Loren Cook AVA Installation Manual

VA/AVA/AF

Vane Axial Inline Blowers

INSTALLATION, OPERATION, AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL

This publication contains the installation, operation
and maintenance instructions for standard units of the
VA/AVA/AF- Vane Axial Inline Blowers.

• VAD/VAB/VAHB • AVAD/AVAB

• AFB-C/AFBV-C • AFB-H/AFBV-H

• AFB-S/AFBV-S • AFD-C/AFDV-C

Carefully read this publication prior to any installa­tion or maintenance procedure.

Loren Cook catalog, VA/AVA/AF, provides additional infor­mation describing the equipment, fan performance, avail­able accessories, and specification data.

For additional safety information, refer to AMCA publica­tion 410-96, Safety Practices for Users and Installers of
Industrial and Commercial Fans.

All of the publications listed above can be obtained from
Loren Cook Company by phoning [phone], exten­sion 166; by FAX at [phone]; or by e-mail at
[e-mail].

For information on special equipment, contact Loren
Cook Company Customer Service Department at (417)
869-6474.

Receiving and Inspection

Carefully inspect the fan and accessories for any damage
and shortage immediately upon receipt of the fan.

• Turn the prop by hand to ensure it turns freely and does
not bind.

• Record on the Delivery Receipt any visible sign of dam­age.

inhibiting oil. Refer to Lubricants on page 6. Also, store the
fan in its original crate and protect it from dust, debris and
the weather.

Outdoor Storage

To maintain good working condition of a Vane Axial when
it is stored outdoors, or on a construction site, follow the
additional steps below.

• Cover the inlet and outlet, and belt tunnel opening to pre­vent the accumulation of dirt and moisture in the hous­ing.

• Periodically rotate the prop and operate dampers (if sup­plied) to keep a coating of grease on all internal bearing
parts.

• Periodically inspect the unit to prevent damaging condi­tions.

Personal Safety

Disconnect switches are recommended. Place the
disconnect switch near the fan in order that the
power can be swiftly cut off in case of an emergency,
and in order that maintenance personnel are
provided complete control of the power source.

Installation

To prevent damage to the fan during shipping, motors 25
HP and larger, and extremely heavy motors (cast iron or
severe duty) are shipped loose and must be field mounted
by bolting the motor on the motor mounting plate in the
existing mounting slots.

Handling

Handle your equipment with care. Some fans are pro­vided with lifting lugs or holes for easy handling. Others
must be handled using nylon straps or well-padded chains
and cables which protect the fan’s coating and housing.
Spreader bars should be used when lifting large parts.

Axial fans should be lifted by using straps around the fan
housing only. DO NOT LIFT AXIAL FANS BY THE MOTOR,
MOTOR BASE, PROP OR FLANGES.

WARNING

This unit has rotating parts. Safety precautions
should be exercised at all times during installation,
operation, and maintenance.
ALWAYS disconnect power prior to working on fan.

Storage

If the fan is stored for any length of time prior to installa-

tion, completely fill the bearings with grease or moisture-

VAD

Note

Extreme vibration is a serious problem that may
cause structural and mechanical failure. To help
vibration and noise from being transferred to the
building, isolators are recommended.

Isolation Installation

Floor Mounted Spring Isolators

a. Mount fan and motor on unitary base (if supplied).
b. Elevate fan (or isolation base) to operating height and

insert blocks to hold in position.

c. Position isolators under the fan and vertically align by

inserting leveling bolt through mounting holes in the fan or
the base. The isolator must be installed on a level surface.

d. Adjust the isolators by turning the leveling nut counter

clockwise several turns at a time alternately on each isola­tor until the fan weight is transferred onto the isolators and
the fan raises uniformly off the blocks. Then remove the
blocks.

e. Turn lock nut onto leveling bolt and secure firmly in place

against the top of the mounting flange or frame.

f. Secure isolators to mounting surface.

