Heat Manager

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stickboy1375

stickboy1375

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Location
Litchfield, CT
I just did 4 of these in the last two days, anyone else have any opinions on if they are really worth the money?

heatmanager-boiler-controls.jpg

http://www.becketthm.com/boiler-controls/fuel-saving-devices.asp
 
M. D. said:
What does it do and How much does it cost ?
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Cost varies, but I've seen them for about $180-200 price range, basically they keep the boiler burner from firing when the boiler still has adequate hot water still built up.
 
stickboy1375 said:
Cost varies, but I've seen them for about $180-200 price range, basically they keep the boiler burner from firing when the boiler still has adequate hot water still built up.
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I've put a few on, starting about 3 years ago. I saw one on display at a local home and garden show for a local oil heating company, and I started mentioning them to my customers when I remember. It's an easy sale, and pretty quick to wire up. I should probably start mentioning them more, particularly since people are dreading having to have their tank filled this fall.
 
FWIW, Honeywell has had the "outdoor reset" feature with many of their Aquastat models for years, which essentially does the same thing, only more accurately. Just not as cheap as the Beckett gadget.
 
If something is smarter than just stricking a ignitor, I could see where the 10% could easily be met.

Throw in an intermatic timer for the hot water heater (think'n electric) and the turn over ratio is a little better, recoup time, and cost effif. also is a better usuage of that service too, but now at a price of 35.00 + - ...
 
stickboy1375 said:
Cost varies, but I've seen them for about $180-200 price range, basically they keep the boiler burner from firing when the boiler still has adequate hot water still built up.
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I don't understand. I thought that the boiler water temperature was what controled the burner and it only fires when the water temperature falls below the set point. At least that is the way with the gas systems I have worked on. Do fuel oil systems work differently?
 
mdshunk said:
I've put a few on, starting about 3 years ago. I saw one on display at a local home and garden show for a local oil heating company, and I started mentioning them to my customers when I remember.
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They use oil out your way? I though that was beyond oil burner country....I guess I learned something today.
 
peter d said:
They use oil out your way? I though that was beyond oil burner country....I guess I learned something today.
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Nope. Quite popular here. The Beckett gadget will work on gas fired boilers too.
 
don_resqcapt19 said:
I don't understand. I thought that the boiler water temperature was what controled the burner and it only fires when the water temperature falls below the set point. At least that is the way with the gas systems I have worked on. Do fuel oil systems work differently?
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Don, I am assuming this gadget has an an outside air temp sensor and lowers the standing boiler temp as the outside air temp rises.

At least that is how the units I have worked functioned.

Edit: OK I should not assume.


Operation/How It Works

HeatManager automatically adjusts burner firing patterns
and average boiler water temperature to match system heat
load. Its action is similar to outdoor reset method, but does
not require an outdoor sensor. HeatManager works with the
existing boiler control/AquastatTM to reduce fuel consumption,
wear on parts and flue emissions. For complete, detailed
explanation, reference HeatManager Tech Bulletin (form
664856) or visit www.beckettcorp.com/heatmanager
Click to expand...
 
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cschmid said:
lets see if I interpret the prints correctly..all this unit does is electronically stabilize the mechanical aqua stat.
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It does not stabilize the aquastat, it lets the boiler run cooler then the aquastat setting.

When it's 60F outside you don't need a 175F boiler temp like you would on a 0F day.
 
iwire said:
It does not stabilize the aquastat, it lets the boiler run cooler then the aquastat setting.

When it's 60F outside you don't need a 175F boiler temp like you would on a 0F day.
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why then is it located on the switched side of the aqua stat..It looks like the machine does not affect the aqua stat setting so much as the rate of operation..lets see I get the appearance it take the peaks out so aqua stat opens up the heatmiser timer kicks in aqua stat closes while time is still in action rests timer..this keeps the boiler from cycling on and off during the heat up cycle..when a room calls for heat the zone valve opens and the pump kicks on..with the aux on the zone signaling the boiler to fire..the boiler runs at a predetermined burn rate and this heats up the temp of the water in the boiler and it reaches temp and then shuts burner off for a couple of seconds..water cools aqua stat and burner kicks back on..this cycle repeats it self until the temp is reached..all this device does is manipulate the aqua stat output..I am interpreting the way this device is wired in and it is after the aqua stat..
 
cschmid said:
why then is it located on the switched side of the aqua stat..It looks like the machine does not affect the aqua stat setting so much as the rate of operation..
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Notice the device is wired on both sides of the Aquastat and the connection from the Aquastat to the boiler is broken. The Aquastat can no longer call the burner on if the device does not allow it.
 
iwire said:
Notice the device is wired on both sides of the Aquastat and the connection from the Aquastat to the boiler is broken. The Aquastat can no longer call the burner on if the device does not allow it.
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good morning bob..on the incoming side of the aquastat you notice it does indeed wire to both leads off the transformer I am assuming that is for the power to the timer and digital relay system..then it actually interrupts the output of the aquastat..so it is actually taking control of the output of the stat..now it has no means of ajusting the burner fireing rate or ajusting the water temp..it only adjust the output of the high limit and does not manipulate any other device on the boiler..
 
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cschmid said:
good morning bob..on the incoming side of the aquastat you notice it does indeed wire to both leads off the transformer I am assuming that is for the power to the timer and digital relay system..then it actually interrupts the output of the aquastat..so it is actually taking control of the output of the stat..
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Agreed

now it has no means of adjusting the burner fireing rate or ajusting the water temp..
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Sure it does, it will not fire the burner the moment the Aquastat closes. It delays the firing of the burner based on accumulated data.

HeatManager automatically adjusts burner firing patterns
and average boiler water temperature to match system heat
load. Its action is similar to outdoor reset method, but does
not require an outdoor sensor. HeatManager works with the
existing boiler control/AquastatTM to reduce fuel consumption,
wear on parts and flue emissions. For complete, detailed
explanation, reference HeatManager Tech Bulletin (form
664856) or visit www.beckettcorp.com/heatmanager
Click to expand...



it only adjust the output of the high limit and does not manipulate any other device on the boiler..
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It does not have manipulate any other device on the boiler, the breaking of the Aquastat wire stops the burner from running.
 
iwire said:
Check out this link, it explains it all. :smile:


http://www.becketthm.com/pdf/HeatManager_Tech_Bulletin.pdf
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OK bob using their own information and it states "the heat manager is installed in series between the boiler control and the burner"..interpreted..between the aqua stat and the burner..it determines the lowest water temp needed and then runs the boiler only when it is below that temp..so it is manipulating the aqua stats output..it no longer requires the internal water temp as it is using the surface temp of the pipe..that feature I did not see in the prints..so it has a baby microprocessor in it..Nice little unit and seems to be what they say as being able to save some fuel costs..yet it is still manipulating the aqua stats function by stabilizing the temp digitally..
 
cschmid said:
it is still manipulating the aqua stats function by stabilizing the temp digitally..
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No, it is not stabilizing the temperature, it is unstabilizing the boiler temp.

Did you see the before and after water temp charts?
 
I do have one question though in all the info on this device it does not state if the device fails in the open position or closed position..I did not see that in any of the info..if it does fail in the closed position and then the aqua stat just takes over and all efficiency is gone and home owner will not know it failed..I believe we could maybe discuss some other info not gleaned from the info I have read..
 
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