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Motorized zone valves

Tom_35
Tom_35 Member Posts: 265
in THE MAIN WALL
What is the preferred brand of motorized zones valves and why? We are getting ready to order materials for a job that will have 9--- 3-way motorized valves. Don't want to save a few bucks and have it come back and bite us because it happened to be the most economical to purchase.

Thanks for your help,

Tom

Comments

  • Tom_35
    Tom_35 Member Posts: 265
    Motorized zone valves

    What is the preferred brand of motorized zones valves and why? We are getting ready to order materials for a job that will have 9--- 3-way motorized valves. Highest gpm is less than 4, down to 1.

    Don't want to save a few bucks and have it come back and bite us because it happened to be the most economical to purchase.

    Thanks for your help,

    Tom
  • Weezbo
    Weezbo Member Posts: 6,232
    depends on the individual and the intended application.

    might help if you gave us a hint what you are zoning...
  • Tom_35
    Tom_35 Member Posts: 265
    3-way motoroized valves

    Sorry Weezbo. This job is mostly radiant floor panels using Pex and Onix tubing. There will be 1 ceiling radiant panel in a barrel ceiling in a large master bathroom (bath will have staple-up Onix under the floor as well).

    Will have a hydronic unit heater for the garage that is 36,000 btu.

    Let me know if more info is needed.

    TA
  • Weezbo
    Weezbo Member Posts: 6,232
    so far i am happy with the I-Series from Taco....

    esbe is perhaps the other valve that already has a large popularity.
  • hr
    hr Member Posts: 6,106
    Erie

    has been a very trouble free ZV for me for the last 8 years.

    hot rod

    To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"
  • Weezbo
    Weezbo Member Posts: 6,232
    there you have it ...:)

    erie are very fine valves . the Caleffi 's are some very fine zone valves with the machining top notch....i havent used any of thier three way or four way valves...you might consider using a pump block for the floor radiant...and depending on the required heat for the staple up IFC pumps from taco...just a thought...
  • Bob Daros
    Bob Daros Member Posts: 11


    Erie are the best zone valve we have ever used. I have to say we have put in at least 1000 of them in the last three to four years. No failuries. I can't say the same for Honneywell.
  • BillW@honeywell
    BillW@honeywell Member Posts: 1,099
    What sort of problems are you having?

    We now have a completely new & redesigned version out, the "5000" series. A 3/4 with lead wires would be a V8043E5012. They feature a "Quick Fit" pushbutton head, a slow-closing and extremely quiet motor, and you can still upgrade or service the valve without removing it from the system. The slow close should minimize the water hammer issue on all but badly designed installations, and the quiet motor & gear train should all but eliminate noise issues in baseboards in bedrooms. Check it out at http://hbctechlit.honeywell.com Available from anyHoneywell distributor.
  • Glenn Harrison_2
    Glenn Harrison_2 Member Posts: 845
    Bill,

    Hate to hijack the thread, but, is there going to be a conversion kit that would allow a 5000 series powerhead to fit on an older series valve?
  • Joe Mattiello
    Joe Mattiello Member Posts: 728
    Taco, Motorized zonevalve

    Taco, motorized zone valves are a great engineered product, with a 3 year manufactures warranty, and deserve consideration for your application. The esp. is a 2 way, soon be available in a 3 way version, and is an either open or close type valve, typically used for positive shutoff when zoning. Taco, also offers the I-series which is similar to the esp., but will constantly modulate always delivering the desired water temperature maximizing your comfort level. The new Taco, I-series valve is available in 2, or 3 way outdoor reset, and setpoint versions. For your reference I have attached product literature so you can then make an informed decision on using these remarkable valves. Hot rod mentions using eerie valve, with success, but fails to elaborate on the attributes qualifying them as the superior valve.
    Taco, Inc.
    Joe Mattiello
    Technical Service Technician
    joemat@taco-hvac.com
    401-942-8000 X 484
    www.taco-hvac.com
    Joe Mattiello
    N. E. Regional Manger, Commercial Products
    Taco Comfort Solutions
  • Ron Schroeder_2
    Ron Schroeder_2 Member Posts: 176


    Who sells Caleffi? I noticed they will work on 24V DC, not just AC. That is of a big interest to me for off-the-grid heating systems.
  • Weezbo
    Weezbo Member Posts: 6,232
    well this may work for you...

    do you have a furgeson wholesaler in your neck of the woods? if you are into inverters and battery back ups heat pumps solar collectors etc...really the caleffi are some sharp pieces of machinery:) their control system is a very capeable critter. if you havent lashed up the controls on a "green"house just yet,you should take a careful look at what is being offered by their lci and computer interface...Good luck.
  • Ron Schroeder_2
    Ron Schroeder_2 Member Posts: 176


    Do you mean these guys?

    http://www.ferguson.com/index.shtml

    They don't list Califfi as one of their Vendors.

