Squirrel cage fans ?

Discussion in 'Whatever' started by Rich, May 21, 2012.

  1. Rich

    Rich Die-Cast

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    Squirrel cage fans ?
    Odd question but does anyone here have experience with squirrel cage fans ?
     
  2. ungawa222

    ungawa222 Mini Boss

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    Squirrel cage fans ?
    I didn't even know there was a band called Squirrel Cage... why would we have experience of their fans? Do they go door-to-door, like the Mormons?
     
  3. Daimyo

    Daimyo Side Dealer

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    Squirrel cage fans ?
    I used them in all my forges and occasionally in dust capture/removal setups. What did you need?
     
  4. Rich

    Rich Die-Cast

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    Squirrel cage fans ?
    Well sense there are other painters here, maybe my findings and questions can help others so here is why I'm asking this.

    To answer your question, I asked about this here because squirrel fans are to HVAC, who knows maybe someone here does that for a living or is related or is friends with someone that is. Its worth a shot in asking.

    I'm looking to modify my old paashee spray booth as the fan is shit not to mention is dangerous as I'm spraying flammable vapors. Honestly Im luck it hasnt exploded thus far with the amount of paint I'm running through this thing.

    So in looking for a better, safer exhaust it seems that the motors on squirrel fans are strong and not housed where either paint fumes or hazardous materials can reach or pass thorough. So, its possible that this style of exhaust would work as a much better and stronger fan for the booth or any spray booth for this matter.

    The both I use is fine, old and loaded with paint but fine to modify. So if I can find a better exhaust I will be good.

    Ive been looking at this type of squirrel fan :

    http://www.amazon.com/Active-Air-ACF465 ... pd_cp_hi_0

    As I saw the customer review and rang a bell. So maybe a stronger fan would be better....

    Which lead me to these guys :

    http://www.globalindustrial.com/g/hvac/ ... -exhauster

    http://www.globalindustrial.com/p/hvac/ ... le-ducting

    The yellow has two different models with both hi and low settings.

    I figured I could remove the fan on the paashee booth and run a duct from that either of these then run the rest out of the window.

    Or skip the booth all together and create a filter to place directly in front of the unit and and place the unit on a table top or close to where I work. That would suck the paint out of where Im working as well as clean the air out of the rest of the room.

    So this is where Im with this.

    Im moving to a new studio. So while I'm moving I figured now would be a good time to create a better set up.

    Any thoughts ?

    O yes, I also found this squirrel fan home made booth PDF thats for woodworking but may also suit painters needs as well with all the filters. Its just that the unit is housed directly inside the box . But lost the link, I have the PDF though for those who want it.
     
  5. ungawa222

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    Squirrel cage fans ?
    Well, please excuse my initial joketastic post (SUPERBORINGTIMES here, today, what can I say :D ), Rich- and now I'll say I'm glad you asked this, and am eager to find out if this is a possibility for me, too. I think I likely have the same tabletop Paasche booth you have, and had just posted here recently regarding the same issues. I had actually called Paasche, and the guy I spoke to (who was not overly helpful) said that the booth would not structurally support an industrial fan of the type I was asking about, and that I should really look into a heavier-duty booth altogether (of course :roll: ). Really, though, I think the booth could probably handle it- some reinforcing *may* be required, though. Flammability is also an issue I want to curtail. I'm glad you are looking into this, and if you wouldn't mind posting on your progress as you modify or rebuild, that would be great! And yes, please, if you wouldn't mind shooting me that PDF when you have a chance, I'd really appreciate it!
     
  6. Rich

    Rich Die-Cast

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    Squirrel cage fans ?
    O yeah ! I do remember you asking that now !

    Yeah the boths fan is terrible. Ive just delt with it but always knew that I had to replace it.

    I don't think any of these options would mount to the unit, but the easy fix is removing the fan and just using the supplied back that on the unit, run some ducting to it and running that duct to which ever unit we feel is best.

    What I really would like to do is find a unit that would constantly circulate the air in the room while sucking out the fumes.

