Triangle Tube Challenger domestic hot water does not maintain temp

ciro13

Per the title discussion, the Triangle Tube Challenger in my home does not maintain temperature of domestic hot water. When the hot water is running, like in the shower or when filling a bath, the temperature of the hot water will begin hot, then go cold, then it'll go hot again, eventually it'll go cold again. These periods hot and cold water will last between 30 seconds and several minutes. I want the temperature of the water to remain steady when I set the taps to run.

Zman

How old is the system?
Is this a new problem?
Pictures of boiler piping is always helpful.

ednelson7373

hello my name is Ed I am in the triangle tube tech support dept.
please give us a call at 856 228 8881 we would glad to help you figure out the issue we are here from 8am to 5 pm Monday through Thursday and 8 to 4:30 on Friday eastern time
thank you

Alan (California Radiant) Forbes

We'd sure like to know the outcome, if you don't mind.

ciro13

Zman, Can this be a piping issue?

System can't be older than 2015/2016 - it's been like this since we started living here in 2017.

I'll have to see what Triangle Tube Tech Support has to say next week and I'll post an update here.

Alan (California Radiant) Forbes

Is there a mixing valve on the DHW outlet. Should be - it comes with the boiler. Not saying this is the issue.

kcopp

I have worked/ installed many of these.
If you can post a picture that would help.
Are you on a well or City water?

unclejohn

Talk to mister Ed. It would be great if your name was Wilbur

rick in Alaska

I would say the flow sensor is hanging up, but just an educated guess. Tech support will be able to figure it out though.
Rick

ciro13

City water. There's a mixing valve. Thanks everyone.

hotwatercold

I am having the same problem with my triangle tube combo boiler. When the hot water is running, the temperature of the hot water will begin hot, then go cold, then it'll go hot again, eventually it'll go cold again. These periods hot and cold water will last between 30 seconds and several minutes. I want the temperature of the water to remain steady when I set the taps to run.

kcopp

This could be several issues.
excessive flow rate, a scaled heat exchanger or a bad mix valve.
Have you changed out a shower head lately?
How long have you been at this home?
Is this a recent issue or a slow progression?

hotwatercold

Boiler is about 8 years old. I remember that the shower head(s) have been problematic from day one. I have purchased at least a 6 different shower heads over the years under the assumption that reducing the water flow through the boiler would give the boiler a chance to the heat the water to the set temp. I’ve even modified several shower heads to further restrict flow to the point where pressure out of the head is extremely slow. I’ve tried setting the dhw temp numerous times & now in have the setting at 140 without improvement. When I turn the shower on and watch the boiler screen readout I get the following sequence-






Clearly the boiler is only reaching 116 degrees instead of the set point of 140 degrees. The sequence shown in the pics will continue until the hot water fixture is turned off. Mixing valve is a Caleffi 521 set to max 150 degrees. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

ahaile930

what was the solution I am new here

ahaile930

my triangle tubi combo is 4 years old maintained regularly I have dhw is giving me a problem hot water doesn't last to finish a 5 min shower

kcopp

What is the model # of the boiler? Need more info…

hot_rod

It will not reach DHW setpoint if the boiler is not ramping up, or the draw exceeds the capacity of the unit. Since you have changed shower heads, over the years, it sounds like you do not have enough boiler capacity.

Also set the mix valve to 120F, it doesn't do any good to have it set higher than the dhw can reach?