Prolonging carbon filter life

[TedeBoy]

Would leaving it unhooked until the odor kicks in help the longevity of my exhaust carbon filter?

 

[whitebb2727]

Buy an oversized filter to make them last longer. Use a variac to slow the fan down until smell gets bad.

I rebuild and bake my filters in the oven. Baking them stinks aweful though.

 

[Richard Drysift]

How long does a typical filter last? I've had mine going for like 6 years now & it's still working. Figured they would need replacing by now. I have 2 activated carbon filters: one on the fresh air intake and one for the exhaust: double filtration, bitches!!!
I only filter the air from the flowering room though; the veg tents are just vented into the room. The filters must be working because there is literally no smell unless I open the door...

 

[THE KONASSURE]

You can blow them the wrong way round to "free them up"

best way is to get them really hot till they smoke all the crap off, a big heater blower or a paint gun or some people heat them up with a big bbq or gas burner

I`ve not done too much of that but I use a carbon filter on my vape`o`bong rig and I normally vape @200c or below I set my hot air blower up to max sometimes and fire it into the carbon to clear it out, means I get good airflow again without having to change the carbon

Sometimes I`m less lazy and just change the carbon

but for sure your can heat them up to clear them out, but if you`ve been using them in a grow they gas they give off will stink of herb

 

[whitebb2727]

I got an old oven in an out building. A few hours on 500 does the trick. You have to replace the mesh stuff with metal screen first.

 

[bryan oconner]

i have 6 months on a carbon filter from high tech garden it was a medium size one but i have 1200 cfm running through it and trust me its working way over time . its starting to get worn out . it cost me 110 bucks cheap . time for a new one in a few . the next one will be the biggest they sell . so for me these filters last 6 months . the biggest they sell every one tells me they last 2 years .

 

[dandyrandy]

I got an old oven in an out building. A few hours on 500 does the trick. You have to replace the mesh stuff with metal screen first.

I wonder if you could bake the whole thing without disassembling it?

 

[bryan oconner]

strongly suggest going out side when your doing this . there could be some thing in it not sure . get you sick ,

 

[whitebb2727]

I wonder if you could bake the whole thing without disassembling it?

It has a synthetic mesh in that will melt. I'm not sure at what temp. I replace the synthetic with metal window screen.

 

[LoIQ2]

Buy a carbon backed air filter from HomeDepot, approx. $10 and wrap it around your carbon filter, then put the prefilter back on. The carbon backed filter is good for 90 days, then just replace it. May also set filter in direct sunlight a few days. Goodluck!

 

[majins]

For me, I have 2 filters.
One I run all the time which is the older filter. Filters from the tent into the room.
Other one I run only from week 2 of flower when the light is on and it vents from the room to outside.

after 2 years the old filter gets retired and the newer one replaces it. Then replace the room to outside one with brand new.
Im only running the smallest filter the hydro store carrys locally tho. 100X75mm which cost $40

 

[Dr. Who]

You can wash and recharge that carbon!

Use a mild biodegradable soap in RO or deionized water. Put in the carbon and swish it around for about 15 min. Drain and rinse, 3 times, soaking/swishing the carbon for 10 min the first 2 times.
Now dry it and bake it in an oven at 500 deg till dry.....The heat does the "recharge" as it dries out. The mild soap removes any accumulated oils that it may have absorbed (only in the surface pores are where these oils get trapped).

This is how a major drug company does it's lab filter carbon.

 

[EvlMunkee]

easiest way to "recharge"
I put two used filters on a fan. One on exhaust and one on intake. I put them in a closet with an ozone generator. I turn everything on and close the door for a month or 2. After a few weeks I reverse the filters so they are blown out each way. Done
should mention there is an exhaust in the closet to carry away ozone

 

[whitebb2727]

strongly suggest going out side when your doing this . there could be some thing in it not sure . get you sick ,

It wont make you sick but it smells horrible. I got a free old oven. I put it out in a shed. I would suggest opening windows when doing it.

I guess it would depend on what type it is to. I buy the coco carbon. It last longer than coal based. I probably wouldn't bake the coal carbon indoors.

 

[malicifice]

I bought a phresh filter 6x24 a few years ago, still working so... I guess as long as you dont smell anything your good. No reason to fix what's not broke. I would try the oven method if I could, but shit I can't even make butter because of the smell.

 

[whitebb2727]

You can wash and recharge that carbon!

Use a mild biodegradable soap in RO or deionized water. Put in the carbon and swish it around for about 15 min. Drain and rinse, 3 times, soaking/swishing the carbon for 10 min the first 2 times.
Now dry it and bake it in an oven at 500 deg till dry.....The heat does the "recharge" as it dries out. The mild soap removes any accumulated oils that it may have absorbed (only in the surface pores are where these oils get trapped).

This is how a major drug company does it's lab filter carbon.

You have to be careful. Some come with a mesh that will melt. I replace with metal window screen.

The top pic shows the mesh. It is like a panty hose material.

 

[whitebb2727]

That is a 16 pound bag of coco carbon. It is enough to do several medium filters. $80 on online hydro shop.