DustBox - dust mitigation device - positive pressure system
- Thread starter Nikson
- Start date
Nikson
Explorer
Many great questions and concerns addressed in comments, appreciate the interest of the topic.
John, to answer your question - DustBox works as is, and GFC isnt necessarily too small for it.
Up to this time, one thing has been found is that GFC itself is fairly sealed unit, yet the fault is at the truck bed consideration.
water run off, tailgate area, plastic covers on the bed sides/rails, - all those have been known to cause even water intrusion, nevertheless dust.
With that said - unless GFC owner does due diligence to properly seal the bed area before setting the GFC camper, there might be larger issues at hand than just dust.
All that said isnt just my guess work, but actual experience/comments from the GFC owners that I've spoken with.
Mind that all truck makes are different, and some are better than others.
DustBox is a simple concept, the enclosure is all aluminum, powdercoated.
I'm able to offer same warranty as the fan motor manufacturer which is 24 months,
Filter is an automotive cone style., K&N could be used if user chooses to do so.
Low profile one has been put through trials, and will be released soon after debuting at the next show at NWOR2024 in Plain, WA.
I've emailed ya back from the contact me via website, let me know if you have any questions.
Nikson
Explorer
Each circumstance is different to each user/instance.
Considering that passive PPV does its job, it still required air flow in order to do its job, while powered system works no matter the speed.
One main thing to consider, is low speed silty/dusty type of trail, dust gets into every crack and hole possible unless the cabin is being pressurized.
Proper operation in such case in a vehicle would be to run their A/C with "fresh" setting (not on recirculate) - which will pressurize the vehicles cabin.
DustBox was designed for primary use on trailers and campers that arent attached to the drivers cab.
I just returned from 8 day trip in dusty silty Eastern Oregon, and can say that DustBox works and makes a difference and I stand by quality of my product and its performance.
Consider most Australian off-road trailers that are built for outback - you'll see most of them have the DRS installed.
dstefan
Well-known member
Sure, I’ll try to describe it. From the website:
It’s been 3 years, but as I recall inside the outer dome part, there’s a 3” OD tube that goes through the hole you drill in the wall. Then, the internal plunger is inserted and rotated/clicked into place with the light grey disk to the inside of the camper. That disk is the reachable “handle” on the plunger that you pull out to open the vent to air flow and push in to seal it. Literally everything is O-ringed and gasketed. The way it fits into the outer part there is actually no way for water to ingress, it just drains around and out the slots on the rim. These are meant for flat. mounted overhead boat hatches that are hit with spray all the time. Even open, water cant get in. The air is drawn through slots at the very top inside flat part of the outer dome piece. I really never close it, even when washing the rig. It also helps vent heat in Phoenix and especially on the road, which is important to me in the heat and on the highways with a closed camper while traveling. It could also be roof mounted and it might get better pressure that way.
Yeah the Dacron filter material just filters small bugs and dirt. I clean it about once a year. Gets very little dirt/dust from the road where it’s located on my rig. The Dacron and the spring clip were added by me. Also, the internal white trim flange not shown above (but is in my last picture) has a 3” snug fitting sleeve that fits over the plunger component is quite long and can accomodate a really thick wall. I cut it down to a couple inches for my build.
I doubt it provides lots of pressure on slow speed dirt roads, but for me the most dust is while on washboardy roads where I’m going 20-40 mph which is plenty wind pressure on the vent. The square back to my camper really crates a vacuum and coats the back with fine dust. The vent cuts the internal pressure well as far as I can see. Most all of my limited dust inside comes from wind with the camper stopped and wide open and from me blowing the loose dust off.
And, as you say it’s simple.
It’s been 3 years, but as I recall inside the outer dome part, there’s a 3” OD tube that goes through the hole you drill in the wall. Then, the internal plunger is inserted and rotated/clicked into place with the light grey disk to the inside of the camper. That disk is the reachable “handle” on the plunger that you pull out to open the vent to air flow and push in to seal it. Literally everything is O-ringed and gasketed. The way it fits into the outer part there is actually no way for water to ingress, it just drains around and out the slots on the rim. These are meant for flat. mounted overhead boat hatches that are hit with spray all the time. Even open, water cant get in. The air is drawn through slots at the very top inside flat part of the outer dome piece. I really never close it, even when washing the rig. It also helps vent heat in Phoenix and especially on the road, which is important to me in the heat and on the highways with a closed camper while traveling. It could also be roof mounted and it might get better pressure that way.
Yeah the Dacron filter material just filters small bugs and dirt. I clean it about once a year. Gets very little dirt/dust from the road where it’s located on my rig. The Dacron and the spring clip were added by me. Also, the internal white trim flange not shown above (but is in my last picture) has a 3” snug fitting sleeve that fits over the plunger component is quite long and can accomodate a really thick wall. I cut it down to a couple inches for my build.
