Alnor LOFLO BALOMETER 6200 User manual

ALNOR®LOFLO BALOMETER®
CAPTURE HOOD
OWNER’S MANUAL
P/N 116620001, REV 08
SEPTEMBER 2014
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 1 General Description ................................................ 1
Section 2 Theory of Operation ................................................ 1
Section 3 Safety ...................................................................... 2
Section 4 Instrument Setup and Storage ................................ 2
Section 5 About the Instrument Display .................................. 4
Section 6 Getting Started ........................................................ 5
Section 7 Detailed Operation .................................................. 5
Section 8 Troubleshooting ...................................................... 8
Section 9 Maintenance ........................................................... 9
Section 10 Service Information ............................................... 10
Appendix A Correction Factors for Standard
Flow Rate to Actual Flow Rate ............................. 11
Appendix B Model 6200 LoFlo Balometer® Capture Hood Field
Setting Instruction for User Programmable
Correction Factors ................................................ 12
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1
SECTION 1
General Description
The Alnor® LoFlo Balometer® Capture Hood is a
compact instrument that measures very low air
flow rates in HVAC systems. It measures from 10
to 500 cfm (17 to 850 m3/h, 4.7 to 236 l/s). The
LoFlo Balometer® Capture Hood displays standard
air volume rate when placed at supply or return
diffusers, registers, or grilles located on the
ceiling, wall, or floor.
The LoFlo Balometer® Capture Hood has a vent
mechanism which reduces the restriction of air
flow caused by the instrument. This unique venting
system (patent pending) allows the instrument to
remain compact while still measuring a wide range
of volume rates. The LoFlo Balometer® Capture
Hood should be used with the vents closed at
lower volume rates, but higher volume rates
should be measured with the vents open to
minimize any resistance effects. A 2-point
measurement may be taken to compensate for the
resistance effect of the instrument at higher
volume rates.
The LoFlo Balometer® Capture Hood is battery
powered and may be used with or without optional
hoods. It weighs just over 6 pounds with the 2' x 2'
hood, helping to reduce worker fatigue.
SECTION 2
Theory of Operation: Capture Hoods
and Thermo-anemometry Sensing
As air exits a diffuser, it is captured in the hood or
base and directed over a manifold. The manifold
averages the velocity pressure and directs air over
the sensors. The velocity and temperature of the
air passing through the manifold are sensed, using
a constant temperature thermo-anemometer
principle. The voltage output from the sensor is
then calibrated for the entire volume rate passing
through the LoFlo Balometer® Capture Hood.
All capture hoods are susceptible to “odd” air flow
patterns. “Odd” could refer to any air flow pattern
different from the pattern where it was calibrated.
Substantial negative effects can be observed
when using a large hood on a small diffuser. For
example, using a 2' x 2' hood on a 10" x 10"
diffuser. This creates large recirculation regions on
the sides of the fabric hood and causes an “odd”
air flow pattern as it passes over the manifold. It is
recommended to match the hood closely to the
size of the diffuser.
 NOTE: Throughout this manual, the units cfm,
m3/h and l/s are used for simplicity. Note,
however, that the LoFlo Balometer® Capture
Hood actually reads in standard cubic feet per
minute (scfm), standard cubic meters per hour
(std. m3/h), or standard liters per second
(std. l/s).
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SECTION 3
Safety
When using the LoFlo Balometer® Capture Hood
to check air flow at ceiling diffusers, make certain
that you can safely raise and hold the unit while
making measurements. Be especially careful
when working on a ladder.
Observe all necessary precautions so that the unit
does not become caught in moving machinery or
touch any exposed electrical wiring.
The LoFlo Balometer® Capture Hood is not
designed for gas mixtures other than air. Use with
corrosive or other dangerous or explosive gas
mixtures is not recommended and is at the user’s
risk.
C A U T I O N
WHILE USING THE LOFLO BALOMETER® INSTRUMENT TO TEST AIR FLOW IN DUCTS, YOU
MAY COME INTO CONTACT WITH OR BE EXPOSED TO DUST, POLLEN, MOLD, FUNGUS, OR
OTHER AIRBORNE CONTAMINANTS. IF YOU ARE OR MAY BE SENSITIVE TO DUST, POLLEN,
MOLD, FUNGUS, OR OTHER AIRBORNE CONTAMINANTS, ALWAYS USE AN APPROPRIATE
MASK OR RESPIRATOR WHILE EMPLOYING THE LOFLO BALOMETER® INSTRUMENT.
SECTION 4
Instrument Setup and Storage
Hood Setup
1. Locate the four (4) aluminum channels for the
hood and position them into a square with the
foam facing up. Slide the “U” opening on the
channel end (Fig. 1) and corner bracket
toward the brass eyelets until you feel it latch.
2. Continue with the other two channels until you
have a square frame that is locked tightly in all
four corners.
3. Locate the hood for the frame size you have
assembled.
4. Position a corner seam of the hood onto the
corner of the frame. Stretch the nylon hood to
an adjacent corner until the hood corner
meets the frame corner.
5. Push the elastic cord into the channel along
the side of the frame.
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 until the hood assembly
is complete and ready to mount onto the base.
7. Place hood on a table or clean floor with the
base inside the opening. Pull the hood over
the base. Rotate the hood assembly until the
metal cups are above the spring-loaded pins.
8. Locate the hood support rods. Extend the
hood so it is taut and insert one support rod
onto the spring-loaded pin closest to you.
9. Push the support rod down and insert the top
end of the rod into the metal cup on the hood
frame. Fig 1.
10. Install the rod on the opposite side then install
the last two rods.
Figure 1
Hood Frame Channel
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3
Instrument Storage
The hood and frame assemblies can be detached
from the instrument base and placed inside their
own carrying case without disassembly.
The LoFlo Balometer® Capture Hood should
always be turned off before re-packing the
instrument. If storing the LoFlo Balometer®
Capture Hood for an extended period of time,
remove the batteries to prevent damage due to
leakage.
Battery Installation
To install the 4 C-size batteries that ship with the
LoFlo Balometer® Capture Hood:
1. Make sure the LoFlo Balometer® Capture
Hood switch is off.
2. Remove the battery cover located on top of
the meter.
3. Slide the battery holder up until the snap
connector is exposed.
4. Disconnect the battery holder from the LoFlo
Balometer® Capture Hood.
5. Install the 4 C size batteries in the holder.
6. Reconnect the snap connector and slide the
battery holder into the battery compartment.
7. Replace battery cover.
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