Ceiling Mounted Spring Isolator

Figure 2 - Ceiling Mount Isolators

Rubber-In-Shear Ceiling Isolators

Duct Installation

Efficient fan performance relies on the proper installation of
inlet and discharge ducts. Be sure your fan conforms to the
guidelines below.

Non-Ducted Inlet Clearance

If your fan has an open inlet (no duct work), the fan must
be placed one fan wheel diameter away from walls and bulk­heads.

MIN

1 DIA

Spring Isolator

Figure 1 -Floor Mount Isolators

Rubber-In-Shear Isolator

Floor Mounted Rubber-In-Shear (RIS) Isolators

a. Mount fan and motor on a unitary isolation base (if sup-

plied).

b. Elevate fan to provide room to insert isolators between the

fan and foundation and block in position.
c. Position isolators under fan and secure bolts.
d. Remove blocks and allow fan to rest on floor. Isolators

must be installed on a level surface (leveling should not be

required).
e. Secure isolators to mounting surface.

Ceiling Mounted Spring and Rubber-in-Shear (RIS) Isola­tors

a. Elevate fan to operating height and brace.
b. Attach threaded rod to overhead support structure directly

above each mounting hole. Rod should extend to within a
few feet of fan.

c. Attach isolator to end of threaded rod using a nut on each

side of isolator bracket.

d. Insert another section of threaded rod through the fan

mounting hole and isolator.

e. Attach two nuts to threaded rod in isolator.

f. Place adjusting nut and locking nut on threaded rod near

fan mounting bracket.

g. Alternately rotate adjusting nut at each mounting location

until the fan weight is uniformly transferred to the isolators.
Remove bracing.

Non-ducted Inlet Clearance

Incorrect

Fan

Inlet Bell

Air Flow

Min

1 Dia.

Correct

Fan

Inlet Bell

Air Flow

Inlet Bell

Free Discharge

Avoid a free discharge into the plenum. This will result in

lost efficiency because it doesn’t allow for a static regain.

Incorrect

Fan

Inlet Bell

Air Flow

Min

1 Dia.

Correct

Fan

Inlet Bell

Air Flow

Free Discharge

Inlet Duct Turns

For ducted inlets, allow at least 3 fan wheel diameters

between duct turns or elbows and the fan inlet.

Correct

Min 3

Dia

Incorrect

Inlet Duct Turns

2

Discharge Duct Turns

1 foot

1/4 inch

When possible, allow 3 duct diameters between duct
turns or elbows and the fan outlet. Refer to the drawings at
the top of page 3.

Correct

MIN

3 DIA

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect Incorrect

Incorrect

Discharge Duct Turns

Correct Incorrect

Small

Duct

Diverging
Inlet
Cone

Air Flow

Fan

Inlet Cone

Large
Duct

Small

Duct

Inlet

Air Flow

Fan

Large
Duct

Belt and Pulley Installation

Belt tension is determined by the sound the belts make
when the fan is first started. Belts will produce a loud
squeal which dissipates after the fan is operating at full
capacity. If the belt tension is too tight or too loose, lost effi­ciency and possible damage can occur.

Do not change the pulley pitch diameter to change ten­sion. This will result in a different fan speed.

a. Loosen motor plate adjustment bolts and move motor

plate in order that the belts can easily slip into the
grooves on the pulleys. Never pry, roll, or force the
belts over the rim of the pulley.

b. Adjust the motor plate until proper tension is reached.

For proper tension, a deflection of approximately 1/4”
per foot of center distance should be obtained by
firmly pressing the belt. Refer to Figure 3.

c. Lock the motor plate adjustment nuts in place.

d. Ensure pulleys are properly aligned. Refer to Figure 4.

Figure 4

Pulley Alignment

Pulley alignment is adjusted by loosening the motor pul­ley setscrew and by moving the motor pulley on the motor
shaft or by moving the entire motor along the motor mount­ing bracket.