I doubt it provides lots of pressure on slow speed dirt roads, but for me the most dust is while on washboardy roads where I’m going 20-40 mph which is plenty wind pressure on the vent. The square back to my camper really crates a vacuum and coats the back with fine dust. The vent cuts the internal pressure well as far as I can see. Most all of my limited dust inside comes from wind with the camper stopped and wide open and from me blowing the loose dust off.
And, as you say it’s simple.
dstefan
Well-known member
I’ve been meaning to try this sometime. Do you leave the vent lid completely closed or crack it a bit?
Obsessed2findARuggedHybid
Well-known member
Quick update on DustBox.
I needed a more alpine experience. Lots of trips to the desert the last 5 months. So only about 25 miles on dirt roads from Sway Valley ID to the back side of the Tetons. Even with lots of rain the last month up here there was still dust. It's a ID/WY high altitude deal.
No dust what so ever. I know it's pressurized because when I go to open the entry door I hear a bit of hiss coming out the door handel.
Fan works perfectly at low with windows open. One must include the variable speed switch
I needed a more alpine experience. Lots of trips to the desert the last 5 months. So only about 25 miles on dirt roads from Sway Valley ID to the back side of the Tetons. Even with lots of rain the last month up here there was still dust. It's a ID/WY high altitude deal.
No dust what so ever. I know it's pressurized because when I go to open the entry door I hear a bit of hiss coming out the door handel.
Fan works perfectly at low with windows open. One must include the variable speed switch
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JaSAn
Grumpy Old Man
I open it about 1/2 way. Sometimes on washboard it will open up all the way; hasn't hurt it yet.
rruff
Explorer
I think where you have it perfect, since it is a high pressure area when driving. The roof and sides generally are not, with the back usually the lowest pressure.
John E Davies
Adventurer
The MaxxFan rain shroud is not designed to be used partially open, it will rattle and possibly break the linkage or the gearbox internal teeth.
The ONLY positions where the rain shroud is not loose are at full closed or full open. At ANY intermediate position, the entire assembly will flop around in the wind. NOT GOOD - never leave your fan part way open using the black knob, especially in gusty winds or when towing.
Video 2017 MaxxFan 7000K sloppy at part open
Report back here in a few years when it breaks…. the ones without an external cover are not a problem.
https://olivertraveltrailers.com/forums/topic/4003-how-to-maxxfan-remove-and-service-preventive-maintenance-to-avoid-water-damage
Edit, this is an older model, they could have changed the design…
John Davies
Spokane WA
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JaSAn
Grumpy Old Man
Used mine for 8 years this way.
AND forgetting about it being open traveling down the freeway at speed.
AND in 50+MPH crosswinds in Wyoming and South Dakota.
YMMV.
I should clarify that 1/2 way is a very rough estimate. I simply crank it open a little. Does the MaxxFan still draw outside air when closed?
Maybe mine is protected tucked behind the raised solar panels.
AND forgetting about it being open traveling down the freeway at speed.
AND in 50+MPH crosswinds in Wyoming and South Dakota.
YMMV.
I should clarify that 1/2 way is a very rough estimate. I simply crank it open a little. Does the MaxxFan still draw outside air when closed?
Maybe mine is protected tucked behind the raised solar panels.
rruff
Explorer
I'm pretty sure that if the lid is open very far when driving it will create a low pressure area right behind it (flow will separate), which will tend to create a low pressure area inside the camper, that the fan will need to counteract... if pressurizing the camper is your goal. I may do an experiment today to see if the lid leaks enough when closed to increase cabin pressure.
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dstefan
Well-known member
Yeah that was my thinking too. The only reason I thought it might be good horizontal is the main air inlets are horizontally placed, but I get what you are saying about the pressure wave in front of the camper. All that wind resistance has got to be good for something!
rruff
Explorer
I played with mine today, and the lid itself moves a lot and rattles if it isn't either open or closed all the way.
And... when it's set to blow in rather than out, it doesn't seem to do much at all... even with the vent open.
Obsessed2findARuggedHybid
Well-known member
Just got back from another trip with some dirt roads. DustBox continues to impress. No signs of dust what so ever!
I noticed in the side mirrors how the dust has a steady flow coming off my Lexus tires right up to the front center of my trailer were my DustBox is mounted. Just glad its filters.
It was hot last weekend and I can say enough on how powerful the fan blows right down the center of the interior of trailer. In conjunction with max fan who needs AC, in the mountain west anyway.
I noticed in the side mirrors how the dust has a steady flow coming off my Lexus tires right up to the front center of my trailer were my DustBox is mounted. Just glad its filters.
It was hot last weekend and I can say enough on how powerful the fan blows right down the center of the interior of trailer. In conjunction with max fan who needs AC, in the mountain west anyway.
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Nikson
Explorer
Glad to see you putting the product to its intended use!
Safe travels!