Polaris Panel Rad Hobby System

SuperJ

I've got a older Polaris tank (got it for free from one of our mechanical guys) running a couple TRV'd panel rads with an Grundfos Alpha2 ECM pump. I've read a lot of negative stuff about the Polaris tanks, but so far mine seems to work ok. This system is kinda of a hobby system that I've cobbled together from spare parts.

I've cut into the set point control (orange wires) and tied in an external controller to do a outdoor reset and gain better control over cycling.

I'm running the tank off a 6inch temperature well in the top port. Currently running a 18degF differential. Getting a little more than one 6 minute cycle per hour. I'm resetting the SWT between 120F and 160F as a starting point but will tune this as I go. The intake on my venting has an annoying drone, I've read that the Polaris tanks shipped with an inlet filter, I might have to dig one up somewhere. I didn't have the fancy Tee for the exhaust so I just used a normal T and drain out the bottom. This thing condenses like crazy, even at higher SWT temps. Way more than my high efficiency furnace.

My question is: how long and hot do my cycles have to be to avoid the infamous igniter problems they're known for.

hot_rod

I put 4 or 5 Polaris in my area, they are all at least 11 years old, some probably more like 15. Only 1 tank warranty claim. Some require ignitors every 3 years of so, others not a frequently. I'm not sure there is an exact answer to your question, certainly the fewer cycles the better for all component wear.