New Lochinvar Boiler

Paul Rohrs_4

and boy are my arms tired!. (Sorry, I'm a little punchy from all of the travels.)

It was a great day of training at Lochinvar on their new Knight condensing boiler.

This is a VERY WELL thought out boiler with everything you could need as standard. There are only a few options available such as CSD-1 package, neutralizer kit, flow-switch, adjustable high limit w/reset, and LWC with manual reset.

DHW with priority, outdoor-reset, Grundfos boiler pump is inclusive with models 80-210, pump-relay with freeze protection, night-setback, LP conversion kit, and the list goes on and on. Go to Lochinvar.com and click on the Boiler tab, Knight boiler, and grab their literature and IOM manual.

The day was split into morning and afternoon sessions. The morning session was spent on powerpoint explaining sequence of operation,functions of the boiler, venting, gas piping requirements, primary secondary piping arrangements, and boiler construction.

The afternoon session was hands-on with one group doing the tear down, taking the boiler apart. They had a KBN 210 and a 500. I think both groups had them apart in 15 minutes, and back together again in 20. This is NOT a Munchkin clone.
Another afternoon session was centered on the programming. I am a techno-junky and was a little concerned about all of the capabilities of the unit and being a little to technical for the home-owner or end-user. It was about 15-20 minutes of overview from Charles that really clarified how user friendly the PLAIN-ENGLISH text simplified programming. Again, the system defaults can handle a great deal, but fine tuning it to your application is easier that programming your alarm clock. The night setback feature is something I will definately use in the future.

I like the negative regulation of the fan that draws the volume of air/gas into the burner. I like the condensate trap that collects condensate only via the seconday HX, not the primary. I think this will keep the combustion chamber from backing up with condensate and causing a failure for ignition. The condensate trap has a float switch that will close the contacts if plugged. You do have to fill the trap prior to initial operation.

I kept thinking that this condensate trap arrangement would cause problems if we had space heating mode (only) and the trap would lose its "prime" if not used for DHW during the cooling season. This is not the case since the traps float only closes the contact if plugged.

I have been a fan of Lochinvar for quite a while, they are a class operation with very good people. Let me reassure you that these are only my preliminary opinions before actually installing one. I have several jobs with this boiler specified and will post "real-world" applications pictures as the jobs progress. Attached are representations of our upcoming job with our 1st knight boiler.

I know they start production today and plan on producing 150 boilers per week to start.

I was just proof-reading this before hitting "post". After reading some previous threads, I want to assure you that I am not on Lochinvars payroll, haven't been on any "company fishing excursions", and I don't own any Lochinvar stock. I will say that I am looking forward to installing this product, and the results I am expecting will speak volumes. If I have any "issues" with this boiler once installed, you will hear them as well.


Regards,

PR

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bobbyg_2

Hey Paul! It was great to meet you there! I can't wait to see your jobsite pictures.

By the way, those design diagrams look tight!

Bob from Indiana

hr

Looks nice

I hope to see one in person at Radfest. A cut away model would be nice.

Paul, consider the Caleffi HydroLing with your system. I think you will find it makes a nice "out of the box" primary loop, air purger and expansion tank mount.

I know your drawing is conceptual consider piping that indirect as tight as possible.

Will we see your smiling face at Radfest next month?

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Paul Rohrs

Radfest

Thanks for the idea on the Caleffi, I will look into that tomorrow from Able Distributors. How did your Ultra job work out for air-elimination? Was that small purger sufficient? Looking at Able Distributors site, I was wondering if you have used all three sizes of Hydrolinks?
One more question about the hydrolink, are the mounting brackets an "L-type" bracket?

Unfortunately, I have spent (hopefully- invested wisely) my travel and advertising budget. I also have several jobs hitting in the next 2 weeks and then have "Home & Garden" shows to prep for, so I will not be attending Radfest. Please give everyone my best and if Ted Lowe is in attendance, please let him know he is in our prayers.


regards,

PR


Biggerstaffradiantsolutions.com

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Candace Parker

RadFest

Lochinvar will have a complete KNIGHT unit on display at RadFest this year in booth # 219. In addition you can check out the product in more detail during a "Pit Stop" presentation by Ike Gatlin on the new boiler. Pit Stop 702 @ 4:30 pm.

Dave_74

I'm excited

This looks like a great new product offering from Lochinvar. The company is a class act with class products.

The boiler comes almost "fully loaded" so if you need some of the bells & whistles, they are already incorporated. Even if you do not think you will need the features, you may in the future.

I cannot wait to start using this new Knight Boiler.