Maybe you should go to their web site and check the installation instructions. I am not sure it is designed to be installed like this. It is a great piece of equipment and with the silencer it is very quiet.

Thanks for the tip. I already checked out the installation instructions, and I would be doing it to their specs. It would work, but my question is, would the sound of it working in my kitchen (as apposed to my attic) be overwhelming...

I'd love to hear from someone who has one, how loud it is if you are a few feet away when it is operating.

Thanks!

J

In addition to getting comments from strangers, you can ask Broan and Fantech -- I'm sure they can answer this question over the phone too: they may advise against it, or they may say the motor is quiet (e.g. as quiet as any other motor in any regular hood).

Since you have a hood already, and your project is customizing to suit yourself, I thought it would be good to consider an inline blower.

If you found a power pack (or insert) it would probably require more work to make it fit right and tight, and it would make more noise since it is open on one end.

-david

Since I'm being sited as a justification, let me be clear: I think the concerns about installing a commercial range in a multi-family dwelling are right on target. I would not advocate any installation like this unless it was properly vetted and inspected. For example, if this truly is a commercial range, then you would also be held to commercial ventilation standards. A $15 hood, with NO baffling system, no fire suppression system, no addressing of makeup air requirements, not to mention questions of standoff distance from cabinetry, wall surface fire resistance, etc are a whole different kettle of fish. If this is truly a commercial range, then installing it without completely addressing all relevant issues seems foolish, hazardous, and likely, illegal.

Even if all of these issues were addressed, it still strikes me as pretty crazy to consider using a high end, expensive blower like the 10XL, combined with a $15 throwaway hood. What's that about? Why not (assuming all the other issues listed have actually been addressed) use a commercial grade hood with internal blowers? (Having said that, I know NOTHING about commercial hoods--there may not be any like that, so take it FWIW). There is NO advantage to an inline blower when it cannot be mounted remotely, so save yourself the trouble and go with an internal unit. Doesn't that make more sense?

But DON'T do it unless you are 100% sure (and the proper authorities agree) that the installation is safe and legal.

many many many makes out there.

Go to an ecommerce site and use key words like blower, insert, power-pack, and liner (although i always thought liners were just the thin layer of steel lining a chimney, it is a useful term and it appears to mean the motor too.)

Congratulations on getting a massive hood. I think it is a great find.

I'll ask you a few questions, in reverse order.

What dimensions is the opening at the top of the hood? Rectangular or round? Do you know what an adaptor or transition is in terms of ducting? What duct size would you think you want to install? Before that, the big question is the quantity of air (CFM) you expect to blow. Before that, the kind of cooking you do, and whether it's for one, for two, or for a whole restaurant size crowd (i.e. many burners on high, and often).

Since you have complete access to your future duct, an inline motor is an option. A good option. There is no advantage to "inserting" the motor into the hood, compared to having the motor be positioned in the duct (inline) or even outdoors on the outside wall.

J, you have a good sense of what is needed. First you got a "sump" (the collector / hood / canopy / umbrella) and now you want a blower. Makes sense to me.

When I list a bunch of terms as if they were synonyms, it helps you search later. Don't take any term too seriously. Below is a link to another thread where I may have confused the woman who posted her query. Too many terms.

HTH
-david

Here is a link that might be useful: Where to find the 'guts' to fit in custom stove hood

These are great questions. Thank you David.

- I plan on using 10" duct.
- The hole in the hood is a 10" circle.
- The "adapter" will need to be a duct color w/ either "tabs" or a "stick on" color. (http://www.ductmate.com/pipeandfittings/startingcollars.asp) I'll likely need to caulk the connection.
- I mostly cook for two, but weekly cook for 4-8, and monthly cook for 15 or more. On occasion, even more. I cook a lot. I also do canning in the summer, make stock etc.. Not a ton of wok style, or deep fried, but some, and certainly searing fish and meat.
- My gut says that w/ 6 burners, 2 ovens, and a griddle, I'll probably want to have minimum 1000 CFM, though likely I'll keep the blower on low nine-tenths of the time.

I'm still leaning towards the inline fantech fdk10xl, as finding an internal blower that meets the needs, fits the hood, costs the same or less, and that I can figure out how to install is proving to be a bit of a trip.

If Clinresga says it sounds like standing next to a 747 jet, I might reconsider.

Thanks,
J

hak- to answer simply, yes, it is a bad idea. I just installed and put into operation a Fantech 10XL above a closet in a back hall exiting to the outside. I'm using it with a Rangecraft hood. It is reasonably quiet there, but I would not want it in the kitchen. Also know this: there is not a great difference in sones between max power and low power, to the point that there is a diminishing return between sound and effective ventilation (in other words, it will still be making noise and not pulling discernable air). You lose the benefit of an in-line blower when it's placed so close to the hood.

20 sones is very, very loud
i have an internal blower in my hood that's something like 6 or 7 sones and it's loud.

Here is a link that might be useful: sones on wiki

The Kobe rangehood product line is claimed to have superior sound deadening even with internal blowers. If noise is an issue for you, I would consider that brand, but try first to find out from this forum from people who have direct experience with the Kobe products. They claim less than 5 sones at top speed, close to 500 cfm. That's not so bad for an internal blower, but it has to be independently confirmed.