Electronic sensors for One-Pipe system

DC100

Our building is 100 years old this year with a one-pipe steam heating system that was originally coal fired. We are about to replace our fifty year old oil fired boiler with a dual fuel system and will be taking the opportunity to balance the system to optimum operation. We would like to make our old system smarter by using electronic sensors at key places - riser vents, selected radiators etc - to monitor performance and help us tune the boiler controls. Has anyone had experience with sensors that record or transmit data, perhap via a wireless network?

nicholas bonham-carter

like this?

[url=http://www.heatinghelp.com/forum-thread/129235/Pressure-Cycling-Illustration#p1185236]http://www.heatinghelp.com/forum-thread/129235/Pressure-Cycling-Illustration#p1185236

[by the master of datalogging]

while making your old system smarter, don't forget to make the installer smarter too! when he is making those repairs, make sure your installer follows the mfg's instructions as a minimum. i would also suggest a vaporstat with a 0-2 psi gauge [gaugestore.com].--nbc

jpf321

datalogging equipment

I'm not sure that I came across any WIRELESS data collection equipment, but I also didn't really require it. I went ahead and bought Lascar Thermocouple (TC)(non-lcd) loggers and also Lascar Electronics non-lcd nonTC Ambient dataloggers. I have been very pleased with the units. They take only seconds to setup and an equally short time to offload. You do have to visit each location and collect the logger. Or walk around with your laptop and download each location. You can also buy Type-K TC probes for about $20 and permanently mount the probe and then just attach a logger to it when you want data from that location. http://www.lascarelectronics.com or here: http://www.fotronic.com/lascar/pricelist.htm http://www.testequipmentdepot.com/ (free shipping?)



I did find another solution that seemed like it was viable. iButton units... you can mount them semi-permanently and then go around and download the data. http://www.maxim-ic.com/quick_view2.cfm/qv_pk/4088 .. but then you need to get a reader etc.



These folks sell several options for temperature logging .. including some wireless, but only to 85dC .. and you probably need at least 100dC or 125dC .. they also sell iButtons .. http://www.embeddeddatasystems.com/