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Exhaust Fan Question
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daboyce67




Joined: 15 Aug 2014
Posts: 43
Location: Hayward, Wisconsin


PostLink    Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2018 10:35 pm    Post subject: Exhaust Fan Question Reply with quote


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Unfortunately, I have the Vortex S-600 exhaust, rated at 340 CFM. Not being an engineer, I'm really winging it here. So, before I finish the installation (cutting holes going outside, mounting the fan, etc) I thought I'd get some sort of an idea as to whether that will be adequate to handle the brewery's needs (if not, I'll cut my losses, scrap this fan and order the VTX 600 that was originally recommended).

My hood is 2' by 6.5' and 1 foot top to bottom. The exhaust is on the end (the same end as the boil kettle). The bottom of the hood is about 20" above the top of my kettles. I have about a 3.5-4 foot run total from hood outlet to outside vent cap with two right angle elbows (a 90 degree elbow at the hood outlet pointing up, 1 foot of duct to another 90 degree elbow pointing to the rear and connecting directly to the fan and then about another 1 foot run out the back of the house. All ducting is 6" until the output of the fan where I'm contemplating a 6" to 4" reduction out the back of the house, which would be about 12-15" to the vent cap.

Thanks in advance for any advice.



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kal
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Joined: 12 Dec 2010
Posts: 11116
Location: Ottawa, Canada

Drinking: Pub Ale, Electric Creamsicle, Mild, Pliny the Younger, Belgian Dark Strong, Weizen, Russian Imperial Stout, Black Butte Porter


PostLink    Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2018 10:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

You have this fan here?: http://amzn.to/2IJGYth

It's rated as 347 CFM. The one I use is rated as 452 CFM. Given that they're the same manufacturer you can likely compare these numbers. 347 isn't that far from 452 in real world use as once you through some back pressure on these fans they probably have more the same than different.

Without doing some fancy HVAC calculations (which I actually have no idea how to do/don't have the numbers to do), I'd say you're probably fine.

Note that the sort of math required to calculate true flow based on turns/diameters/reductions is incredibly complex and usually not done. Meaning I don't think there's anywhere here that can really confirm anything for you. They'd have to model exactly what you have into simulators and overlay with with static pressure map of the exact fan you're using (assuming that's even available which I don't think they are) to know how it behaves to know the real CFM of the fan under load and then figure out if that CFM is adequate for your boil rate by measuring how much water your exact setup puts in the air. The make-up system you're planning on using would also have to come into play.

Try boiling some water for a couple of hours at 100% power and see what happens. Wink My guess is that you'll be perfectly fine.

Good luck!

Kal

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daboyce67




Joined: 15 Aug 2014
Posts: 43
Location: Hayward, Wisconsin


PostLink    Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2018 11:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yes, that is the fan I have. Thanks for the quick response. I did research and, frankly, though my math background isn’t bad, I was confused to say the least. So, I guess I’ll do exactly like you state - finish the install, boil off a couple gallons an see. If it’s not adequate we’ll just have to step up to the one you originally recommended. Fingers crossed.
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kal
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Drinking: Pub Ale, Electric Creamsicle, Mild, Pliny the Younger, Belgian Dark Strong, Weizen, Russian Imperial Stout, Black Butte Porter


PostLink    Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2018 12:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Good luck! Let us know how it goes!

Kal

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dp Brewing Company




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PostLink    Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2018 12:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

That is the same fan I use. Seems to work fine for my setup.
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daboyce67




Joined: 15 Aug 2014
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin


PostLink    Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2018 12:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well that’s encouraging to know. Thanks.
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kal
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Drinking: Pub Ale, Electric Creamsicle, Mild, Pliny the Younger, Belgian Dark Strong, Weizen, Russian Imperial Stout, Black Butte Porter


PostLink    Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2018 12:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Bonus points too that it’s slightly quieter than the one I use/recommend. I say slightly because most of the noise you’ll hear is from air movement through the ductwork and not the actual fan. If you have yours somewhat hidden or away in the ceiling it makes even less of a difference. Still a lot quieter than propane or NG burners. 😉

