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Would like programmable thermostat for my vapor system

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tmw
tmw Posts: 92
in Strictly Steam

Good evening,

I'd like to replace my old Honeywell TH5110D1006 for one that is programmable. Attached pics show the old Honeywell.

E5BEA38A-1A1A-43DD-8E13-073C7CF5BC58.PNG 60CA624D-0904-40D5-B48D-3DFB218D4686.PNG 986223BE-D318-4EFB-B5D4-A900C993A853.PNG

System is a 30's Arco model K vapor system that is running well.

Recommendations?

thanks,

Todd

Comments

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Posts: 18,263

    what kind of burner is in it? is it 24vac or is it millivolt? steam and other high mass systems don't do super well with setback.

    Mad Dog_2
  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Posts: 12,886
    edited October 25

    I'm not sure that setting back a steam system by less than 5°F for at less than 4 hours will yield the fuel savings you're looking for. With smaller setbacks or shorter periods, the savings may be minimal because most of the energy saved during the setback will be used to bring the building back up to temperature.

    As a general guideline, you should aim for a setback of at least 5°F for 8 hours or more to realize any meaningful fuel savings.

    That said, any thermostat with a programmable timer and a heating mode should do what you need. You may also want to consider a thermostat that uses a C-wire for continuous power, so you won't have to worry about replacing batteries. That may require an additional conductor from the thermostat to the boiler. A 3-wire thermostat cable is the minimum for a thermostat what needs a C wire

    Are you looking for internet access for programing using a smart phone or tablet?

    Edward Young Retired

    After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?

  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Posts: 18,983
    edited October 25

    If @tmw is who I think he is, his system responds quickly.

    I like the Honeywell VisionPro 8000, on which you can set the cycle length to your liking:

    https://www.supplyhouse.com/Honeywell-Home-TH8110R1008-VisionPRO-8000-with-RedLINK-technology-Programmable-1H-1C-Touchscreen-Thermostat?_br_psugg_q=vision+pro+8000

    Co-Founder, All Steamed Up, Inc.

    Semi-retired

    Baltimore, MD, USA

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Posts: 18,263

    oh, looking at the old posts it is oil so it would have a 24v primary control that you can probably get a c wire from. looks like @Steamhead worked on it like 15 years ago

  • tmw
    tmw Posts: 92

    Steamhead most certainly tuned it up beautifully all those years ago..

    I'm looking more for a nice warm house when I get out of bed in the morning more than fuel savings.

    And sure, I can run a c-wire. But changing batteries every year or so is OK for now.

    As a matter of course I've always taken the temp down about 10 degrees at about 10:00pm and then bring it back to normal house temp around 7:00 am. But the comment about fuel saving has me thinking. Am I in fact saving fuel? Considering that I'm using all that energy to heat the house up each morning?

    And Frank, is there anything that is less high-tech that you like? I don't really need wireless anything. Just simple manual programming.

    Anyone have opinions on this one?

    https://www.supplyhouse.com/Honeywell-Home-TH2110U4004-FocusPro-P200-Programmable-1H-1C-Large-Display-Thermostat-TH2110U4004

    I'm not at all averse to spending more money on a better product. Just don't know if I need more than this. Unless one of you guys can tell me why it's great to have wireless control

    Thanks in advance for your help.

    p.s. re: my post last year about radiators not heating fully. we cleaned the boiler a few months ago. what a difference! still cannot believe how well this 65 yo commercial weil-mclain works…and love these new valves (Mepco SWRF-B) which I install everytime I pull a radiator out to work on this old house..

    These are now warm at the return.

    IMG_7294.jpg IMG_7295.jpg
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Posts: 21,217

    I don't think you can get a "C" wire from an oil primary unless I am old and out to lunch.

  • tmw
    tmw Posts: 92

    I don't need wi-fi or anything that requires continuous voltage so batteries are fine.

    Another question: I am running 30.15 volts control voltage. Pretty sure my old t-stat is ok between 24-30v, but don't know if a newer t-stat will be happy with that voltage..

  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Posts: 27,919

    That voltage shouldn't be a problem. And that voltage is probably with the transformer unloaded — it may drop when any load is put on it.

    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Posts: 7,621
    edited October 25

    keep it simple and basic.
    go old school. Crack open a window in the bedroom.

    tmw
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Posts: 18,983

    @tmw , that VisionPro is commercial-grade, which is why I like it. But the one you linked to is one I have not used, so I can't comment on it. However, it's fairly cheap, and as long as you can set it to 3 cycles per hour or less, it would be worth a try.

    Co-Founder, All Steamed Up, Inc.

    Semi-retired

    Baltimore, MD, USA

  • tmw
    tmw Posts: 92

    Is it best set to 1 cph if that's available?

  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Posts: 18,983
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1907670#Comment_1907670

    Once the system responds quickly, 3 should work well.

    Co-Founder, All Steamed Up, Inc.

    Semi-retired

    Baltimore, MD, USA

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