Recommended 4-way mixing valve and actuator

Mike T., Swampeast MO

Overhead gravity system with an older, typically oversized, cast iron, atmospheric boiler, right?

No need for boiler "protection" but if you insist, just use an ESBE.

No need for reset control unless you add TRVs <I>first</I>. With the circulator and burner operating in concert, your especially high volume gravity system already operates under a natural version of reset.

You can add these expensive things, but you're unlikely have payback from fuel savings in any reasonble length of time. Worst thing is that you don't need them if you address the root cause of the problem--your boiler.

Al Roethlisberger

Recommended 4-way mixing valve and actuator

I am gearing up for this Spring's update to my old converted gravity system, and one of the items I'll be needing is a 4-way mixing valve and actuator.

I'll be using a Tekmar 362 controller, and took a look at 1.25 to 2" mixing valves from Tekmar with associated actuators and had some sticker shock at the prices.

I certainly want to get the most reliable valve/actuator combo I can afford, but before settling on a particular make/model, thought I'd ask what has been found to be reliable and maybe economical for the pros here... especially in combination with the 362.

Thanks,
Al

J.C.A._3

I know...

Taco makes a 4-way mixer in the iradiant series. I've used many 3 ways with 0 problems....give them a look.

They will work outside of the Tekmar control, and you might be able to save some $ by using a differefnt and less expensive control for ...say, outdoor reset for the rest of the system.

I think that 1" is the largest size...but I'm not sure on that.

Maybe this could work to your advantage by making smaller zones and dropping the control costs considerably? Chris

Paul Pollets

ESBE

The ESBE 4 way valve and motor actuator are designed to work with the tekmar controls. Don't oversize the 4 way; a 1" 4 way can provide 100K btu's to the system. I have some gravity conversions using a 3/4" 4way, even though the distribution piping is 2-3"! The valve size is chosen to deliver the connected load + pickup losses.

Try pricing the valve and motor actuator from Blueline Supply, in Jackson Hole, WY. Ask for Chris Rorke.

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heatboy_3

It depends...........

...... on whether a boiler upgrade goes with it. Choose the right boiler and you won't need a mixing valve at all. That said, If you have a primary boiler loop, a Belimo three way piped as a secondary would be my choice. Works nicely with any Tekmarese control set up.

Paul Pollets

Yep!!

Right on, HB!

Using a Vitodens 200 on a gravity conversion is the cat's meow. Low loss header doesn't require a 3way, as long as it's the sole temp circuit.

I'd never thought I wouldn't be using cast iron boilers 10 years ago. Now, we use CI only for oil fired systems. 9 out of 10 use condensing boilers. BTW, tried a Vitodens 100 recently...it's a little primitive on the control side, but wires up fast and works great for a single zone and DHWT.

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heatboy_3

Don't forget the......

..... best boiler going (g), the Vitola. Oil/gas fired and works as good as anything else. Hook it up directly to all of that glorious CI and let 'er run.

kpc_11

they make ...

a 1 1/4" i series. in a 4 way...fyi. kpc

Al Roethlisberger

4-way valve recommendations


Thanks too all for your feedback.

The current boiler is only about 15 years old, ~80% efficient, so the ROI isn't there to replace it quite yet. So we're going to repipe for protection and efficiency with the valve, etc.

The prior installation was an uninformed DIY, and surprisingly works, but has some safety and performance challenges we plan to correct this Spring(major safety issues already fixed).

But the point made about sizing is very interesting, as I do have 1/25" boiler loop piping, and 2-3" riser piping. So I was assuming a similar sized valve. I'll have to look into that further.

Thanks again!
Al

Todd S_7

Mixing Valves

I just ordered a Honeywell Centra Valve. How do these compare to the ESBE?

Al Roethlisberger

Any functional/reliability difference between Tekmar 01x and 72x


Part of the choice between the Tekmar 4-way 01x and 72x is dictated by size, as the largest 72x is 2" and the 01x starts at 2". Other than size, the primary difference is that the 01x series is cast iron, and the 72x series is brass.

And they both use different actuators, with the 01x actuator being quite... quite a bit more expensive.

Based on a number of factors, I'll probably be using a small enough size to dictate something like the Tekmar 72x series of valves.

Anyway my question is two part:

1) Is there any operational or reliability difference between the 01x and 72x valves?

2) Same question about the 011 versus 741 actuating motor?

Thanks
Al
But just in

Jed_2

System

Without knowing what you're old gravity system consists of for radiation, one could assume standing cast iron radiation. So, the objective is to reset temps to those lovely beasts, and, protect your vulnerable boiler. The 362, as you are aware, does have the VSI capability as well. Plug a small circulator in the mix, and get better response time. What temps are you looking for? Another way is to reset the boiler with a 260, and by-pass loop the boiler for for protection. Or, just get a Taco 00VS circ. for boiler protection.

I just don't understand your intent on 4-way.

Jed

Al Roethlisberger

longer story that I have omitted

Well, it is true that there are other options, but I've left out quite a few details as I was really only looking for a specific question about the options for 4-way valves and didn't want to confuse the issue

I am working with a pro up in Maine that has done the design based on my boiler, load, etc... and although there were several options, based upon his experience the best approach for boiler protection, ease of use/maintenance, installation(me), and performance, the 4-way was his recommendation.

And it is true that a newer boiler would likely be the ideal/ultimate solution for several reasons, we can't really afford it right now, and our existing boiler is only about 15 years old, working fine, and about 80% efficient. So we don't want to rip it out until it actually dies.

Now I'm just doing some additional research on the product specifics.

Thanks again!
Al

heatboy_2

The 011 actuator....

..... is used on the larger cast iron valve and the 741 is for the brass ones. I'm not a big fan of the ESBE valves since they seem to make more motor noise than any of the others.