Filtering WVO to 5 microns

[Adam]

I've been having trouble finding filters smaller than 10 microns for the GoldenRod filter bowls. So I've expanded my search to look at water filters and hydraulic filters as per Kev's suggestions. I've found a reasonable priced water filter at CDN tire with 30, 10, 5 & 1 micron replacement elements that are also pretty cheap. Anyone used one of these filters?

[sean]

HI Adam,
Sorry I haven't responded about what 5 micron filter we use in our setup. Toady when I was filtering I looked for the name and low and behold, we use a 10 micron. Sorry for the misinformation. Not sure why I thought we used a 5.

As for the Cdn tire filters, I have experience trying to match up filter cartridges for customers at my store with the Cdn tire housings. If the mass merchant that supplies Cdn Tire get bought out or stops supplying, the cartridges are sometimes unique and only fit that particular housing. Very annoying when you end up having to buy a whole new setup. I probably see this once every couple of weeks with people who bought the filter setup 4 years ago and up. The major water filter manaufacturers make a standard size filter and housing that can be uses in any competitors. Look for Liquatec, Pentek, Excelpure or Rcan (canadian owned and manufactured). The companies like Rainfresh (Cdn tire) usually do not make their housing very compatable. The price is competitive also. We sell housings for $24, the 5 micron filters for $6. Fittings are extra but most people get set up for $40. So just speaking from retail experience, I say avoid Cdn tire and go to ABC water systems in Nainamo or give me a call and I will help set you up.
The Pump House 338-8737. Hope that is breaking any rule on promoting a business....
Sean

[Adam]

I won't tell on you if any rules were broken Thanks for the advice. I was going to check out CDN tire tomorrow and see if the rainfresh filter cartridges fit our existing Spin Down filter housing, which we only have a 15 micron filter for. I wasn't holding out much hope, but even if I end up buying the $45 housing with 5 and 1 micron filter options that are $5-$7 each it seems like a decent deal. They do claim that their replacement cartridges "Fit Rainfresh and virtually all standard water filters". I see your point about buying from a fly-by-night manufacturer that might not exist 2 years down the road.

Seeing as you are a few hours north of me I'll check out ABC water systems to see what they have available, but if I can't see anything in the same range I'll be giving you a PM about what you have in stock. Have you tried using one of these filters in your setup?

[sean]

I haven't used them on my setup but I have sold the setup to a few WVO converts up here in the Valley. I talk to them regularly and they are happy with the performance as far as I know. One guy filters to 1 micron. "Slow but worth it" says he.
I also go down island to visit the family in Vic so there is always a chance we could have a meet and drop. I am actually heading down tonight after work. 3 days on Galiano for a little R & R. .

Hopefully ABC has what you need.
Sean

[Adam]

Thanks for the info Sean, I'll check out ABC locally and see what is available. Anyone tried using 5 and/or 1 micron filter bag? This eBay Store seems to have a reasonalbe cost on the bags. I'm thinking of making a PVC housing for them and stack a couple of 5 micron bags inside a few 1 micron bags to polish the oil after the twin 10 micron goldenrod filters. Not sure how fast it will flow though.

EDIT: After a bit more of eBay search I found these 10" 5 or 1 micron filters for only $1 each and the housing for them is only $13. What do you think Sean, worth trying out?

[Frisch]

This is my setup. I use the jeans to filter out the big stuff and then pump the oil through a 2 micron fuel filter. The plumbing was designed because the metal auto part to which the filter should attach costs over a hundred dollars. I'm dreaming of machining my own out of aluminum some time.

[Adam]

Thanks for the pictures. Are you just prefiltering with the jeans and then going through the 2 micron filter? How long is your racor filter lasting? How much are replacement ones?

I've got a 100 micron screen that I'm pouring the cubes/buckets through, it take about 10 minutes to fill a 55 gal open top barrel. Then I stick my pick up wand with a 70 micron filter into the barrel and pump it through two goldenrod filters (both 10 micron) into another barrel. Once the barrel is full I seal it up and let it sit for weeks. I've got 12 cubes full of filtered oil, once those are empty I pump the filtered oil out of the sealed barrel through the two goldenrod filters again to fill cubes. Then I use a funnel and pour the cubes directly into my WVO tank. It saves me have to set up the pump every time I need a fill up.

[BCDelica]

Great idea for the housing for your filter, smart!! Gotta love creative solutions that don't require you needing to go out and spend $199 (it's about being a resumer not a consumer right?).

With that utility pump it's a good idea to remove the impeller and clean it once every few months. This will greatly extend it's life; an identical pump packed-it-in for me during last years Harrison Delica meet during a veggie refill.

[Adam]

Great idea for the housing for your filter, smart!!

Oh yeah, I forgot to type this in my post, I thought it, I just got distract and forgot to write it Great solution, gotta love PVC tubing.

[Frisch]

The filter has done about 300L to date. A new one would cost about $30. I'm having leaking issues with the pump today and now I'm wondering if the filter may be done. It could also be the inexpensive pump just getting tired. Well, I'll try to solve that later.

[TardisDeli]

Hi Frisch, Your filter looks like the Racor filters we install on our boat(s). You mention needing to make the metal connector part instead of buying the expensive metal automobile part, have you checked what the boat kit price would be (our hunch is $100 complete kit including a new filter). Do you want Jay to check prices? If so give us your specs, and we can also keep an eye out for a used top screw in part. Cheers, Christine and Jay of the TardisDeli.

[TardisDeli]

Hi Frisch, attached is photo of our gasoline (sorry) boat with racor fuel filter setup, very similar to diesel boat. You mention trying to machine a part, is this the top metal housing where the filter can screws in ? I have PM'd you with info from Western Marine. The Blue Jeans filter system definitely wins the Far-Out Cool factor. Cheers, Christine.

[Manitoba Delica]

Check out Filtration Depot.. They have great prices, and a knock-off racor called Griffin which is way cheaper... I just ordered the equivalent to the racor 900FH ($151)and 12 replacement filters($75) and $26 shipping..... I think that is an awesome deal for a large capacity filter. they have 2, 10, and 30 micron and in the 12 pack they can mix and match...... I also ordered the racor heater 12V 300W internal for $75.... This is what I'll use in my WVO install on the van..I might get another one for in the shop for prefiltering. If you already have the filter, check out their replacement prices..

[Kuan]

Hi all,

Great ideas here. I'm looking for a similar solution to filter wvo and biodiesel. I have the poly drums and need a pump with motor. Any suggestions? free, used... etc.

WOuld an old dishwasher pump work?

As to filtering, not sure if I am going to go with the filter socks or contained units some of you are using. I feel like hanging the socks like you are the jeans might be good. Socks can also be washed out and reused. I wonder what the comparative lifespan is for sock vs. filter cartridge?

I'm also looking into a spin clean centrifuge. I'll provide a link when I have more time. Its about $300 but no filters to waste....

What do you all think?

[BCDelica]

WOuld an old dishwasher pump work?

Pretty sure it couldn't handle the work load of WVO and filters, but I have one here if you want to try.

Time and reading are really selling the Turfilters IMO, and never having to buy replacement filters seems more environmentally sound. Redline pumps sells them as part of there system. Looks like a pretty standard motor on the redline site, which should be very possible to find second hand. But they are similar in cost to a Diesel Craft centrifuge, but a full discussion of the pros and cons of each can found (on the web - can't find the blasted link, was a WVO discussion on some diesel powered vehicle forum). IMO also filters are the better way for the single user, but a large centrifuge would be awesome for a busy coop.