Suncourt -- Inductor 6" In-Line Duct Fan (DB6GTP)
The Inductor In-Line Duct Fan solves air delivery problems without major system rework or expense. This unit has an oversized motor to help overcome more static pressure and blows harder. This unit is great for air conditioning applications as well as ventilation applications requiring more power.
- Duct Diameter: 6"
- Unit Weight: 2.0 Lbs.
- Max Boosted CFM: 350
- Free Air CFM: 180
- Amps: .75
- dBA: 60
- Blade Type: Aluminum
FAQ:
Why do I have a room that is always too cold?
Your problem room may be located far from the furnace. Friction in the long duct reduces airflow to the register in that room, thus delivery of heated air. Also, perhaps the room is over an unheated garage or the duct is simply too small (undersized) to get enough heated air to that room. Remember too, when you are delivering heated air to a room, that air has to have a way to get out of that room. Otherwise there will be no air circulation. Does the room have an air return register? If not, is the door of that room kept closed, stopping air circulation?
Why do I have a room that is always too hot?
The room that you have a cooling problem with may be far away from the central air system. Long duct runs cause reduction in airflow, plus, the cooled air may have heated up before it gets to the problem room. Perhaps the problem run is to a room on the South side of the house, which has a large window, catching a lot of summer heat.
Chances are that your 'hot' rooms are on the second level of your home. You see, cooled air is dense and heavy. It doesn't like to flow upstairs. This is a very common problem, worsened by undersized ductwork and inaccessibility of those ducts. Particularly for upstairs cooling problems, select the largest fan you can fit and use duct diameter expanders & reducers to adapt to the ducts already in place.
What boost can I expect from an Inductor?
A standard floor or wall register is normally fed by a 6" diameter duct. You would like to boost the airflow from that register because you have a room that is usually cold in the winter or hot in the summer.
The airflow from that register may be as low as 20 or 30 Cubic Feet of air per minute. Expect this particular example to have double the airflow when an Inductor is installed.
What temperature difference does boosted airflow make?
This is dependent on a host of variables. How well insulated is the room? What heat gain in the summer through a window? How far is the register from the furnace? Is this room over an unheated garage? Etc.
Here is an example:
During the winter heating season, you need a room about 4 F warmer than it is. To achieve this you will need 11% more airflow out of the register(s) in that room assuming that your furnace runs 60 minutes out of the hour.
If your furnace runs 20 minutes out of the hour on a cold winter day, that is 1/3 of an hour. You will need 3 times the 11% or 33% boost. In most applications, an Inductor will boost up to 80%. Thus, well up to the task of warming up a room.
How much power does an Inductor use?
Example: The DB206, 6" diameter Inductor is rated at 0.35 Amp.
For a 120 Volt product, that is 0.35 x 120 = 42 Watt.
This is the maximum motor STARTING Watts. Once the fan runs, the actual wattage is 27 Watts. Like a small light bulb. In the Suncourt product specifications section, Inductors are listed by Amperage. As a rule of thumb, running Amperage is about 60% of the listed (start) Amperage.
So, to figure it out: Listed Amperage times Voltage (120 Volt) equals startup Watts.
Actual running Watts are about 60% of that.
What type of motors are used in Suncourt products?
The electric motors used in Suncourt products are C-Frame two-pole motors, Class B, Thermally Protected, sleeve bearings and synthetic lubricant. The exceptions are the 400 Series Inductors which have 4-pole, Class B, Thermally Protected motors with sleeve bearings and synthetic lubricant.
Can I use a rheostat or fan speed control with an Inductor?
No. A rheostat lowers the voltage supplied to the fan motor. This will cause the motor to overheat and the Thermal Protector will open, destroying the motor.
A solid-state fan speed control could be used. The problem is that such a control allows the fan to be adjusted to very low RPM's. Since the electric motor needs air flowing over it for cooling, adjusting to too low a RPM will cause the motor to overheat. That will cause the Thermal Protector to open, destroying the motor and voiding the Warranty. Since the speed the motor is adjusted by the user and is not under the control of Suncourt, we advise against using a solid-state motor speed control.
What does Thermally Protected mean?
A thermally Protected motor contains a fuse that will cut off power to the motor should the motor temperature exceed a safe limit. All Suncourt electric motors are Thermally Protected.
What are the fan blades made of?
