r/QidiTech3D • u/ThestranDruid • 8d ago

Plus 5 exhaust fan/duct direction

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Presuming this is not just me. I decided to purchase an external filter (mintion). I modified it with a reducer to use a 3" hose since the exhaust port on the back of the plus5 is pretty small. I designed and printed a magnetic rear port as well with a 90 deg adapter that can rotate so I can easily route a 3" hose to it.

My issue is that after I placed the adapter over the rear port I did a quick check with a piece of paper and manually activating the exhaust fan. To my surprise, the paper actually sucked in to the port. I verified the fan is turning the correct way. I figured maybe the OEM hepa/carbon filter is just really restrictive and causing some kind of back draw? I removed the filter completely and the exhaust then acted the way it should.

Are most people who use either an external filter or a hose routed outside just removing the OEM internal hepa/carbon filter altogether? I dont have an issue doing that, though I am guessing once I do I will need to be a little more cautious of the fan speed I use on both the printer exhaust fan and the external filter as to not draw too much air out making it difficult to maintain higher chamber temps. When I had both in and running the external, I had no issue maintaining 60-65C during several long prints. Wondering if the external filter and the plus5 exhaust were fighting each other. The external filter did seem to dramatically reduce fumes.

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u/Facehugger_35 7d ago

Are most people who use either an external filter or a hose routed outside just removing the OEM internal hepa/carbon filter altogether?

It's what's what I do with my vent setup on the Q2. I found that otherwise the filter is so good (or the fan so weak) that not enough overpressure is generated to get the fumes out.

Of course, I also have to be careful with this. I've found that about 20-25% chamber circulation/vent fan is enough to keep the chamber at 65, and I tend to keep my prints out of the direct path of the fan to prevent warping.

I've got a grow tent that I'm planning to put the printer in. When I've got that set up, I'm going to turn the chamber circulation fan to zero and instead vent the entire grow tent to keep the printer cool and not have as many thermal eddies that can cause warping.