Replies

1. 
   Steve_Zerby | Nov 28, 2001 10:54pm | #1

   *
   Ron,

   The volume of the bay (about 4.43 cf for a 2x6x8' bay) time the density you are looking for (3 lbs/cf min, 3.5 lbs/cf is better) will give you the number of pounds of cells you need to get into the bay. (13.29 lbs @ 3 lbs/cf, 15.5 lbs @ 3.5 lbs/cf). That's a little more than 2/3 of a 19 lb. bag for 3.0 density, and .81 bags for 3.5 density.

   Run a few trial bays opening up the machine until you start to get to the minimum density you want to acheive. 3 minutes a bay doesn't sound bad to me.

   Steve

1. 
   G.LaLonde | Nov 29, 2001 03:10am | #2

   *Ron, We use Predator machines almost daily to dense pack cellulose into walls with the mesh you have. You do not need a restrictor plate when blowing cells into an open mesh wall cavity with a machine as powerful as that one. What works best is to use a 2" hose right off of the machine. You will get a consistent 4# density doing it that way. It takes about 40-45 seconds to fully pack a wall cavity the size you describe.

1. 
   Mike_Smith | Nov 29, 2001 07:57am | #3

   *G..... where did you buy your Predator.. & what models?

1. 
   Ron_Portwine | Nov 29, 2001 05:10pm | #4

   *Gerry, Thanks for the reply, I've received some good information from you in the past and was hoping you would respond. I'll give this a shot tonight. I didn't do any calculations but I think maybe I was running the machine too lean and probably getting more than 4.0 lbs per square foot. Mesh was bulged out and extremely firm, although it could be pushed in. As I riched up the machine the bay fills quicker, but not quite as dense, mesh still bulged out, but not as firm. I'll have to calculate one of the bays tonite to see what I am getting.

1. 
   G.LaLonde | Dec 01, 2001 02:00am | #5

   *Mike, Regal supplies the Predator II machines if you sell or use tons of their cellulose. I don't think they sell them because the machines will only work right when you are blowing their brand of insulation. They have a unique auger system and a very powerful motor and really eat up bags of insulation. I have known people who bought a small quantity of Regal cellulose and then went and bought a lot of some cheap stuff at Menard's or someplace just so they could get use of the Predator machine. As soon as they started using the other cells, the machines would plug up and quit working. Regal makes excellent cellulose products, so it's well worth it to use their products and machines if they are available. I don't know if their marketing extends to the east coast or not. They are an Indiana based manufacturer.

2. 
   Ron_Portwine | Dec 01, 2001 02:00am | #6

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   I'm using a Predator II to dense pak walls in a new construction, using the 1/4" mesh. Unfortunately, someone lost the restrictor plate for the machine and a replacement in not readily available. I'm improvising with the my own restrictor plate aka (100 mph tape). I'm looking for some advice on how to achieve the best balance of density and speed. I leaned the mixture out to a point where it took me about 2 1/2 - 3 minutes to fill a 2x6 8' bay. The pack was super dense, but takes a long time. I did this a while back with a machine that had a restrictor plate, but I can't recall how long it took to pack a bay.