    Thats why Im really liking the portables and a large table top. Kill 2 birds ya know.
     
  7. computerhair415

    computerhair415 Comment King

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    Squirrel cage fans ?
    Ok Im gonna try to have a stab at it. Im not HVAC certified, but I have vented the shit out of some rooms. First off Im not a big fan of squirrel cage fans because they are really not that strong and they dont hold up to static pressure. Lets say you make a spray booth, your gonna need to send the air out a window or a vent. every time you travel distance or make a turn with your vent you lose psi. I have owned the squirrel cage in the link you provided, its not bad its just not awesome.

    My recommendation is for you to get inline fan. They are quiet, light weight, super strong psi, hold up to static pressure, and can be variable.

    My first choice would be this and get a dimmer to controle the speed if its to much
    http://www.agriculturesolutions.com/Ven ... RQodghH5oQ



    Second choice is smaller and less pis if the 10" is to much
    http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001I4DHJI/ref ... wo=&hvqmt=


    Plus always mount the fan at the end of the line , Its better to suck than to blow :lol:

    Hope this helps
     
  8. ungawa222

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    Squirrel cage fans ?
    Excellent suggestion, ch, and it looks like better deals can be had on these on evilBay, too.
    Only question now is can they safely process the solvent-containing, flammable current which would pass through... perhaps a phone call to the manufacturer is in order. I may try to do this in the next few days, if I get a chance.
     
  9. Rich

    Rich Die-Cast

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    Squirrel cage fans ?
    Well I can tell you they will say no.

    Unless its explosion proff no manufactor will say yes, and even then they will still say maybe.

    So my question is this. Where is the motor located ? They don't show the back.

    If the fan isn't in the way of where the fumes pass through it would be ok.

    This is my big concern, where motor is located. If we can find anything with a remote motor we are looking good.

    And after though I get the sucks is better than blows theory.

    Computer hair, what do think about the 2 links I posted with the other portable exhaust ?
     
  10. melek_taus

    melek_taus Mini Boss

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    Squirrel cage fans ?
    Rich-

    The models you posted links to will work for you, but you need to make sure you go for one of the safe fans that are designed to exhaust hazardous gases. These are designed to vent gases for work in confined spaces such as gasoline storage tanks or other places where flamable gases may be present. These are more expensive than the standard exhaust fans, but you'll need it for the paint fumes.

    Like this one: http://www.globalindustrial.com/p/hvac/fans/blower/intrinsically-safe-blower-12-inch-dia-120v
     
  11. Daimyo

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    Squirrel cage fans ?
    I know I jumped in but I will defer to those who have experience working with flammable/explosive gas in these regards. The forges use propane but it is introduced down wind of the blower.
     
  12. slipstar01

    slipstar01 Post Pimp

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    Squirrel cage fans ?
    I've done a lot of research on this subject, when I built my spray booth (although I wish I would have had the Paasche as a base) I'm using fans that were made for cooling Hydroponics systems. I have 2, 230 CFM whisper fans, in my booth, and I ordered them here
    http://www.hidhut.com/catalog/ventilation-c-29.html
    They have a really nice selection of vent fans as well.

    The concentration of fumes has to be really high to worry about an explosion, and even at that, the on/off and the wiring is the area you would really have to worry about igniting (not the fan).

    This guy made a really nice booth using a squirrel cage fan. I'm sure he would answer any of your questions as well he seemed really helpful in some of his other videos. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qii2fiaeiLs&feature=rel
     
  13. computerhair415

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    Squirrel cage fans ?
    I havent used those exhaust fans before. Im sure they would work, but wouldn't be ideal. The main thing for you would to be able to get at leased 800-1000 cfm. The flex hose tend to create more drag. If possible I would try to hard line duct the booth to create maximum negative pressure.

