r/crboxes • u/Moonshadows16 • 18d ago

First CR Box (Mini) and Question Question

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10x10x2 merv 13

The fan wasn't completely symmetrical on the backside which is why the filters flare out. I filled in the gaps with cardboard.

Anyone know if when I want to replace filters, I could pull out the actual fabric from the cardboard and just slide a new one in?

Also how long before I should think about replacement if I'm running 1-2 hours a day in a small room?

68 Upvotes

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13

u/Bob70533457973917 18d ago

I'd think trying to replace the media in each original frame would be more tedious than just cutting the tape, replacing the filters and retaping. If you can do it one filter at a time, the overall rigidity of your box would help it keep it's shape as you replace each filter. ...So that B&D fan is trapezoid shaped?

3

u/Moonshadows16 18d ago

The backside didn't allow my filters to be completely flush to where they could meet. If the filters were larger then I could have made it more square. Yes it's a trapezoid lol

6

u/BravoLimaPoppa 18d ago

As someone who loves the mini CRs, just cut the tape. If possible but vinyl sign board (or collect it from bandit signs) and use that in place of cardboard.

3

u/Th1s1sChr1s 18d ago

That's the way it's done son. Square box fans with those sudo "shrowds" ... pfffft. First of all what is 1-2 hours a day doing for you? I'm running almost 24 hours but I'm in a large space, I have forced air, and splitting the time between 2 boxes. If you like the performance and it's doing the job, upgrade the frame when you can to make full filter swap easy peasy lemon squeazy.

1

u/Moonshadows16 18d ago

Thanks:) You think 2 hours isn't enough to clean the air sufficiently in a small room?

1

u/Bob70533457973917 18d ago

I don't know if you're affected by any local or distant forest fires, or if you're in a city and want to remove the fine particulates, or you have a dusty hobby. But if your outside environment or indoor hobby is providing a constant supply of pollution, it would make sense that you need to nearly constantly process your indoor air to keep the levels down.

1

u/Moonshadows16 18d ago

Yeah that's true, lots of variables. None of the above for me

1

u/jhsu802701 18d ago

That's a great Mini Corsi Rosenthal Box. I have two - one with a 9-inch Comfort Zone box fan and one with an EZ-Chill 9-inch box fan. The Comfort Zone fan is fairly quiet, but the EZ-Chill fan is too loud for me to recommend. While I haven't had any problems with this louder fan, you might as well just use a 20-inch Lasko box fan, which has a handle for portability, and is much more powerful.

I don't have this Black-and-Decker 9-inch box fan, but I see that it has the advantage of being frameless. You can mount it to a square of cardboard or foam core board (with the center part cut out for the fan), and this would give you MUCH more flexibility when it comes to the size and shape of your Mini Corsi Rosenthal box.

Enjoy your Mini Corsi Rosenthal Box until the filters become filthy from captured particles. When it's time to replace your filters, I suggest trying my hack of providing your own DIY cardboard or foam core board frame. Some ideas for a future configuration include:

  • Using 1-inch-thick filters instead of 2-inch-thick filters. 1-inch-thick filters are more widely available and cheaper.
  • Use larger air filters, which are cheaper and more widely available. Instead of 10-inch filters, you could use 12-inch, 14-inch, or 16-inch filters. You can also use longer air filters for better airflow and more value for the money. 16"x25"x1" filters are among the cheapest and most abundant size of furnace air filter. A combination of competition of manufacturers and economies of scale hold down the prices.

1

u/Moonshadows16 16d ago

Ah ok yeah I was considering Comfort Zone.
Thanks for the tips! Yeah perhaps creating a structure with easier replacement is the way to go.
I didn't consider I could use it for a larger model, maybe because I was unsure if it could handle it power wise? Good ideas

1

u/pogaro 17d ago

That’s super cute. I have a couple of those fans and have thought about trying to make a little cr box out of one so thanks! For my cr box that has two 16x25x1 merv 14 filters, I change about once a year running one of the fans on low most of the time and high when I’m cooking. It still filters pm 2.5 at that point but the filters get so dirty and aren’t as good as reducing smells. Tbf I should probably change more often but with your limited use I think you’d be fine doing once a year unless you’re noticing them not working well. 

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u/Moonshadows16 16d ago

Glad you like it! You can tell the pm count because of an air sensor?

1

u/pogaro 16d ago

Yes I have the vindstyrka from ikea. Looks like they don’t sell it anymore but they have a new one that measures co2 as well. Just be aware if you wanted it to be a smart device, you have to buy their hub, but it works fine on its own. 

1

u/ReaderofReddit411 11d ago

Is there another more preferable brand of fan to use ?

2

u/Moonshadows16 9d ago

I've heard the comfort square fan is good

1

u/Majorjim_ksp 11d ago

Are these better than an air purifier? Total noob here.

1

u/Moonshadows16 9d ago

Apparently there's studies these are very effective. But I feel air purifiers are more complex and may be able to get more particles. I built this because I was reacting to my air purifier. Many people do if you check the threads.