I'm putting in another 3hp dust collector blower. Problem is there is an obstruction approximate 2.5 feet from the intake. I cannot move the obstruction and the blower could be moved elsewhere, but it would then run into another obstruction. So the first obstruction is 1.4 foot tall so the 8" vent pipe has to clear it.
I've read you're supposed to have 3 feet of straight pipe into the intake of a dust collector for it to perform best. Unfortunately that doesn't look like it's going to happen.
I'm wondering what you guys think is the better of the two evils?
1) Angle it right off the bat to clear the obstruction.
OR
2) Go straight for 2 foot then do a 90 degree then another 90 degree
(see attached diagrams of the options)
Second question, how much of a performance hit am I going to take?