<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr>

I wanted the Activated Carbon to be a pre-filter stage which should also make the HEPA stage last longer in theory as it filters out the larger particulates so the HEPA doesn't clog as quickly.

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You have the right objective, but this is not ideal, IMHO. Yes, a prefilter is a good idea to save loading-up a HEPA filter, but I wouldn't use charcoal for this purpose. The charcoal will lose its capacity much faster than a HEPA filter will if it is used as the prefilter!. Ideally, filtration systems consist of a prefilter, a HEPA filter, then a charcoal filter, in that order of air flow. The only way a charcoal filter can reasonably work is if it remains clean. The charcoal filter relies on the surface area of the reticulated foam to absorb organic molecules from the air stream. If it gets dirty, it won't work, and all the organic junk in the big particles of dirt will saturate the charcoal also.

Of course, the Infiniti OEM filter is not true HEPA. No way. Is yours official HEPA rated?

<font color=blue>'04 G35S 5AT, Black Obsidian/Willow, Prem/Nav/Sat</font color=blue>

 

Yes, I realize that the charcoal may not last quite as long that way. Several commercial units are set up with a Charcoal pre-filter as well, so I thought this would be ideal, given that the filter box is space limited and there is no way to get all three stages into that small a thickness. My impression was that most of the automotive filters are set up this way as well, however, I could be wrong. Besides, those that feel the charcoal stage is more important can always flip the filter upside down I suppose. The flow rate in both directions is supposed to be vitually identical.
The manufacturer states that this is true "HEPA media technology", and supplied the graph shown above. The filter pleats are 'compartmentalized at 1 1/4" intervals to apparently increase and balance the flow of air through the full surface of the filter media as well as provide more structural integrity.

So how well does your set up work on odours? I haven't had mine in long enough to tell, but I haven't noticed any funky odours while driving.

<font color=blue>GroundingGear™ Equipped </font color=blue>

 

How's mine working? Well, it's hard to tell - if it's working perfectly, then you would never know, right?! I don't remember getting any significantly bad fumes, though.

<font color=blue>'04 G35S 5AT, Black Obsidian/Willow, Prem/Nav/Sat</font color=blue>

 

There is a definite stench in the air around town today. Not sure if there is a forest fire or something, but it's noticeable. Sort of sulfer-boiled feather kind of smell. It's very noticeable in the house as well. My daughter says it stinks all over inside the school.
In the car, it's noticeable as well with hot air from the vents (it got colder and is snowing here today). If I lower the temp a bit to 19C (66F), the filter seems to do a good job of reducing the odours to barely noticeable while still being significantly warmer than outside. Definitely a difference from in my neighbour's car with the heat about the same.
I think Noremac makes sense re having the carbon stage after the HEPA filter, for increased odour control which is probably more important than making the filter last longer. I'm going to try it that way when I get the chance.

<font color=blue>[i]GroundingGear™ Equipped </font color=blue>

 

Recieved mine yesterday along with the ECU/TCU wires.
Now I have 14 wires! The install was easier than I expected.
I had 21,000 miles on my old in-cabin filter. I expected it
to be pretty dirty. It was amazingly clean. Don't buy into
Infiniti's change interval of 15,000 miles. It all depends on
where you live and drive. Who would have thought that
Houston air would not crap up a filter too bad?

2003 TwBlue 5AT Sedan, sunroof,
Graphite Leather, splashguards, HKS exhaust,
14 wire Grounding kit, 350Z duct, Stillen CAI
Underbody rear diffusers, Drilled alum pedals

 

Cato, i just changed mine after 17,000.... WOW was it dirty and disgusting. it was purely BLACK!!!!!

I bought the HEPA/Charcoal from GroundingGear, boy does it work great! Even that musty smell whenever you turn on/off the AC is gone! It was a little tough to install because it fits so tightly in there compared to the loose stock filter (thats a good thing for the GroundingGear filter)

Overall, i recommend this to everyone! what a great deal!
Thanks Gord!

<font color=green>-Rambo</font color=green>
G35c-6MT-DG/Willow/HyperGround/BorlaExhaust/350Z-intake/AVIC-N1-double-din

 

Yeah, I bought 2 of the GroundingGear filters, and it seems to work great. I have noticed a definite difference when it comes to cigarette smoke, but it is hard to tell in other conditions. It definitely does not remove all odors, but it helps alot! Highly recommended for the price!

