Automag Again! (Help me, I'm sweating)

John Penwarden

I'm looking to install a zone controller in the near future. I'm trying to find one that may work with both honeywell and automag valves. reason I ask is that over the last two weeks, I've had two of my 5 automag zone valves fail shut (very strange). The only replacements I had were Honeywell V4083E's. I installed them and have them set to manual operation until I can get the control wiring straightened out. The control is the Automag MB board (transformer, with the WRB contacts on the bottom).

I need some advice for wiring these new valves up because right now I have one heating zone around 75 degrees, and the DWH zone giving me real hot water.

I want to install a board control similar to the Taco ZVC406-EXP. I know that Automag has one that is similar, but I'm curious if it would work with another brand of valve.

My system consists of:

80000 BTUH Crown Freeport, oil fired boiler

TACO 007 circ on return side

(4) baseboard zones:

(2) with automag zone valve & LUX 500 prog tstat

(1) with Honeywell zone valve & automag tstat

(1) with automag zone valve & automag tstat

Crown Hydro-Stor II Indirect hot water heat.

Honeywell zone valve, honeywell aquastat

The zones with prog tstats and the DWH have relays installed, because of the two-wire tstat.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

BillW@honeywell

zone valves

On Honeywell V8043's, the yellow leads are for power to the motor, the red wires run from the end switch to a relay panel to start a pump or whatever else the system may have. Since the old valves are all the same age, why not consider replacing them all, and using a Honeywell R8889B or D model zoning panel? You'll need 4 new T8400B1018 electronic non-programmable stats(one for each zone) and set up the R8889 with zone one as the priority zone for the indirect. If you have cooling too or want programmable stats, try the new T8002C1000. Use the "Find A Contractor" feature above , or try http://hbctechlit.honeywell.com to get a spec sheet. These products are not avilable at retail.

John Penwarden

automag

Two new developments:

1. Talked to supply house about the automag system. Not compatible with the honeywell valves. I still have the valves, and it may be cheaper to replace the guts, then install a modern automag zone controller ($95).
2. Low budget, can't justify the new valves & tstats at this time. I will splurge on the controller though to clean up the wiring rats nest.

Thanks for the info though, someday I will replace with all honeywell (or something along that line). That will be done when I repipe the system around the boiler. right now its a total cob-job.

Mad Russian

Automag

Not familiar with automag zone valves, but if you use Honeywell zone valves for your system you need only two 24v. transformers and nothing else if you disregard H.W. priority.

Jim Specht

Automag

The 2 Automag zone valves that are giving you a problem may have a simple fix. You can call Automag at 1-800-451-2002 and we will be glad to help you.