    And yes, I do deal with Solar, PV, Inverters and batteries.
  • Kal Row
    Kal Row Member Posts: 1,520
    speaking of honeywell, bill...

    what are you guys doing to sparco-zone,

    i thought they were the best zone valves,
    easy to service, quiet, best flow rates, and setable flow rates!!

    now, you cant even find them anymore - whats up???
  • Kal Row
    Kal Row Member Posts: 1,520
    also, pro-press...

    just add one production station, to solder in short nipples into the valve body for pro-press users - will give you and extra sales edge - and add a "p" suffix to the part number
  • hvacfreak
    hvacfreak Member Posts: 439
    Siemans

    I saw some 24 volt Siemans valves on the job about a week ago that looked sweet.
  • Weezbo
    Weezbo Member Posts: 6,232
    Try Caleffi North America....on google search.

    then you can chose from thier list of suppliers in each state of the union................i just realized something my self....and i appreciate it... these are slated for a 6000 sq' home that we started this year and will wait till it warms up a bit 'Spring " before lashing them up.however you would likely find they are alot more responsive to a coustomer than many other vendors..Caleffi just seems to be really good people. e Italiano? :)
  • BillW@honeywell
    BillW@honeywell Member Posts: 1,099
    Hi, Glenn...

    Yes, the new heads will fit the old bodies! Enjoy!
  • BillW@honeywell
    BillW@honeywell Member Posts: 1,099
    No plans...

    to discontinue the MZV series zone valves. They are a good product, and compliment the new "5000" series valves ans well as the standard 1000 series. They are still available.
  • Allan Black
    Allan Black Member Posts: 5
    Caleffi Zone Valves

    The larger cavity bodies with an extra actuator gear cluster for longer motor life results in no motor backspin on closing. That means higher close-off ratings throughout the Cv range without water hammer. It also means the motor has a chance to develop full torque befor opening the paddle. Try the manual opener yourself and feel the difference of not back-spinning the motor. Push button top removal, stainless steel and EPDM rubber components for open loop, closed loop, and steam (same valve). No seal, paddle, or stem deterioration due to high temperatures or oxygen rich systems. And with that extra adaptor to directly replace Honeywell and Erie inverted flare valves is like having a universal valve in the truck for pennies extra. I heard the guy who designed this valve for Caleffi worked for Erie at one time. Maybe Caleffi let him include what Erie didn't.
  • Weezbo
    Weezbo Member Posts: 6,232
    Well said . *~/:)

    That Bill is a really sharp man.
  • Glenn Harrison_2
    Glenn Harrison_2 Member Posts: 845
    That is good news Bill.

    Thank you very much.
  • Kal Row
    Kal Row Member Posts: 1,520
    where are you even getting them???

    let alone for pennies more??? - at the end of the day - that is the overridng factor - you can get the honeywell's and taco's anywhere, any time, maybe at let's say your local 24hr 711 ;) even seen a honewell and taco at HOME-DEsPOT yech!!! - dont ask me what i was doing there - it's like i say to my wife when caught looking, "i'm married, not dead!!!"
  • Kal Row
    Kal Row Member Posts: 1,520
    available by whom???

    certainly not a your local plumbing supply, you either mass market it or remove it, since as good as i think this ZV is, i dont know if it's ethical to install something thats hard to get a replacemnt parts for in an emergency, not many customers will pay and hold spare parts, whereas a many of us have at least a motor for the 8043 series on the truck

    it's a pity - cause in my very UN-humble opinion, the mzv is simply the best!!! - it never took off cause it's all about marketing, and for most people out there, there is only honeywell and taco - so honeywell bought braukman/sparco - but no marketing change - you just bought the one valve maker that was better

    i send a lot of askers to http://www.plumbingsupply.com/zonevalvespecs.html
    if you are willing to wait, they get it to you at a decent price
  • Allan Black
    Allan Black Member Posts: 5
    Caleffi Zone Valves

    While a fair number have come on board,Caleffi is still setting up distribution in the US. I'm doing it in Canada. The VP of sales in the US is Bill Herbst "bill.herbst@caleffi.com" I'm sure he knows a rep in your area who can find a wholesaler near you.

    Regards: Al
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