'03.5 Silver AT Sedan, Premium, Aero Kit/Package, Sport, Winter, Stillen Air Box, Z pipe, Polk Tweeters, Clifford RSX 3.5, 19" Gram Light 57F Pro's, Hotchkis sways, Borla

 

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr>

bought the HEPA/Charcoal from GroundingGear, boy does it work great! Even that musty smell whenever you turn on/off the AC is gone! It was a little tough to install because it fits so tightly in there compared to the loose stock filter (thats a good thing for the GroundingGear filter)

Overall, i recommend this to everyone! what a great deal!
Thanks Gord!

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Not sure why it would eliminate the musty smell since it's ahead of the evaporator coils. Only thing I can think of is that since the HEPA filter is more efficient than the OEM filter, it might be filtering out some of the molds that come in from the outside, thereby limiting the growth on the coils.

As a matter of interest in testing this theory, I sprayed an A/C deodorant that kills molds and mildew in through the running squirrel cage fan below the filter. It can therefore reach the evaporator coils that way and kill what's there. It should keep the coils mold free for longer, and so far it's working well. The filters are now a comfortable snug fit, unlike Rami's super-tight design, so they should be easier to install.

I'm glad ppl are liking the filters. I started designing and making these things because of my daughter's allergies, and I couldn't find anything I liked. Since they're about the same price as an OEM filter (often less), I'm hoping most ppl will consider them a better alternative.[img]/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/img]

<font color=blue>[i]GroundingGear™ Equipped </font color=blue>

 

Does it help her allergies? That would sure be a bonus for me (and my son).

03.5 5AT-S (Black-Willow-Premium-Sport-Aero-GroundingGear™-Silverstars-PIAA-PopCharger-Z Tube-Tint-Stillen Dual Exhaust)

 

It seems to help with allergies while in the car on trips, windows closed of course. The Carbon Filter is a side bonus for us, especially with certain smells like smoke, etc. It's only moderately effective for certain other smells, especially strong 'chemically' ones but does reduce them.

I rode in a Carbon Filtered Benz and found that it didn't do well on certain smells as well, so I'm satisfied with how my filter performs, especially considering the cost difference.

<font color=blue>[i]GroundingGear™ Equipped </font color=blue>

 

If you want some great air that will even kill the dreaded cigar, try a Csonka ozone purifier. It plugs into your cigarette lighter and actually creates an ozone in the air, knocking out all the baddies that cause smell. And it leaves you with a fresh thunderstorm smell after use.

I've got one and it literally neutralizes a 7" 50 gauge Churchill in about 2 hours. No trace afterwards

2004.5 Coupe/5AT/Ivory/Everything but front spoiler/Nismo CAI/Crawford V5

 

The problem with ozone generators is that they can actually trigger an asthma attack according to my daughter's allergist. They do a great job of neutralizing odours in enclosed areas and used to be used in hospitals, however I believe they are being phased out due to unwanted effects.

<font color=blue>[i]GroundingGear™ Equipped </font color=blue>

 

Someone asked me how well the Activated Carbon filter did during my Yellowstone trip this summer (with all the campfire smoke, geo-thermal sulpher emissions, and road repair tar smells).

It seems to work better on some odours than others, which I'm told is expected.

The biggest difference is with smoke smells. Seems to filter out almost all the odour of campfires, etc.

Definitely reduces the sulfer smells from the geysers and hot-springs, but you can still smell them.

Also a good reduction in odour from the road re-surfacing, but again, still noticeable. Interestingly, it did very well at a shopping mall that was having the roof re-tarred. Didn't notice the strong odour until I stepped out of the car.

A couple of times, I didn't think it did much to a few strong 'chemically' smells where I was hoping it would. I'm told by a few M-B owners with Carbon filters that that's normal however. Not sure what other's experiences with Activated Carbon filters in cars are.

<font color=blue>[i]GroundingGear™ Equipped </font color=blue>

 

still sell these?

 

this thread is almost 3 years old.... i doubt it...