Kal

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dp Brewing Company




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PostLink    Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2018 12:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

If I remember correctly it is also very low in power consumption. I think only 40 or 50 watts.
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wscottcross




Joined: 03 Jul 2015
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Drinking: Launch IPA, Double Sunshine clone, Maple Coffee breakfast stout

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PostLink    Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2018 8:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'd be willing to bet that fan would be fine. My setup uses a 460 CFM fan and I can boil 45 gallon batches with a 4 gallon per hour boil-off rate (50 amp control panel with dual elements in the kettle). My hood is very similar to yours and the key is having the boil kettle close to the fan intake, like you're already doing.
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JMD887




Joined: 31 Jan 2018
Posts: 120
Location: Akron, Ohio

Drinking: Two Hearted Ale

Working on: American Red IPA


PostLink    Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2018 1:41 pm    Post subject: Re: Exhaust Fan Question Reply with quote

daboyce67 wrote:


My hood is 2' by 6.5' and 1 foot top to bottom. The exhaust is on the end (the same end as the boil kettle). The bottom of the hood is about 20" above the top of my kettles. I have about a 3.5-4 foot run total from hood outlet to outside vent cap with two right angle elbows (a 90 degree elbow at the hood outlet pointing up, 1 foot of duct to another 90 degree elbow pointing to the rear and connecting directly to the fan and then about another 1 foot run out the back of the house. All ducting is 6" until the output of the fan where I'm contemplating a 6" to 4" reduction out the back of the house, which would be about 12-15" to the vent cap.

Thanks in advance for any advice.


thats a nice looking vent- who manufactured it/ where did you find it... currently shopping around.

thanks,
John
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daboyce67




Joined: 15 Aug 2014
Posts: 43
Location: Hayward, Wisconsin


PostLink    Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2018 3:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

It was a “one-off” custom made locally here in Hayward, Wisconsin. My nephew runs a welding shop here and he also does some metal work. Gave him a plan and he made it in his shop. Cost me about the same as the ones from Fast Kitchen hoods (which was my first choice). But I saved the steep shipping costs from the Fast Canadian outlet to here in northwestern Wisconsin (would have pretty much doubled the cost of the hood). He did a pretty decent job - I’m certainly pleased with how it turned out.
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kal
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Joined: 12 Dec 2010
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Location: Ottawa, Canada

Drinking: Pub Ale, Electric Creamsicle, Mild, Pliny the Younger, Belgian Dark Strong, Weizen, Russian Imperial Stout, Black Butte Porter


PostLink    Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2018 4:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

For what it's worth, there's nothing overly special about the hood from Fast Kitchen Hoods - I simply chose them due the close proximity to me. Shipping to far away addresses or outside the country (they're in Canada) doesn't really make sense as any restaurant supply shop or stainless shop should be able to make one to your specs. Good luck!

Kal

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daboyce67




Joined: 15 Aug 2014
Posts: 43
Location: Hayward, Wisconsin


PostLink    Posted: Thu May 17, 2018 10:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well, finally an update. I installed the Vortex S-Line exhaust fan and took it thru a boil test. The plan was to boil off a couple gallons, much like would occur when brewing a typical 10 gallon batch. Anyhow, the long and the short of it was that the fan was a bust. It had no problem moving the generated steam out through the exhaust ducting. The issue was condensation within the fan itself. Mind you, this fan has a plastic oval shape with a seam in the middle. It began to leak out the area where the cord exits the fan as well as the white plastic seam that connects the two halves of the fan together. It also leaked out the exhaust end of the fan where it is clamped in the included bracket used to mount the fan. That end of the fan has a rubber gasket running around it in an attempt to create a seal with the mounting "strap" that holds the fan to the bracket. Unfortunately it didn't work as presumably designed.