    As far as the motor, I think its Electro magnetic motor so no gears. I think it would be fine for paint. I checked theFAQ and they said spray booth is ok
    http://www.canfilters.com/faq.html


    Just a thought, What if you were to vent your spray booth to a carbon filter. ( http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002ZDS5RA/ref ... wo=&hvqmt= ) This way you wouldn't have to vent out a window. Im not sure how long the life span would be with paint fumes. But that would be kick ass.

    hope this helps
     
  14. melek_taus

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    Squirrel cage fans ?
  15. Rich

    Rich Die-Cast

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    Squirrel cage fans ?
    Hmm it does say it can be used for paint booths.

    As much as I like the idea of that carbon filer I would rather vent out of a window.

     
  16. Rich

    Rich Die-Cast

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    Squirrel cage fans ?
    So far my favorite idea is the can filter with speed control.

    I think I will remove the fan from the both and run a duct from the opening to the intake side of the fan, then duct from the exhaust out the window. Sound pretty easy.

    And place a filter inside the booth or create some sort of filter area for filtration.

    Or just building or buying a larger booth.

    I like the design of the double fan passhee booth. Maybe get that, remove the fans like mention and run exhaust like mentioned.

    The 10" can fan should be able to sustain it. And if the exhaust from the can to the windo is only a few feet it should have no issues pushing it that far.

    Thoughts ?
     
  17. ungawa222

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    Squirrel cage fans ?
    Just curious, Rich, as to why you feel like you would go w/ the 10" versus the less expensive 6"; seems like the 6" is plenty powerful....
     
  18. computerhair415

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    Squirrel cage fans ?
    6" wouldn't be be enough CFM. once he starts ducting the longer it has to travel and if he needs to make any bends it drastically reduces air flow. By going with the 10" ensures that he will have enough CFM. If its to much he can dial it down with a speed controller.

    Just a thought. durring the winter you could get the can filter so your not pushing out all your nice warm air.
     
  19. Rich

    Rich Die-Cast

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    Squirrel cage fans ?
    Exactly. And it's in price range.

    I have a few other ideas and questions that I will post later.

    But thanks guys for all the help. Maybe once we come up with a few solid ideas we should move this to the customs forum. This way other people who like to paint will have a resource for building a better both.
     
  20. Rich

    Rich Die-Cast

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    Squirrel cage fans ?
    I thought even with the filter it still needed to be vented ?
     
  21. computerhair415

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    Squirrel cage fans ?
    Dont quote me on that, I will look into it. I can call the rep :D But would't it be sick tho. The Can filters are filled with super small pieces of carbon. I know for a fact it would strip the smell, but Im not sure if it will take out the harmfull vapors. They mention in the FAQ that the filter can be used for a spray booth. These filters are ment to be in the room were your spraying and then vented out. Im my experience, I have reversed it so the filter would be on the out side of the room being reverse filtered. So you could have your booth on one side of the room the then duct to the other side of the room then reverse filtered.

    I had another idea. You could make a real nice booth if you used a commercial hood that they use for cooking ranges and then build a booth around that. That would make it big enough to sit inside of and still have the negative pressure needed to get all the paint out.

    Just a thought
     
  22. slipstar01

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    Squirrel cage fans ?
    A couple things, depending on what fan you use, you're going to have a tough time reducing the duct to the vent pipe. The wider vent hose you use the better off you'll be, reducing a 10 inch opening to a 4 inch hose will greatly reduce the intake of your fan, you want to keep it as large as possible at the source point (the fan) but shorter you hose is the better the output will be.
     
  23. Rich

    Rich Die-Cast

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    Squirrel cage fans ?
    Totally agree, and is why I'm looking for other options incase I don't find a proper mod.
     
  24. Rich

    Rich Die-Cast

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    Squirrel cage fans ?
    You can always cut out the back of the booth and put in a flange.
     
  25. slipstar01

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    Squirrel cage fans ?
    The hardest part of my build was venting the fan, I ended up building a box around the fan and then using coupler to attach that to the hose. if you don't have an opening large enough for the fan then you won't get the cfm rating the fan is supposed to be giving you.
    [​IMG]

    Also thought this was interesting a full size booth using squirell cage fans.
    http://forum.caswellplating.com/oven-bu ... tures.html
     

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