Heating Help

Radiant thermostats using floor sensors?

@ March 17, 2011 9:29 PM in Radiant thermostats using floor sensors?

Looking for opinions from you guys that install them all the time.

I am working on a job that has 8 floor warming zones on four different floors (basement plus 3) The building is set up to have all thermostats located in one room, and remote floor sensors installed for each zone. We want to use as simple as possible thermostats, but obviously quality and reliability in a radiant floor is needed. Just curious to see what others are using for floor temp control, that can remote sense the floor temperature.

TIA

Number worked for me

@ March 9, 2011 1:23 PM in resealing analyzer probe holes in vent

That number worked for me.

However, here is a direct link:

http://www.mcmaster.com/#48335k151/=bcznl3

Plugs available from McMaster

@ March 8, 2011 10:21 PM in resealing analyzer probe holes in vent

www.mcmaster.com

for 5/16" hole, nickel plated steel snap in hole plug- part number 9563K83

for PVC, drill 5/16"hole, and tap with 1/8" pipe tap, then use part number 48335K151

Both are easily reusable over and over again.

Joe,

@ December 2, 2010 9:19 PM in Taco Radiant Mixing Block (RMB-1) Pump Diagnosis

I guess I should have been more detailed. I had the RMB-1 in test mode, so both pumps were engaged full power, and both pump symbols were lit. The variable pump was drawing amps, the fixed capacity pump was drawing 0 amps.

My question is, what are the voltage readings supposed to be between red and yellow, red and black, and yellow and black. I have already ordered a new motor and cartridge, as based on the knowledge I have, and the fact that I ohmed the motor out, and only had continuity between to wires, and it was a high (k-ohms) reading. However it would be nice to have these numbers for future reference. I am very busy working right now, so if you could post these readings either here or e-mail them to me I would greatly appreciate it.

Also might I suggest that these voltage readings, and maybe the correct ohm readings for the pump motor(s) be written into the diagnostics page or the RMB installation manual. Seems to me that it is basic and necessary information to have for everyone to perform proper diagnosis, and prevent parts changing or multiple service calls from guessing.

Taco Radiant Mixing Block (RMB-1) Pump Diagnosis

@ December 1, 2010 7:25 AM in Taco Radiant Mixing Block (RMB-1) Pump Diagnosis

Anyone in here ever diagnose a pump problem with a
Taco Radiant Mixing Block. I have one where the system pump is not
pumping and not drawing any amps. The only thing I don't know, and is
not in the RMB instructions, is which wires should be getting power, so I
can make sure it is the pump and not the controller.

How about a little more detail in the manuals too!!!!

@ December 26, 2009 6:02 PM in Ultra 230 MCBA problem

The reason I knew one of those fuses was for the pumps is because I had one the exact scenario you did. But since the manual doesn't specifically list what each fuse does, other then the blurb about the F1, I had to call WM to find out what the fuse protected. New fuse, new pump, all was well.

This was a few years ago, so I don't remember which fuse it was, must have been F1.

Failed gas valve regulator

@ December 26, 2009 5:33 PM in Trane Voyager

My bet would be the regulator on the valve is bad. The manifold gas pressure shuld always be - .20" whether in low fire or high fire. The combustion blower slowing down causes less of a pull on the gas valve, causin less gas to enter, but the gas pressure remains at - .20"So if in low fire the pressure is to low as you stated, but in high fire it is to high unless you throttle down the gas cock, the regulator has failed. You might get lucky and just need to clean out the vent for the regulator on the valve, but I would bet that corrosion has fouled the regulator, and a new valve will resolve the problem.

Checked Control Suppliment

@ December 26, 2009 8:54 AM in Ultra 230 MCBA problem

Robert, I was looking through the on-line manuals, and found in the Control Supplement, on page 22, it states if F1 is blown, check all internal wiring for shorts or defects. If all wiring checks out, then replace control.

I do know that one of those fuses protects the pump circuit, but I don't remember which one.

I would unplug the high voltage to the combustion blower, and the pumps, and then replace the fuse. If it still blows, then your pretty well guaranteed the board is bad. If it doesn't blow, then test the pumps with an ohm  meter for shorts, then power the pump from an extension cord. If the pumps check out OK, then your combustion blower is shorted.

Control Supplement:
http://www.weil-mclain.com/en/multimedia-library/pdf/weil-mclain-pdf/products/discontinued/discontinued-boilers/ultra-series-boiler/ultracontrolsupp.pdf
 

Honeywell Red Link Wireless

@ November 22, 2009 12:10 PM in Wireless Thermostats

We have been using the new Honeywell wireless technology withe great success. I know of one install where we put a Honeywell FocusPro 5000 in a 4 story all concrete building, with the stat on the fourth floor, and the receiver in the basement, and have not had a problem.

You can check out the complete line of Red Link products at:

http://www.forwardthinking.honeywell.com/products/wireless/wireless_products.html

By the way, the FocusPro and VisionPro (including wireless) stats can be configured for heating only applications  including 3-wire zone valves in the installer menu.

M.E.

@ November 17, 2009 5:54 AM in Steam radiator automatic control valves

The customers idea is to have a thermostat in every room, that could control multiple rads in each room, rather then having to dial in each individual thermostatic valve. They still want temperature control, just something they can see the temp they are setting,room by room. So the question is, who is making small motorized or electric steam control valves.

Steam radiator automatic control valves

@ November 16, 2009 5:47 PM in Steam radiator automatic control valves

Hey guys, I've been given a project. One of our
salesmen has a customer that currently has a 2 pipe steam system with
thermostatic valves on all radiators. The customer is requesting
getting rid of the individual valves/power-heads, and installing valves
that would open all radiators in a room by room basis. So I am looking
for some kind of 1/2" and 3/4" and 1" electric zone valve for steam, or let
say a way to control multiple thermostatic valves with one power head.
I'm open to suggestions.


T.I.A.

I have seen

@ October 17, 2009 10:22 PM in Silicon Nitride Hot Surface Ignitor

very few failures of the OEM Nitide ignitors, ( we all know there will be a few that will fail).

However, I talked my current employer last winter into trying the White Rodgers 21D64-2 Universal igniters, as I had used them several times during the 2007-2008 winter. We were having problems with quite a few of them failing on some 80% furnaces, Carrier and Rheem to be specific. The worst part is they would only last about 2 weeks and burn out, We wound up giving up on them. I know we sent them all back for warratny, but who knows what the suppliers did with them.

Honeywell just releases a universal Nitride ignitor called the Glowfly. We are going to try these and see what happens.

Mr Norm

@ October 17, 2009 8:40 PM in Does this repair cost sound reasonable?

If your still in need of replacing your automatic feeder, shoot me an e-mail. I work for a contractor in Skokie, and we go into Chicago all the time, and we do plenty of steam work.

If you can, please get a brand name and model off the feeder, or at least a couple of pictures, so I can tell what you need.

Just click "Contact this user" under my name.

Bump

@ October 3, 2009 7:10 PM in Looking for a Viessmann Vitola 200 with gas burner gurus.

Just a bump to see if anyone here has done a setup on these units that could give me a clue about why my settings versus combustion readings don't match Viessmann's settings versus combustions readings. In other words, what am I missing.

Thanks Paul,

@ October 1, 2009 8:49 PM in Looking for a Viessmann Vitola 200 with gas burner gurus.

appreciate the manual. Now i can see my combustion numbers are pretty good, other than my draft (- .04"), but my setting numbers are not right, such as the air gate, and manifold gas pressure.

Looking for a Viessmann Vitola 200 with gas burner gurus.

@ October 1, 2009 8:02 PM in Looking for a Viessmann Vitola 200 with gas burner gurus.

Hey guys, I'm looking for someone that has experience with setting up the gas burner on a Vitola 200 VB2-22, with gas burner # 7133338.

My employere inherited this boiler about 8 months ago, and it has been going into burner lockout (fault d1) about every 3 months. The flame sensor is cleaned every time and it seems to run OK for a while.

