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Questions on possible choices for PAPR systems

J

James Edward Benson

Joined
May 1, 2024
Messages
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Location
Providence, RI
I’m looking to purchase a PAPR system, which I might want to back up with an RZ mask, and am seeking advice and recommendations.



A friend is using the $680.00 Peke safety system, and seems happy with it.



Frankly, I had expected to pay more than that, and am willing to do so for a unit that meets my needs.



Obviously, a rated face shield is a necessity, and preferably something that would allow replacement of the face shield should it become scratched.



(apparently, the PEKE system comes with some sort of shield overlays which supposedly perform the same function)



I might prefer a set-up where the filter mounts on my back, the thought being that there would be a lower concentration of fine particles there.



It would be nice to be able to have a second, back up battery, so that if the battery I’m using dies, I can just plug ion the backup and keep working



There will be at least an air filtration system with a speed of 1044 CFM operating ina 320 square foot space, and perhaps a dust collection system as well.In any event, if other members could share their experiences with their own systems, plus or minues, I’d appreciate it.



Thank you.
 
I bought my Peke at the Chattanooga Symposium in 2022. The kit came with some extra filters the replaceable shield covers you mentioned etc. It was discounted and they shipped it to my house for free. I've been very happy with it. I can't remember what the discount was and can't guarantee they will offer it at this years but if you are going to the Symposium in St Paul next month they will be a vender there and that could save you a few bucks. Probably not as much saving as a put together 3M from ebay but mine has long since paid for itself in my view and it's comfortable enough that I use it pretty consistently.
 
I've had my PEKE PowerCap for a couple of months now. I use it almost daily, and love it! I hardly even know I'm wearing it except when I bump into stuff with those tall filters. There are many more specifics on that other thread on the same topic if you do a search. If you go that route, get the complete package with the visor overlays and prefilters. You will need them anyway. Also, I actually called them instead of ordering online, and the very nice office lady gave me a $20 new customer discount (which is about what I would have paid for shipping). Let us know what you decide!
 
I've had the Peke CleanAir HEPA for several years. Battery lasts all day for me. I personally like that the battery and motor are on a belt so I'm not holding them up on my head.
When I got mine, the headgear was a slightly modified Uvex Bionic face shield - so same as I was used to wearing and replacement lenses are easily obtained. Looks like they've changed that and have a different option.
 
Dave Landers said:
I've had the Peke CleanAir HEPA for several years. Battery lasts all day for me. I personally like that the battery and motor are on a belt so I'm not holding them up on my head.
When I got mine, the headgear was a slightly modified Uvex Bionic face shield - so same as I was used to wearing and replacement lenses are easily obtained. Looks like they've changed that and have a different option.
Click to expand...
I have also had the CleanAir for a number of years and have been happy with it. I recently bought their newer helmet, which solved my only quibble with it, the lack of ability to flip the shield up.
 
I have had the Peke Power cap for about 1 year and am happy with the purchase. As Aaron said I barely know that I am wearing it. The result of that is I wear it far more than I ever would have worn a mask. I rarely turn anything without it now.
I wear earbuds at the same time to eliminate the "wind noise".
My only complaint is that I thought the face seal deteriorated too quickly. If you go this route maybe have them throw in an extra face seal for free.
 
Sundstom user here. Had it for a few years now and it's the first thing I put on every time I enter the shop. Get yourself a set of iTunes hardhat style headphones to go with it, if you're the type who listens to music or podcasts while you work. Love it. Only complaint I have is that the belt unit will alter your "body radar" and you may find yourself bumping into stuff with it. Main reason I bought it over the other head-worn filter types is that I felt it would be lighter and easier on my neck, but also that the exposure to the dust might not be as direct. But beware of those after-lunch odiferous expulsions - they will make your eyes water!!
 
"But beware of those after-lunch odiferous expulsions - they will make your eyes water!!" Funniest line I've ever read on this forum!
 
James Edward Benson said:
I’m looking to purchase a PAPR system, which I might want to back up with an RZ mask, and am seeking advice and recommendations.



A friend is using the $680.00 Peke safety system, and seems happy with it.



Frankly, I had expected to pay more than that, and am willing to do so for a unit that meets my needs.



Obviously, a rated face shield is a necessity, and preferably something that would allow replacement of the face shield should it become scratched.



(apparently, the PEKE system comes with some sort of shield overlays which supposedly perform the same function)



I might prefer a set-up where the filter mounts on my back, the thought being that there would be a lower concentration of fine particles there.



It would be nice to be able to have a second, back up battery, so that if the battery I’m using dies, I can just plug ion the backup and keep working



There will be at least an air filtration system with a speed of 1044 CFM operating ina 320 square foot space, and perhaps a dust collection system as well.In any event, if other members could share their experiences with their own systems, plus or minues, I’d appreciate it.



Thank you.
Click to expand...
I just bought the microclimate Air3. So far no complaints! It works well for those that have a beard and you look like a space cadet when entering the shop! haha.
microclimate.com

MicroClimate Air3 NIOSH approved PAPR

MicroClimate makes powered respirators that are affordable and comfortable. Air3 is NIOSH approved and built in Provo, Utah, USA
microclimate.com
 
Joe Sanchez said:
I just bought the microclimate Air3. So far no complaints! It works well for those that have a beard and you look like a space cadet when entering the shop! haha.
microclimate.com

MicroClimate Air3 NIOSH approved PAPR

MicroClimate makes powered respirators that are affordable and comfortable. Air3 is NIOSH approved and built in Provo, Utah, USA
microclimate.com
Click to expand...
Wow, that is an impressive unit. It definitely has a spaceman look to it!
 
Mark Jundanian said:
I have had the Sundstrom system for several years and am happy with it. I bought it from Woodturners Wonders.
Click to expand...
Same, and I'll add that the Sundstrom impact-rated helmet has a similar plastic shield protector to the Peke one the OP mentioned. This is very clear; I never notice that it's there. Beyond scratch protection, I think the best part about these is they're also the first line of defense against dust and other accumulated gunk. It's very easy to just unhook the protective film, wash it, and reinstall; at least as easy as pulling the clear shield from a Uvex face shield for cleaning.
 
Rusty Nesmith said:
Dean do you have the one in the top picture? If so how well does it seal around your head?
Click to expand...
Yes. It doesn't make a terrific seal around my face, but there is sufficient air pumped into the helmet that it ends up keeping stuff out quite well. The adjustments to the head piece are many and it's possible I don't have it set up exactly right. But it still works.
 
Dean Center said:
Yes. It doesn't make a terrific seal around my face, but there is sufficient air pumped into the helmet that it ends up keeping stuff out quite well. The adjustments to the head piece are many and it's possible I don't have it set up exactly right. But it still works.
Click to expand...
Thanks. I am not sure if I want that one or the blue helmet.
 
The face mask set up protects well up onto the head and I personally don't see any reason to have another helmet. I smack the thing into my headstock lamp all the time, and haven't hurt myself yet!
 
Rusty Nesmith said:
So the one you have seals good enough you don’t get dust inside?
Click to expand...
While I don't have a Peke model (my PAPR is a Sundstrom), the entire design of a PAPR is that it's a positive pressure system. The ventilator pushing filtered air into the helmet and out through the dust shroud's small "leaks" (at the edges of the bottom elastic, on mine) keeps any dust out very, very effectively. This is also why PAPRs are recommended for people with facial hair, who can't get a good seal with an unpowered mask – the positive pressure means zero dust without a perfect seal required.

A nice side effect of this is that you rarely if ever need to clean the inside of a PAPR's face shield, and certainly not from it getting dusty.
 
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