How To Change Your PD Blower Filter Element

We’ve previously explained why the inspection and maintenance of your PD blower is critical and also why you shouldn't wait to get repair repair service for your PD blower.

Now that you’re performing routine inspections on your equipment, it’s time to learn how to do some basic maintenance work to ensure your PD blower is performing at its best.

Changing your PD blower’s filter is one of the easiest tasks you can do, and it’s vital to the health and longevity of your equipment. Below are some general directions that will help you change universal air filter elements:

 Universal Pleated Paper Air Filter Element

 Media efficiency: 97% on 1 micron and 99.5% on 2 microns

 

Cleaning Your Pleated Paper Air Filter Element

These paper elements cost comparatively less than other air filter elements, so many users simply throw them away when dirty. However, they can be cleaned and reused.

There are two common methods for cleaning the paper element: water cleaning and compressed air cleaning.

Water cleaning: Gently tap the filter to dislodge any accumulated matter and then soak the filter in warm water and mild detergent for fifteen minutes. After it has soaked, rinse the element in low pressure water. When cleaning the element, you must air dry the filter instead of using compressed air.

Compressed air cleaning: This method is simpler, but you need to be careful so you don’t crack the element. Carefully direct compressed air (100 psi minimum) through your dry element. Inspect the filter for holes or other damage, replace the element if damaged.

 

Made from polyester, the pleated felt media is durable. Like the paper pleated element, these end caps are oven cured but with sealing beads.  

 

Pleated felt elements can be cleaned and reused if cleaned using the water and compressed air methods described above.

 
Wire Mesh  Air Filter Element

The wire media is meshed into a corrugated construction. You will see end caps on larger sized metal end caps because these filters are called “roughly” filters they aren’t recommended for applications that need greater filtration of fine particles.

Media efficiency: 93% on 10 microns

If properly cleaned and dried this element can be cleaned and reused indefinitely. To prolong the effects of rust on the element, be sure to treat your mesh elements with oil or oil-free adhesive. The adhesive should be applying before using the element for the first time and after every cleaning.

Spray both sides of the element with an oil free adhesive and follow the adhesive’s care instructions.

Cleaning your wire mesh has a few more steps than the other elements, but it is still a simple process. Wash the element in warm water and detergent and completely immerse the element. After rinsing, either let the element air dry or use compressed air. Follow up with an oil treatment.

How To Know When It’s Time To Change Your Filter Element

You’ll know it’s time to change your filter element when the pressure drop is greater than 10-15” water column of pressure loss (a clean element typically has a pressure drop of 1-3” w.c.). With increased pressure drops, comes a greater cost in horsepower as well as blower failure.

At Blocker & Wallace we have a variety of PD Blower filters and lubricants to keep your blowers performing at their best.

Shop now for PD blowers or contact us today to learn more about our PD blower packages!

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• How To Change Your PD Blower Filter Element