steam 'stat redux

Vicky

I've spoken to one plumber and two supply houses none of whom have heard of a thermostat being incompatible with steam. Can someone recommend a programmable other than the VisionPro? I'd rather not have that big screen (if I could I'd go with the digital bell, but it's not programmable).

Also could someone fill me in a bit more about "setback" and CPH?

Thanks

greg_7

I don't see why any old setback thermostat wouldn't work.

Our club has one pipe steam and we use a 5day-2day White Rodgers set a day head, since we're only open on Friday and Saturday.

It works fine.

David Efflandt

Some better than others

I am perfectly happy with consumer grade Honeywell CT3500 (5-1-1 day) or CT3600 (7 day) on 1-pipe steam. Either has automatic anticipation which holds the temperature fairly constant and ramps up from setback by the set recovery time, instead of all at once. The only reason I switched to the CT3600 was to get usage statistics, but the CT3500 will replace a damaged thermostat at work. I use setback more in mild weather to reduce boiler cycles, when cycles are so infrequent that the boiler cools down anyway and recovery is quick. During cold weather I set it more constant and just bump up a degree in time to get out of bed. 1 CPH is fine most of the year, although, 3 CPH can be more comfortable during high heat loss in extreme weather. CT8600 series are professional versions.

My home came with a RobertShaw programmable that had much more temperature spread (no anticipator). When set for minimal +-1 degree F, it had a 2 degree spread and would overshoot a degree or two beyond that.