Quest 506 MERV 13 Replacement Filter and the Coil Behind It
Quest part 4038233 is the pleated MERV 13 panel the 6 Series breathes through. On a 506, 706, 746 or 876 that is a lot of air. Everything suspended in it reaches the coil unless the media stops it first. MERV 13 is the densest grade Quest builds for this chassis. The EPA holds it to 50 percent or better from 0.3 to 1 micron, the band spores travel in. From 3 to 10 microns that rises to 90 percent. Quest's own framing is 65 percent more effective than MERV 8 and 20 percent more than MERV 11. Clean media is what keeps the machine at its rated pints, because a loaded face means full power draw for less water. The catalogue size is 18 x 20 x 2 and a tape reads 20 x 17.88 x 2.
Quest 506 Filter Size Is Only Half the Answer, Because the Unit Takes Two
Each of these units takes two panels, not one. Quest states it on the accessory listing. The 506 manual repeats it in the parts breakdown, where the same filter carries the number 4038789-05 at a quantity of two. Swap both together. On a bank of 6 Series machines that is two panels per unit per change, which is worth working into the maintenance schedule. Leave one loaded and the fresh panel carries the uneven share while the coil still sees dirty air. Quest's 506 manual says the filter should be checked every six months and changed at least with every grow cycle. The honest trade with MERV 13 is that the density doing the work is also what fills up sooner than a coarser grade would. The manual is blunt about skipping it altogether. Running the unit without a filter, or with a less effective one, can clog the heat exchange coils. Quest states that it also invalidates the warranty.
Key Features
- Quest part 4038233: The part number to match for a single panel, which is how these are stocked
- Two panels per unit: Quest states the 506, 706, 746 and 876 each require two, so a single filter is a half replacement
- MERV 13 pleated media: EPA holds the grade to 50 percent or better from 0.3 to 1 micron and 90 percent from 3 to 10, so spores stop at the panel
- Keeps the evaporator coil clean: Quest's manual warns a clogged coil can need disassembly to clean, which is the repair this panel exists to prevent
- Holds rated capacity: A loaded face makes the unit draw full power for less water, so fresh media is the simplest way to keep output up
- 18 x 20 x 2 nominal, 20 x 17.88 x 2 actual: Both figures published here, which settles the gap between the Quest catalogue and a tape measure
- Fits the Quest 6 Series line: Covers the 506, the 506 277V and 208/230V builds, the 706 50-Hz, the 746 480V and the 876
- Six-month check, grow-cycle change: Quest's 506 manual says to check the filter every six months and change it at least with every grow cycle
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Quest part number | 4038233 |
| Filtration grade | MERV 13 |
| Nominal size | 18 x 20 x 2 in |
| Actual size | 20 x 17.88 x 2 in |
| Filters per unit | 2 (replace both together) |
| Compatible models | Quest 506, 506 277V, 506 208/230V, 706 50-Hz, 746 480V, 876 |
| Replacement interval | Check every 6 months; change at least with every grow cycle |
More on how Quest and Anden size their filters, what the MERV numbers mean and when each brand says to change them: Quest and Anden Filters: Sizes, Ratings and Replacement Timing.