Tracking down leaks

[mhumphrey]

@Jules

Here’s a really lousy picture, but you can see some of the places where we caulked on the inside through the acrylic panel.

Thanks, Jules. That looks like a MUCH better quick-disconnect. The one I am using is really flimsy, and I am sure is not sealing well. Where did you get that one?

[paulw]

My quick-disconnect likes to leak too. One other question: what’s the prevailing wind direction? If you’re trying to exhaust into the wind you can have problems. Oh, and how’s the seal around the panel that’s blocking the window?

[Jules]

It’s actually two parts - one is the end cap flap things, and the other is a two-part Quick Disconnect, which makes it possible to caulk the pieces where they are permanently attached to the hose and flap cap.

I think we got that at Lowe’s. (Might have been Home Depot though, they both should carry similar products in the dryer hose connection section.)

[mhumphrey]

@palmercr

That is the point of them isn’t it?

Not when they are sitting in a zip-lock bag.

[mhumphrey]

@paulw

My quick-disconnect likes to leak too. One other question: what’s the prevailing wind direction? If you’re trying to exhaust into the wind you can have problems. Oh, and how’s the seal around the panel that’s blocking the window?

The whole window connection is suspect. Lots of sealing I need to do there. Wind shouldn’t be an issue as it’s venting into a narrow space began houses.

[davidgal2]

Where did you find your hose?

[mhumphrey]

This is the hose:

http://a.co/5IshSF7

It is very sturdy, and the flexible material is almost sticky - makes a good seal.

[johnse]

Two things:

• instead of a disconnect, how about using a blast gate.
• most sliding windows leave an open gap between the frame of the sliding window and the glass of the stationary one. Use something to block this.

You can see what I did, including links to products in this post:

My Glowforge Table and Vent Build

Just over a week ago, Laserus Long was delivered. I set him up, he calibrated. I tried to print the Founders Ruler… nothing. Error after Error trying to send the design down to Laserus. Today it was decided this Laserus Long must go back to HQ and a new Laserus Long will be sent to replace him. So I didn’t have a fun posting to make with pictures of things my new shiny (and it is Shiny) Glowforge had made. But I do have some to share of the table I made to be the workplace for it. I wanted a t…

I still had some leaks on my first print. I have now sealed both ends (I hope) with foil tape.

Also, since you’ve been running yours for a while in the garage, you may want to check the fan’s screen for blockage.

Cleaning Addendum

I’m posting this here since I’m probably the first to experience it, and it’s nice to know . Recall my post about smoke coming through the edges of the front door of the glowforge? Well there was a reason for it. It took me a while to troubleshoot it, I’m a little slow on the uptake sometimes because I’m so naive. I moved the machine under an exhaust hood with a total of three feet of the supplied flexible duct to eliminate the long run of 4" pipe. I still could feel air being forced out of e…

[mhumphrey]

@johnse

instead of a disconnect, how about using a blast gate.
most sliding windows leave an open gap between the frame of the sliding window and the glass of the stationary one. Use something to block this.

I considered a blast gate, but my thought was that this would leak even worse. I don’t see any way for a blast gate NOT to leak.

Good point about the gap between window sections - I will check that.

[johnse]

It’s a pretty tight fit between the slide and housing.

[palmercr]

@mhumphrey

Not when they are sitting in a zip-lock bag.

What, she can smell them unlit through a plastic bag? What happens when you light one?

I have used them a few times to study airflow but we normally burn them to make the house smell nice. They don’t smell unlit and I am hyper sensitive to smells. I can’t stand perfume.

[mhumphrey]

@palmercr

What, she can smell them unlit through a plastic bag? What happens when you light one?

These things were powerful. Just touching them left a residue that seemingly smelled forever. Took days for the smell to go away after I threw them out.

[mhumphrey]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I sealed up the window vent, and got rid of the quick disconnect (for now). I’ll have to run some more tests, but I think this has mostly solved the issue.

[rachaelw]

I’m glad you were able to resolve this! I’m going to close this thread, but if you have any more questions, please either start a new thread or email support@glowforge.com.