I called the company (Vortex) and talked to their technical staff. Their first recommendation is to mount the fan vertically so that the moisture would run back down into the hood and hopefully back into the BK (rather than horizontally, as I have it) but I am not able to do that (and didn't believe that was a valid solution). Their next recommendation was to mount it tipped down so the moisture would run out the exhaust end but that option wasn't available to me due to a lack of head room based on where I have it mounted. So lastly, knowing that you opted to remove a screw to allow it to drain and since there were no screws in the plastic housing, I asked whether drilling a hold in the bottom would resolve the issue. They stated it would void the warranty but that it could work and told me where to place the hole. Unfortunately, although it did allow some moisture to drip out from that hold, it continued to ooze out between the rubber gasket on the exhaust end of the fan. So all and all, not a good solution.

So, here's my question. Is this condensation something we are destined to live (and deal) with and, if so, has removing the screw from the Vortex VTX model that you use and sealing the wire entry point been sufficient to resolve this issue for you guys? If so, I'll just bite the bullet and upgrade to the VTX (which I likely should have purchased to begin with but that's a whole other story).
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kal
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Location: Ottawa, Canada

Drinking: Pub Ale, Electric Creamsicle, Mild, Pliny the Younger, Belgian Dark Strong, Weizen, Russian Imperial Stout, Black Butte Porter


PostLink    Posted: Thu May 17, 2018 11:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

[quote="daboyce67"]So, here's my question. Is this condensation something we are destined to live (and deal) with [/quote[
If the steam has a chance to cool, some condensation will occur. It's normal. It's why I have a drip hole. Insulating helps minimize cooling of the steam which in turn minimizes the condensation but there's always going to be sone.

Quote:
has removing the screw from the Vortex VTX model that you use and sealing the wire entry point been sufficient to resolve this issue for you guys?

I get about 1/4 to 1/2 cup dripping out of mine per brew day. So yes, works fine.

The trick is to not try and stop condensation from occurring at all. You instead want to minimize it (short ducts, insulated, etc) and capture it/direct it.

Kal

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dp Brewing Company




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Location: Midwest

Drinking: Chocolate Taco, Raspberry Mango Cider, American X, Sandy Dunes

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PostLink    Posted: Mon May 21, 2018 12:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

With the louvers I installed on my hood, the condensation develops on the louvers not the fan housing. I've angled them back a bit and the water runs to the back of hood where I installed a drain track. Not sure if that helps your situation but thought I would speak up in case you were still brainstorming.
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daboyce67




Joined: 15 Aug 2014
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Location: Hayward, Wisconsin


PostLink    Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2018 8:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

[quote="kal"]
daboyce67 wrote:
So, here's my question. Is this condensation something we are destined to live (and deal) with [/quote[
If the steam has a chance to cool, some condensation will occur. It's normal. It's why I have a drip hole. Insulating helps minimize cooling of the steam which in turn minimizes the condensation but there's always going to be sone.

Quote:
has removing the screw from the Vortex VTX model that you use and sealing the wire entry point been sufficient to resolve this issue for you guys?

I get about 1/4 to 1/2 cup dripping out of mine per brew day. So yes, works fine.

The trick is to not try and stop condensation from occurring at all. You instead want to minimize it (short ducts, insulated, etc) and capture it/direct it.

Kal


Kal,

Ok, so the S-600 exhaust fan clearly wasn’t gonna work. It was leaking out of seam that connects the two halves of the fan body together. Out of frustration I decided to scrap that fan and ordered the VTX fan that you all are using. Installed it, removed the screw that Vortex recommended removing. We got all the duct work reconnected and did a test. The fan did leak out of that hole. Additionally it leaked water out of the seam between the two halves of the exhaust fan. Is that what you guys are seeing also. I contacted Vortex support and they were somewhat at a loss. They wondered if I shouldn’t try to seal the seam, possibly applying silicone to the seam to keep it from leaking there.

My question, are you also seeing water oozing out along the seam and, if so, have you done anything to rectify that or have you just let it drain there also and collect it, possibly with a bucket? If you’re not seeing moisture coming out anywhere else other than the hole where you removed the screw than I clearly have something wrong or a problem fan.

