Penn State AC620 any good?

[dbhost]

I have been looking at air filtration units as the box fan / filter I am using just seems so hokey... Anyway the PSI AC620 has the price, and specs that seem right up my alley, but is it actually a good machine?

Has any one here used one?

[steve-norrell]

I have the Jet version of that air cleaner and, IMHO, it does a reasonably good job considering that I am using it in a two-car garage.

http://www.jettools.com/us/manufactu...&product=99862

You want to think about the size of the room when purchasing an air filter. Mine is rated at 1000CFM and a model with higher CFM rating may have been a better choice.

Regards, Steve

[dbhost]

That is one of the reasons I asked about it...

My garage / shop is 18x20x8.5. Any outbuilding I put n the property, just by physical land available, without totally overwhelming the property would be 12x16x10 max.

PSI rates this unit for shops up to 20x25x10.

One of the things I have heard, not sure if it is right or wrong, but the first filter is rumored to be replaceable with a standard 12x24x1 HVAC filter. A 3M Filtrete Ultra Allergen should filter .5 microns or so... I would imagine that with a lot of dust production that would clog up really fast though...

[JR]

One of the things I have heard, not sure if it is right or wrong, but the first filter is rumored to be replaceable with a standard 12x24x1 HVAC filter. A 3M Filtrete Ultra Allergen should filter .5 microns or so... I would imagine that with a lot of dust production that would clog up really fast though...

Bear in mind that the 12x24 filter you mentioned is really just a pre-filter. The real action is happening at the pleated filter inside. Youi can put a hepa filter in the 12x24 slot, but it's probably overkill.

JR

[dbhost]

Bear in mind that the 12x24 filter you mentioned is really just a pre-filter. The real action is happening at the pleated filter inside. Youi can put a hepa filter in the 12x24 slot, but it's probably overkill.

JR

Yeah, isn't the idea to have a coarser filter first, to kind of strain the chunks out, then a fine filter on the inside to get the fines?

[steve-norrell]

The Jet also uses a 12 x 24 pre-filter. I have used the Jet version and ordinary furnace filters from Lowe's or HD. They both work well and capture lots of heavier particles. They can be easily cleaned with a ShopVac. Jet sells a washable pre-filter as well as some that seem terribly expensive.

The inner filter also works well, capturing the smaller particles (down to about 1 micron) but it is somewhat more difficult to clean (I use the ShopVac and then rinse with cold water). I do notice a significant improvement in the air when the filter is running (subjective opinion, no actual measurements).

Regards, Steve

[dwk]

Wow - great timing. I was actually on the Penn site this morning looking at this, and when I googled for opinions I ended up here; obviously missed this post yesterday.

I was originally looking at the Jet AFS-400, but it seems to be unavailable at the moment. Maybe for the best, as it might be too small even for my single-car garage setup (12x16x9ish). The Penn looks lke a reasonable fit for my space.

I hope it isn't too much of a hijack, but does anyone have experience with the smaller portable Penn DC units? They seem to be the only outfit offering 1-micron bags on portable units. I'd assume the motor units are similar to everything else, but you never know.

[phi1l]

Here is an interesting reference from the EPA on Air Cleaners.

[Charlie]

I think the JDS Air-Tech 750-ER is a better choice. The JDS you get a 1/4hp motor that produces 1050 CFM Max and weighs 62 lbs, verses the PSI that only has a 1/6hp motor and produces only 620 CFM Max and weighs 42 lbs. Dollars per CFM alone make the JDS the clear winner.