I placed the filter at the top to stop mice and rats entering the ducting again. I found a mouse nest in the fan. If you go for the filter after the fan, maybe gluing some stainless mesh at the inlet might be a good idea.
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I placed the filter at the top to stop mice and rats entering the ducting again. I found a mouse nest in the fan. If you go for the filter after the fan, maybe gluing some stainless mesh at the inlet might be a good idea.
Mice can enter the plenum through quite a few places. Rat crap can dry out and roll around and enter the inlet with the airflow, like leaves and stuff. I install mesh on every car I have bought, and also for my kids cars.
I believe you, but also wonder that that any hole big enough for a mouse to squeeze through can't be good news for the A/C and obviously bad for the interioro of the car, 'cos mice won't be the only thing that will get into the car through such an opening.
I'm very much interested in knowing all those spots. One spot I noticed was side panel under the bonnet has a hole even a rat can squeeze through and get into the dash through the side openings to the interior behind the door hinges. I think there was a rubber boot to block it at one stage which is not there anymore.
I'm also wondering where the blower fan suck the outside air from.
I'm guessing the duct opens to the side panel somewhere?
The air enters via the grill under the window and via the plenum chamber. The chamber allows water to drain down the inside of the mudguards.
From what I can remember, the inlet opening is at the top of a hump in the floor of the chamber, so moisture and most of the crap is washed away.
I just incorporated the filter with the mesh. Easy peasy to renew the element and cheap as chips. Also comes with the advantage of not slowing the airflow when the unit is set for recirculation. I have been on some dusty roads, behind other vehicles, the air I received with the fan running was a lot cleaner.