Carbon Pre-Motor Filters... clean them first?

[djub85]

Hey guys,


 


I just received a bunch of new carbon pre-motor filters from Aerus for C-style canisters. I went ahead and placed them in my vacuums, but now I'm afraid to turn them on. The plastic sleeves that the carbon pre-filters came in have some carbon residue "dust" or "grit" in them. It's not a lot, but to me, it doesn't seem like something you'd want flying into your motor.


 


Any thoughts?


 


I've worked with carbon filtration before in aquariums and even HVAC systems, and I know they have some nasty black grit in them, but this is my first vacuum carbon filter. So my question, to Aerus/Electrolux owners and to generally anyone who has a carbon pre-filter in their vacuum of any brand:


 


<ul>
<li>Is this normal? Is it cool for some grit/dust from the pre-filters to enter the motor?</li>
</ul>
 


<ul>
<li>If not, what am I supposed to do? Wash the filters? Vacuum them with another vacuum? </li>
</ul>
 


The instructions from Aerus just say to insert them below the bag. They say nothing about pre-treating the pre-filters. I'm just hesitant to use them at this moment. I know that the paper bags trap just about everything, so why would I want a pre-filter to dump stuff into the motor? Again, it's not a lot. It's not like a sandbag or anything. There's just some residue. Maybe it's just the nature of those filters and harmless for the motor. I'd love to know. Thanks =)

 

[electromatik]

Really?

I'd like to know the answer to this also. Last time I was on Aerus' website I still didn't see the filters. Most motors have carbon dust in them anyway to a certain degree don't they?

 

[djub85]

I have no idea, but I imagine it's possible. I feel like the carbon dust/grit is probably fine, or else Aerus would have included instructions for washing them or vacuuming them. But I'm not going to run them unless someone can verify that other brands have carbon dust/grit too.


 


I really am not using the filters to remove odors, as is the intended purpose. I'm using them as a safety backup in the event that a bag would fail. Seeing how these filters work though, I feel like it's only a matter of time before Aerus releases a HEPA pre-motor filter for C-style canisters. I really think it's possible, and that's what I'd rather have anyways. They might have to release two versions, one for the metal body 1205-1521 series, and one for the plastic body 2100-Epic-Legacy series, but I think they can make it fit since they made these carbon filters fit.

 

[dysonman1]

The electric motor's carbon brushes release a significant amount of carbon dust into the exhaust air, hence the reason for the after-motor filter. The tiny amount of carbon particles that might enter the motor fans will pass through and be caught on the post-motor filter - just as the carbon residue from the carbon brushes is caught now. No need to worry. Simplicity/Riccar/Maytag vacuums have carbon pre-motor filters and we never see problems from them.

 

[djub85]

I can confirm now that I've contacted Aerus, and they, too, say that these pre-motor filters were designed to have no negative impact on the life of the motor. They said they wouldn't sell them if they were potentially risky to use, and they said that the dust and grit is a normal occurrence with carbon filters. Which makes sense.


 


Now we just have to wait on Aerus to start selling HEPA pre-motor filters for C-style canisters, and we'll be good to go. I maintain that if they can squeeze a carbon in, I bet there's a way to squeeze a HEPA in, too.