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Tekmar 289

delcrossv
delcrossv Member Posts: 2,056
in Thermostats and Controls

Seems the 289 is the replacement steam controller and I was wondering if anyone has installed one and if they're as good as/ better than the previous version.

Seems there's a pressure input (supposedly to fire a second boiler)- but it looks like it could be tweaked to control a 2 stage gas valve (?)

Trying to squeeze the best out of a Weil-McLain JB-5 running a 1912 1 pipe system.

Comments

  • delcrossv
    delcrossv Member Posts: 2,056

    No takers?

    Trying to squeeze the best out of a Weil-McLain JB-5 running a 1912 1 pipe system.
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,680
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1849715#Comment_1849715

    Never used one. Our customers mostly have 269 or 279 controls, and they're doing well.

    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
    delcrossv
  • JohnNY
    JohnNY Member Posts: 3,315

    I installed a 289 about a month ago. It's a pretty device with a modern user interface. The big improvement is that it's (finally!) wi-fi enabled. I wanted to take advantage of the pressure transducer input but it's a separate purchase from Tekmar which was backordered and I just received it. I don't think the transducer will help me very much but it's basically a sight glass into the pressure rise and fall and I think it will be interesting to monitor that remotely so I will install it.
    I enjoyed the simplicity of the 279, and the 269 for that matter, but Watts had to do something to compete with the functionality of the Heat-Timer MPC and the sudden demand for this Runwise system that's popping up in NYC buildings. Did you have a specific question?

    IMG_9084.JPG
    IMG_9085.JPG
    Contact John "JohnNY" Cataneo, NYC Master Plumber, Lic 1784
    Consulting & Troubleshooting
    Heating in NYC or NJ.
    Classes
    GGrossdelcrossv
  • delcrossv
    delcrossv Member Posts: 2,056

    @JohnNY Mostly looking at general thoughts on the unit compared to the previous versions.

    The specific question was using the pressure transducer arrangement to modulate a gas valve rather than firing a second boiler.

    Additionally did you use the indoor temp sensors?

    Trying to squeeze the best out of a Weil-McLain JB-5 running a 1912 1 pipe system.
  • JohnNY
    JohnNY Member Posts: 3,315

    I used the outdoor sensor and the system sensor. I don’t have the wiring in place to use an indoor sensor though I’d love to. They tend to make a big difference.

    Contact John "JohnNY" Cataneo, NYC Master Plumber, Lic 1784
    Consulting & Troubleshooting
    Heating in NYC or NJ.
    Classes
    delcrossv
  • 109A_5
    109A_5 Member Posts: 2,289
    edited March 27

    With this poor resolution of the pressure sensor, I would not expect good pressure based operation of a properly sized boiler. They don't state the actual resolution (that I could find). The picture of the user interface looks like it only goes to 1/10 PSI (2.76" WC) increments, my boiler never even goes that high.

    image.png
    image.png

    To me Tekmar (more than once) seems one short on the features.

    image.png
    National - U.S. Gas Boiler 45+ Years Old
    Steam 300 SQ. FT. - EDR 347
    One Pipe System
  • delcrossv
    delcrossv Member Posts: 2,056
    edited March 27

    Saw that. Would be nice if they provided a transducer that went from .5V to 4.5V between 0-5 psi- or less. No one runs a heating system at 15psi anyway. (???)

    Trying to squeeze the best out of a Weil-McLain JB-5 running a 1912 1 pipe system.
  • 109A_5
    109A_5 Member Posts: 2,289

    Breweries and other commercial / industrial applications use the pressure. However in the Tekmar literature they show residential radiators. Optional lower pressure sensors / transducers and software configuration to accommodate them would be better.

    You probably could probably use a lower pressure transducer and just do the scaling. So if the Tekmar displays 15 PSI would actually be 5 PSI in the example you used. I think ratiometric, 0.5 to 4.5 VDC transducers are fairly common, not sure about 0 to 5 PSI range.

    National - U.S. Gas Boiler 45+ Years Old
    Steam 300 SQ. FT. - EDR 347
    One Pipe System
    delcrossv
  • delcrossv
    delcrossv Member Posts: 2,056

    Yeah, seems they missed the boat on that one.

    Trying to squeeze the best out of a Weil-McLain JB-5 running a 1912 1 pipe system.

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