Thanks for any help here.
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kal
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Posts: 11116
Location: Ottawa, Canada

Drinking: Pub Ale, Electric Creamsicle, Mild, Pliny the Younger, Belgian Dark Strong, Weizen, Russian Imperial Stout, Black Butte Porter


PostLink    Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2018 8:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

daboyce67 wrote:
Out of frustration I decided to scrap that fan and ordered the VTX fan that you all are using. Installed it, removed the screw that Vortex recommended removing. We got all the duct work reconnected and did a test. The fan did leak out of that hole. Additionally it leaked water out of the seam between the two halves of the exhaust fan. Is that what you guys are seeing also. I contacted Vortex support and they were somewhat at a loss. They wondered if I shouldn’t try to seal the seam, possibly applying silicone to the seam to keep it from leaking there.

You may want to seal around the seam like you mentioned. I do mention sealing the electrical box cover and wire entry point in the build instructions so make sure to do that.

I do not have water dripping out elsewhere.

Kal

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daboyce67




Joined: 15 Aug 2014
Posts: 43
Location: Hayward, Wisconsin


PostLink    Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2018 9:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

kal wrote:
daboyce67 wrote:
Out of frustration I decided to scrap that fan and ordered the VTX fan that you all are using. Installed it, removed the screw that Vortex recommended removing. We got all the duct work reconnected and did a test. The fan did leak out of that hole. Additionally it leaked water out of the seam between the two halves of the exhaust fan. Is that what you guys are seeing also. I contacted Vortex support and they were somewhat at a loss. They wondered if I shouldn’t try to seal the seam, possibly applying silicone to the seam to keep it from leaking there.

You may want to seal around the seam like you mentioned. I do mention sealing the electrical box cover and wire entry point in the build instructions so make sure to do that.

I do not have water dripping out elsewhere.

Kal


Well, I can certainly do that. On the other hand, since so many of us are using the same fan, I see no reason why my fan should be behaving any differently anyone else’s. The Vortex support person asked me to contact you to see if your fan was behaving like mine, and if not, then to call them back. Since it’s after hours there, I’ll call them tomorrow.

I do have one other related question. I am no engineer so I have no idea what could be causing this, but there is one thing that I’ve wondered about. My duct on the outbound side of the fan the 6” outlet of the fan connects to a 4” duct that exits the house. Can that restriction have enough of a negative effect on the airflow to contribute to the amount of condensation I’m seeing?
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kal
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Drinking: Pub Ale, Electric Creamsicle, Mild, Pliny the Younger, Belgian Dark Strong, Weizen, Russian Imperial Stout, Black Butte Porter


PostLink    Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2018 9:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

You've made me second guess myself as it's been 10 years since I installed my own Vortex fan, so I went and double checked and I do have a bead of silicone sealant around the outside seam. I probably did this at the same time that I sealed up the electrical box cover and wire entry point as a 'just in case' thing. I don't remember having leaks around the seam.

I would simply do that and be done with. I doubt there's anything wrong with your fan. Fit and finish likely varies slightly between units and everyone has a slightly different install, so I wouldn't expect them all to behave identically. Put a thin bead on the seam and be done. I doubt there's anything wrong with your unit.

That said, I know many have posted here having great success with the newer model you had issues with so there may be something about your setup that causes issues.

Any restrictions to airflow could possibly have negative effects. No idea if there's enough however to cause the issues you're seeing (that's not something that can easily be judged with the information on hand).

Kal

EDIT: Sealing the seam is probably a prudent idea. I see no downsides. So I've added the following now to the build instructions in the ventilation section:

"We also recommend applying a thin bead of silicone around the perimeter seam between the two halves of the unit. This will ensure that all moisture is forced out the screw hole in a controlled manner and not out any small cracks or gaps."

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daboyce67




Joined: 15 Aug 2014
Posts: 43
Location: Hayward, Wisconsin


PostLink    Posted: Sat Jun 23, 2018 10:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

As a side note, I noticed the label on the side of the fan that states "Suitable for dry locations only. Not for use in the kitchen". Yet when I contacted Vortex support, they did not mention this, even after I explained the issue I was seeing. Which just creates more confusion since if you go to their website and select "Applications" up comes a webpage of "Typical Residential Applications" and at the top of the display is the VTX600 as a kitchen exhaust fan. Very confusing. Oh, well.
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