Vitodens

Mike T., Swampeast MO

In the next few months, you're going to see LOTS of data.

This is NOT a commercial for Viessmann. I have NO connection and will receive zero financial benefit from any manufacturer.

My Vitodens 6-24 is connected to a system that quite literally seems made for the boiler. Even though the piping is archaic (big, gravity) such will NOT invalidate the data. Datalogging sensors for flue temp, supply temp, return temp and condensate production.

I=B=R output IS my design loss. Low-end modulation is my loss at 50° outside temperature. No DHW production from the boiler to cause problems with operational graphs.

A number of radiant floors with NO form of control besides the supply temperature setpoint.

Only the single built-in circulator and no low-loss header. MANY told me that the header was utterly required--I chose to disagree and provided the numbers to prove.

I can VERY easily switch over and operate the system with an alternate boiler--an old W/M CGM.

For full benefit, you will have to learn to look at hydronic systems (and hopefully someday design) somewhat differently than you are accustomed.

How does the story go? "I have no problem with change as long as my father did it!"

Well, this won't be the way your father did it, but it will be very similar to how your grandfather or even great-grandfather worked. The dead men designed PROPORTIONAL systems. With the advent of those all-mighty circulators and wall thermostats, it's your father who lost the need for such knowledge.

Now that we again have modulating boilers, I most whole-heartedly believe that we need to re-think system design. If we don't learn to use these boilers in the most cost-effective and efficient way we're going to CONTINUE to loose market share to forced air as their furnaces become more and more sophisticated.

We've truly gone full-circle. The problem is that circulators and wall thermostats have cut a chord across that circle. A big chunk of that circle is no longer taught or understood.

As always, comments and disagreements are WELCOMED! Just because it appears that my unorthodox additions for my system have each been home runs and the Vitodens is the grand slam, it doesn't mean that I won't hit a few foul balls when trying to apply this to new and simple systems.

The more questions your ask and the more errors you find on my part, the better the outcome!

Mike T., Swampeast MO

What's In It For Me?

Knowledge! I've always had an unending thirst for learning yet could never really find a single thing that satisfied my wide-ranging interests. Hydronics seems to be my place, even if it continues to remain a hobby.

I do have a series of spreadsheets with instructions for sale. They're ALL about proportion and maintenance. Even if you're not currently designing such systems, they are quite fun for play.

Cost is only $10 to:

Mike Thies
mtman@clas.net via PayPal
or
534 Washington Ave.
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701

Am I just lucky that with a steady supply temperature after the boiler had "learned" for a few days that the actual return temperature was 0.1 degree away from the prediction at that supply temp???

(Did though have to re-adjust the reset curve a bit to meet my desired target for the radiant floors. Boiler needs a few more days to learn...)

Mad Dog

Good work , Mike

thank you for being a pioneer and sharing with us. We'll be watching. Mad Dog

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hr

Diamonds and rust!

glad to have your info and results.

hot rod

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