Re: Sharp FZN60HFU filter set for FP-P60CX and FP-P40CX

SharpPowerUser writes:

Hi Ed -

Just wanted to send you a follow-up regarding replacement filters for the FP-P60CX.

I ordered the widely-available FZN60HFU filter set from Newegg.com (a reasonable $73 plus shipping).

As we had speculated, this is in fact the same HEPA that came with the FP-N60CX (ie, 1.5" thick compared to the 1 13/16"thick Hepa filter which comes new with the P60CX), together with a carbon filter that weighs about 15oz. and looks very similar to the 11.5oz carbon filter that came new with the P60CX.

According to a note packed by Sharp with the filters, these are intended for use in the N60CX without using the filter spacer.

The P60CX uses an identical filter holder, so there is of course some extra room (which originally would have been taken up by the filter spacer).

I found that there was just space for a double layer of Freeze King 1/4" foam air conditioner filter, which I put in as an additional prefilter (the stuff is labeled as 1/4" thick, but is really somewhat thinner - the double layer is more like 3/8").

This didn't change the voltage which the Sharp was drawing at low speeds, and only reduced the voltage draw at pollen and high speeds by about 10 percent, so I conclude it's not having a significant effect on airflow.

I also tried the FZN60HFU filter set in my Sharp FP-P40CX air cleaner, and though it's a tight fit it seems to work ok.

Given that this set is only a few dollars more than the FZN40HFU filter set that is marketed for this unit, and given that the 60HFU set gives you a slightly thicker and much sturdier HEPA filter, along with a carbon filter that's more than a third heavier, getting the FZN60HFU filter set for the P40CX seems like an excellent way to go.

One last thought about the FP-P60CX.

I've been trying to figure out how to trick it to run at speed in between Silent and Medium (which can be a bit loud for when I'm sitting quietly in the same room or trying to sleep with the unit on) - the idea is to create a very quiet 70-80 cfm speed such as the FP-P40CXruns when set to medium.

When the unit is in auto fan mode, it does in fact run at the perfect intermediate fan speed when the sensor indicator is glowing yellow.

It occurred to me that I could fill a small cap or vial with an appropriate odoriferous substance and tape it under the odor sensor, thereby causing the unit to run at my desired intermediate speed whenever I switched it to 'auto'.

The question was, what substance to use?

I tried using a few dropsof vodka, but the fumes caused the sensor indicator to go to red (which caused the unit to run at a faster, noisier speed).

Taping over the top of the cap leaving only a smaller aperture for the fumes to escape solved this problem, but things still weren't right - after a while the unit started shifting back and forth between 'green' and 'yellow' every minute or so.

I then tried vinegar (all I had to had was red wine vinegar), and this seems to work fine - the only problem is that it evaporates and has to be replaced fairly often, and of course the cap needs to be washed out and kept clean.

If any of your other readers are interested in this, they might want to experiment and report back if they can come up with a lower-maintenance solution!

Best wishes,

S.P.U.

Ed's Reply

Dude;

Great research as usual.

(If this guy starts his own website, I'll be outa business.)

Ed