Danfoss wireless thermostat questions (ME)

[Deleted User]

I have a customer who had a heat outage this weekend while he was gone. When I got there and corrected the heat problem, I noticed that only one of 8 heating zones was calling for heat from the CFM wireless system. A walk through of the house confirmed that all of the thermostats were in need of heat, but none of them were getting any output from the CFM. After I reintroduced heat to the system, all of a sudden, the outputs woke up and started delivering heat to the cold zones, for a while. Then they started shutting down again. I suspect that the CFM is either a lot smarter than most people give it credit for, or I have a defective control.

There are two rooms on an outside corner with individual thermostats, and when I first walked in, they were down to 60 degrees F. Then, when the CFM started delivering heat, and the room quickly (WarmBoard) rose to 63 degrees F, then the thermostats output from the CFM shut them off again.

My assumptions are that the CFM saw a lack of heat throughout and shut down all but one zone as a point of reference. When it "saw" the heat coming back on again, it re-enabled the other cold zones. They ran long enough to "see" some heat, and based on rate of rise, the CFM then shut them down again before they had a chance to hit their actual given set points. I didn't have enough time to sit around and watch them, so I pulled off the job, and am waiting for the local rep to call me back, but thought I would toss this out onto the Wall to see what sticks or bounces back at me.

Anyone???

TIA

ME

Bill_17

CFM

Hi Mark,
There could be a number of things causing the problem, but most likely the batteries in some of the thermostats are in need of replacement. What you are experiencing is probably freeze protection function of the CFM, which will power each zone valve for about 15 minutes per hour if the batteries fail and the thermostats stop sending out any signals. We have also seen where the original Lithium thermostat batteries were replaced with off the shelf Alkaline, they fit in the battery slot but will not work properly. Make sure you match the original batteries exactly, or contact Danfoss for replacement assistance.
Bill

Mike T., Swampeast MO

Just like Bill I was going to suggest "check the batteries". I know it sounds trite, but I'm currently dealing with a wireless issue myself.

Danfoss website was down.

With my new computer set in the exact same space my wireless Vitodens tracking sensors REFUSE to work once the receiving unit is connected to the new computer. Mfgr of system INSISTS that it's a RFI problem caused solely by the new computer. Receiver position has not changed. Quite frankly, I'm pissed!

jp_2

noise

when I listen to the radio and use the laptop the radio picks up noise.

wrap it in tin foil

Mike T., Swampeast MO

jp:

By "it" do you mean wrap the computer in foil?

I'm almost at that point. Technical service told me to buy a serial-to-USB adapter for the receiving unit. I do so, but have not yet tried. I'm letting the receiving unit collect data for a few hours before I connect to the computer.

I've done this numerous times already and the collected data is transferred ONCE (and perfectly) to the computer--afterwards it's nothing but receive errors.

jp_2

CPU in foil

hey, that would work! ground it too!

yep, i might agree, gotta put some distance between the cpu and the sensor reciever.

this year instead of the books stacked on top of the radiator sensors, try a little dap of drywall mud to hold the sensor in place, cleans up easily when done.

Mike T., Swampeast MO

I just might try that (dab of drywall mud) but NEVER on one of my bronzed and finished rads!

Have never used books or anything even similar--such would mess with the measurement as it would have a significant affect on rad temp I can measure by significantly influencing the rad's interaction with the environment.

When I measure the temp of a rad I use a SMALL and fitted (to the sensor) piece of rigid foam or at worst a small wad of paper toweling. Usually held in place by my finger for a few minutes. If I'm going for longer-term measurement I use a sledge hammer--VERTICALLY--with a dome-shaped plastic head retainer. Significant weight, but very small contact area. That's the one object I've found so far that doesn't seem to influence the temp measurement by its very presence over time.

[Deleted User]

Thanks all...

I guess I was trying to give the Danes more credit than they deserved.

I will check the battery thing.

ME