Help Programming Hydrostat 3250 plus After adding New Zone

AnthVale

I added a new zone and have been updating my heating system, and the time has come to turn this thing on. It's very exciting, except this Hydrostat is giving me issues (maybe it's not?).

Whenever I enter the program mode, it just fires the boiler. There are three thermostats. Two are the old circle dial ones, and the most recent third zone add-on is a Honeywell Programmable thermostat.

All three have a red and white wire heading back to a Taco Zone Control box. From there, individual wires are going to the Taco Zone Valves.

When I power on the unit, the Hydrostat just shows a temperature. 66 degrees. Which is weird cause it's about 55 in my house right now. But, perhaps it's insulated in the boiler or something.

I then turn the low temperature dial to the left to OFF, then, one toggle to the right to PROG to program. Then, it Fires immediately.

I've checked all the thermostats, and none of them are on. Or, at least they are all set to 45/50.

The instructions for the unit are below. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I'm just trying to re-set the high/low temps and ensure it's set to three zones now and not two like before.

Is it normal for this to fire like this? I feel something is wrong. I've also shared a great video of someone programming it. And, seems like it's not supposed to fire up.

Thanks,

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=210517104408653

https://hydrolevel.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/HydroStat-3250-Plus-Instructions-web-111919.pdf

EdTheHeaterMan

Here is what you need to understand the control

https://hydrolevel.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/HydroStat-3250-Plus-Instructions-web-111919.pdf

AnthVale

Thanks, Ed. I posted this link as well. I guess I'll have to read through it more thoroughly.

I was under the impression if this was all working before with 2 zones that I could simply add a third zone and change economy to 3 and it would work. I dont know if that's the case ha

I'll have to read through this again. Perhaps un-do all the previous wiring and start from scratch as I didn't install this.

Thank you,

EdTheHeaterMan

@AnthVale Said: I then turn the low temperature dial to the left to OFF, then, one toggle to the right to PROG to program. Then, it Fires immediately.

When ever you have the LOW set to anything other than OFF, the burner may operate based on the boiler water temperature. (as in keeping a minimum boiler water temperature. You can still follow the programing steps with the burner operating.

Also, I don't believe you need to go into the PRO for programing to change the Economy to add a zone or switch from economy 2 to economy 3. But Im not sure on that because I didn't see many of those controls before I retired. My GoTo control was the Honeywell L7224U. More durable in my opinion. and the screwdriver adjusting of the Hydrostat dials in some of the Hydrostats are a little wonky. (Wonky is a technical term used in the trade)

AnthVale

Thanks @EdTheHeaterMan

I was able to figure that out eventually, switch economy to 3 and I left low temp off and high temp was at 193?

Everything seems to be running fine except when the burner reaches its temp target and fires-down, it makes some kettling noise (I'm under the impression it's not real kettling and it's the boilet settling. It hasn't been run since last winter ..

Although, there's another almost decompression sorta sound like air is being let out Which occurs also when it fires down.

Today I'm going to dig out the Utica TriFire manual and do the regular yearly recommended maintenance and clean it a bit to see if that helps.

Best,

HVACNUT

@AnthVale , you left the High Limit at 193°? Too high. 180° max. I would start at 160° and adjust up if needed.

Is the Utica Tri Fire an oil fired boiler? If so, what kind of maintenance do you plan on doing?

AnthVale

@HVACNUT yes it's oil fired.

Perhaps I will put it down to 180. Whoever had this before had it at 193.

I want to change the oil filter, and other little things. Shown in the manual if I can.

I just want the unfamiliar noises to go away.

What I'm reading is I may have to clean heat exchanger? I know my water is very hard in this area. It's clear to me that whoever owned this home before did not take care of it so I'm not sure how well the boiler was kept up. Although, It's a relatively new boiler within the past couple of years I believe.

Thanks,

HVACNUT

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1814084#Comment_1814084

Any residential fossil fuel system should be maintained annually. Soot will kill your shop vac. Burner work (Nozzle, filter, strainer) is not DIY, as you don't have any way of verifying clean combustion, smoke, draft, pump pressure, etc. I recommend you find a reputable company with oil experience to service and maintain your boiler.

EdTheHeaterMan

@AnthVale the heat exchanger cleaning you mentioned requires a SootVac that is kind'a expensive for a DIY. Using a normal ShopVac on that soot may render that vacuum useless for future use. When changing the nozzle you must always have a combustion analysis with proper instruments that are also kind'a expensive too. there may be a Pro that will work with you o the DIY stuff and charge a minimum fee for the other stuff that needs the expensive stuff.