Thread: Is this cyclone any good?

I would buy a Clearvue over this for these reasons;

Clearvue filters have a good Merv Rating (far better specs than "2 micron" and more importantly independent assurance not unsupported claims) and a larger surface area (less restrictive so more flow and longer time to clog).
The Clearvue design is proven and many people report good results. I havent read any positive (or otherwise) reviews on this unit.

The Clearvue will flow more air. 1 because it has a VFD to allow it to run at 60Hz (unless you get this for the Carbatec) and a 5HP motor that won't fry when you do so (or if your runs are fairly unrestricted).

Have a read through other recent posts. This comes up regularly.

Thanks Dom, thanks for your input.
I've read all the posts I could find regarding CV, and closely follow all other discussions on this subforum, including your installation and air quality monitoring.
I know other cyclones are routinely dismissed in these discussions due to incorrect geometry (too short). This particular unit is a new unit I have not seen before, therefore asking for opinions, as it looks much taller than other usual options.
For my purposes, with filters, CV is not insignificantly more expensive, and requires DIY assembly, bin, vfd, delivery, etc. While i am prepared to go down that path, I'm also exploring other options.

It looks like a few unsubstantiated claims on their web page e.g. "Cyclones are also inherently quiet", "The main chip collection bin collects approximately 98% of the waste material ingested while the remaining 2% drops into the plastic collection bag underneath the filter cartridge."

Neither of these assertions seem accurate.

Originally Posted by albor13

Thanks Dom, thanks for your input.
I've read all the posts I could find regarding CV, and closely follow all other discussions on this subforum, including your installation and air quality monitoring.
I know other cyclones are routinely dismissed in these discussions due to incorrect geometry (too short). This particular unit is a new unit I have not seen before, therefore asking for opinions, as it looks much taller than other usual options.
For my purposes, with filters, CV is not insignificantly more expensive, and requires DIY assembly, bin, vfd, delivery, etc. While i am prepared to go down that path, I'm also exploring other options.

Hi mate,

I'm normally careful not to be dismissive of other options, sorry if it came off that way. Carbatec have sold this unit for years, it looks like they've recently updated the color. I believe it is similar to the Grizzly unit sold in the States (which seems to get good reviews). If it is, then the filter area is 110 sq ft vs 600 sq ft for the Clearvue. In the US a lot of people buy the Clearvue Wynn filters when they buy the Grizzly; in that case the Clearvue would be cheaper overall.

I think you'd still want to buy a VFD for the Carbatec so that you can run it at a higher rpm. Also, do you have 3PH power in your garage, because it is a 3PH machine and I don't believe it comes with a VFD.

In my own personal opinion, I'd lean towards the Clearvue for the reasons already stated and with regard to cost I feel that if you're spending nearly $4000- then $1000 this way or that is less important that making sure you really get the best system available; you're beyond the point of compromise by then IMO.

Having said all of that, I don't believe enough objective, quantified information exists to really make a fully informed decision and so the right choice isn't clear-cut. It's up to you and only you can make the right choice for yourself; please don't feel pressured by me or anyone else. I'm just offering up my opinion to try and help and if you feel the Carbatec unit is the better choice after doing your research then go for it.

It's not just the length/height of the cyclone, the CT unit uses a non ramped entry which means it wont be as efficient at pre separating the finer dust.
This maybe why the CT unit has to use a 2 micron filter and why a filter cleaning mechanism is provided .
What we don't know is the efficiency of the filter at 2 microns.

With a ClearVue the filters are >99.9% at 0.3 microns and my understanding is that the sides of the filters just need to gently vibrated and this does not need to be done often.

I have attempted to test the filtration efficiency of two CT cyclones with a filter.

In one shed, measurements of the CT cyclone was virtually impossible because that shed air was so contaminated
The shed also contained 3 (very leaky) DCs - all vented inside and hand held power tools connected to a VC were also used extensively.
When I asked the owner why he did not use his cyclone to service all his machines he said the CT did not have enough suck to service more than one machine and as he sometimes had more than one user operating machines he found he could not do that.

The other workshop also had several 2 regular DCs in use but was a bit cleaner so I was able to get readings of the CT filtration efficiency (>99% at 2 microns) which is excellent.
I noted the filter was quite clogged up and I was not permitted to clean the filter.
This shed owner also said the CT did not have enough flow to service more that one large machine at the same time although I did observe his ducting was far from optimal.

Efficiency measurements on most DC systems (even those using cloth bags) are tricky because once the filter its conditioned the filtration improves markedly but of course the flow subsequently decreases.
The problem with using filters and venting inside, you cannot afford to have even a small leak otherwise long term use will eventually contaminate your shed.

Fantastic replies, thanks to both Bob and Dom for comprehensive, in depth comments, really appreciate it gents.