Well, I don't think this is the end-all-be-all answer, but this is working. Here is the js for anyone who comes across this with a similar problem.
Table column def:
{
'aTargets': [9],
'bSortable': true,
'bVisible': true,
'mData': 'partlist',
'mRender': '[, ].number'
}
Filter method:
$.fn.dataTableExt.afnFiltering.push(
function(oSettings, aData, iDataIndex) {
if ($('#showHideByPartNumber').val() === "" || $('#showHideByPartNumber').val() === 'undefined')
{
return true;
}
else
{
if (aData[9].indexOf($('#showHideByPartNumber').val()) > -1) // aData[9] is the column (zero-based).
{
return true;
}
}
return false;
}
);
$('#partsTbl').dataTable().fnDraw();