Page 4 of 4 FirstFirst ... 234
Results 31 to 38 of 38

Thread: Sink-level ventilation

  1. #31

    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    San Diego
    Posts
    506

    Re: Sink-level ventilation

    I know this thread is quite old but posting here because this was one of the resources that I used when planning my recent darkroom build (discussed in this thread). I opted for the pvc pipe with holes that the OP originally asked about and after some testing, I found that the system was not effective for me. I’m using a 1202 CFM blower (so plenty of power and suction) but in the end, the pipe with holes just wasn’t able to create enough suction across the surface of the sink to adequately remove fumes/vapor per my tests using smoke from incense. I’ve posted this video which shows the smoke test and the change to the plan that I arrived at which does draw fumes (smoke in my test) off the surface of the sink from an adequate distance. Just posting this here for others who might find this as they decide what kind of system they want to use. Hope it’s helpful.
    Last edited by Fragomeni; 4-Jan-2022 at 11:31.

  2. #32

    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    New York City & Pontremoli, Italy
    Posts
    883

    Re: Sink-level ventilation

    I initially installed almost the exact same system (we probably got the idea from the same person) and found it ineffective as well.

    I removed it and built a sink-long (8ft) system with slots that I can open or close, depending on where my trays are.
    However, one exhaust fan was still not enough when I had trays from one end of the sink to the other; I added a second exhaust fan, midway along the system. It works to my satisfaction. The only downside is that is a little bit noisy, but not annoyingly so.

  3. #33

    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Posts
    332

    Re: Sink-level ventilation

    Guys, go take a look at post #120 and post #122 in Daniel Unkefer's thread " Darkroom Renovation Phase 1". Dan used a driveway rainwater drain. That's pre-made and saves time-also the ones at Home Depot have a 4" connection for the drainpipe, so hooking it to 4" flex hose for a dryer would be very easy.

  4. #34
    popdoc's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    Virginia Beach, VA
    Posts
    138

    Re: Sink-level ventilation

    My solution -



    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  5. #35

    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Seattle area, WA
    Posts
    1,328

    Re: Sink-level ventilation

    Quote Originally Posted by Fragomeni View Post
    I know this thread is quite old but posting here because this was one of the resources that I used when planning my recent darkroom build (discussed in this thread). I opted for the pvc pipe with holes that the OP originally asked about and after some testing, I found that the system was not effective for me. I’m using a 1202 CFM blower (so plenty of power and suction) but in the end, the pipe with holes just wasn’t able to create enough suction across the surface of the sink to adequately remove fumes/vapor per my tests using smoke from incense. I’ve posted this video which shows the smoke test and the change to the plan that I arrived at which does draw fumes (smoke in my test) off the surface of the sink from an adequate distance. Just posting this here for others who might find this as they decide what kind of system they want to use. Hope it’s helpful.
    This kind of makes sense when you think about. Air is just like water in that it's going to take the easiest route, so if you have one long pipe with holes in it guess which holes in the pipe get the majority of the air flow? The ones closest to the fan. For my small darkroom I just use an inline duct fan (4" model) on the other side of the basement from my darkroom, which sucks air out and exhausts it via a standard dryer vent on the outside of the house. Seems to work fine so far.

  6. #36

    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    San Diego
    Posts
    506

    Re: Sink-level ventilation

    Quote Originally Posted by domaz View Post
    This kind of makes sense when you think about. Air is just like water in that it's going to take the easiest route, so if you have one long pipe with holes in it guess which holes in the pipe get the majority of the air flow? The ones closest to the fan. For my small darkroom I just use an inline duct fan (4" model) on the other side of the basement from my darkroom, which sucks air out and exhausts it via a standard dryer vent on the outside of the house. Seems to work fine so far.
    Yea, a simple fan somewhere in a wall is what most people probably use which gets the job done in terms of removing air but the issue there is that if the fan is behind you on a wall, in the ceiling, etc, then that means that the system is inherently drawing the air (and any things in it which you don't want in your lungs) up past your face on its way out. Avoiding that is the main point of these sink-surface solutions. If you can get the air (and pollutants) off the surface of the sink and into the vent system without it having to travel past your face, then you have a much more effective system with respect to avoiding inhalation of fumes and particulates.

  7. #37

    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    San Diego
    Posts
    506

    Re: Sink-level ventilation

    Quote Originally Posted by popdoc View Post
    My solution -



    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    This is cool. Where did you find the low profile wall hoods? Thats what I was looking for initially and was going to get one from Edwards Engineering but after a few follow-ups I never heard back and gave up on it. As long as the fan is powerful enough, I think that would be one of the ideal solutions.

  8. #38
    popdoc's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    Virginia Beach, VA
    Posts
    138

    Re: Sink-level ventilation

    I used a local HVAC company that had a good technical background doing labs, hospitals, etc.
    They fabricated it to my specs. The size of the triangular plenum allows for equal distribution of the low pressure (vacuum) across the long opening.
    Because I have two sinks, I can turn them on and off mechanically while using one massive remote mounted fan.

    Also, I believe we went for an aggressive minimum of 8 changes of room air per hour.

    BTW- the inlet air is HEPA filtered…


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Similar Threads

  1. Ventilation
    By Allen in Montreal in forum Darkroom: Equipment
    Replies: 19
    Last Post: 25-Jul-2013, 09:54
  2. Selling Large Leedal Sink, Fiber Sink And Ss Tubs
    By Todd Hochberg in forum Darkroom: Equipment
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 8-Jan-2012, 23:23
  3. Darkroom ventilation fan
    By BetterSense in forum Darkroom: Equipment
    Replies: 15
    Last Post: 7-Apr-2011, 18:57
  4. darkroom ventilation
    By Raven Garrow in forum Darkroom: Film, Processing & Printing
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 23-Jul-2000, 21:43

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •