Best Of
Re: HELP - I've had to replace my gas boiler TWICE - every 10 years
Moved this to Strictly Steam. Thanks.
Also, yes, there is a notification when @HeatingHelp.com is mentioned. -Andrew
Re: Favorite Primary Control
The 7565 replaced the 7505, and it makes the Contractor tool obsolete. You need to open the app for diagnostics with the 7565. Whipping out my phone is the last thing I want to do when servicing an oil burner.
I like the 70200 mostly because I can jump FF and ohm out the cad cell without removing the control.
HVACNUT
Re: house Humidity too low - winter time
As the outdoor temperature goes down so should the indoor RH. This prevents condensation on windows.
pecmsg
Re: How Do I Connect This Wire?
Ed, I know I only count as one who already voted, but story telling is what makes for a great book. Dan tells stories and they work! You just told a compelling story that draws us in for what's next. 🤩👍️
Yours, Larry
Re: Sanity check on older hydronic boiler setup
It looks to me like the expansion tank is piped into the 2.5" return above the pump, and the pump is pumping the 2.5" return down into both boilers. That is "pumping away" from the tank as you say, but it's pumping "towards" the boiler. That means that the pump is adding 17 psi to the 10 psi static pressure in the tank to get 27 psi in the boiler. So don't add any pressure to the tank, because whatever pressure you add there will reduce your already slim 3 psi margin on blowing the 30 psi relief valve.
Also, beware that those boiler pressure gauges can be off by 5 psi or more. So you could be even closer to the 30 psi relief valve setting than you think…or farther. Best to put a known good pressure gauge on a drain fitting somewhere if possible to get an accurate reading.
As for the 3/4" pipes, at max recommended GPM and 20 degree delta T, a 3/4" pipe will deliver 40,000 BTU/hr. So 20,000 BTU/hr for two units, or 13,000 BTU/hr for three units. You say each unit has 20 feet of baseboard, which is good for about 11,000 BTU/hr. So the 3/4" pipe should be OK. Proof of the pudding is if the units are warm enough in winter. If no one is complaining, the pipe sizes are OK.
jesmed1
Re: How Do I Connect This Wire?
@EdTheHeaterMan So happy to hear you are actually doing it. It was maybe a year ago that you spoke about doing it. ( I always thought you should write a book.)
I'll take a look at some of your stuff during your writing and will be certain to purchase a copy when its done.
Twenty chapters. Sounds like a good amount.
A chapter dedicated to old forgotten ways and new ways to trouble shoot, and new ways to trouble shoot with new tools sounds like something to add. @Larry Weingarten made me think of that one.
Looking forward to it's release.
Intplm.
Re: Ecobee thermostat with Taco 570 zone valves
@sre92 , This may help. Forget the Nest designation. This is a 3 wire setup to the Ecobee.
Re: Carrier gas furnace horizontal installation
Correct. The return "pedestal" is only about 6" high, with insulation inside that makes it more like 4" high inside. So the return air has to go through a rectangle the width of the furnace and just 4" high, then makes a 90-degree turn vertically up into the furnace.
The return can't be reconfigured to come through the side because the furnace room is so narrow that a side return would block access to the back of the room.
jesmed1
Re: Ecobee thermostat with Taco 570 zone valves
Depending on the model of the smart thermostat, you may get an error message (No Power, or Power Failure) as a result of the Taco normal operation. When that heat motor is activated, wax expands inside a piston that opens the valve. It also operates two switches by way of a cone shaped cam. As the valve opens the end switch closes to operate the heating system or circulator pump.
As the valve opens more the power from the #1 terminal to the heat motor is opened to stop the heater from overheating the wax in the piston. As the wax cools the piston starts to close and the cam switch closes to heat the wax again. This on and off action of the heating element is normal operation for the 570 valve actuator but a smart thermostat may find that loss of power thru the valve as an error. Another reason I recommend the isolation relay.
I find that this relay Fan Control Center is the best value for an isolation relay. Less than $35.00 you get both the relay and a 40 VA transformer.
Re: Ecobee thermostat with Taco 570 zone valves
@EdTheHeaterMan , I read every one of your posts, religiously. Even tho I not that religious. Some of the best posts on this site, without exception, are your contributions. Thanks