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Opinions on Velocity Boiler (nee, Crown), Wilo pumps?

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Bernie_the_Brewer
Bernie_the_Brewer Member Posts: 51
in THE MAIN WALL

In a previous post, (see below), I described my status on speccing a new boiler for my house. The quote that looks best to me proposes to install a Velocity Boiler Works (used to be Crown) modcon. (Phantom II, https://www.velocityboilerworks.com/product/phantom-ii-heat-only/ ). I searched HH.com to see what I could learn. Quite some time ago, @EdTheHeaterMan expressed positive things about Crown, but I think that was about cast-iron boilers, and I didn't find much else. I guess I am asking if anyone has opinions to share on Velocity modcons. (The contractor is willing to install a different brand if I request.)

Along the same lines, they use Wilo circulators, which I essentially never hear about. (Wilo Star, S21RFC). Any concerns here? (Of course, circulators are a pretty minor concern in the scheme of things.)


Thank you!

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/204197/could-my-envelope-really-be-this-good-and-how-bad-is-it-to-oversize-a-modcon

Trying to keep Bernie burning!

Comments

  • GGross
    GGross Member Posts: 1,927
    edited May 5

    It's different stuff than what you are used to seeing thats for sure. the boiler looks fine. I do think it is rebadged, it gives off baxi vibes with the gas adaptive technology in there. It's a decent selling point on its own imo. The water tube style will need fairly regular service, make sure your warranty is in line with competitors (5 years parts, 10 years or more heat exchanger) I am not really a fan of what they call "rate based reset" though it really simplifies the whole modulating target temperature thing for an installer.

    Wilo pumps are good pumps they just don't get as much play in the US. pretty sure their standard models conform to the same port to port length as taco and grundfos so you should be able to replace with a different brand if you can't find the exact wilo.

    typically I say you are buying a service from a contractor more so than a product, so you pick a contractor and let them install the brands they like.

    Bernie_the_Brewer
  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 12,368

    I actually installed the original ModCon boiler that crown made for one customer. it was a floor standing model. then I installed three more wall mounted models and was very pleased with the performance. One did have a control failure within the fiorst 4 years of operation and we were able to get that resolved. I actually installed one in the owner's son' home for him. (The Steingard family owned Crown before they sold to US Boiler) . I only did one of their combi boilers and I didn't like it. The time delay between turning on the hot water tap and the hot water reaching the tap was too long for my liking. The pre-ignition sequence of operation took too long.

    But otherwise, I liked the Phantom heat only or with an indirect.

    Edward Young Retired

    After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?

    Bernie_the_Brewer
  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 27,603

    No experience with that model. I used a number of the Crown CI boilers it was a good brand and excellent support, back in the day. I think there was a Crown/ Viessmann connection in some models also.

    Wilo is an excellent pump, one of the originators of the ECM technology. I recall seeing the Wilo name inside some of the Bell & Gossett small wet rotor circs

    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
    Bernie_the_Brewer

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