EEVblog 1616 - Weller Zero Smog Fume Extractor Review

[EEVblog]

How much does the Weller HEPA 13 Zero Smog EL Kit fume extractor suck?
https://www.weller-tools.com/eu/gb/filtration/products/solder-fumes/zero-smog-el-kit-1

[aeberbach]

If you compress your hose it's not as floppy.
Also I needed to put mine under a shelf so there is less overhead clearance and the minimum bend of the hose is too large, 3D printed a 90 degree adapter for the duct.

[Kleinstein]

For getting it quieter, the natural thing would be some "filter" / sound absorber at the output side of the fan.

This is quite an expensive filter !  Depening on the climate (high humidity) one may have to change the filter after some time, even if not heavily used.

[EEVblog]

And that external RJ11 interface is only an on/off switch.

https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Weller/FT91000033?qs=QvRObDHRS1%252BRKK8h4zvMOA%3D%3D

[EEVblog]

Part 2

[shapirus]

I think it may become more effective in its raised position (as opposed to sitting on the bench) if you turn the hood 180 degrees so that the flat side is on the top. That'll prevent sucking air from below and behind, probably.

[woody]

My (almost weekly) experience with a predecessor of this Weller fume extractor (with the round inlet) is exactly the same.

Using the extractor inlet on the same height as the object you're soldering is way more effective than placing the inlet above. Might have to do with the fact that in the latter case the fumes get caught in the vertical stream of heated air coming from around the soldering iron where in the former case the fumes are extracted before they get caught in there.

[ballsystemlord]

The jokes on this YT channel get worse with every video.

Nice review Dave.

Slowing down a fan will decrease the noise. So does the Weller run quieter because of the reduction in fan speed or improvements in acoustic design?

PS: I'm watching part 2 now. maybe you talk about it there.

[EEVblog]

Slowing down a fan will decrease the noise. So does the Weller run quieter because of the reduction in fan speed or improvements in acoustic design?

The noise for a given airflow rate is a factor of
1) fan type and design
2) fan speed
3) fan size
4) fan mounting
5) enclosure design
6) filter area and type
7) hose and nozzle design.

Not necessarily in that order.

[EEeng]

Hi,

Purchased 2 of these during the fire sale, but have noticed carbon dust depositing around the unit of surfaces and under the filter. It seems carbon is being sucked out of the activated carbon filter.

Looking at the review video it seems Dave's unit is also doing the same and he wiped up alot of dust under the filter. Seems this dust continues to fall from the filter.

My experience with other activated carbon fume filters is that either the carbon filter is before the HEPA filter or has another filter after it to prevent this but it does not seem to be the weller design.

Is everyone else experiencing the same? Concerned about the health risks of this dust which is ironic considering this is the reason we brought them in the first place.

--
EEeng.

[thm_w]

Hi,

Purchased 2 of these during the fire sale, but have noticed carbon dust depositing around the unit of surfaces and under the filter. It seems carbon is being sucked out of the activated carbon filter.

Looking at the review video it seems Dave's unit is also doing the same and he wiped up alot of dust under the filter. Seems this dust continues to fall from the filter.

My experience with other activated carbon fume filters is that either the carbon filter is before the HEPA filter or has another filter after it to prevent this but it does not seem to be the weller design.

There seems to be no consensus on HEPA or carbon first. As you say though there should be decent mesh or filter to prevent carbon from coming out. Also, decent carbon granules could be rinsed after productions.
If you are worried you can probably vacuum it out and try to get rid of most of that fine dust, or add another thin layer filter on the output.

https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/15511/order-of-a-hepa-filter-and-carbon-filter-in-a-filter-stack