Baffle Design - 6" outlet with dual 4" Y inlet

[Jaetee]

I've been combing the interwebs to find an answer to this, and I've finally given up. Help please!

I have a Jet DC1100C. I want to build a separator for it. I've already got a new aluminum trash can. My ductwork is all 4" and I'm not going to change it to 6" at this time. This is all in my basement, by the way.

Here's where I'm confused...The Jet has a 6" inlet. It came with a fitting that sits on that intake that splits it into two 4" runs. I have two scenarios and I'd like to hear what people think will be most effective from the standpoint of operation of the baffle and efficiency of the system altogether.

1. I can remove the Y splitter from my DC and attach a 6" hose from the DC to the new separator. I would then make the intake to the separator (from my machines) a single 4" inlet.

2. Same first step as above... but instead of a single 4" run from my machines I can attach the 6" to dual 4" adapter that I removed from the Jet intake and use it as the intake to the separator. That allows me to attach my existing ductwork (from my machines) to the separator on one of the 4" Ys and a long hose that I use to vacuum up the shop floor when needed on the other. I'd put a blast gate on each of the Ys.

Either way, I'm narrowing from the 6" DC inlet (or dual 4" with the adapter) to 4" ductwork.

Will using the dual 4" input into the separator impact efficiency (as long as I only have one of those 4" inputs open at a time)?

Is there another way (short of installing 6" ductwork) that you can see to arrange this? I really like having that long hose because it's great for vacuuming the whole shop after I'm done.

I'm attaching a picture of the dual input fitting that I'm talking about just in case it'll help.

I am open to any and all ideas before I try to make my first Thien Baffle!

Cheers,

Jason

[Mad Dog]

You have a couple issue to deal with.

First, the inlet is indeed 6" however, the outlet is only 5" so you are already restricted from the get go.  So far, I'm only using a single 4" and it works great.  I'm sure that if I ran a full 5" close to the machine it would work even better.  Wynn Environmental has 5" flex hose available.

Second, the "Y" connection is handy but only when it's attached directly to the inlet port on the machine.  If you try to use it some where else, it's just a pain.  A 4" quick connect system from Rockler might be another option for you.

If you are looking to improve performance, take a look at my Jet DC1100a conversion. thread.  Regardless, you'd be money ahead by building a simple 6" manifold out of 6" PVC and 6" to 4" "Y"s so you can have the flexibility to add machines as needed.  This is part of my plan in the near future as I finally found 2' lengths of 6" PVC at one of the local Big orange box stores.

Just my 2 cents.  YMMV.

Mike

[Jaetee]

Thanks, Mad Dog!

So, did I measure wrong and is the inlet to the impeller actually 5" when I remove the Y?

Great suggestions. I'll likely go with your recommendation for the quick connect - that's a great idea - and ditch the Y altogether.

Thanks!

[Mad Dog]

No, you measured correctly.   ;)

The inlet to the impeller after the "Y" is removed is 6".  The exhaust from the impeller is 5" and the inlet to the dust collection ring (The part that holds the bag and filter) is also 5". 

I can only assume Jet did this to add restriction to the overall system so the motor is not overloaded.

MIke

[Jaetee]

Ahhhh...gotcha. Thanks.