Well I got to see this unit for the first time, and I performed a combustion analysis on it, and the O2 was 0.9%, the CO was over 3000ppm ( the lockout on my Testo).

Now here's what confused me. I checked the manifold gas pressure, at the tap on the manifold pipe, and it was + .42", but the name plate calls for 2.6". Now obviouslly, I didn't want to add gas pressure and make this thing fire worse, so I left the gas pressure at .4" and opened the air gate form # 5 to # 20. This gave me a 5.5% O2 and my CO came down to 14 ppm. This may not be to spec, but at least it's clean and reasonable numbers in my book.

Does anybody have the specs for this boiler/burner combo. Also, am I checking the gas pressure correctly, or am I missing something???

T.I.A.

Carrier Class action Lawsuit settlement

@ September 13, 2009 9:12 PM in Bryant 90% lawsuit?

It's my understanding that the Carrier/Bryant class action law suit settlement covers all 90% furnaces that use the propylene coating in the secondary HX, including current production units. This class action provides labor on top of the parts warranty that is standard. I can testifiy to this as we had a 2 year old Carrier multiposition 90% unit that had a defect in the secondary, and we got labor for the secondary HX replacement, so no cost to the customer.

Now on the older dedicated up flow and down flow units from the late 80's and early to mid 90's, there is a choice to either replace the secondary HX or receive a credit towards the purchase of a new unit. I won't say what the credit is here, but it approximately provides for a new single stage furnace, not including any labor or installation materials. Upgrading to a 2 or 3 stage furnace costs extra (thats why it is a flat credit).

Radiator not there any more

@ August 16, 2009 9:19 PM in Check out this beautiful old steam boiler I worked on.

The condensing radiator is not there any more. There is an open 1 1/4" tap in the top of the regulator. My guess it was removed when the gas conversion was done and the chimney connection with draft hood was redone.

 I would like to see the numbers when the P.M. is done. I will say that from a cold start the boiler heated almost to the point of not being able to touch it in about 10 minutes, which I thought was pretty good.

Will test combustion later.

@ August 16, 2009 5:34 PM in Check out this beautiful old steam boiler I worked on.

Frank, I didn't get to test the burner combustion wise. We will do that in a couple of months when it is time for his contract P.M.

Forgive my ignorance, but where would that radiator be. If it was by the boiler, it is not there any more. I did'nt see anything connected to the chimney, other than the flue. I also did not see any baffles, but I didn't look to hard either, had to many A/C calls waiting.

I need to break out my L.A.O.S.H. and read up on the Broomell system again.

Check out this beautiful old steam boiler I worked on.

@ August 16, 2009 3:09 PM in Check out this beautiful old steam boiler I worked on.

The pictures below are of a 99 year old original International Economy Steam Boiler connected to a Broomell distribution system. This home owner takes incredible pride in his old steamer, as you can see by the custom paint job and the spotless boiler room it is located in.

I was there because after he replaced his thermostat he tested his L.W.C.O. and found it not working. Wound up replacing the M&M # 67. He is also one of the few steam boiler owners that actually flushes his L.W.C.O. weekly as recommended.

And if your wondering why he choose pink, he said his boiler reminded him of the Pepto  Bismol stomach, so he went with P.B. pink.

Bulletins/recalls on Ultra series 1

@ January 14, 2009 11:51 PM in Weil McLain Ultra 230 Series 1 Bulletins

I just worked on a Ultra 230 Series 1, and the freeze plugs are leaking. I know I have seen a bulletin in regards to this, but can't seem to find it. I also seem to remember another bulletin in regards to the Series 1 Ultra's, but can't remember what it was. If anyone has the bulletins or links to them, I would greatly appreciate the info. TIA

Get a new pilot assembly

@ November 23, 2008 4:54 PM in Gas Furnace

A lot of the Heil/Tempstar furnaces used the Honeywell Q345 Series Combo Spark/Sensor pilots in them with the straight spark Probe. Due to random situations like yours they switched to a Honeywell Q373 Series Pilot that has the electrode bent at a 90° into the pilot hood. http://customer.honeywell.com/techlit/pdf/68-0000s/68-0094.pdf