neato HEPA filter DIY mod v1

[nogi]

Anyone selling these mods?

[djos]

Anyone selling these mods?

you could buy the Vorwerk VR100 HEPA "style" filters or buy Vic's home made HEPA filters.

http://www.robotreviews.com/chat/viewto ... 20&t=15412

http://www.robotreviews.com/chat/viewto ... 20&t=15203

[vic7767]

Anyone selling these mods?

Check here: http://www.vic7767.com/neato-xv-11-mods-kits/

[chris-s]

.
What do you think about this tip ?

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxAvZiiui9Q[/video]

[djos]

Sorry, most of us here only speak the Yank or Skip editions of English.

[chris-s]

You do not need to understand what he says to understand the tip on video

[djos]

You do not need to understand what he says to understand the tip on video

True.

It's not bad idea to add a pre-filter as he has done but imo it will effectively reduce the surface area of the filter thus reducing it's performance.

[Tester]

Here is my solution for a prefilter on the neato.

The prefilter is made from some plastic from an old refrigerator door. The filter self is made from flyscreen leftover, I've put it on double so that the second crosses the 1ste so that the holes are smaller.

The plastic just fits tightly around the original neato filter so that the whole thing stays put.

Next project is to combine cheap HEPA filter with the original neato filter holder and the home made prefilter, but still have so original neato filters so that's for later.

Here are some pic's

[chris-s]

Dust space is now much reduced

[Tester]

by alot But is still more then enough for our place (+- 90m²) inhabited by myself, my girlfriend and 2 cats.

We let the neato run wild at least 2-3 times a week and empty the bin after each run, so far never had a problem of an overflowing bin.

the filter is 4cm high (is 3cm more then the hepa filter), on the top it's 2,5cm wide. This is the 1ste model I made, I just didn't like the idea of having the prefilter right on top of the hepa filter, but the hight can be reduced. Maybe having the prefilter 1cm above the hepa is more then enough.

pic of bin after a run (note: previous run was only 1 day ago)

[fetish]

I'm back! was gone for about a year due to work, so no time to tinker with the bot.

Great job there Tester! That's exactly what I had in mind as prefilters are important in any air filter systems. Yours look wonderful.

I was actually playing with the idea of making a water based vacuum using the neato platform before everything got derailed by work commitments.
I think a water based filter is more effective in containing micro particles than any HEPA filter (it's pointless installing ULPA filters in a vacuum anyway).
A recent purchase a of 3D printer would make prototyping so much easier.

Lets see how things go in the upcoming months.

[glnc222]

The All-Tissue Paper Filter

A wide mesh grid allows tissue paper to serve as a filter. The issue is not debris tearing the paper so much as not being glued down around the edges of the frame and sucked out the wider frame openings, made unnecessary by the grid. Gluing is too much work for frequent repacement. A wider piece is extended around the frame to hold in place, as reported at the top of this thread. Air flow analysis below shows a two ply facial tissue equivalent in air flow to the old original Neato filter.

This screen was used merely because available in a small package.

filter grid from plastic gutter guard mesh

The practice at the top of this thread, of adding a tissue around the original filter, significantly reduces air flow, contrary to expectations. However, it may prevent clogging the filter and remain stable as the tissue is replaced every run.
[edit] Yet I have used HEPA filters blocking airflow to 50 per cent still picking up dirt. And I don't think tissue paper traps small particles even to the degree of the original Neato filter, as when wrapped still some material on the filter is observed. The question is how much more life that filter obtains from wrapping it.


air flow analysis
see "electronic filter monitoring" for methods used. http://www.robotreviews.com/chat/viewto ... 20&t=15981

Air flow per cent of new original type filter:

12 ply facial tissue 54%
6 Ply ................. 66
4 Ply ................. 66
2 Ply ................. 100
Paper Towel ........ 80
2 Ply + Original Fltr. 72
1 Ply + Original Fltr. 78

bath tissue was found 1/4" too short in width without using across perforations, so facial tissue was used.
[edit] perfs irrelevant. two bath sheets most convenient size.

This thread is included in the list of mods links http://www.robotreviews.com/chat/viewto ... 20&t=16475

[neat99]

Has anyone used Swiffer wipes as a prefilter? One Swiffer sheet folded and cut into quarters is slightly larger than the standard filter. The extra swiffer sheet protruding when the filter is snapped into place should serve as seal on the edges of the filter. Since Swiffer sheets have dust collecting properties and are somewhat porous to allow airflow it should make for a good prefilter. This is what it looks to me in theory. Comments or thoughts?

[a4refillpad]

Must admit I use a single ply of toilet tissue on mine which gets replaced on every empty. This prevents clogging of the hepa style filter and extends the life of the filter significantly. I see negligible reduction in airflow.

[glnc222]

Swiffer store-brand refills
Airflow per "electronic filter monitoring", per cent of original Neato filter
Swiffer plus single ply tissue retainer/sealer 108
2 layer Swiffer single ply tissue ............... 112
3 layer Swiffer single ply tissue ............... 107
Self-sealed oversize single Swiffer layer ..... 153

Possible side leakage?
Definitely interesting material. Also possible to cut pieces out of large furnace filters, 24 per $10 filter, in different finenesses 3M Micron passive electrostatic. Saw paper vacuum bags specified hepa -- small piece good for a week only lacking pleats, not as much area as furnace filters, $3.50 for maybe 6 sections.

Pre-filters should not affect fine filter life, being clogged by invisible finest particles. Maybe on the original porous filter. Swiffer looks like good replacement for that altogether.

Instead of an additional mesh grate, some wires could be added to the frame.

[a4refillpad]

From my experience prefilters definitely extend the life of the filter. I find large amounts of sticky dirt difficult to clean off normally. With a disposable pre filter the filter remains fresh for longer, much quicker and easier to clean.

[glnc222]

prefilters consistent with use on air cleaners, prefilter besides Hepa, which lasts a year, four times longer than prefilter.

[Wing Nut]

Must admit I use a single ply of toilet tissue on mine which gets replaced on every empty. This prevents clogging of the hepa style filter and extends the life of the filter significantly. I see negligible reduction in airflow.

Been doing the same since replacing the after-market (HEPA?) filter recently. Filter looks brand new still after 10+ runs, and the suction and vented air seems to be just as strong. Bin seems to fill just as quickly and is easier to empty even without replacing the tissue - falls away without clogging in the filter folds. I suspect that leaving a band of extra tissue around the edge of the filter when its plugged back into the bin makes for a slightly tighter seal for the bin itself against the rubber gasket, protecting the motor side of things from escaping dust.

[a4refillpad]

I was replacing filters every month at one stage (daily use). I grew tired of trying (in vain) to clean between folds. Using the toilet tissue prefilter my last filter has lasted now for over 3 months and a quick vacuum clean using my handheld dyson restores the filter to a very good state. I wish I did this sooner and not wasted so many pet filters.