Our smaller Inductors are equipped with Polycarbonate fan blades. (A high strength superior material as used for jet fighter canopies). All others have aluminum fan blades. Exception: The fan blade of models DB102, DB205 and DB305 are made of a flame retardant Valox material.
How many Inductor fans can I install?
We recommend that you do not install more than 2 Inductors per 8 registers in your air distribution system.
Two boosters will not appreciably affect the airflow to the remaining registers.
If you install more than 2 Inductors per 8 registers, you may be lowering the airflow from a register in some other room in your home, thus creating temperature problems there.
Will an Inductor always double airflow from any register?
No. An Inductor will boost airflow more to a poorly performing register (which is the register needing help) than to a register that already has good airflow. As stated before, a poorly performing register may have double the airflow with an Inductor. A well performing register may have a 30% to 50% percent increase in airflow.
What is the difference between Free Air and Boosted Air?
Free air is the air volume output from a fan, expressed in Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM) when the fan is not connected to any ductwork, pipes, louvers or other items that would interfere with the free flow of air from the fan. Boosted Air is the maximum airflow that can be passed through an Inductor in CFM before this fan, installed in a duct, becomes a hindrance to airflow rather than boosting an existing airflow.
Depending on the specifics of the electric motor and fan blade combination, Boosted Air can be between 50% to 100% greater than Free Air.
Can I "over boost" a register?
Suncourt Inductors are designed to provide progressive boost. This means that the airflow is proportionally boosted to the need of a particular register. Our booster fans are designed to run at a low RPM in free air. At this RPM, the fan motor runs below the peak torque that can be generated by the motor. Depending on the air blown into the intake side of the Inductor, the RPM will adjust itself as needed to provide boost and will operate at or near peak torque of the electric motor.
In what type of duct can I install an Inductor?
Inductors are suitable for installation in metal, flexible or high density pressed fiberglass ducts. The Inductor can be secured to the duct with screws or a good quality duct tape.
Can I build-in an Inductor, i.e. drywall or panel over it?
No. The Inductor must always remain accessible for service, cleaning or repair.
Can I use the Inductor to vent outside air?
The Inductor has to be protected from rain and excessive moisture.
What is the lowest airflow temperature for an Inductor?
To maintain good oiling of the motor bearings, we recommend a minimum temperature of 40F (4C).
What do I typically need for electrical installation?
You will need a small electrical box to mount on the Inductor.
We recommend #8 self piercing sheet metal screws, ½" to 5/8" long. Be sure these screws do not touch the fan blade or the electric motor.
For this box you will need a power supply strain relief to mount in a "knockout" in the electrical box.
Choose the power cable to conform to the applicable codes and standards. The staff at your favorite Home Center can recommend these materials to you.
Where do I get power from for the Inductor?
Here you have a number of options.
The easiest way to power your Inductor for automatic ON/OFF operation with both your furnace and air conditioner is to use the Suncourt DuctStat. Please view the DuctStat section of these FAQ's.
You may power the Inductor via a standard wall switch for manual ON/OFF operation. Running an Inductor continuously will not appreciably affect the life of the fan.
The next best is to connect to the wiring of your furnace. You must connect to the wire that provides power to your furnace blower. Consult the furnace wiring diagram, usually located on the inside of the panel covering the main furnace blower. Again make sure that all wiring conforms to all applicable standards and codes.
Also check that your furnace blower motor has a 110-120 Volt AC motor. Some larger furnaces have 220-240 Volt AC motors. Some of the newest high-end furnaces have DC motors. Do not connect the Inductor to either the 220-240 Volt AC or the DC type. Because of the numerous variations in furnace wiring, Suncourt cannot advise you on the hookup.
My Inductor seems to have a vibration.
When handling and installing your Inductor, make sure not to touch the Aluminum fan blade. If you accidentally bend one or more of the vanes of the fan blade, you will get a vibration. Spin the fan blade carefully by hand and check that all vanes are the same distance from front-to-back. Please also visit the NOISE page in this section. There is no risk of bending the Polycarbonate or Valox blades used in some models.
Is the Inductor safe?
The Inductors have been rigorously tested to the Standards of Underwiters Laboratories Inc. and proudly display the Listing symbols of both Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) and Intertech Testing Services Ltd. (ETL). All Inductors have Thermally Protected electric motors.