath fan will be used for exhaust at times, how difficult is it to remove the filter? Is it an option to run the exhaust with the filter in place?

Jim

2005 Inspire 55110
 

Re: Dust

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 80495
Jim,

I'll get some photos out on the net after lunch. Got to fuel up (stomach not diesel tank).
This has worked well for us over the 4 years it's been in use. The goal was to reduce the really fine particulate matter or nuisance dust. It significantly increases the length of time between interior dusting and cleaning. A good thing. I also think dust is damaging to equipment. It certainly isn't good to breath either.
Removing the filter is very easy and you'll see that in the photos. With a different method of attaching the filter to the cover you could use it (filter) in exhaust mode but there isn't any point. I have a small table top air filter sitting on the floor which I run 24x7. It's amazing the crap it collects. Exhausting X cubic feet of air means that X cubic feet of air needs to be drawn in from the outside. Drawing in air means drawing in dust along with it.
Our bath fan is stock. I'd suggest converting the kitchen fan first and seeing how that goes. You can always do the bath fan if needed. We use the kitchen fan more than the bath fan in both air flows.

At 08:45 AM 6/25/2012, you wrote: