Inline Fan - Wolf Hood

last year

Does it matter what online fan you use for a Wolf hood liner? We are getting a 54” Wolf Hood Liner and the in-line fan they sell (I understand it is a Broan) for it is like $900, bulky and only 1100 CFM.

Conversely, I can get a Fantech 1200 CFM fan for $550ish. The heated make-up air system is Fantech, so there would be other Fantech components in the system.

I just don’t know if the Fantech will work seamlessly with the controls on the Wolf hood. Seems like it should, but I’m no expert.

Anyone have experience with this?

Featured Answer

opaone

last year

Make sure the blower is rated for cooking effluent. If it is not and there's a fire then your insurance may deny the claim.

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Comments (6)

wdccruise
last year
If you look at the Installation Guide for the hood, the Electrical Connection section explains that the Wolf blower plugs includes a cable that plugs into the hood making the connection easy. The Fantech blower (you didn't specify which model) doesn't appear to have this cable and you'd have to figure out how to connect it to the hood. The Wolf fan appears to be identical to the Broan HLB11 but that model isn't sold anymore.
nexp
last year
The fantech is an axial fan, while the Broan is centrifugal. They each have their benefits. An axial fan generally moves a higher volume of air with low pressure i.e. it's more efficient than centrifugal in a low-pressure system (large ducting with relatively straight runs). Centrifugal is generally better when the ductwork is more convoluted. Some prefer the Broan's design for an exhaust hood as it keeps the motor out of the (often grease-laden) airstream. Centrifugal is likely quieter.

As far as the wiring, you should be able either cut the connector on the hood or buy a matching plug and make a harness. The speed control on the hood is likely a standard item.
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kaseki
last year
The Broan/NuTone blowers used by (and possibly differently specified by) Wolf ca. 2010 were induction motors and easily controlled by a simple phase controller (like an incandescent lamp dimmer). My Pro Island hood has such a controller comprising for the most part a triac and diac. (See GE semiconductor literature for descriptions, or mini tutorial here: https://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/power/diac.html.)

Fantech makes a variety of blower motor types, and some are controllable with lower voltage schemes. So one would have to know what control functionality is provided in a modern Wolf hood, and which Fantech blower motors are compatible with it. If you can get the answer to the first question from Wolf, Fantech will hopefully respond to the second question. Otherwise, one would have to play EE and build a suitable interface, or just revise the control with a different Fantech-compatible electrical design using a potentiometer that fits the Wolf hood control hole.
wdccruise
last year
last modified: last year
Maybe the Wolf solution isn't the best.
- Trade-Wind VSL454-0-22BF VSL400 Series 54 Inch Wide, 22" Deep Range Hood Insert ($865)*
- Trade-Wind Determine CFM Requirements document
- Trade-Wind PSD010XL 1,266 CFM In-Line Range Hood Blower with 10 Inch Round Duct ($1137)
HOWEVER the Trade-Wind PSD010XL is the same as the...
- Fantech FKD10XL FKD Series 1,266 CFM Round Inline Mixed Flow Centrifugal Fan, 10" Duct ($635)
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*There are also 18" and 19-1/4" deep Trade-Wind VSL400 models
Stacy Nichols
3 months ago
curious if you ever got it to work? we are doing the same thing now. Wolf Pro Hood with Fantech XL10 inline blower.