Figure 4 illustrates correct and incorrect pulley alignment.
A recommended method of inspecting the pulley alignment
is shown in Figure 5. With the shorter leg of a carpenter’s
square or other straight edge lying along the case of the
motor, adjust the position of the motor pulley (or the motor
until the longer leg of the square is parallel to the belt.

Wiring Installation

All wiring should be in accordance with
local ordinances and the National Electri­cal Code, NFPA 70. Ensure the power
supply (voltage, frequency, and current
carrying capacity of wires) is in accordance
with the motor nameplate.

Lock off all power sources before unit
is wired to power source.

Leave enough slack in the wiring to
allow for motor movement when adjusting belt tension.
Some fractional motors have to be removed in order to
make the connection with the terminal box at the end of the
motor. To remove motor, remove bolts securing motor base
to power assembly. Do not remove motor mounting bolts.

Follow the wiring diagram in the disconnect switch
and the wiring diagram provided with the motor. Cor­rectly label the circuit on the main power box and
always identify a closed switch to promote safety (i.e.,
red tape over a closed switch).

Figure 5

Figure 3

3

Wiring Diagrams

Single Speed, Single Phase Motor

Ground A

L

T-1

T-4

Ground B

When ground is required, attach to ground A or B with no. 6 thread forming
screw. To reverse, interchange T-1 and T-4.

1

Line

L

2

Wiring Diagrams

3 Phase, 9 Lead Motor

3 Phase, 9 Lead Motor
Y-Connection

Low Voltage

208/230 Volts

4

5

6

1

728

L2L

L

1

To reverse, interchange any 2 line leads.

High Voltage

460 Volts

456

3
9

3

789

12

L

1

L2L

3

3

3 Phase, 9 Lead Motor
Delta-Connection

Low Voltage

208/230 Volts

7
6

1

L

1

2 Speed, 2 Winding, Single Phase Motor 2 Speed, 1 Winding, 3 Phase Motor

Ground A

T-1

T-4

Ground B

When ground required, attach to ground A or B with No. 6 thread forming
screw. To reverse, interchange T-1 and T-4 leads.

High Speed

L

1

L

2

Low Speed

Line

1

Together

2

Motor

3

L

4
5
6

1

L

2

Line

L

3

Motor

To reverse, interchange any 2 line leads. Motors require magnetic control.

Single Speed, Single Phase, Dual Voltage 2 Speed, 2 Winding, 3 Phase

Ground A

L

T-5

J-10

Ground B

Link A

Link B

Low Voltage

Line

L

1

T-5

J-10

2

Ground B

When ground required, attach to ground A or B with No. 6 thread forming
screw. To reverse, interchange T-5 and J-10 leads.

Ground A

Link A & B

High Voltage

T

Low Speed

3

Low Speed

T

L

1

Line

L

2

Motor

T

T
T
T

2

1

11

12

13

Low Speed

High Speed
High Speed
High Speed

To reverse: High Speed-interchange leads T11 and T12.
Low Speed-interchange leads T
line leads.

and T2. Both Speeds-interchange any 2

1

Typical Fan Motor/Damper Motor Schematic

High Voltage

460 Volts

9

8
4
2

L3L

2

789

5
3

456

3

12

L1L

L

3

2

Low SpeedHigh Speed

L

1

1

L

2
3

Line

2

L

3

4

Open

5
6

L

1

L

2

Line

L

3

Fan

Motor

Transformer**

Damper

Motor*

Second
Damper

Motor

L3
L2
L1

Transformer**

For 3 phase, damper motor voltage should be the same between L1 and
L

. For single phase application, disregard L3. *Damper motors may be

2

available in 115, 230 and 460 volt models. The damper motor nameplate
voltage should be verified prior to connection. ** A transformer may be
provided in some installations to correct the damper motor voltage to the
specified voltage.

4